The Beginning Stages



Tammy Bailey



Ryan Warner joined Afterburners Toastmasters in August 2011. His willingness to jump in and participate was evident from the very beginning.  His first speech was titled "Small Town USA."  In his second speech, he introduced us to "The Myth of Electric Cars."  Ryan is a shining star on the rise. 



Ryan Warner

I am in the beginning stages of learning how to deliver professional speeches for my job.  Toastmasters has given me the tools to prepare and organize effective speeches.  Everyone at Afterburners has been excellent at encouraging me and building my confidence.  Toastmasters has helped me succeed in delivering a professional presentation. 

My Worst Nightmare

LaShawn Carter

The first time I heard about Toastmasters I was in college. An invited speaker at my Marketing Club advised that it was a great way to hone your speaking skills. I was immediately intimidated. My worst nightmare came to mind. All I could picture was a lecture hall of 300 people and having to speak for an hour about something I knew absolutely nothing about. Anyone who knows anything about Toastmasters knows it’s all about timing. I wasn't ready to tackle my fear. It was the wrong time.

Fast forward to last year…I became a charter member of a Toastmasters club at work. What changed between now and then? This time around, I was open to the idea. I saw Toastmasters as a way to polish my rough edges and I hoped it would get me noticed at work. More importantly, Toastmasters would give me the skills to conquer my worst nightmare.

I attended my first Afterburners meeting in mid January 2011 after the club at work disbanded. I was immediately impressed because this club is very well organized and I was welcomed with open arms. Everything fit perfectly. The day, time, and location fit my schedule. The level of expertise and professionalism was exactly what I was looking for. And the demographic makeup was diverse. I was even matched with a mentor.

Toastmasters is developing my speaking skills. I always made eye contact, but now I work the room and pause for dramatic effect. I’m still working on my volume levels and vocal variety. But that will come in time. For me, Afterburners is like therapy, but a whole lot cheaper. I know I can call on anyone in this club for anything, especially my mentor, Pat Quick. I made up my mind that I cannot miss Afterburners on Tuesday nights. It’s like church on Sunday morning...if I miss, I feel that my week just doesn't go right.

My goal for Toastmasters is to conquer my worst nightmare. I want to make an informative, yet entertaining presentation to a group of 300+ people for an extended length of time. I don't want to just do it. I want to do it well. With continued training and guidance from Toastmasters, it's just a matter of time.

Chapter Two

Saraí Garcia Olmos

This fall at Afterburners Toastmasters has been a memorable one! I was finally able to present chapter two of the “novel” that I’ve been working on. Like most aspiring authors I was experiencing writer’s block.  Although I did not physically write anything down, my family here at Afterburners has helped me develop this ongoing tale about a character named Peter. I introduced him earlier this year and had hoped to continue his story throughout a number of subsequent speeches. 

After presenting my story to the club, I received numerous praises. I never imagined that the response would be so great.  It made me proud.  Everyone gave me lots of compliments and encouragement. I was even asked to deliver a part two! This is what ultimately helped me continue developing Peter’s story.

My club members have also helped me focus on wording and delivery so that I can continue to capture the audience. I am so thankful to be able to share my side projects with my club and in return get the feedback I need to polish it. So, come and join the fun! Who knows? You might catch Peter in his next adventure!

Comfort Zone

Bill Erwin

I visited a Toastmaster meeting with no idea of what to expect. There were some very impressive speakers who were willing to share their experience in a positive setting.

After a couple of meetings, I felt comfortable enough to participate in "Table Topics" where I stood up to answer a short question about a fun topic.  After noticing the improvement of the newer speakers, I felt ready to do my own "Icebreaker" speech where I get to talk about myself.  That made me nervous.  But I can think of no better way (or place) to step out of my "comfort zone" and drag it to where I want it to be!

Always Exit on the Second Floor

Holly Trinh

One day, I realized that I was not satisfied with my level of communication.  I needed to be more effective in public speaking and writing.  I also wanted to develop leadership skills.  I prayed and asked the Lord to grant me wisdom and guide me down the right path to better communication. 

Late one afternoon in September 2010, I searched the internet using the keywords “Toastmasters and Fort Worth.”  Afterburners Toastmasters was the very first of about 186,000 results.  I read through some highlighted points and it sounded like just what I needed.  Then I called one of the representatives who agreed to meet me at the next meeting.  

On Tuesday, I got off from work and rushed straight to the Afterburners Toastmaster Club meeting located in downtown Fort Worth.  I was very nervous because I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know what to expect.  When I walked in the classroom, I was amazed to see a room full of people.  Their hospitality and professionalism was immeasurable.  Several people greeted and welcomed me.  The members that spoke that night showed so much confidence and talent. 

The meeting ended about 8:30 pm.  I took the elevator by myself because I thought I knew where I was going.  I rushed out of the elevator door into a dark and scary hallway.  For a moment, I thought this was the door I came in by the security counter, but where was the parking lot?  I realized I was at the wrong exit door.  I was lost and terrified.  I didn’t know what to do.  I thought I should call 911, and then I remembered I had a copy of the members’ phone list.  I proceeded to call almost everyone on the list until someone answered.  To make a long story short, everyone was so gracious and they helped me get out safely.  Now I know to always exit on the second floor.

I came back the next Tuesday and didn’t hesitate to join the club.  I was voted in and assigned a mentor to help me.  My breakthrough moment happened when I gave my first speech, the “Ice Breaker.”   I was so nervous.  My heart was beating so fast.  I told myself that I needed a lot of prayer and confidence to do this.     

The Toastmasters manual helped me develop and organize my speeches.  I followed the steps to define my supporting points and explain my objectives.  With my mentor’s help, I was able to build my confidence each time I spoke.  So far, I have completed ten speeches.  I have achieved the level of Competent Communicator (CC).  I am very happy and proud of myself to have made it this far.  I feel more confident today than I did a year ago.  Toastmasters helped me improve my speaking, writing and leadership skills.  I plan to continue with Toastmasters and I dream that one day I will become a professional speaker and a role model to others.