Toastmasters Club enjoys record-breaking performance

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The Toastmasters Club of Grand Cayman recently held a second induction service within the same month, a first in the history of the club.

The special meeting was held on Thursday, 29 March and the club’s president Annick Jackman applauded the new inductees and welcomed them as members of the organisation.

During the meeting it was noted that the quick succession of the inductions was a sign the club was growing.

Ms Jackman also took the opportunity to announce the launch of the club’s new website, which can be found by logging on to http://grandcayman.freetoasthost.info.

As part of the special meeting, Toastmaster George Ebanks gave a toast. During his presentation he mentioned that being part of the Toastmasters Club offers a good opportunity to improve public speaking skills.

He also said that it is a training ground for public speaking and is a benefit for individuals willing to move out of their comfort zone. He also took the opportunity to welcome new members to the organisation.

One of those new members, Dean Wickens said he decided to join the organisation because he saw it as an opportunity to practice presentation skills while Dipchand Bahall said he joined the club for the opportunity to lean more about public speaking and expressed his satisfaction at being part of the organisation.

Another inductee on the night was Victor Crumbley. According to Mr Crumbley he joined the Toastmasters Club because he saw it as a contribution to his overall development and a way to get over the fear of public speaking.

“I have only been involved for a couple of months but I have already seen the impact.”

Leslie Wilson said that her motivation for joining Toastmasters was her acceptance to university overseas.

“I was recently accepted to the University of Tampa where I will be pursuing a major in Advertising and Public Relations,” she said.

“I thought that it was important to develop my speaking skills and it will also help in my professional endeavors.”

Noel Wallace, Immediate Past President of the Toastmasters Club of Grand Cayman, was the Toastmaster (Chairman) of the meeting.

He said that speaking and communicating is part of daily life but most persons find it difficult to speak in front of an audience, even if they are knowledgeable about the subject

“Toastmasters is an organisation where people can improve their public speaking ability,” he said.

Mr Wallace said that it is good club to join for individuals in a variety of professions such as those in public service, management training and church leaders.

He also noted that many people pay thousands of dollars on leadership skills training and a more affordable option is the Toastmasters Club.

Speaking with Cayman Net News after the ceremony, Ms Jackman said that the Toastmasters Club in the Cayman Islands started in 2000 and is part of the international organisation, which has been in existence since 1924. She said that worldwide there are more than 100,000 members.

Taking note of the Club’s investiture milestone she noted that support for the club has always been good.

“Membership fluctuates but the local club has always been privileged to have a continuous stream of individuals interested in the club,” she said.

Ms Jackman also spoke about the club’s continued involvement in the community.

“We are getting more and more involved in the community and it is important for us to give back to the community.”

She said that they have a Youth Leadership Programme, which is like a mini-Toastmasters, that is run every year. Ms Jackman said that for the current session they have 20 young individuals who are participating.

According to Ms Jackman, Toastmasters overseas the event and gives presentations for the participants to grow.

She also encouraged people to come to a Toastmasters meeting.

“There is no obligation to join, come observe, if you feel it can be a benefit you would be more than happy to welcome as a member,” she said.

For more information on Toastmasters Club of Grand Cayman e-mail them at caymantm@ hotmail.com, visit their new website at http://grandcayman.freetoast.info or contact George Ebanks at 814-1004.

 

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