For more than two decades, Toastmasters clubs have provided leadership and public speaking training to its members and to others in the community. Today, under the direction of club president, Lawrence Boschulte, the Virgin Islands Toastmasters Club wants to raise its profile and encourage greater community participation.
"As a member of Toastmasters, I've learned more about effective communication than I did in a college speech class," said Boschulte. Boschulte, who is a running for a seat on the Board of Elections this year, credits the program with teaching him leadership and speaking skills necessary for serving the public.
"It has also helped build confidence," he said. Club members include doctors, lawyers, students, business people and other professionals. Ms. V.I. Senior America 2000
Toya Andrews, who recently placed second in the national competition, is one of the club's most distinguished and long-standing members.
Toastmasters is an international, nonprofit, self-help organization dedicated to helping people improve their communication, presentation and leadership skills. Members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive atmosphere.
Meetings begin with a short business session teaching participants basic meeting procedures. They are structured so that members take turns playing different roles such as timekeeper, evaluator and grammarian, allowing everyone the opportunity to speak.
An integral part of each meeting, intended to make participants think on their feet, is an exercise called "Table Topics." In this exercise participants deliver a two-minute impromptu speech on various topics. The "Icebreaker" is a 10-minute prepared speech that is analyzed by a designated evaluator recognizing the speaker's strengths and identifying areas for improvement. Guest speakers are often invited to meetings.
In addition to programs for members, Toastmasters offers companies a low-cost employee training program. The program involves teaching employees to give better presentations and improve their management skills, or helping employees feel more comfortable communicating with customers. Members must be 18 years old, though Boschulte says he would like to start a program that would help prepare students for job interviews and the college environment.
Toastmasters clubs meet twice a month for about 1-1/2 hours in groups ranging from 10 to 20 people. The V.I. Toastmasters Club meets at the Chamber of Commerce conference room at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
The Tropical Eloquence Club meets at UVI in the Chase Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month. For more information about Toastmasters, visit the Toastmasters Web site or contact Lawrence Boschulte at 774-6641.
