La Grande Blue Mountain Toastmasters
La Grande is a bustling and vibrant small town
community. It is nestled between
the Wallowa Mountains and the Blue Mountains, just
off of I-84 in the Grande Ronde Valley. La Grande is host to EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY as well as many small and a few large corporations. It is the perfect setting for a vibrant group of Toastmasters, learning to improve their skills. You too can be part of this group. Many of the current members of this group belong to corporate America. In today's world, being able to professionally handle yourself in a business setting is so important. This group of Toastmasters is here to help you learn to give organized prepared speeches, be able to speak on your feet (impromptu) and to professionally evaluate the speeches of others. You will never regret joining Toastmasters.
In
October 1924, a group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met in
the
basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, U.S.A., forming a club
“to afford
practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding
over
meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its
members.” The
group took the name
“Toastmasters.” We, here in La Grande, are a local
chapter of
Toastmasters
International.
Today, Toastmasters
International is a non-profit organization which
gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their
public
speaking abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and
speech
contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000
men and women
in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries.
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has
helped millions of men and women become
more confident in front of an audience. Our
network of clubs and their learn-by-doing
program are sure to help you become a better
speaker and leader. Why pay thousands of
dollars for a seminar when you can join a
Toastmasters club for a fraction of the cost
and have fun in the process?
Experienced professionals
and beginning speakers alike can benefit from
our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're
speaking to
the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids,
Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and
practice in a
friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same
reason
you are—to become better communicators.
At Toastmasters,
members learn by speaking to groups and
working with others in a supportive environment. A typical
Toastmasters
club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an
hour. Each
meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting
meetings,
giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering
constructive evaluation.
Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need
to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you
are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree,
Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable
way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to
effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open
an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be more
persuasive and confident when giving presentations, and
you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others.
Don’t worry! Everyone in a Toastmasters club was once
at the level you are now. The environment is friendly and
supportive, and the self-paced program allows you to build
confidence with each speaking assignment. And you’ll
love the applause! Constructive evaluation is the heart
of the Toastmasters program. Each time you give a
prepared speech, an evaluator will point out strengths
and suggest improvements. At first you’ll be applauded
for your effort; later you’ll be applauded for your skill.
You won’t regret it. Toastmasters currently has more
than 200,000 members in 80 countries. Our club is just one of the more than
10,000 clubs located around the world. For membership meeting information,
please see our membership information page.
More About Toastmasters...
