by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
More than 85 years ago, a group of men gathered together by a fellow named Ralph C. Smedley met in the basement of the YWCA in Santa Ana, Calif. The reason for the assemblage was the founding of a new club that would “Afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings.”
The club took the name “Toastmasters.” Since then “International” was added to the organization’s name and it has grown to involve close to 200,000 men and women who belong to more than 9,000 chapters in 70 countries.
According to the official Web site, there are dozens of Toastmasters Clubs in North Florida and seven of them meet Downtown.
One of those chapters is the Jax FOB Toastmasters, who meet twice a month at the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building on West Bay Street. Even though the membership is predominantly federal employees and the meetings are held in a highly-secured government building, it’s what’s known as an “open” club, meaning anyone interested in improving their public speaking skills is eligible to join.
The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. The organization is also one of the most accessible in terms of financial commitment. Dues for Toastmasters International are less than $5 per month.
Members take turns presiding over the meetings and performing other parliamentary functions, but the purpose of the club is to help people help each other develop their non-written communication skills. Members are assigned topics for speeches and also give impromptu presentations, all based on a curriculum developed over the years by the organization.
Katina Johnson is the club’s vice president of membership. She has been a member of the club for nine months and said, “It has really helped me excel and take advantage of opportunities.” Johnson, a federal employee, also said the skills she has developed have already led to more job responsibility and professional recognition after she was able to conduct a training program for other government workers.
Jax FOB President Vicky Watkins said the benefits of membership go beyond helping people feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group. There’s a social component that’s part of the process and a way for someone to possibly enhance their career.
“In addition to developing the traditional skills associated with Toastmasters, it’s also a way to network. That can lead to job opportunities and people can use the skills they have learned through the club to make a better impression during an interview. There’s also a lot of fellowship involved,” she said.
Toastmasters International meetings Downtown
• The City of Jacksonville Club meets at noon every Wednesday (except the last Wednesday of the month) at 117 W. Duval St. (City Hall). Open to all. For information call 630-2137.
• The CSX Club meets every Tuesday at noon at 500 Water St. Open to all but access to building is limited. For information call 359-3269.
• The Jax FOB Club meets at 11: 30 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Federal Building at 400 W. Bay St. Open to all, but access to building is limited. For informa tion call 287-8151.
• The Humana Huzzah Club meets at 8:30 a.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at 78 S. Laura St. Open to all. For information call 376-2644.
• Toastmasters at JEA meets at noon on the first, third and fifth Thursday of each month. Membership eligibility criteria required. Call 665-6466 for details.
• Toastmasters at Aetna on the Southbank meets at noon every other Thursday at 841 Prudential Dr. Open to all. For information call 351-3963.
• Castle.com Club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 701 San Marco Blvd. Membership eligibility criteria required. Call 232-3747 for details.
356-2466