Get confident and find purpose with Revelstoke’s Toastmasters group

How does a social group where you can make friends and add skills to your resume at the same time sound?

Revelstoke’s Toastmasters is looking for new members as it kicks off for its fall/winter season. Toastmasters is an international club that is dedicated to growing the leadership and confidence skills of its members, within a supportive environment.

Often in life, we get complacent and comfortable. Being confident or showing leadership is not always easy to do and in many cases, it’s easier not to try. Revelstoke Toastmasters is fun group where, among friends, you can start to push the boundaries of your comfort zone and enjoy seeing yourself grow.

Toastmasters isn’t just for those looking to run a boardroom. You may be surprised that the confidence you gain from constantly presenting yourself in front of a group of people, at your own pace, has benefits in all aspects of your life — from job interviews and wedding speeches to your day-to-day job or meeting a new group of people.

Enjoy snacks and conversation with fellow Revelstoke Toastmasters. Photo: Revelstoke Toastmasters

Revelstoke’s get-togethers are run like a business meeting and you each have opportunities to speak throughout the evening. Member Scott Duke, who joined Revelstoke’s Toastmasters last season, said the club has given him tangible experience that he can use elsewhere in his life.

“When you stand up in a group you’re awkward and awful and it’s a terrible feeling,” he said. “But Toastmasters will take that away — it makes you comfortable.”

If you decide to join the club, you’ll be given materials and exercises that will track your growth. Revelstoke’s club director Terry Crane said this allows you to learn at your own pace.

“I like the fact that you can learn in a very secure safe and great environment,” he said. “You can try different techniques to see if they work for you and you’re evaluated on a number of important skills. The evaluations are what helps you grow and expand, and when you grow it’s so important.”

Grow your knowledge and confidence with Revelstoke Toastmasters. Photo: Revelstoke Toastmasters

Toastmasters become passionate members over time because it’s exciting when you see yourself, and others, getting better. Member Veronika Stevenson said Toastmasters has been an easy way to continually up-skill and grow her communication and language skills.

“It’s continuous education — it’s not a one time thing where you take a course,” she said. “And really, because of that, it’s just the best value that you can get.”

Revelstoke’s Toastmaster’s group first meeting of its fall/winter season is on Monday, September 12, from 6.30–8 p.m at the Revelstoke Library at 605 Campbell Avenue, Revelstoke.

The group meets weekly on Monday evenings. Come along for a session at no cost to see if it is something you would like to do. Revelstoke Toastmasters’ season runs from September to May.