Egoli City Toastmasters Club in De Wetshof (near Kensington) invites potential members to their ranks.
The NPO is the brainchild of the American-based Toastmasters International and boasts a membership of 20 members.
The club looks to reach a membership tally of 30 members by the end of June next year as part of its growth objectives.
Little was it thought the club would exist as long as it has, says the long-standing member and current club president, Richard Francis, who said the life-span of community-based clubs in South Africa is seven years on average, while that of a corporate club is only two.
Also read: Gary, a remarkable achiever
“To have lasted almost 40 years is a real achievement, especially given that at one stage, the club had been totally aimed and geared at disabled people,” said Francis. “We weren’t looking at the broader Kensington community and its surrounds, but rather at a very unique and specific community.”
The club, which identifies itself as an effective incubator for individuals looking to become effective communicators and leaders, offers courses which Francis said are designed to assist people to find and expand on their communication strengths.
“We’re no longer just looking at disabled people. What we’re now saying is that anyone who wants to become a better speaker or a better leader, or even improve their sales skills, can visit our club to see if they like it, and possibly sign up,” said Francis.
He added, “We are based on American rules, and as a result, do not follow the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). We’ve approached Toastmasters International and said we’re finding it hard to sell the programme to corporates because they want to know if it is NQF-based.
Also read: Laughing it off with Toastmasters
“Although it is not, I feel it is a better system in terms of the fact that this is a learn-by-doing organisation as opposed to people writing exams or doing portfolios of evidence.”
Sheryl Mulligan, vice-president for education at the club added that the club has made progress and is slowly gaining favour with corporate companies.
“Toastmasters now speaks to the corporates,” said Mulligan. “Our members are doing effective coaching, visionary communication and innovative strategies, all of which directly speaks to corporates.”
