Benoni Toastmasters Club member Michael Bratt was recently awarded the Distinguished Toastmasters Award (DTM) by Toastmasters International.
The DTM award is the most prestigious award that a Toastmasters member can achieve.
The requirements for this prized award entail the completion of eight rigorous educational levels, which include competent communicator, competent leader, advanced communicator (bronze, silver, and gold) and advanced leader (bronze, silver, and gold).
Upon receiving this award, Bratt was asked to share the value of being a Toastmaster:
“Toastmasters has made me a more confident person who is at ease mixing and communicating with anyone.
“It allowed me to discover leadership traits that I didn’t know I had as well as refine my communication skills.
“Having been a journalist for 10 years, my job was to talk to people daily and obtain information from them, often under difficult circumstances.”
He added that Toastmasters helped improve his interviewing and communication skills, allowing him to get the information needed for stories.
“It also improved my presenting skills, which came in handy for on-camera presenting in my job.”
Bratt started attending Toastmasters meetings as a high school learner and has been an official member for more than 11 years.
He has held several leadership positions, such as club coach for a neighbouring club, vice-president of public relations and club president.
During Bratt’s membership, he has also competed in numerous international prepared-speech contests at the club, area, division, and district level.
These contests include experienced contestants competing from Toastmasters Clubs from across Southern Africa.
Bratt offered the following advice for those who would like to improve their speaking and communication skills: “You learn the most by doing, so get involved and stuck in.”
The Benoni Toastmasters Club meetings take place every second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
Guests may attend club meetings free of charge and can obtain further details by sending an email to vppr-1315@toastmastersclubs.org or call 081 895 4823.
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