Join the Toastmasters

The Greenside Toastmasters Club is the perfect place for anyone looking to strengthen their public speaking, speechmaking and communication skills. It allows people to get together and create a space where individuals can learn how to present themselves in front of an audience.

“We have a great balance of fun and learning,” public relations officer Jono Dangoumou explained. “People join us for many different reasons. We have students and graduates trying to break into the job force who need interview skills, and some amateur comedians too. We even have one dad who needed to make a speech at his daughter’s wedding – he joined us, nailed the speech and he is still with us today.”

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation which aims to assist members improve their communication and leadership skills. The organisation operates worldwide and focuses on teaching its members the arts of speaking, listening and thinking.

“People think Toastmasters is only for older people but that’s what is different about our branch. We’ve got members from age 19 all the way to about 65, and everyone is welcome.”

Competent communication is the common thread; those who join are interested in developing confidence and leadership skills when addressing groups of people.

“We even have really shy tech guys who aren’t very good with others,” Dangoumou joked, “but it doesn’t matter how shy you are. The main thing is that Toastmasters Greenside is not just for business but for everyone in everyday life. We can all benefit from communicating more effectively.”

The group meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Parkview Golf Club.

Details: Jono Dangoumou 082 860 2805, greensidetoastmasters.co.za, GreensideTM on Twitter and Facebook.