Toastmasters – Local “Outliers” Chapter Open to New Members “Increasing Your Value to Present Your Best Self”

In my current work I write speeches and proofread documents for the Chancellor’s Office at College of the Canyons. This work gives me the opportunity to read the biographies of COC’s highly qualified faculty members. Their bios are impressive because they capture areas of expertise, current and past titles, length of tenure, and accomplishments, as well as key areas of focus, credentials, influences, and affiliations.
How can we make our resumes and bios shine with a depth of skills? It’s said that a good surfer is good because they know the waves to pick to ride. We all need to do the same for our careers. We do this by adding “waves” of individual credentials that bring credibility to our bio.
The smart move is to add evidence of specific skills that are universally known as necessary: communications, meeting management, group/team interaction, and critical thinking are considered important for most jobs. The good news is these are skill areas gained by becoming a Toastmaster.
If you are not familiar, the Toastmasters organization was started in the U.S. in 1924 and became international. On the Toastmasters website Members choose from a list a Pathway to work on, like “Motivational Strategies” or “Engaging Humor”. The on-line lessons are brief. You then write a 5-minute speech on a topic of your choice to apply the communication skills you learned. You practice your delivery and, when ready, sign up to give your speech. Two to three members deliver their speeches at each meeting. They are evaluated by another Toastmaster – all in a friendly supportive environment.
The Outliers Toastmasters Club is a local SCV group that is meeting via Zoom at this time. Its members are from all walks of life and skill levels, including entrepreneurs, managers, a world-class speaker, students. For a few, the experience and camaraderie even help to overcome some health issues.
Outliers invites you to join a meeting as a guest. You will see how friendly and supportive the group is as everyone practices the key skills and roles to conduct the meetings. Speech topics are interesting, and speakers are evaluated, not judged. You’ll immediately strengthen your communications, and you will quickly be able to add to your resume/bio “Active Toastmaster with practiced skills in speaking, group interaction, and meeting management”. Who wouldn’t hire for those skills? For more information contact our VP of Education Tom Iland on 661-313-3323 or tom@thomasiland.com.