DI Toastmasters returns after hiatus, speaking louder than ever

Toastmasters on Daniel Island is baaaack! Although this club lay dormant a couple of years after COVID-19, it’s now back.  

This club has an illustrious history on Daniel Island. It originally met at Revela, then called Summit Place. This club was founded in 2002 by Distinguished Toastmaster Brian Richards, who subsequently moved to New Hampshire in 2014. The club continued like the valiant red engine that could but struggled through COVID-19, when we all suffered from sore throats, colds, and fever; therefore, meeting online only.  

Now post-COVID-19, it’s vibrant and ready to go up the mountain again. The train is full of ideas and tools for people who like to keep their minds active, connect with friends, and gain self-confidence as they improve their speaking skills. 

The current membership is composed of experienced Toastmasters who have achieved the highest level of competency – “The Distinguished Toastmaster” designation. Several clubs have only one Distinguished Toastmaster on their roster, and Daniel Island has an astonishing seven – this means that new members have ample resources for speech improvement. They receive expert guidance, accurate, and supportive feedback.  

Even if you don’t plan on going for a job interview or giving presentations at work, knowing how to prepare for a toast at a wedding, funeral, birthday, and holiday is always useful. To quote Distinguished Toastmaster Scott Brown: “At Toastmasters, members push the limits of what they can do so that they can shine in the workplace and succeed.”  

For example, if your boss says, “I’ll give you five to seven minutes to present your project,” an employee who has trained with Toastmasters will not be intimidated. They will do so with confidence because they’re used to writing speeches and delivering them.  

In social events, there are people who are too shy to talk, some who feel their speaking isn’t effective, and those who ramble on and on long after they’ve made their point. At Toastmasters, they learn to answer questions succinctly during Table Topics. 

Meetings take place at the Daniel Island Library every second and fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. 

Questions? Email Bud Ingraham at bud@ingraham.us or check out Daniel Island Toastmasters on Facebook.