Hello everyone,

Now that I’m starting to get the hang of posting, here are some photos from the Fall social Mark put together for us. Thanks Mark, and all the subjects in the photos

As a result of the statutory holidays (June 24th and July 1st), McGill Toastmasters Club will not have any meeting on those days. Our first meeting after the break will be held on Tuesday, July 8th.

If you wish to attend our meetings then, please send an email to our VP Membership (membership[at]mcgilltoastmasters.ca) to reserve a seat.

After attending on 1st Feb 2005, Kelly says:

I had a really great time yesterday. Toastmasters is truly something you have to experience to understand — it’s not easily described. It must be the great energy, and the feeling that people are building something together. Thanks for bringing me, and introducing me to it!! I definitely want to go next Tuesday.

In October 2003, I got married to Jennifer. At the reception after the ceremony I gave a speech in front of our 60 guests. I spoke confidently and clearly. I made people laugh. I didn’t use notes. Afterwards many of the guests approached me and complimented me on a great speech. Two years ago, I couldn’t have done it. Even if I had stood up to speak, nobody would’ve heard me. Thanks to Toastmasters I was able to fulfill that important part of being the groom and make myself and my new wife proud.

When I first came to Toastmasters,I could barely stand up to tell this new group of approximately 20 people my name and why I was interested in joining TM. My heart was pounding! After 2 months of observing TM in action, reading “Communication and Leadership Program” from Toastmasters International, Inc.,and doing my “Icebreaker Speech # 1″, I believed I was ready to speak at my daughter’s wedding.

I had the formula, I had some experience, and most importantly, I had the confidence in myself to speak.

There were almost 400 people in attendance at this intimate affair. It was the first time in my life that I wasn’t “scared to death” to speak. I was excited, a bit nervous and very confident.

My speech was approximately 6 minutes long. There was some humour in the speech and people laughed. What a wonderful feeling!

Thanks to Toastmasters for showing me the way. Just think about it; I have only just begun!

We gave a presentation to the McGill Alumni Association about conquering the fear of public speaking. Randa, Marc, Suzannah, Vicki and John all did an excellent job presenting to a full house. We had a lively question and answer session at the end, and all members of the audience seemed very impressed.

I had to tell you about my most recent “coup”. Last week I was asked to deliver a presentation to 30 entrepreneurs on how to read financial statements. A topic I’m comfortable enough with in English, but they asked me to deliver it in French. Yikes. Well, I figured I could use the practice presenting in French, and since it didn’t require much preparation, I agreed to do it. I quickly familiarized myself with some new French vocabulary and did my thing last night at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton AND IT ROCKED! I kicked plenty of accounting butt, and I owe it all to you guys… Toastmasters really pays off!!