Conclusion
Well that’s it. I am concluding the blog here; my Toastmasters membership rolls onward.
Looking back over the last twenty plus years and my Toastmasters addiction has, oddly, been revelatory for me. Yes, it has all been my personal experience but memorable episodes have only come to the fore on occasion, not as a collection. This gathering together of events has demonstrated to me how pervasive and influential my membership and the experiences have been. Experiences have been enriched by visiting different clubs and especially those in different cultures. An obvious vital ingredient has been the people who I have encountered in either their speaking roles, their dedicated administration or simply their good nature. I’ve mentioned a few people within the previous episodes of this blog, they have been prominent and memorable. The exclusion of so many others does not diminish their contribution to my satisfaction throughout my membership.
One person that I feel strongly should be mentioned is Norman Rhodes. Norman has been a member of MSC since it received its Charter in 1984, in fact he was instrumental in forming the Club in 1983. He has been an illustrious Toastmaster and was a member of the hard core I mentioned earlier in these blogs. His leadership of the Club and support of me when I first became a member have been generous, unfailing and honest. He remains an active member still.
Certainly you need the support of others to develop as a Toastmaster, no question. However, being a speaker is the loneliest and most exposed of situations. Standing alone in front of a room. Waiting to be judged. Calming your nerves. Remembering your lines. Watching the timing lights. What more of a test do you need? Such tests make us better people.
Finally, for me to get to this point has been by chance not design. Originally I joined an evening class being held at a local school. It was aimed to promote improved communication. The subset was to be a better speaker on the phone, speak more effectively at meetings and communicate well with small groups. Our tutor was a member of MSC who did his best with 6 of us for 4 weeks. On closing the short course he threw out an invitation ‘come down to a Toastmasters meeting at Maidenhead library to see what we do’. I took that invitation from Cyril and placed myself at the first episode of this blog. He often proclaimed his maxim of: ‘never refuse an opportunity to speak’. A tough one to live up to. He did and I have tried. Cyril passed away several years ago but his influence and attitude continues to be championed by many members of Toastmasters. I sometimes ponder on that chance meeting with Cyril. What a chance.
–Ian Rees
Maidenhead Speakers Club 