Now that I’m in Pathways, we all do an Ice Breaker. at the beginning of each new path. In Toastmasters, as a new member, it was our first speech to introduce ourselves to the club. I was to let them know a little about me and find out what skills I already have and those I have yet to work on. And it was a scary thought.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’d written a couple of speeches and tossed them in the bin, but I landed what I thought would be of interest to others and one I could deliver. I was not at all sure my life was so interesting to others.

I’d practised at  a Tim Horton’s coffee shop a few days prior where I met Marj, who’d introduced me to the club. I never imagined giving a speech there and have never done such a thing again.

I tried to remember what she said about Toastmasters “being like soccer practice, getting ready for the big game.”

I got up to the front of the meeting room with trembling knees, shaking paper (’cause I needed my notes) and apparently with a trembling voice too. My speech was about spring time and how Dad used to take my sisters and me to the bush in the springtime to look at flowers (I still have that speech in my manual). It was called Spring Memories.

I didn’t know how I’d get through it, but I finished my speech, shook the Toastmasters’ hand and sat down. I still had to wait for my evaluator to report on my speech so my anxiety was still riding high.

My speech went over well and met with my listener’s interest. Tony Nelson, co-founder of the club, was my evaluator. Fans in the room competed with attention for volume so that was something to work on. Strong points he commented on were “determination and use of language.” I was thankful that there was some good in it.

I’d forgotten that until I just read it again. I had so many positive comments (never mind the others at the moment) that I was encouraged and went home greatly relieved (able to breathe again) and determined to write my second speech.

I’m sharing just one of my evaluations as the fellow member wrote it. Greatly encouraged by it too. Thanks to Doug.

evaluation by another member

At the time, the club did videos of us doing speeches and I have a VCR recording of that speech, but no way to play it anymore. I did watch it once, when I gathered up the courage to look at it.

My Toastmasters journey began in January 2004 and it continues today. I’m grateful to have landed in this club.

More on another day about my Toastmasters journey. May you also be encouraged to give it a try. If I can do it, you can too!