When I first joined Toastmasters, I only wanted to get better at public speaking.
That’s it.
Maybe stop sweating every time I had to speak on Zoom , maybe say “uh” a little less.
I wasn’t trying to become a leader. I definitely wasn’t trying to be on anyone’s screen. And I definitely wasn’t planning to talk to strangers like I knew what I was doing.
But…Toastmasters…Toastmasters had other plans.
The first few meetings? They were nerve-wracking! I remember staring at a screen full of confident speakers thinking (while my camera was off), “what did I get myself into?”
But here’s the thing: Toastmasters doesn’t let you just sit in the back row. Little by little they get you involved. Maybe you start by answering table topics, then suddenly you are evaluating someone’s speech.
Next thing you know, you’re giving speeches and leading entire sessions. It’s like a friendly nudge… that turns into a full-on push; but one you’re actually thankful for.
You know what is the coolest thing about Toastmasters?
The people.
I didn’t make a point to talk to some of the original members, but they enticed me to introduce myself . And over time, I did the same for anyone new joining the club.
I know how it feels to be the newbie, unsure if you belong. So now when I see someone struggling or looking lost, I just ask, “Hey, need a hand?”
Sometimes those quick helpful messages make all the difference. New members may feel like some of the roles are too advance, but with a helpful nudge or two, they come to understand that any member can do it. And to get better at it, you have to do it.
Somewhere along the way, I became the club secretary. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to help.
I wanted to keep the wheels turning and make sure others felt supported the same way I had been. I went from barely turning my camera on, to being the person others came to with questions. Wild, right?
And you know what? Being on camera doesn’t scare me anymore. Talking to new people has become easier to me. And leading?
It feels natural now, because Toastmasters didn’t just teach me how to talk. It taught me how to show up.
If you’re thinking about joining… DO IT!
You’ll improve your public speaking, sure. But more than that? You’ll find your voice. You’ll build confidence. You’ll become the kind of leader who lifts others up.