Jerrick S.
After sixteen years of incarceration and six months of Toastmasters, I don’t have to look for handouts or play on any ones sympathy anymore. Why? Because I can present myself and speak in a clear, organized, and professional manner. In the past four years, since my release, I have found that in the areas of customer service, telemarketing, and sales that honesty, professional appearance, and the ability to speak well are all that matter. For me, those 6 months in Toastmasters has made the difference.

Vance D.
I owe my job to the Toastmaster program. The fact that I am an ex-felon was giving my prospective employer some second thoughts. What turned his mind around is when I started telling him about all of the things that I had accomplished in prison. When I mentioned the Toastmaster program he seemed really impressed. He had heard of Toastmasters, but not in a prison. The job I was applying for has quite a lot to do with selling, so he gave me two minutes to sell myself to him. With the public speaking skills and confidence that Toastmasters has instilled in me I was able to convince him that I not only could do the job, but I had no plans on slipping back into my former lifestyle. After my two-minute speech the man reached across the desk, shook my hand, and said congratulations, you’ve got the job.

Drew H.
Toastmasters strengthened me and lifted me up more than I am able to express. My positive outlook today is in part a product of the positive trends set in my life through Toastmasters.

Eric T.
The Toastmaster program has really blessed us. You can see attitudes change in a positive manner after people attend a meeting. We need to learn how to express ourselves in an appropriate manner and Toastmasters is allowing that to happen. I just want to thank you for supporting us over here and allowing us another opportunity to succeed in life."

Bobby M.
Some of the guys were asking me how come I don't cuss no more. I told them its because I don't hang around anymore with people that use cuss words. Now I hang around with people that use words like loquacious and intricate and veracity."

James K.
Most members of this club have never had a job for very long; they never finished high school, or did not go past high school. We live in a world where we are cussed and cursed daily, called dumb, lazy, and worthless. This club is a place where we can come and learn how to put our feelings into words that people will understand and want to take the time to listen to. We get to tell our thoughts ideas and feelings to a group of people that will not judge us, call us stupid, cuss us out, and tell us to shut up. For some of us, this is the first time in our lives that we are able to get our point across and not have to use a cuss word, yelling, or even anger or force.

Jerome C.
For the six months that I have taken part in the Toastmasters public speaking and leadership program I have not only learned to be a better orator, but have also tapped into my potential to work successfully in a professional environment as an effective communicator, leader, and team player.

Ricky W.
I have learned crucial lessons about life, love, and friendship. I struggle hard to avoid becoming a transparent malcontent like so many have. Toastmasters has given me a light in the darkness. It has helped me to communicate better, to become better organized, and to confront minor fears and defeat them in their infancies.

Vance D.
The leadership portion of the Toastmasters experience teaches us that there is a difference between true leadership and just taking charge. True leadership involves learning how to interact well with other individuals. True leadership is not standing alone at the top of a pyramid, for the pyramid would not stand without the whole of its parts working together. True leadership, then, is the forming together of individuals to work effectively as a team. True leadership is also leading by example. Communication plays a key role in effective leadership. When an effective leader takes position, he causes the team to start working together like a well-oiled machine. The results of his leadership can be seen in the products the team produces, and by the morale of the team.

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