Toastmasters has arrived in Innisfail.
Last week a charter party was held at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre for the inaugural meeting of the Central Alberta Skytalkers (CAS), which officially became part of Toastmasters International.
The 90-year-old international organization, headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., has more than 292,000 members in more than 14,350 clubs in 122 countries. The Central Alberta Skytalkers, which is based in Innisfail and started with a membership of just under 20, is the town's first- ever Toastmasters club.
“Toastmasters helps improve communication skills and open doors in personal and professional life in a self-paced atmosphere of fun and fellowship,” said Donna Arnold, CAS president, during the club's charter party on June 19.
“You develop better speaking and presentation skills, learn to think quickly and clearly on your feet, build strong leadership abilities and hone listening skills.
“With all of this you build your self-confidence, which enables you to be better at home, in your business or at your job,” she added.
Arnold, who is also executive director of the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning (HALL), said the idea to bring Toastmasters to Innisfail began in September of 2012, noting a program of this type – helping citizens better themselves – was part of the association's mandate. She noted for many years citizens would have to go to Red Deer or other Alberta centres to improve their speaking and leadership skills through Toastmasters.
Arnold said the new group has video conferencing capability for meetings, which is beneficial for current and future members from across the region, including those from Hanna, Spruce View, Consort and Coronation.
Meanwhile, the evening also featured the attendance of high-level area and district Toastmasters officials who attended the charter party to welcome the new club and to officially present CAS with its charter and banner, as well as charter member certificates to all inaugural members.
“We are always excited when a new club charters. It is a new beginning for many individuals to develop their self-confidence, speaking skills and leadership skills,” said Doris Henn, governor-elect for Toastmasters International District 42, which serves all of Alberta and Saskatchewan. “It gives new opportunities and opens new doors for many people to progress in their careers and their personal life.”
The local Toastmasters group will hold its meetings at the HALL Learning Centre at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:30 to 9 p.m., with members having the choice of joining the meetings through video conferencing.
For more information on CAS contact HALL at 403-227-2866 or [email protected], or visit the website of Toastmasters International at www.toastmasters.org
