The 10-year Toastmasters Journey

Disclaimer:

This speech was first presented during my Level 1.1. Prepared Speech on October 3, 2021, with some modifications to pattern it on a present context. But the “10-year” as creative handle remains for aesthetic purposes.

Fellow Toastmasters, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant evening.

October 2021 has become a significant month for Tarlac Toastmasters Club.

For this month alone, we had made a series of activities and accomplishments such as:

· The chartering of Tarlac Toastmasters Club as a chartered member of Toastmasters International, as of October 1;

· The training of members and officers last October 16;

· The chartering and induction ceremonies that commenced last October 23,

· And our first joint meeting with other clubs, wherein we are recognized as Tarlac Toastmasters Club, just last week, October 30.

The mere fact that our journey seems to begin, has gone a long way.

But, let me tell you something about my Toastmasters Journey…

Did you know or would you believe if I will say that I have already learned about Toastmasters International and it took me 10 years before I became a member of Toastmaster myself?

Ladies and gentlemen, here is my 10-year Toastmasters Journey.

Let me start this epic story of mine, which was set in a place where it cold – wherein it is the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City. It was April of 2010. It was the summer, as I finished my first year in College. Though I was studying in Manila, we went to Baguio with some of my friends to attend a three-day international conference organized by a Catholic charismatic movement where I was a member.

Over 10,000 youth members from all over the country and overseas members graced this international conference. But, I would like to focus my story on one of the program highlights – the set of workshops composed of different breakout sessions depending on topics offered.

Before the event, during the pre-registration period, we are already being asked to choose a workshop to attend. As I am choosing for a workshop, there was this one workshop that caught my interest. The workshop is entitled “Speak Up”. As I read the description, it reads that it is a workshop on Public Speaking.

“Hmmm. This is interesting,” I thought to myself and chose the said workshop.

All of the workshops are scheduled on the morning of the second day of the conference. Though these workshops are strategically placed in locations throughout Baguio City – some were schools, some were churches, and some were in other buildings. However, hours before the event, we are all gathered in the main activity area – in the Athletic Bowl of Baguio City.

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=cfcyouthforchrist&set=a.374001546628

As opening activities for the second day commenced, then there was the time where we were told that workshops will begin. For smooth flow, attendees are asked to proceed to “terminals” going to the respective venues of respective workshops. Ushers and usherettes were deployed, forming lines and guiding them to the jeepneys are transportations to the venues of respective workshops.

At first, I find myself joining in a line, believing that it is for the “Speak Up” Workshop. I was only with my friend, Quincy. Quincy and I were only the attendees among the Tarlac delegates. As we are following the crowd, out of curiosity, I ask the person in front of me if this is the workshop. But to my surprise, the person said, “No, it is for the other workshop.” Meaning, we lined up or we are going to the wrong assembly point.

So, we decide to leave the line and look for other assembly points, but we came to realize that we are already lost and the assembly for our workshop already left. Luckily, two girls beside us were looking for the same session and decided to join us. Though, during this time, we could have just taken another session. But it seems that we are unanimously attracted to the “Speak Up Session”, for we will regret it if we didn't push ourselves to attend the said session. So, the four of us, instead of giving up, just find ways to go to the venue ourselves.

Though we are all first-timers in Baguio City, and we are not familiar with the streets of the city, we took our best shot to ask for directions from the locals. Fortunately, the venue we are looking for it is just minutes away, but we have to ride a jeepney. As we are traveling, we had the chance to get to know each other, wherein the two girls are Sarah and Niña, from Bulacan and Cebu, respectively.

As we reached our destination, we thought that we are late or the event has already started. But to our surprise, the event has not yet started. It is like they purposely waited for us before they started – as the people are still gathering because they have just also arrived as same as us.

The four of us, then, decide to stick together throughout the workshop because we began to be comfortable with one another. The venue was located upstairs, either 2nd floor or 3rd floor of a building, where it was a function hall. We even decided to sit in front or at least on the front part, in order for us to hear the speakers properly. While waiting, I notice the venue was filled with materials such as posters, flyers, and brochures of Toastmasters International.

And, alas, my dear friends, that is the first time I encountered Toastmasters International.

SOURCE: Google Images

The program was composed of three parts: first, the main speaker of the workshop, together with some facilitators, introduced themselves as Toastmasters, then they oriented us what Toastmasters is all about. After that, they began to conduct a talk about the essentials of public speaking. They taught us tips and techniques on verbal and non-verbal communication and how can we apply it in our endeavors as far as public speaking is concerned. In fairness, the four of us were attentively listening with matching taking down notes. I simply thought that it was the end.

But, it was not! What happened next really expressed the essence of a workshop after all. Basically, a third part of the program is to test the application of what we have learned during the talk. And that is the time, they introduced us to the so-called Table Topics.

At that moment, I remember they are telling us about the timer with matching color-coding such as green, yellow, and red. Despite the pressure of the activity, I was shocked when we found ourselves going on for the challenge. Yes, you heard it right! The four of us tried the “Table Topics”. Specifically, I was the first one. I didn’t remember anymore the exact topic and the comment of the Toastmaster fellow. Though one of the commenters told me that my speaking engagement was like the analogy of David conquering Goliath, and my Goliath moment is my stage fright. After the challenge, we processed among ourselves about the experience. We even simply believed that the comments were sugarcoated but in reality, our speaking skills were not that enough yet.

After the workshop, we had the chance to roam around the city for a short time because going back to our delegation, but that experience gained our friendship. Years after that, we had established our contacts and had the chance to meet once in a while. Though at present, we are all connected on social media but have our own different lives.

But, as far as my 10-year Toastmaster journey, there were moments within the 10-year gap where I happen to browse Toastmasters International, but because I do not own about clubs yet, it didn’t push through. Until during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, where I saw a social media post about the Toastmasters Club (shout out to TM Leo Vallido), then all the experience in Baguio came back to my sense and I decide to pursue to deepen my experience with Toastmasters Club since my first encounter in Baguio City – and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

So, you see, everyone, it took me 10 years to get in touch with Toastmasters. And today, I'm happy that I am finally part of this wonderful club. I guess all the years were worth it. It is never too late to take the challenge that Toastmasters has presented to me. And in my case, and I have accepted and continued taking the challenge – for about 10 years in the making.

Once again, “would you believe if I say it took me 10 years to become a Toastmaster myself?”

The speech was delivered by the author during the Tarlac Toastmaster's Club meeting on October 3, 2020.