Laughlin’s new Toastmaster Club up, running

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin is now offering a program that is open to anyone over the age of 18 to help build confidence in professional speaking situations while becoming more acquainted with leadership skills.

The Toastmasters International program, offered here at the education center, is meant to help members become more confident in public speaking, professional leadership and overall delivery.

"Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches communication and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs," said Valerie Molina, 47th FSS academic advisor. "The organization currently has more than 260,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 113 countries."

While the organization services people around the world, the club here practices the same concepts with the same goals in mind as the rest of the clubs throughout the world.

"The mission of a Toastmasters club is to help people become more confident in their public speaking," said Orie Gonzalez, a Toastmaster International member. "The meetings are basically learn-by-doing workshops in which the goal is for everyone to have a role."

The club ensures members the total experience during their sessions to maximize their individual potential and growth.

"Members have an opportunity to practice quick thinking, speaking and listening skills and participants learn how to give and receive feedback in a friendly atmosphere," Gonzalez said. "Attending Toastmasters meetings is a great way to improve speaking skills and learn to think on your feet."

The Toastmasters Club re-opened here June 14 after being disbanded at Laughlin in 2005. Molina, Toastmaster Club president, said she is excited about the club opening back up and will be valuable for people here.

"It is beneficial for military members because they are required to take a speech class to obtain their Community College of the Air Force degree," she said. "This class is usually one of the more difficult ones. By joining Toastmasters, it will help Airmen better their communication skills. In the military, Airmen will typically be asked to teach, be a narrator or give a brief and you are always going to speak to someone. Whether you are supervising a few people or briefing your squadron or commander, you want to be able to communicate properly and effectively."

The group is scheduled to meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone interested in joining the club may contact Molina for more details at 830-298-5520.