Pete Carey says:

“I joined Toastmasters to get a grip on public speaking, which, while I did a bit here and there, even before very large audiences, was almost always nerve-racking. I always enjoyed talking to groups – during and after, but not before! I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was my reluctance to speak before an audience that was the cause of my nervousness, for with repetition comes ease.

Toastmasters has given me a place to keep up my game, and – a dividend most non-members are probably unaware of – it has given me a little “leadership” experience – running meetings, chairing contests and so on. But there’s more!

The goal of Toastmasters is to make us better speakers. By working through a curriculum
and receiving evaluations by other members, I’ve learned to break some bad habits and have acquired a few skills that make for better presentations.”