Regional Toastmasters adviser visits OKC
The Toastmasters’ Region 3 adviser was in Oklahoma City recently to support the Oklahoma Toastmaster district leaders in fulfilling the district mission to build new clubs and support existing clubs.
Atheria Scott, of San Antonio, first discovered Toastmasters by taking her son to the library. While browsing books on public speaking, she pulled two different books off the shelf, each containing a card that read “Toastmasters.” She went home and called the number on the card and a gentleman said “Toastmasters.” Not knowing what it was, she asked, “Do you sell toasters?” He said, “No, it’s about public speaking.”
Atheria went to the Toastmasters club and enjoyed it so much that she joined.
Twenty years later, she is still in Toastmasters and is now the adviser of Region 3, which encompasses Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mexico and parts of California and Texas.
“Toastmasters has benefited me and my family,” Scott said. “I have grown as a speaker, trainer and coach and continue to grow as I serve in this region adviser position.”
The Toastmasters Youth Leadership program also provided her millennial son the skills to give a short speech at his graduation. Her husband, a regional manager for a large corporation, improved his presentation skills so much his bosses have recognized differences between his presentations and those of others.
“The most impressive to me is that Toastmasters is a safe and supportive environment where presentations are evaluated by your peers so you can make improvements as you progress through the program,” Scott said.
Oklahoma has about 100 active Toastmasters clubs. For more information, go to www.toast masters.org.