Welcome Fellow Toastmasters and Honourable Guests!

Submitted by Fred Berni on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 14:31.

Our members are friendly and supportive. Please feel free to give us
a call or an email if you have any questions.
You can also click here for directions to our meeting location. Guests are welcome! We look forward to seeing you!

Baby Phoenix Toastmaster

Great Communicators Are Made, Not Born!

After several years working at a large financial institution, a friend of mine started wondering why he kept getting by-passed when time came for promotions. Yes, he had achieved some success and was manager of his department, but his goal of becoming director and eventually vice president seemed beyond his reach.

One Saturday afternoon during a round of golf, I asked him why he was being by-passed. He told me, "You know, it seems that all the people that are getting promoted are naturally good communicators. They can think on their feet and know exactly what to say and when to say it.

This story may sound familiar. The fact is, good communicators are not simply born. They've worked on their skills over the years. Many of them have been successful because of the skills they've picked up while attending Toastmasters meetings.

The Secret to Becoming a Great Communicator

Let's face it, to become successful at anything, you need to practice, practice, practice. Becoming a great communicator is no different. In the Phoenix-Toronto club, you'll learn effective public speaking skills using the "learn by doing" method. And you'll do it in a friendly, relaxed,
informal and fun setting.

For many, one of the most enjoyable and educational parts of our meetings is the opportunity to speak for 2 minutes on a subject. Every week, you'll have the opportunity to make an impromptu speech. It's amazing how quickly you'll become comfortable with impromptu speeches and toasts.

For others, Toastmasters offers a terrific opportunity to improve their leadership skills. At Phoenix Toastmasters, members build their organizational and leadership skills through the formal 'Communication and Leadership Program', by taking on different roles at the meetings and by
taking the opportunity to sit on the executive committee.

Here's what Tom Peters, best selling author of "In Search of Excellence" and "The Pursuit of Now" has to say about Toastmasters: "Join Toastmasters. Oral communications skills count. Height and hair color may be in our genes, but public speaking isn't. One good answer to the public speaking problem is Toastmasters. They do a famous job of helping people shape their communication skills."

Here's What You'll Learn

The Toastmasters program can help you:

  • become a great communicator,
  • learn how to "think on your feet" and express yourself without preparation,
  • effectively develop and present ideas,
  • offer constructive criticism,
  • learn how to express yourself clearly and concisely,
  • develop your leadership skills,
  • develop your mentoring skills, and
  • learn to face your fears.

Developing these skills will help you:

  • be a better manager,
  • give better sales presentations,
  • feel more confident,
  • advance and enhance your career,
  • be a better coach

The Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters club would like to help you improve your speaking skills. And do it at your own pace. We're a small, supportive club, so we can easily accommodate your needs.

We're dedicated to helping you learn. And we know we can help you achieve your goals. After all, each of
us has goals as well. And we count on each other to help us achieve them.

How The Club Has Helped Us

Here's what the executive members of our club have to say about themselves, their goals, and how the
Phoenix-Toronto Club has helped them achieve those goals.

2009 - 2010 Executive


Irene K. - President

Welcome to Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters! From humble beginnings in the basement of a YMCA in 1924, Toastmasters International now has more than 12,036 clubs in Canada, the U.S. and 106 other countries. WOW! Phoenix-Toronto has been around for 30 of those years. 
 
In joining Toastmasters, I experienced a supportive and fun opportunity to enrich my life. Yes, it happens by following the Toastmasters' program of practicing speaking, communication and leadership. For me, it also happens through the Toastmasters' network of incredible fellowship.
 
Are you thinking Toastmasters might be for you?  Would you like to check us out? Please come to one of our meetings as our guest. By participating in Toastmasters locally, you link globally to a world-wide organization with a wealth of information and resources designed to support its individual member. Do not hesitate. Come and discover the new opportunities which await you!
 

Jawaad S. - VP Education

I have been a toastmaster for 3 years now. It has taught me to let go of my fear of expressing myself and to have fun. But most importantly, I've learned to take chances and seize the moment. Each week I can't wait till the next meeting.

On a personal note, I am a software engineer by trade and in my spare time I enjoy golf, watching anime and I'm an aviation enthusiast.
 

Jennifer L. - VP Membership

Even with 15 years of public speaking experience, that jittery feeling just never seemed to go away for me. Yes, with practice, I have felt less nervous over the years but every now and then I still feel the anxiety levels rise, the heart beating much too fast, and I wonder if I'll be able to get the first sentence out.

This past winter I decided it was time to make a change. I joined the Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters and have already begun to feel a noticeable difference in those jitters! The regularity of speeches and Table Topics allows me to get in the practise I need to really improve my speaking skills thus diminishing the anxiety!

Toastmasters, I've found, is not just allowing me to develop as a speaker but also as a leader. The experience to date has been nothing but positive for me and I am very pleased to serve on the executive team and do my part to make sure that each member gets as much out of their meetings as possible. I look forward to recruiting new members and helping them achieve their objectives.
 

Bill L. - VP Public Relations

I am an IT professional with extensive experience in delivering IT infrastructure services in large enterprises. Aside from the technology know-how, to be successful, oral communication is one of the key competencies required. As English is my second language, over the years, I’ve been struggling to communicate my ideas effectively. Delivering formal presentation in front of a large audience is particularly more dreadful for me.

Following the advice of my manager, I joined Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters a couple years ago. With the encouragement and support from the fellow club members, and by following the well developed program from Toastmaster International, I’ve been learning, practicing, and, most importantly, improving the techniques in preparing & delivering speeches.  My regret is that I didn't join Toastmasters sooner. 
 

Don’t just take my word for it, come and discover yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
 

Mike G. - Secretary

"I am a partner in a financial services company and  spend a large part of my time in front of existing and prospective clients. Learning to communicate effectively in front of all sorts of different people is very important to the success of our business. This is why after a long absence I returned to Toastmasters in November of 2007.

I was initially attracted by the friendly enthusiasm of the Phoenix-Toronto club. However it is the quality of the people and their commitment to helping others succeed that keeps me coming back. If you are willing to embrace Toastmasters it can help transform your life and create new opportunities. I can think of no other club that is better in helping achieve these goals than Phoenix-Toronto. I encourage coming out to a meeting; meeting the members; and learning more about Toastmasters."
 

Brendan C. - Treasurer

I joined Toastmasters International to improve my communication presentation skills. Thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and, supportive members and constructive criticism provided, I have made immense strides. Not only am I a much more comfortable public speaker, my social networking skills have improved greatly. I still have much to improve upon in my presentation and public speaking but week after week, I find myself getting more relaxed and confident.

I am very grateful to be on the executive committee and I am looking forward to the coming Toastmaster year.
 

Shiva V. - Sergeant-at-Arms

I was born in India and immigrated to Canada with a skill set of mechanical background. I have a Automotive Technology Diploma from a reputed polytechnic - SJP- in Bangalore, India in 1984. Exactly 20 years after, I completed grueling Programmer Analyst Diploma from Centennial College, - Toronto - Canada. I wore a variety of hats during all my working years.
 

Currently working as Infrastructure Manager with Nexacor (SNC Lavalin Group) servicing Bell Canada with building operations and project management.
 

As public speaking has been identified as one of the skill I need to improve upon, I became a member with our beloved 'Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters'.
 

James B. - Past President

"Why join Toastmasters? Ask a few of our members and find out. You may be surprised to hear several different answers. For some, it may be to prepare for a large presentation at work, or perhaps, a wedding speech. Some want to improve their public speaking and communication skills. For me, I joined to improve my presentation style with clients and to gain confidence.

Toastmasters has helped me reach my goals. Communication, like most things in life, can improve with practice. Once I gave my first speech, it became obvious I made the right choice in joining Toastmasters. Not only did my confidence improve, I began to reap the benefits from invaluable feedback. Each additional speech helped me focus on another aspect of communication. I received many tips from fellow members along the road. I now find that giving presentations to clients is more effective, easier and enjoyable.

What proves interesting is that Toastmasters has opened my eyes to new opportunities. I realize I can go even further. Why stop when there's more room to grow? Sticking with the Toastmaster Leadership and Advanced Speech Programs opens new doors. Yes, I have achieved my initial goals, but, in fact, my journey has just started."
 

 

Where We Meet


 Guests are always welcome to attend!

We currently have the following rooms booked:

  • July 7th, 2009 - Islington United Church, KRT Room, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Islington, ON M9A 1G9, Clik here for map
  • July 14th, 2009 - Islington United Church, KRT Room, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Islington, ON M9A 1G9, Clik here for map
  • July 21st, 2009 - Islington United Church, KRT Room, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Islington, ON M9A 1G9, Clik here for map

Our regular meetings are held year round at 7pm sharp every Tuesday at the Etobicoke City Hall:
399 The West Mall
Etobicoke, ON
M9C 2Y2

Located on the South-East corner of Burnhamthorpe and The West Mall. If you are travelling by highway you can take highway 427 and exit at Burnhamthorpe. Go west along Burnhamthorpe until you reach West Mall. Turn left (south) onto the West Mall. Immediately on your left will be city hall (a.k.a. the Etobicoke Civic Center).

Etobicoke City Hall location

Click here for a larger MapQuest map

As our 2004/2005 Sergeant-at-Arms, it was Gino's great privilege and responsibility to book our club meeting rooms. We would like to thank Gino for continuing to assist by booking the rooms for our 2005/2008 years.

From the parking lot enter city hall through the main entrance. Just inside the main entrance is the security and information desk. Our meeting information is usually posted on a small paper sign near the desk. You can also ask the friendly security staff for assistance.

Tips and facts for new Guests

Submitted by Fred Berni on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 15:03.

Tuesday Night: It's Phoenix Time
Guests are always welcome at our club!


Many guests have told us the hardest part was just deciding to come out to visit our club.

  • Relax! We all started out as guests, just like you. We'll do our best to make you feel welcome and part of the group.
  • There's lots of free parking spaces available.
  • Our meetings start at 7:00pm sharp. Guests are expected to show up at least
    fifteen minutes early.     This gives us time to answer your questions and get settled in.

  • Guests are welcome and encouraged to participate in the meeting, but participation is optional. Some
    guests prefer to just observe their first meeting. Others leap right in.

  • Remember our warning about needing a sense of humour! Be prepared to have fun when you get here.
  • Toastmasters is a self help group. "Give a man a fish -- feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime". Our club provides a supportive atmosphere.
  • At toastmasters you learn by doing. One step at a time.
    Fortunately, they are nice
    small baby steps so you won't be throw right to the wolves. :) Unless of course you like wolves, in that case, I guess
    it would be okay to throw you to the wolves. :)

  • Everyone joins Toastmasters at a different skill level.
    Our club is focused on helping you learn and grow at your own pace.

  • Like most things in life, you only get out of Toastmasters what you put into it. Practice makes perfect!
  • As a member of our club you will have many people and resources to guide you on your journey. But it is your journey. It's your life. Take charge!
  • See your fellow members grow as they progress through the program! Get inspired!
  • There's a reason Toastmasters is the #1 organization of its kind in the world: It works! And it can work for you.

So do yourself a favour and just "do it". You are welcome to visit our club as a guest a few times to see if
Toastmasters is right for you. So please drop in, have some fun, and give our club a try! We're ready when you are.

See you Tuesday!