Welcome Fellow Toastmasters and Honourable Guests!

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

*** Celebrating 30 Years ***

To celebrate our 30th year,

Phoenix Toronto Toastmasters will host

a special anniversary meeting on April 6, 2010

and
a 30th Year End Part / Celebration (Tentative June 8, 2010)

More detail to come.  Mark the dates on your calendar and stay tuned.

 

 

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.

  For a preview of a Toastmasters meeting, <click_here> to view a 15 minute presentation by Toastmasters International.

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!
 

Darlene E. - VP Education

I joined Toastmasters in March 2009 to learn how to be a more effective communicator as a clinical research project manager.  My goal is to gain the skills to lead effective meetings and presentations.  I've given a handful of speeches in the club and I've already noticed an improvement!  A nice bonus about Toastmasters is the leadership development aspect to it that I didn't know about prior to joining. 

Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters is an award winning club; the skill shown by its members is impressive and their motivation and positive encouragement is what keeps me coming back.  Whether your goal is to improve your communication skills, leadership abilities or both, this is the club that will help you achieve that and more! 

Brad S. - VP Membership

I attended my first Toastmasters meeting because I wanted to deliver a great speech at my wedding.  What I realized immediately is that Toastmasters is about much, much more than speeches and toasts.  It's about leadership, personal development and effective communication in our professional and personal lives.

People join Toastmasters from all walks of life, and for many different reasons.  There are some members who fear public speaking and others who've made careers out of giving presentations in their workplaces.  Whatever your original intention, I think you'll find something to keep you coming back each week.  For me, it's the impromptu speaking challenges at each meeting that are already making a dfference in how I handle myself in the workplace.  There is opportunity to participate in every meeting, even as a guest, so you should start noticing the difference right away!

We are a diverse, enthusiastic, and most importantly, fun group.  I would encourage you to try our club, and maybe serveral others to see which is best suited to meeting your communication and leadership goals.  Of course like most things, you get out of Toastmastes what you put into it, so get involved right away and start putting those plans for change into action!
 

Bill L. - VP Public Relations

I am an IT consultant specializing in delivering network 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.
 

Stephen T. - Secretary

A member of Phoenix Toronto Toastmasters since February 2008.

 

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!

  • March 9 2010 Etobicoke City Hall, Main Boardroom
  • March 16 2010 Etobicoke City Hall, Main Boardroom
  • March 23 2010 Etobicoke Olympium - Lounge (A), 590 Rathburn Road, Toronto, ON M9C 3T3 . Click here for map
  • March 30 2010 Etobicoke City Hall, Meeting Rooms 1,2 &3
  • April 6 2010  The Assembly Hall,  1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive,(Kipling Ave. & Lake Shore Blvd. W.)Toronto, ON M8V 4B6. Click  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 map

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!