WORTHING SPEAKERS NEWS RELEASE (25 Jun 2013)

Worthing Speakers Club was thrilled to welcome The Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Robert Smytherman to their recent celebratory meeting where he presented them with their award for becoming a fully Chartered member of Toastmasters International – a not-for-profit organisation which help people’s confidence, by acquiring and practising, public speaking and leadership skills.

Commenting on the evening, Bob Smytherman said

“I would totally commend this friendly organisation to anyone out there who wants to brush up on their speaking skills – whether it be a best man’s speech, father of the bride speech or presentation for work .”

Club President, Kieran Connolly, said:

“We’ve been steadily and surely building the foundations of our club for members’ future success and confidence. We have 24 enthusiastic members eager to share their coaching talent with fellow members and with newcomers alike. A warm welcome awaits guests, on a no-obligation basis. To best understand how our regular meetings work, come and see, at first hand, how we build confidence.”
Meetings are held from 7:30 pm until 9:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at the Burlington Hotel, Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3QL.
Club Membership Officer, Cecily Brotherton explains: “Our club members come from varying backgrounds. This diversity adds value, skills and interest to our meetings. What we all have in common is a will to help each other succeed. You’ll be among friends with a common purpose in mind – to become an accomplished speaker and leader.”

“The skills you hone at our club can secure success in your professional and personal lives. Job interviews, public addresses, work presentations, charity appeals, award ceremonies and wedding speeches are examples.” To find out more visit the club’s website: www.worthingspeakersclub.org or call Kieran on Tel: 07968 997456

Two club members commented on why they joined and how they’ve benefited –
Julie Cheeseman said: “I’ve strengthened my communications skills and grown my confidence thanks to the support and encouragement of Worthing Speakers Club. Dr Sasha Mitrofanov added: “I joined to become a better speaker so I can inspire dedicate and motivate people. I’ve received really valuable feedback on how I can improve and lots of reassurance”

EDITOR’S NOTES

1 Worthing Speakers is the news newest chartered club in the West Sussex and Hampshire Area (32). Its sister clubs in the Area include : Arun Speakers, Chichester; Brighton & Hove Speakers; County Communicators, Chichester (Corporate, in-house club for West Sussex County Council); Solent Speakers, Fareham ; Spinnaker Speakers, Portsmouth & Southsea.
Surrounding Areas within the South East England Division account for a network of 29 clubs outside London, from Kent in the East to Hampshire in the West and up to Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in the North. This Division is one of 12 which make up the Toastmasters International’s District (71) of Britain and Ireland. Our growing District currently comprises more than 260 clubs serving some 7,500 members.
2 Toastmasters International was founded, in 1924, in California, USA, by the late Doctor Ralph Smedley. He was, then, a leader in the YMCA organisation. Dr. Smedley was passionate about increasing the communication and leadership skills of young men starting out on their careers.
Not-for-profit, Toastmasters International has grown to a global organisation spanning 90 countries, with 13,500 affiliated clubs with a total membership of over 250,000 members of many cultures, languages, ethnic origins and beliefs. It’s estimated that, somewhere around the globe, every two minutes one of the clubs holds a meeting with between 20 and 60+ members participating. Since 1924, an estimated four million people have grown in personal confidence through increased competence in public speaking and leadership. For further information, visit www.toastmasters.org
3 The learning model is based on preparing, practising and receiving constructive feedback (from peers) on public speaking and leadership projects, each of which has set objectives against which performance is assessed. Members choose their own pace of progression and their own subjects. Much of the learning can be transferred directly to the members’ social, community, family and workplace environments.
4 Britain & Ireland District’s first club was established in 1965. Around a dozen of our District’s winners have gone on to be well-placed in the World Public Speaking Contest finals, hosted by Toastmasters International. For further information about Britain & Ireland District, visit www.d71.org
5 Hampshire & West Sussex Area, 32’s Solent Speakers club fielded a finalist at one of the District’s Annual Spring Contest this May. He went on to clinch first place, thereby became National Champion for 2013.