Start the new year by improving your public speaking skills

If you’re like many people who put improved communication skills on their New Year’s resolution list, you’ll want to attend the January 14 Something Gained Toastmasters meeting.

That January meeting features two speakers who showcase how the Toastmasters program can benefit anyone who speaks in public.

Glenn Robinson

Glenn Robinson will speak on “Tips for Successful Public Speaking.”

Whether you are asked to speak at a department meeting, one-on-one with your manager or at a community event, Robinson’s suggestions can improve your presentation with his expertise on what to do and, just as importantly, what to avoid. Involved with Toastmasters since 2003, Robinson has reached its highest level of recognition for public speaking — Advanced Toastmaster Gold. Sought after as a paid public speaker, he is currently working on the Distinguished Toastmaster recognition, which combines speaking and leadership skills. Robinson offers key tips that can benefit both novice and seasoned speakers.

Robin Itzler

Robin Itzler will speak on “California Confusion.”

After spending a lifetime saying, ‘If I could only speak as well as I write,’ Itzler joined Toastmasters in 2009.

Within two years she earned the Competent Communicator award and the Advanced Communicator-Bronze award, record accomplishments for her club.

Realizing the multiple benefits that come from confidently speaking in public, she started a proprietary speaking program at her company.

Last year she decided that she wanted to give back to the Cypress community, where she and her husband have lived since 1978. So she started the Something Gained Toastmasters club.

A native New Yorker, Itzler will present “California Confusion,” a humorous look at her initial impressions upon relocating to the West Coast.

Other opportunities

The January 14 meeting offers guests an outstanding opportunity to see how a Toastmasters meeting functions. In addition to Robinson and Itzler, there will be an icebreaker (first) speech, table topics where members practice their impromptu speaking along with speech evaluations.

Club co-sponsor Silvia Swigert, ACS, ALB, who has served in various club and division positions, will be the toastmaster.

“It’s exciting to see a group of people come together and work as a team to improve their communication skills,” Swigert says.

What differentiates this Toastmasters club from most others is that Robin Itzler is legally deaf. She proves that her “something” doesn’t hold her back from achieving her goals. Several attendees have hearing loss issues and the club makes minor accommodations that benefit everyone.

Says Robin, “Hearing, sight, speech, English as a second language… whatever your challenge, don’t let it hold you back from achieving success. After all, something lost is something gained.”

The club is starting their Toastmasters journey with the Speechcraft program ($25). If you’ve procrastinated about improving your public speaking skills, plan to attend this meeting.

After all, every time you speak it’s public speaking – all that changes is the size of the audience.

Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012
Location: Cypress Public Library – 5331 Orange Avenue
Time: 10:15 a.m. – Noon

For more information, email Robin Itzler at Robin@MotivateYourSomething.com.