Do you stand with panic, dread, fear, dry mouth, just whispering, looking like a deer in headlights as your classmates stare and wait for you to begin your presentation?
Students who want to improve public speaking, listening, leadership, thinking and team-building skills can join Toastmasters International at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Sherilynn Vineyard, a BBA management senior with a human resources concentration, is president of Toastmasters at A&M-San Antonio.
Benefits of membership include “participation in developing communication and leadership skills, a positive and supportive atmosphere and an opportunity to tell your story,” Vineyard said.
“Experience in leadership and opportunities for personal and professional growth plus educational resources pertaining to public speaking, listening skills, communication and presentations are also benefits to joining Toastmasters,” she said.
The campus chapter of Toastmasters International began in December 2013 with 25 charter members. Today, there are 16 members, which include current students and alumni.
Carlos Rostro, an MBA student graduating in May, joined the campus Toastmasters club in April 2017.
“Originally I was very shy giving speeches in class,” Rostro said in an interview Saturday, March 10, in the library. “I was afraid to go to the front and talk to the class because I did not feel comfortable because of my accent. I was born in Mexico and for the longest time I was self concerned with my speech, how I talked to people and the way I communicated.”
Rostro recalled having to give a PowerPoint presentation about China in a marketing class.
“During the speech I completely froze, and I felt ashamed because I was not able to communicate properly,” he said.
After his presentation Rostro went home to think about what he could do to improve his public speaking. He found out about Toastmasters from the pamphlets on the wall outside the restrooms. He decided to join that day and has since then received encouragement from Sherilynn and the audience.
“Any person graduating in business should be able to communicate, and being in Toastmasters can help. Anywhere in life, wherever you are, you need to be able to have that skill for self development,” Rostro said.
All A&M San Antonio students are welcome to join Toastmaster. The initial fee is $20 for the cost of mailing and producing the monthly Toastmasters’ magazine which members receive. There is also a $10 monthly club fee.
Toastmasters hold their meetings 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays in Modular 1 AF. Students can also sign up on JagSync. Toastmasters members participate in various leadership-building roles within a structured meeting agenda, as well as completing speech projects and giving speech evaluations. RSVP attendance on JagSync events calendar or text 210-663-0809.
