On most Wednesdays at noon, you’ll find me at Oxford-Miami Community Toastmasters Club meetings. I look forward to them because they are always fun and interesting, but I am also a fan of the nonprofit educational program that helps people around the world develop public speaking and leadership skills.

I have seen growth in myself and in others since I joined the local organization in 2018. Since then, I have served in various leadership roles before becoming president last summer.

Miami’s Human Resources sees potential in the program, too. It recently approved the Toastmasters Pathways Learning Experience Program as a learning opportunity within the Job Enrichment Program (JEP).

“Toastmasters provides a supportive and structured environment for individuals to develop communication, leadership, and public speaking skills — essential tools for career growth and success,” said Brenda Curry, director of staff development for HR. “We are happy to support Toastmasters by offering Job Enrichment credit for those who complete the program.”

Margo Kissell

Toastmasters gives members the opportunity to improve their speaking ability in planned and impromptu scenarios. I always enjoy participating in Table Topics, which helps participants organize their thoughts quickly while responding to impromptu questions or topics. I now participate regularly in my office’s weekly Idea Café because I am more comfortable speaking up.

Everyone has a reason for joining Toastmasters. Some attend the meetings because their job requires them to speak to groups, and they want to get better at it.

Since the pandemic, we have held hybrid meetings — in person at the Oxford Lane Library or via Zoom at noon on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of the month. The officers meet on the first Wednesday.

There is a strong Miami presence in the club. We have a longtime Rec Center employee who is also a high school coach. Three new members are from Human Resources and the Student Counseling Service.

Last year, we picked up two doctoral students. One defended her dissertation this winter and credited Toastmasters with helping her gain confidence to accomplish that feat.

We also have members from the surrounding community, including a local realtor/auctioneer from Oxford as well as two entrepreneurs from Indiana.

Adam McCoy ’20, our vice president of public relations, has been a valued member since he was a marketing major in the Farmer School of Business. Now senior consultant for Kroger Merchandising - Total Store Initiatives for 84.51˚, he regularly Zooms into our meetings from Cincinnati.

"While my interest in Toastmasters began with a desire to control my nerves and refine my presentation skills in a classroom setting, I continue to see my involvement paying dividends in my professional life,” McCoy said. “Whether delivering a formal speech or participating in Table Topics, I always appreciate the support of this Toastmasters club and know these experiences have strengthened my confidence presenting and communicating in my place of work."

I have heard many great speeches at Toastmasters meetings. It’s nice when some of those speeches are later delivered on campus or throughout the community.

I’m a storyteller at heart. Toastmasters is built around storytelling, and it is at the heart of every meeting.

We welcome anyone who is interested in joining the organization, including Miami students! We have 12 members now and hope to grow the club to 20 — the level we were at before the pandemic — so more people will have an opportunity to enjoy the Toastmasters experience.

It’s a supportive environment where members can work on public speaking at their own pace and with their own topics. My own personal goal: getting better at giving PowerPoint presentations. I’m working on one now.

If Toastmasters sounds like something you might be interested in, I invite you to visit a meeting or two in the coming weeks.

You can find out more on the Oxford-Miami Community Toastmasters Club website. Contact me at kisselm@miamioh.edu if you have any questions.