Toastmasters has given me so much

By Gisèle Ménard, DTM

Toastmasters has completely turned my life upside down.

Twenty-one years ago, I was a legal secretary at the Centre jeunesse Chaudière-Appalaches in Lévis. When I had to answer a call in English, a friend of mine came to me and said, “You’d like that, Toastmasters.”

I answered, “What is it?”

I had never spoken in public, in front of an audience before. I was shy, embarrassed. My first improvisation: I was disqualified for not having enough time… 29 seconds of ahs…

I learned so much to come out of my shell.

I got my DTM in July 2011.

I now have confidence in myself thanks to the excellent, I would even say incomparable Toastmasters program.

I have learned to delegate with courtesy, I deliver speeches with humor… and above all, I give to the next person.

As I have been Vice President of Education for the past 8 years, so I… train… new members who are eager to learn, I motivate and encourage them.

Thank you Toastmasters, thank you for the motivation and thank you… for being YOU.

Learning is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

I am now a member of the new bilingual Toastmasters Advanced Club Les Passionnés.

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