New Delhi: Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. It was founded by Ralph C Smedley on October 22, 1924, and is headquartered in Colorado, United States.
Toastmasters Club of Dwarka (TMCD), established in 2007, marked their 500th meeting on February 7, 2021, at Hotel Radisson Blu at an offline gala event, which was the first since the world started grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic. The members of the club conducted an interactive session followed by a showcase event of their talents like singing and dancing.
TMCD has been helping people to hone their communication skills and enhance their leadership skills. Every Sunday, a club meeting is organised to provide a collaborative and interactive learning platform for its members. The 500th meeting of TMCD was an exciting opportunity to experience Toastmasters life and benefit from it.
Due to Covid-19, the club was not able to conduct physical meetings but with commitment, dedication and ingenuity, the club continued to conduct their regular meetings online.
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Trilochan Pattanaik, President of TMCD, said, “As a climate scientist, I wanted to hone my public speaking and leadership skills. While reading a book, I came to know about Toastmaster International and without any delay, I joined the nearest club, Toastmasters Club of Dwarka (TMCD). It has brought phenomenal change in me as a speaker as well as a leader. I am its president. I help others to bring out the best in themselves. In this way, I contribute my bit for the betterment of society.”
According to other TMCD members, it is an exciting, flexible and interactive way to develop skills and help others. The club has polished many professional speakers, authors and professionals who have excelled professionally and personally.
The club's USP is the Pathways Learning program, a multi-language online learning tool that allows you to leverage 300 practical workplace skills, including public speaking, presentation skills, conflict resolution, effective leadership, communication skills and many more.
The organisation’s membership exceeds 3,58,000 in more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds who have become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders.
In TMCD, the members give a series of talks when they are ready to do so. Members listen to one another, give their talk and provide helpful suggestions for improvement, along with positive feedback.
Ankurita Pathak, another member of TMCD, said, “It has been a very enriching experience as a member of TMCD. It is a learning platform which is so positive and constructive that you become addicted to it. Learning becomes easy and fun with timely and healthy feedback and an encouraging environment. You grow not just as a professional but also as a person. Toastmasters is not just a club, it becomes home."
Ravinder Kumar, who is also a member of TMCD said, “TMCD is a forum which helps you to develop your communication and leadership skills. I have been a part of this club since December 2020. After joining this club, I have been able to meet people from different walks of life which not only enhanced my knowledge but also made me very confident and a good team player. I believe this is a platform, which is open for everybody who wants to develop his or her skills in the area of communication, team building, leadership, writing, etc.”
