Melfort Toastmasters has been conducting most meetings online during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted/Keith Lee)

By Mat Barrett

Melfort Toastmasters

Melfort Toastmasters offering Speechcraft program, hoping to become chartered group

May 12, 2021 | 10:13 AM

Melfort’s Toastmasters chapter is looking to get chartered, and are hoping that a certain program could help garner some interest.

Toastmasters in Melfort has been meeting since January of 2020 and had good interest in the club early on. However, COVID-19 created some speed bumps such as moving meetings online.

“That had it’s ups and downs,” said Melfort Toastmasters President Keith Lee. “It was a learning moment for a lot of us.”

Lee said as time progressed, they did lose some members. Although, some “hybrid meeting” took place outdoors and did result in some more interest for the group. Lee said as it stands, they currently have 17 members.

Toastmasters International is in over 140 countries and helps people develop communication and leadership skills, among many other skills. Chartered groups in Toastmasters access all the educational resources that they have to offer, including all 11 pathways for people to help develop their skills in public speaking, and more.

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“In order for us to officially join that family,” Lee said. “We need to reach that official 20 registered member mark.”

To help garner some interest for the group, Melfort Toastmasters is bringing Speechcraft to the area for those interested.

Lee said Speechcraft is a four week session in Melfort, but it can also be a six or eight week program.

“The goal is to basically do a communication and leadership intensive,” he said. “To help people who are interested develop their public speaking skills, their ability to give constructive feedback in the form of evaluations, and their ability to handle impromptu speaking.”

Lee added there will be a variety of ways participants will improve their public speaking ability.

“Through that intensive set of opportunities, every week you’re presenting a speech,” he said. “You’re trying to express yourself, trying to express ideas, talk about what you’re passionate about.”

There are three different groups of sessions that people can register for. The first will be lunch hour on Monday’s, the second is early morning on Tuesday’s from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., and the other will be Thursday’s from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. which is the usual meeting time for the Melfort Toastmasters group.

Those interested can contact Lee directly at 306-519-5092 or kkylee@gmail.com, or by finding Melfort Toastmasters online and on Facebook.

The Speechcraft sessions begin on Monday, May 31 and will run until June 29.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6