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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 3, 2016 | 26 Toastmasters club celebrates 60th with open house by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Overcoming a fear of public speaking opened many doors for Oakville resident Mark Molder. "It has opened up new opportunities for me in my personal and professional life," said the public school teacher, who joined First Oakville Toastmasters, Club 2245, in March 2012. The group, one of a handful of Toastmasters in Oakville, aims to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills. Through weekly meetings, members are given the opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation. With this year marking its 60th anniversary, the club is inviting residents to see for themselves Mark Molder the benefits of joining the group. It's hosting an open house Thursday (Nov. 3) from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Oakville Hall, 1494 Wallace Rd. Guest speaking will be Roger Caesar, who has won a number of speech competitions since joining his local Toastmasters. Other members will also be there to share their experiences of what Toastmasters has meant to their lives. Molder, who is serving as president this year, said he's gained invaluable skills that have helped him as recently as this fall, when he was the master of ceremonies at his brother's wedding. "I couldn't have done that five years ago," said Molder, about speaking in front of 150 guests. With his new-found skills, he's also been able to chair large meetings, present more often at work and has gone on stage speaking in front of more than 100 people at public speaking competitions. Molder has also seen the growth in many of the new members and how far they've come in terms of building confidence. "It's important that people understand, Toastmasters isn't just public speaking, although that's one of the key benefits from it," he said. "You also have the ability to think on your feet, do some impromptu speaking, so we do exercises where you're given a topic and you have one minute to prepare and then you need to speak on topic for two minutes. You have no idea what the topic's going to be." He described how the skills learned can be applied in job interviews, when networking and many other areas in one's life. "It's just practice and putting yourself out there," he said, noting there's also a leadership track within Toastmasters that allows a member to develop their leadership skills by chairing a meeting or a special committee. The cost of the annual membership is $300. Meetings are weekly, between September and June. Molder noted his club's members come from all walks of life, from journalists and engineers to students or newcomers who want to improve their communication skills as they enter the local workforce. For more information, visit www. firstoakvilletoastmasters.org. All Oakville | Burlington Locations No appointment necessary Flu ShotS AvAilAble All locAtions Are locAted inside longos & Are open 7 dAys A Week