Welcome from our president, Jonathan Davies
I first visited a Toastmasters meeting in 2019 when I lived in Gloucestershire. For me, finding Toastmasters felt like striking gold! I needed to occasionally speak in front of groups of people at work but, every time I had to speak, I felt nervous. I understood that to improve my public speaking I needed to speak regularly in front of others. Toastmasters provided me with this opportunity. After that first meeting in 2019, I signed up as a member straightway and I have never looked back!
After I relocated to East Hertfordshire in 2020, I joined East Herts Speakers. My time at the club has not only allowed me to improve my speaking skills, but I have also learned how to write compelling speeches, give useful feedback, organise events, and influence and communicate, whilst also making new friends along the way. Now, when I am due to speak, what was once a feeling of apprehension has given way to something else – a feeling of excitement!
Having held the role of Treasurer at my previous club, I served as Vice President Membership at East Herts Speakers and this year I’m honoured to serve our learning community as President. For me personally, it is a privilege to share in the journeys that many of our members take from bravely attending their first meeting, to giving adept and confident speeches at the club. I greatly look forward to continuing to make the club a friendly and supportive space to help more people grow into confident public speakers.
East Herts Speakers is an established speakers club, part of the Toastmasters International Organisation, a non profit organisation run by its members for its members with the goal to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Members come together, not just to improve their public speaking, but to support each other in a safe and caring environment, celebrate collective progress, and build genuine friendships.
We meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start. We have around 25 members and we are a diverse club, with members of all ages (currently we have members between 21- 84 years of age) and a variety of backgrounds.
Some of our members joined to overcome their fear of public speaking and to help them improve their presentation skills, some to improve their communication skills in both personal and professional life. Others joined because they were new to the area and wanted to be part of a community in which they can grow or make friends.
Our meetings are run by our members. Meetings are fun, friendly and supportive – the key ingredients which makes learning rewarding, exciting and enjoyable. We encourage and support each other to achieve our personal goals. At every meeting there we have prepared speeches, constructive evaluations, impromptu speaking opportunities and leadership roles. The meetings allow our members to build their competence in communication, grow in confidence and gain the experience to lead others.
We always end the meetings with a chat and we always have a lot of fun!
If you want to see for yourself how East Herts Speakers can help you achieve your goals we invite you to attend one of our meetings as a guest. Meetings are free of charge to guests, there is no obligation to join or to speak at the meeting if you don’t want to. It’s your opportunity to experience how the club is run and meet some of our members. We guarantee that you will have a warm and friendly welcome.
- Jonathan Davies
