Toastmasters helps build self-confidence BY STEVE FISHER WHETHER YOU are an extrovert or an introvert, speaking in public, for professional or personal reasons, is a daunting task. The key is being prepared. The trick is finding a place that provides a warm and supportive atmosphere in which to learn and practice. That place is Toastmasters International. Toastmasters was started in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, who was working for the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois. He recognized a need for men to "learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees," according to the Toastmasters website (toastmasters.org). (Women weren’t officially admitted until 1973.) Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 4 million men and women become more confident in their speaking and leadership skills. Membership now…
