Welcome!!

Fellow Toastmasters, friends, and guests:

Welcome to TopicsMaster: A Toastmasters Blog. The latest development in my year-long "President's eToastmasters Initiative," this blog represents another outstretched hand to you, the reader--or, as I prefer to think of you, "you, the not-yet-but-hopefully-soon-to-be-member."

What is a blog? Wikipedia, that fount from which all knowledge springs, describes a blog as "a type of website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or videos." While such a description is accurate, it certainly won't do this project justice.

Toastmasters is about one thing: you. With over 200,000 members belonging to more than 12,500 clubs spread across 106 countries, we are the world's largest organization dedicated to communication and leadership development.

Some people have a wrong impression--namely, that Toastmasters is a class. While we do have teachers in our ranks, and while we do learn at every meeting, a Toastmasters meeting isn't a single speech, a seminar, or a symposium. In fact, Toastmasters isn't an event at all. It's an experience.

At Toastmasters, we like to believe that every person already has what it takes to become a more articulate communicator and a more dynamic leader. Accordingly, we're just here to help you discover the speaker and leader within. My goal is for this blog--with its regular entries and its commentary and its graphics and its videos--to be far more than just a website. I want it to be part of a conversation--about who we are, why we're here, and how we can help you.

For the last year, our district theme has been "Helping Every Member Shine." At the district spring conference, we learned that "S.H.I.N.E." is an acronym for "Showing How Initiative Nurtures Excellence."

Even if you're not a member (yet!!), it's never too early (or too late) to take the initiative, to take charge of your personal growth, and to focus your energy on a voyage of discovery that ends with you becoming the best possible version of yourself. You're already making the journey--but we can help you learn some lessons along the way.

Don't be afraid to leave comments. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to come to a meeting. Remember, your potential is limited only by the number of your excuses.

Join the conversation, and start becoming the speaker and leader you want to be!!

Joseph L. Chambers, CC, ALB
Area 63 Governor, TI District 40
President, Toastmasters Beckley