As one of our senior members; Jim Davis stated at one of our breakfast meetings, “can you imagine four years of Toastmasters along with four years of College?” Well, I can. And knowing how difficult it was for me to communicate when I returned from the Vietnam War, the notion of refining communication skills in a safe and fun environment like Toastmasters is quite appealing. So appealing that I think we should find a way to sponsor a returning veteran in one of the many area clubs. Now that would be called, “Support the Troops” par excellance!

The purpose of Toastmasters is to provide a mutually supportive and positive environment in which every member has an opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self- esteem and personal growth. Kinda like the Armed Forces itself! The whole aspect of self-actualization in a safe, caring, help your buddy setting seems to be the perfect assist for a college student.
And,the core values of Toastmasters, integrity, dedication to excellence, service to the member, and respect for the individual are just the right recipe for a veteran transitioning to civilian life. My hope is to make this a codified national outreach program for Toastmasters International. Tell me what you think. Or leave a message on a hot-line for Vets. 540-7000