New Duke Toastmasters Club to Begin Early 2003
Opportunity to Enhance Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
Duke employees have been speaking out … and getting better at it, thanks to the Duke Toastmasters
Club that was introduced earlier this year. Word has spread about the benefits of the club, and Duke
Human Resources will be sponsoring a new Toastmasters Club to meet the growing demand.
"Since the first Toastmasters Club was announced, we've received a growing number of requests for
another club to accommodate different work schedules and locations," said Lani Goodman, a practitioner
with Human Resources' Learning & Organization Development. "The meeting time and location for the new
club will be determined based on the feedback of those who express interest in joining."
Toastmasters provides instruction and skill development to help people speak effectively, organize and
conduct meetings, and motivate others. Participation in the Toastmasters Club can help people work better
with other employees and customers, improve presentation skills, learn to accept criticism, provide
constructive feedback, and develop organization skills. The current club is comprised of a cross-section
of Duke employees from different backgrounds and departments.
"The Toastmasters program allows you to move at your own pace, prepare speeches on topics based on personal
experiences and interests, and choose your level of participation," said Paulette Baker, a customer service
representative with the Patient Revenue Management Organization who joined the club in February. "Because
there is a strong level of support within the group, I have become increasingly comfortable with public speaking
and my participation during the meetings as I have moved through the program."
For each meeting, roles are rotated so everyone who chooses to participate can have the opportunity to conduct
the meeting, give impromptu speeches during the Table Topics section, deliver a prepared speech, and offer
evaluations of the speeches and meeting. A manual providing tips and strategies for preparing a speech helps
guide members through their first 10 speaking assignments. The tips and strategies include topics on the
organization and persuasiveness of the speech, body language, and verbal presentation.
Several information sessions will be hosted for those interested in participating in the new Duke Toastmasters
Club. Human Resources' sponsorship includes payment of the charter fee associated with starting a new club.
Employees are responsible for annual membership dues of $36 and a recurring fee of $20 every six months. Anyone
unable to attend the sessions or who would like to request additional information may contact Lani Goodman at
lani.goodman@duke.edu. Information is
also available at the Human Resources web
site.
Information Sessions
Attend one of the following information sessions for details about the club and its meetings:
Perkins Library/Carpenter Board Room |
November 12 |
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
402 Oregon Street/Shaner Room |
November 14 |
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Durham Regional Hospital/Auditorium |
November 19 |
Noon - 1 p.m. |
Duke Hospital/Duke North 8262 |
November 21 |
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. |
|
