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Toastmasters invites members to gain leadership skills

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jodi Martinez
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

Scott Air Force Base members have worked together to help make Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders, an officially distinguished club.

The certified club is built on an education program that has existed since 1924. Through Toastmasters, members earn certifications for leadership and communication by practicing public speaking, mentoring others, and providing peer-to-peer feedback.

Master Sgt. Nicholas Hall, a safety operations manager at Air Mobility Command and president of Toastmasters, said leaders are needed everywhere, and this club allows members to “pursue leadership opportunities regardless of rank, experience, or affiliation.”

Additionally, this club provides members with the ability to network with other professionals from all over the world. Scott AFB Toastmasters, which is one of 15,900 clubs from 42 countries, has become home for Hall, who first discovered the club while stationed in Alabama and continued his membership while overseas in Korea.

“Without question, the greatest benefit to me has been the access to professionals from other functional areas, industries, and nationalities that I would not have met without Toastmasters,” said Hall.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of the club is that it provides attendees with a safe place to grow without having to fear failure. The experiential learning environment encourages members to improve together, transcend above preconceived limitations, and achieve more than what was thought to be possible.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Adams, 436th Supply Chain Operations Squadron, said that since joining, he has gained more confidence as an individual, greatly increased his comfort in public speaking, and met many great individuals because of it.

“Communication, leadership, and listening skills are critical to an individual’s success at home, in the workforce, and in the community,” said Adams, and he encourages others to see for themselves how Toastmasters can benefit them too.

Those interested can contact Hall for further details or attend a meeting, which occurs every Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Scott AFB Education Center and is open to anyone over the age of 18.