My blog challenge topic of the day is “What’s one thing you’re proud of?”  While reflecting on this question several of the traditional things people are proud of came to my mind.   Graduating from school, completing military service, getting married, having children, and career success.  After thinking about it a little more I chose earning a Toastmasters Competent Communicator award.

For anyone not familiar with Toastmasters or their awards I will provide a brief synopsis.  Toastmasters is an international organization designed to help people with leadership and public speaking.  Toastmaster’s works via a distributed network of clubs sanctioned by the organization that are designed to create a safe environment for people to improve their public speaking and leadership skills.   Toastmasters is designed to help people learn by doing.  To achieve this club members are given opportunities to speak at each club meeting and they are offered a chance to perform leadership roles for the club on a rotational basis.  To achieve the competent Toastmaster award you have to complete 10 speeches in a self-paced manner.   For each speech you receive peer feedback through an honest and supportive peer evaluation.  The idea is to help members grow in a supportive encouraging environment.

After members achieve the competent Toastmaster award they can continue to earn awards such as the Advanced Communicator Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.  Each award has a minimum speech requirement as well.  The highest award is the Distinguished Toastmaster.

Early in my career after graduating college I set a goal to join Toastmasters but it took me several years to achieve that goal.   I finally joined Toast Masters when a club was started at my work site that allowed me to attend over lunch.  I was a bit hesitant the first couple of meetings, but then I got the hang of the process and had the greatest time.  I met a lot of new and interesting people and learned a lot about them and myself.   I discovered I really enjoyed researching and giving speeches as well as listening and helping others with their speeches.   I remember feeling very proud after I completed my 10^th speech and earned my Competent Toastmaster award.  I highly recommend Toastmasters to anyone looking to improve their public speaking or leadership skills.