Watching people conquer their fear of public speaking is what inspires Wolfgang Seuhrer.
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Wolfgang is the secretary of Nowra Toastmasters and said he’s seen many people benefit from a Toastmasters membership.
“It is an amazing experience to see people join Nowra Toastmasters with a fear of public speaking and then develop into competent speakers. This happens through their own determined efforts, aided by our non-critical evaluation system,” he said.
Wolfgang joined in 2005, the year in which the club celebrated its 25th birthday, and he attained Advanced Communicator Gold after six years of membership. He became Advanced Leader Bronze a year later, in 2012.
He has competed successfully in speech and evaluation contests at club and area levels, and has been president and treasurer of the club as well as secretary.
Wolfgang joined the Toastmasters at the same time as his daughter, who had just completed her degree in commerce. He says they both wanted “to explore further educational opportunities”.
“It would be pleasing to see our membership grow. Any person 18 years of age may join. I believe strongly that membership in a Toastmasters Club and achievements gained within, has definite benefits for a person's career development.
- Wolfgang Seuhrer
When asked about his greatest achievement in Toastmasters, Wolfgang said it was ‘following the challenges for speech assignments in the manuals provided by Toastmasters International.’
He explained this had enabled ‘orderly progression’ and advancement to higher levels.
Wolfgang said that one of the things that makes Toastmasters an enjoyable learning experience is the encouragement given to everyone, including new members, to fully participate in the club's meeting activities.
Wolfgang encourages club members to prepare speeches for presentation at regular intervals.
“A reasonable aim should be to present one speech per month so that a manual containing 10 assignments may be completed within 12 months,” he said.
“Another important factor for the development of a member is to participate in the two major contests conducted at club level. Any speech based on a manual may be presented at contest level and it will be credited towards a member's’ achievement.”
“It would be pleasing to see our membership grow. Any person 18 years of age may join. I believe strongly that membership in a Toastmasters Club and achievements gained within, has definite benefits for a person's career development.”
Nowra Toastmasters meet at 7.30 pm at the Worrigee Ex-servicemen’s club on the first and third Wednesday.
Shoalhaven City Toastmasters meet at 1pm at Shoalhaven City Council Chambers on the second and fourth Wednesday. Contact Rosemary Brigden on 4422 3909.