Montgomery County Club Gives Toastmasters Presentation at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL.

Oct. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- On Thursday October 21, 2010, three members of the Montgomery County Toastmasters Club of Hillsboro, IL demonstrated what Toastmasters is all about to Dr. Peggy Lee's 'Public Speaking' class at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL.

Montgomery County club mentor, Dr. Todd Austin of Virden, IL served as the meeting's master of ceremonies.  Montgomery County Club Vice-President of Membership and Hillsboro resident Martha Ruppert then presented a 7-minute informative prepared speech called "Toastmasters - What's In It For Me?".  She emphasized to the eighteen students present why Toastmasters is so vitally important for helping to improve one's communication skills, job interview skills and leadership skills.  Martha used several personal stories to demonstrate her points and to drive home her message.

Next, Todd Austin delivered a humorous speech called "My Army Days".  It was an old speech that Austin used in competition in club, area, division and district Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contests back in the autumn of 1994.  During his 7-minute presentation, Austin explained some hilarious moments during his time in the U.S. Army including an unforgettable first trip to the CS gas chamber and his dealings on the rifle range with a scatterbrained 2nd Lieutenant.  

Montgomery County Club President and Litchfield, IL resident Bill Guthrie then led the impromptu speaking portion of the meeting.  This part of the meeting is also known as 'Table Topics'.  Ten students from Dr. Lee's class were called upon by Bill, one at a time.  Each one had to answer his or her question, with no previous knowledge of what the chosen topic would be.  Dr. Lee had been practicing this 'Table Topics' exercise with the students.  It showed, as collectively the students did an admirable job!

Dr. Peggy Lee, a former Toastmasters member with State Farm in Bloomington, IL wrapped up the class by sharing some success stories from her days as a Toastmasters member.  One of her most touching stories was of a young lady with a major stuttering problem.  By her fourth Toastmasters speech, this lady's stuttering was a thing of the past thanks to the confidence that Toastmasters teaches it's club members!  Dr. Lee was also instrumental in starting a student Toastmasters club at ISU in Bloomington during her Toastmasters days.  

Austin, Ruppert & Guthrie all extended an invitation for interested 'public speaking' students to stop by and visit the Montgomery County Toastmasters Club which meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays each month at the Chillcombe House in Hillsboro, IL from 7 to 8 P.M.  The possibility was also discussed of potentially forming a brand new Toastmasters Club in Carlinville at the beautiful Blackburn College campus.  For those interested in more information about the Montgomery County Club of Hillsboro, IL or a potential Carlinville, IL Toastmasters Club, please contact Todd Austin at (217) 965-3100 or at: draustin@royell.net .

Please follow the Montgomery County Club on facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/MontCo.Toastmasters.Hillsboro.IL

Photo caption:  On Thursday October 21st Martha Ruppert (from left), Todd Austin & Bill Guthrie from the Montgomery County Toastmasters Club helped Dr. Peggy Lee (right) to present a special program to her Blackburn College 'Public Speaking' class in Carlinville, IL.  The special program focused on the many benefits that Toastmasters International has to offer young men and women.

# # #

The Montgomery County Toastmasters Club meets twice each month at the Chillcombe House in Hillsboro, IL from 7 to 8 PM on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. If you live in the area and would like to fine tune your communication & leadership skills, we can help!