James Jeffley to Compete for World Championship of Public Speaking

OAKLAND, Calif. - June 23, 2016 - PRLog -- San Pablo resident, James Jeffley, will be in Washington, D.C. August 18-20 competing to become the "World Champion of Public Speaking."

The annual original speech contest is the premier showcase of the world's best public speakers in Toastmasters - an international organization that helps people improve their public speaking, communication and leadership skills.

In less than three years in Toastmasters, Jeffley has won the Northern California District speech contest three times in a row, and has been a finalist in the World Championships twice - in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2014, and Las Vegas, NV in 2015 - an amazing achievement.  He will compete against 90 - 100 other speakers from all over the world.

All contest speeches must be original and conducted under strict rules.

Jeffley, who is a member of two Oakland Toastmaster clubs, East Bay Toastmasters, and Heart2Heart Toastmasters, has been preparing for the contest since early February.

If Jeffley wins, he would be the 15^th "World Champion" to come from California since Toastmasters began the contest in 1938, but the first from District 57, which includes most of Northern California.

"Winning is good, but the journey as a Toastmaster is the real prize," says current Division D Director, Lola Pratt.

Jeffley is currently speaking at numerous Bay Area Toastmasters clubs, fine-tuning the two speeches he is preparing for contest.  He is also raising funds to help pay for the trip.  All contestants have to pay for their lodging, registration fees, food, ground transportation and other miscellaneous expenses.  Jeffley is accepting donations at: http://www.crowdrise.com/help-me-achieve-my-public-speaking-dream , and at www.JamesJeffley.com

For more information about East Bay Toastmasters, visit http://eastbaytoastmasters.com/

For more information about Heart2Heart Toastmasters, visit, http://h2h.toastmastersclubs.org/

To find a club in your area, or learn more about Toastmasters, visit www.toastmasters.org

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our membership is more than 332,000 memberships. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 15,400 clubs in 135 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.