A toast to public speaking

People are hired because of their technical, analytical, or administrative skills, but are promoted because of their communication, leadership, and people skills! Hyderabad Toastmasters, an organisation that aims to equip professionals with muchneeded soft skills, provides a supportive, encouraging atmosphere for conquering fear of speaking in front of groups.

Toastmasters give professionals the opportunity to practice presentations and receive feedback before final delivery.

Their meetings are thought provoking, educational, informative, stimulating, and always fun as they try different speaking techniques and meeting structures. HTM helps people develop effective evaluation tools as well as learn how to run a meeting efficiently and participate effectively.

From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. This nonprofit organization offers a proven and enjoyable way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills. Today the organization serves more than 250,000 members in over 108 countries, through its more than 12,500 clubs.

The Hyderabad Toastmasters was founded by TM Vidyashankar around 5 years ago. Renowned companies like Deloitte, CSC, Infosys, IBM, TCS, Dr.Reddy’s Labs, DST India, Synopsis, Novotel, Broadridge are participants while associations with many more companies, like NESS, ADB and Microsoft, are in the pipeline.

To become a member of HTM one has to attend three consecutive meetings of HTM and then apply for membership. The member ship costs Rs 1800 for six months. Membership is only open to those 18 years old or above.

For details visit: www.hyderabadtoastmasters.org