PUBLIC SPEAKING GROUP HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

Toastmaster founder Cain Leonard served as master of ceremonies for the Lincolnton Toastmasters open house and club speaking contest.

By Jon Mayhew

It’s a group dedicated to helping people master the art of public speaking, adding to an individual’s self-esteem and confidence in the process. And currently, Toastmasters International is in more than 90 countries including the United States.

Monday night, Lincolnton Toastmasters held an open house at the Lincoln Senior Center on Gaston Street in Lincolnton. More than 30 people witnessed first stage of what local Toastmaster organizers hope will be an eventual shot at the International speech competition, which will be held later this year.

According to master of ceremonies and Lincolnton Toastmaster founder Cain Leonard, the organization will celebrate it’s 10th anniversary this year.

Leonard said being a member of Toastmasters has taught him brevity in speaking.

“That’s one of the things I had to learn because I was worried about my throat,” said Leonard. “I was afraid if I talked too long, someone would cut it.”

Leonard added the open house coincided with the start of the speech competition at the club level.

Speeches were made in two categories: “table topics,” which are speeches “off the cuff” that last between two and three minutes in length. Prepared speeches are also given, which last five to seven minutes in length.

Leonard said the contest is very time-limit specific.

“If you go one second under the minimum time limit or one second over the maximum time limit, then the contestant is disqualified,” said Leonard.

Three members of Lincolnton Toastmasters competed in the “table topics” and the prepared speeches. Judges then voted Brewster Stroupe the winner in both categories.

Brewster Stroupe's delivery, mannerisms and content won him both speaking contests Monday night at Toastmasters.

Stroupe has been a member of a Toastmaster’s group for the past 25 years.

“True story, the first time I tried speaking in public, I fainted,” said Stroupe. “I knew that I had to become a better speaker.”

Lincolnton Toastmasters meet 7pm each Monday in the Lincoln Senior Center. For more information on Toastmasters International, visit the Web site www.toastmasters.org. For more information on Lincolnton Toastmasters, call 704-692-7351.