Career Communicators Toastmasters announces spring contests

Career Communicators Toastmasters Club announcees its International and Table Topics speech contests.

There will be two contests, an International Speech contest designed to be an inspirational talk with universal appeal, and a Table Topics competition that tests a member's ability to deliver a short, impromptu speech on a topic offered only seconds before the speech begins.

The event will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, 1025 N. Smith Road, in Palatine. Dress is business casual.

The club invites everyone to the competition, especially those interested in finding out more about Toastmasters. Admission is free.

"Our speech competition allows members to share how far they've advanced as public speakers," says Bill Hicks, Career Communicators competition chairman. "With two Distinguished Toastmasters taking part in the competition so far, I can hardly wait to find out the topics and hear the speeches this year."

Club members compete to advance from club level to area level to district level to the semifinal, and then to the International Contest Finals. The top goal is to be chosen the World Champion of Public Speaking at the International Contest Finals in Vancouver, Canada, scheduled to take place in August.

The Table Topics competition judges a contestant's improvisational speaking skills. Competition begins at the club level and winners advance to the area, division and district levels.

"Fear of public speaking (glossophobia) affects nearly 75 percent of individuals," says Hicks. "This fear ranks higher than the fear of spiders or death."

Toastmaster Clubs provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. It is a worldwide organization with many clubs located here in the Chicago area.

Career Communicators regularly meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Tuesday of the month. Guests are always welcome.

For questions, contact Kevin Chapman at (847) 778-6743 or madpiper@mountprospect.com.