Fox Valley Toastmasters’ free event to help jobseekers June 20

Public speaking.

Human beings would rather fake their own death than stand in front of 12 co-workers and explain quarterly earnings with a PowerPoint. It even has a name — glossophobia.

That's why Toastmasters exists. It's basically group therapy for people who break in a cold sweat when someone says, “Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves.”

Fox Valley Toastmasters is a nonprofit that has been helping people find their voice since 1970. Which is interesting because most people lost theirs around middle school right after getting laughed at for reading out loud too slowly.

And then life piles on.

Community meetings.

Wedding toasts.

Performance reviews.

Zoom calls where 12 people pretend their microphone “isn't working” because nobody wants to present first.

Toastmasters is one of the few places where people voluntarily walk into discomfort in order to grow.

That's unusual in modern society.

Want confidence in your voice?

How about during a job interview?

Want to be confident and well-prepared?

One way Toastmasters can help is with Table Topics, which is basically improv. You have one to two minutes to answer a random question intelligently just like in a job interview. It's great preparation for a future discussion that really counts, supported by club members who want you to succeed.

It's amazing training for life and career when you have zero preparation time.

Come see for yourself!

On Saturday, June 20, Fox Valley Toastmasters is hosting a free event for jobseekers and anyone else wanting to improve their communication skills from 9 a.m. to noon at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. 6th Ave. It's taking longer to find a job today, so come learn interview tips and practice what you learn in an engaging, supportive, and encouraging setting.

You're also invited to visit a regular Toastmasters meeting free on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the St. Charles police station, 1515 W. Main St. from 7:30 to 9 p.m. A Zoom option is also available.

To learn more about how you can grow with us to become a better public speaker and leader email foxvalleytm3399@gmail.com or leave a message for a call back at (630) 837-4162.

The club motto is “your success is our success,” so come visit us, and bring a friend! No registration needed.