The Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters Orillia Club (7023) has been helping locals develop public speaking skills since the club was formed in 1997.
“The goal has always been to provide a safe, supportive environment for those who want to develop speaking skills and have a network and a community to go to through the group,” explained Laura Joyce, a visually impaired local registered massage therapist who is also the vice president of public relations, and vice president of membership for the Sunshine Speakers.
Joyce herself has been a member of the club since 2012, and she says it has helped her with her speaking skills and confidence.
“The club promotes community, we encourage each other, we provide a safe learning environment that is free of judgment,” she said.
“It’s a group of like-minded people who want to improve speaking skills, networking skills, and it’s a well-diverse group of people who want to help others."
Joyce says the group revolves around inclusion and diversity. No matter what ethnicity, gender, skill level, or challenges a person might face, they are always welcome.
“It shows how inclusive and well diverse this group of people is that they would vote me, a blind person, as a past president,” she said.
Before the pandemic, the club would have fully accessible gatherings at St. James’ Anglican Church. However, the pandemic has restricted the club to gatherings exclusively on Zoom, which they’ve been doing now for over a year.
“Membership is down as a result of not being able to meet in person, it’s down all across the world in Toastmasters clubs, and that’s because people like to gather together under one roof,” Joyce explained.
“It’s been challenging for the Toastmasters organization altogether, right now to gather more interest we’ve offered our conference which usually costs $200 to $300 for free to our members, and that’s from April 12 to April 16.”
The Orillia club has also lowered its membership fees for the next six months, and once in-person meetings resume the club will likely be offering a hybrid membership where people who only feel comfortable gathering virtually can continue doing so.
On April 26, the Orillia club will be having an open house event where the public is invited to observe a Toastmasters meeting. They will have a guest speaker from both the Orillia club and the Midland club.
“We will be showing people how we provide a safe learning environment and we will be letting people see what it’s all about,” Joyce said.
For more information on upcoming events and the Orillia club, you can visit their Facebook page here.
