Toastmasters turns a dreaded chore into fun

By Brenda Robinson, Bill Gove Golden Gavel Toastmasters

Fear of public speaking too often sticks with a person throughout life, but that dread can be transformed into a highly rewarding, amusing activity.

At the Bill Gove Golden Gavel Toastmasters Club in Boynton Beach, the weekly hour-long lunchtime meetings are “learn by doing” workshops. Men and women of all ages hone their verbal communications skills in a comfortable, friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Guests are welcome at the noon to 1 p.m. club meetings each Friday, in a back room at Soft Shell Grill, 220 Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, south of Office Depot in the Forum Shoppes at Boynton Beach Blvd.

There is no admission charge, but a fixed price lunch with soft drink is $10 all inclusive, or just a large soft drink is $5. Impromptu and prepared speeches are presented and skillfully evaluated. Those joining pay annual dues under $125.

 The club was founded in 1999 by two professional speakers, Ed Lamont and Steve Siebold, both of Boynton Beach. They named it after the late Bill Gove, known worldwide as the father of professional speaking.

Mr. Gove was the first president of the National Speakers Association, and winner of every major speaking award in the industry, including Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel Award. Through the Bill Gove Speech Workshop, Gove trained many of the world's finest speakers of the last half century, including several Golden Gavel Award recipients.

You don't need a burning desire to speak in public to love the Toastmasters club experience, you need only to appreciate an hour’s respite with world class entertainment.

For more information, visit the website at www.billgovetoastmastersclub.com/

Brenda Robinson is vice president, public relations of the Bill Gove Golden Gavel Toastmasters Club. She can be reached at 561-742-2121, or by email at editor.pr.humorist@comcast.net