Delivering a speech in front of an audience ranks as the people's prime fear - even higher than fear of death. Every month, on the first and third Tuesday, members of Cairo Toastmasters meet to fight this fear - by facing it. Unlike a theory-based class on public speaking, Toastmasters is an organization that enhances public speaking and leadership skills through practice. "You can take courses that teach you how to speak, Mohamed Alborno told Daily News Egypt. "This one is practical. Alborno joined the Toastmasters about five months ago after hearing two friends talk about the group. Now the vice president of Cairo Toastmasters' public relations, he finds he has improved in public speaking by becoming attentive to his tone and speed of delivery. His target is to deliver a speech without referring to any notes. With a presence in over 70 countries, and with over 200,000 members worldwide, Toastmasters was officially registered in Egypt three years ago, with offices at the Community Services Association (CSA) in Maadi. The original foundation, Toastmasters International, is located in California. Cairo Toastmasters is headed by Joanna Vogel, who first joined three years ago upon the recommendation of her mother, a long-time Toastmaster. Vogel has served as president of Cairo Toastmasters for two years. Currently, around 20-30 members are registered with the Cairo Toastmasters, half of whom are active participants. Members include various professionals, such as diplomats, businesspeople, and non-profit organizations staff and volunteers. Members can sign up for either or both of the public speaking and leadership skills - each skills set consists of four tracks or levels. To attain the title and certificate of a competent communicator, the first track in public speaking, one must deliver ten speeches. The first speech delivered is an ice-breaker on a familiar topic, usually an introduction to oneself. Every speech delivered has a skill objective, so that the speaker may be evaluated on their body language and tone. Each successive speech builds on feedback from previous sessions. Members come for a variety of reasons from seeking to improve their English skills to learning how to deliver an effective speech. One participant in his late 60s, "a self-professed politician, according to Vogel, "came to Toastmasters to help himself in his political aspirations. Strong speakers can still develop their public speaking by maintaining appropriate length of time and staying on target. Toastmasters is "equally about listening and tolerance, said Vogel. A toastmaster introduces speakers and bridges the different stages of the meeting where speeches are delivered. Any given meeting provides the opportunity to learn the "word of the day; credit is given for impromptu use of the word in a speech on the day. The meeting also has evaluators, a timer, and an ah-counter, who records the number of "ah-s uttered during a delivery. The main benefit Vogel has derived from Toastmasters is the ability "to get my point across in a concise and articulate manner. Vogel finds that her written communication also has become more precise, and finds herself at greater ease in situations that require impromptu speaking. Table Topics are a tool used to encourage people to think on their feet. Members are required to speak for a minute on random topics. These may be an item, like "shoe, which could be the topic of discussion itself, or a take-off point for a related discussion, for example, on changing fashions. A Table Topic may also be an opinion like, "Hamburgers are good for health. Following the speech, the speaker reveals if they truly held the same opinion. Inevitably people also play leadership roles by learning to organize events at Toastmasters. Vogel defines leadership as "management that reflect the opinions of those around but also manages them. Like public speaking, leadership is about communication. "It's about thinking, said Vogel, "Some speeches people remember from two years back. So what does it take to deliver a speech where the audience "internalizes the message ? Vogel believes conviction in a message, delivered simply and illustratively, captivates the audience and makes an unforgettable speech. Vogel described the effect of speech well delivered, "You're on a high, you sail home and that motivates you to come back. Toastmasters held their last meeting open to public on Aug. 3 at El-Sawy with the event and speeches delivered around the topic of "Meet on Common Grounds. Their next meeting takes place on Aug. 12 at 6:30-8:00 pm at the CSA in Maadi. For more information, visit www.cairotoastmasters.com.
