Critiquing, speaking, learning|Vicksburg Toastmasters mark 50th anniversary

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 1, 2009

The Vicksburg Toastmasters chapter is celebrating 50 years of speeches.

A Toastmaster…

• Practices to improve public speaking.

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• Prepares speeches.

• Uses humor and gestures to deliver a good speech.

• Helps other Toastmasters hone their public speaking skills through constructive criticism.

• Competes in annual competitions.

The members will mark the anniversary at a private party Thursday.

“The group was originally formed as a way to help people learn to speak in public,” said the club’s president, Jeff Hensley. “We also stress leadership.” 

Toastmasters 2052 was formed in September 1959. The international organization was founded in 1924.

The group meets each Thursday at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Participants meet for an hour or two and practice public speaking skills. Members serve as timers, evaluators or grammarians, while other members speak on a variety of subjects.

“I joined (in 1988) because I gave a bad presentation here at work,” said club member Bobbie Bingham Morrow, a records manager for the Corps of Engineers. “I had to train a large number of people, so I knew I needed help in speaking to them.”

All the practices lead to two annual competitions — one in the fall and spring at the local, area, division and district levels.

The Vicksburg Toastmasters are always looking for new members. Membership is $30 per six months. Contact Stephen Spangler at 601-634-3104.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com