Toastmasters

I few months ago, I was asked to join a Toastmaster’s Club to help people in the kidney community.

Our Club is serving as a source for people looking for a kidney, donors that want to get their story out to help raise awareness, advocates helping a friend or loved one find a kidney, anyone interested in the subject in general, and to help support each other in our specific and personal goals.

CLUB MISSION

We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members of the kidney community are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth in order to better advocate for themselves and others.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization’s membership exceeds 300,000 in more than 15,800 clubs in 149 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

I personally have used it to give a number of speeches about The Organ Trail and created awareness in New York, California, Wisconsin, and Canada. The feedback I’m getting is very encouraging. It’s a way to improve on a number of my personal skills but also give up-to-date, concise, and critical information to a very attentive and interested audience. The ripple effect has been nothing short of amazing.

I think everyone that has a kidney story whether a recipient, living donor, someone looking for a kidney, or an advocate helping someone to find a kidney has the potential to reach many people in a unique way.

You can visit my Organ Trail youtube page to hear an example of my Toastmasters speech and get a feel for a Toastmasters meeting.

We are looking for people that might be interested to join in as a guest and see what we’re up to. If so, please let me know and I will send you a zoom invite when we have our meetings. No obligation to join, no pressure (as I volunteered to be in charge of new memberships, I can guarantee no one will bother you if you don’t want to be! 😊)

I also wanted to ask if you would be willing to print out (or have printed at Staples, etc.) the attached flyer and “advertise” our club at hospitals, doctor’s offices, dialysis centers, libraries, coffee shops, gyms, community centers, etc.

I have been distributing them with great success and interest.

Thank you and please feel free to forward this message and flyer to anyone you feel might be interested.