Name: Renita

First joined Toastmasters: July 2007

Why did you first look into joining Toastmasters?

The recommendation of a highly trusted friend.

What were your concerns or apprehensions about first visiting a club or joining as a member?

I was afraid of not fitting in. I was afraid of being rejected.

What was your actual experience compared to your apprehension?

Oh, the complete opposite. I always feel like I have to be somebody other than my true self when I’m around people. I feel like I have to be "on" all the time to fit in. I am always wearing these different faces, faces other than my true face. I have a face for every occasion: I have a work face, a family face, a meeting new people face. My toastmaster’s face is the face I wear that is the closest to my real face. I love Toastmasters meetings for that.

What caused you to actually join?

The energy. When I leave a meeting I have more energy than I went in with. I always leave feeling pumped up.

Why did you join Big "D" Toastmasters?

It was the closest club to my home to my knowledge. I wasn’t aware at the time of the Toastmasters Singles Club on Greenville Avenue that meets at Ozonka’s the same night and time Big D meets. Not that I would have joined that club over Big D but being a never married I would have certainly checked them out before deciding on a club—a single girl must always be on the look out.

What is different about Toastmasters compared to what you initially thought?

I thought Toastmasters was some kind of lodge thing like the Masons or Elks or Shiners or Friars Club. Of course it’s nothing at all like that.

What is the most valuable thing you have received from Toastmasters?

I would say the most valuable thing I’ve received from Toastmasters is a greater sense of kindness and acceptance towards humanity. I’ve always thought of myself as a nice person, right? After I joined Toastmasters I realized from receiving and giving evaluations I wasn’t as kind as I thought I was. The evaluations I gave in the beginning leaned towards the negative more than positive; while the evaluations I received back were ALWAYS positive and supportive on balance. I have since changed the tone of evaluations to be more positive and supportive not just of Toastmasters speeches but also for the cashier that waited for me to finally get to the counter to change the register tape and others I would have otherwise been very critical of. It’s a newer improved me that I’m very fond of—I’m much nicer now.

If someone were considering joining Toastmasters and they asked you "Why Toastmasters?" What would you tell them?

I would let them know in no uncertain terms it’s one of the best venues to be all that you can be from a communicating standpoint without having to join the Army to do it.

If someone had decided to join Toastmasters and they asked you "Why Big "D" Toastmasters?" What would you tell them?

Come to a meeting. Give us a try as a guest. At Big D we have our money where our mouth is.