Nationally Known Speaker Coming to Marysville A group of community leaders are in the process of forming a Toastmasters Club in Marysville, Ohio. The Kick-Off, informational meeting is slated for Wednesday, June 20th at 11:45 a.m. at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, 227 E. Fifth Street. The public is invited. The meeting will feature nationally known speaker Gary Reece. Gary attributes his success to Toastmasters. Having served more than twenty-five years in prison for crimes he didn’t commit, Gary Reece’s inspirational story is one of monumental forgiveness, maturity, and faith. During his incarceration, Gary was so filled with bitterness and hate that he went on a hygiene strike… for three years he didn’t shower, use deodorant, or brush his teeth! Then, after having God shake him by the scruff of his neck to get his attention, he strove not to serve time, but rather to have time serve him. Gary entered prison as an 11th grade dropout. While incarcerated, he earned his GED, Associates and Bachelors degrees. He joined a prison-sponsored Toastmasters Club for public speaking, and found he had an uncanny ability to connect with every audience he addressed. Gary’s message crosses all cultural, spiritual, economic and age boundaries. He shares his highly memorable story, driving home a tight and easily understood message. For more than two decades Gary helped other men to learn how to read and write. He discovered that if you carry a light for another person’s path, you can’t help but brighten your own path. Gary’s case has been profiled on 20/20 and Newsweek Magazine. His story has appeared on every major television station and newspaper in Ohio. Gary is currently pursuing his dream to one day be a World Champion of Public Speaking through Toastmasters International. He is a highly sought trainer of communication and leadership skills, and is in the process of publishing his first two books. Look for “Blessed Conviction” and “Devotions To Free You” to be published in the fall of 2007. At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an hour. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice: Conducting meetings. Meetings usually begin with a short business session which helps members learn basic meeting procedures. Giving impromptu speeches. Members present one-to two-minute impromptu speeches on assigned topics. Presenting prepared speeches. Three or more members present speeches based on projects from the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Program manuals. Projects cover such topics as speech organization, voice, language, gestures, and persuasion. Offering constructive evaluation. Every prepared speaker is assigned an evaluator who points out speech strengths and offers suggestions for improvement. For more information, or to make reservations call 937-642-6279. |