Barrhaven Toastmasters Club

Barrhaven Toastmasters club is a reflection of our wonderful community. We currently have members that range
in age from young adults to senior citizens. We also have members representing an array of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Our club received its official charter from Toastmasters International on 27 October 2004. In just our first year we were
recognized by Toastmasters International as a Select Distinguished Club, and won awards for membership growth and retention.
In 2006 we were awarded President's Select Distinguished Club award - the highest achievement a club can win under the
Distinguished Club Program.

Barrhaven Toastmasters Club is located in Barrhaven area of the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Anyone 18+ years old is invited to attend Barrhaven Toastmasters as a guest and explore the benefits
of the Toastmasters program. You do not have to call in advance and you do not need to join at your first meeting.
It is recommended that you come and experience the meetings before deciding to join as a member.
You can start at any meeting. Experience does not matter
- if you have been looking for a way to overcome a fear of public speaking or further develop your skills,
Toastmasters has something to offer. Some people even join Toastmasters to overcome social anxiety.

Toastmonials

"Hi. My name is Bill Bishop. I joined Toastmasters International in February 1991.
I joined Toastmasters for one reason - a clinical phobia of public speaking.
Up until that time, I had avoided public speaking like the plague - in school, at work and in my social life.
My fear was so intense I even dropped university courses that required presentations, almost destroying my chance to graduate.
I am very pleased to say that I have now conquered my fear through the support and learning provided by
Toastmasters International and my fellow members. I have spoken to audiences of more than 250 people and
I have won several public speaking competitions. I am able to speak to community groups,
coach sports and even teach public speaking skills to my co-workers. The greatest privilege afforded me
by Toastmasters was delivering the eulogy at my father's funeral. Toastmasters has given me so much that
I just have to tell other people about the organization and its benefits."

Bill Bishop, DTM

People join Toastmasters for a number of reasons.
The most common reasons are to overcome a fear of public speaking or to improve communications
and leadership skills. I joined Toastmasters not to enhance my public speaking or leadership skills,
I joined because it was so much fun. Developing my confidence and skills was just a wonderful
side effect of all the fun I was having. I accepted the role of Club President last year because
I wanted to give back a little to this wonderful club that has given me so much.

At a Toastmasters club you are free to develop at your own pace.
It is not a course, but rather a learning program. There are no grades.
There is only the support, encouragement and constructive criticism of other members
offered to help you improve and succeed.

One of the ways Toastmasters provides this support to its members
is the mentoring program. Mentoring provides members with a more experienced member
to contact when they would like advice on any aspect of Toastmasters.
I have benefited greatly from my mentor. I also have benefited greatly from being a mentor.
Hopefully, those that I have mentored have also gained something from the experience.

It turned out that in addition to giving back to the club,
it was a wonderful opportunity for personal growth. Barrhaven Toastmasters has given me

so many great opportunities. If you like to have opportunity knock on your door,
come for a visit and see what great opportunities Barrhaven Toastmasters can provide for you.

Gord Bell, ACS CL