EP 4 - Insight from Jeni on how Toastmasters has changed from 40 years ago
Description
Jeni rejoined Toastmasters after a 40-year hiatus. Jeni recalls joining initially to gain confidence for her corporate board meetings, where she was the only female senior manager. She found the Table Topics exercise particularly useful in thinking and speaking simultaneously. Although she enjoyed her time, she eventually left due to time constraints.
Recently, Jeni rejoined Toastmasters to fill a gap in her retirement activities. She enjoys the diverse and youthful energy of her new club in the Blue Mountains. Her motivation also stems from her involvement in teaching primary ethics, where she aims to engage children effectively. The modern format of Toastmasters, with online resources replacing the old manuals, posed a learning curve for her, but she appreciates the broader opportunities it offers.
Her first speech in her new club focused on her career transition and personal growth over the past 30 years. She enjoys the variety of speeches and the dynamic interaction in the meetings, particularly Table Topics. She advises newcomers to explore different clubs to find the right fit and emphasizes the value of staying mentally active through participation in Toastmasters.
United States
