Pioneers Toastmasters Club celebrates 20 years

Julie Parsons has been with the Pioneers Toastmasters Club for 20 years. Photo/File

A local club will be celebrating its 20 year anniversary with a night of fun and surprises.

The Pioneers Toastmasters Club will be having a Hoe Down to celebrate the occasion, to be held on the June 10 at the CT Club, Moncur Dr.

Julie Parsons, Pioneers Toastmasters Club member, says she has been with the club since its inception.

She says when she first joined she was looking for a new challenge.

Julie says she enjoys how Toastmasters helps people pick up their skills and develop confidence in public speaking.

She says it gives people a real buzz and helps overcome public speaking insecurities.

Julie says the club also involves evaluating other people's speaking, so you learn to listen very well and analyse what is being said.

This means you are learning in two ways, by doing the speaking and observing, she says.

She says a highlight was the time one of their members won the Humourous Speech Contest at national level and the same year a member won the International Speech Contest at national level.

Julie has competed at area level and regional level.

"It's always fun to have a new audience but I still find it nerve-wracking."

She encourages people to give Toastmasters a go because it is a fun environment, and meeting in morning means everyone leaves for work on a high.

"It's a very supportive, unthreatening environment. It's a good place for people to be learning from others."

She says it is wonderful the club is still going after 20 years, and it will be great to see current and past members and enjoy time with them.

All past members and friends are welcome to join in the celebration. RSVP by June 6 and for more information call Wendy Booth (07) 348 0282 or Bobbie Fluker (07) 349 0280.

The Rotorua Pioneers Toastmasters Club meet every Thursday morning at 7am at McDonalds on the corner of Fenton and Amohau Sts.