Kristen Hamling: Toast to a great group

IN response to the question: "What do you make of the World Health Organisation's report that bacon is bad for your health?", my fellow Toastmaster crafts a brilliant speech.

His speech concludes with the statement: "I know that eating bacon is bad for pigs but, as for me, I'm not sure - it probably is, it just tastes so good."

Fellow Toastmasters erupt in laughter, another brilliant speech is made at our fortnightly meeting.

You never know what you are going to get at a Toastmasters evening.

Last week, in among the laughter, I struggled to hold back my tears as someone spoke about "rainbow babies" (babies born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neo-natal death or infant loss) - it was a beautifully tender speech by another one of our group's excellent speakers.

We also had a new Toastmaster join us and he delivered his first-ever speech - "the icebreaker".

During the newcomer's speech, I marvelled at the trust he placed in us as he spoke about some sensitive moments in his history.

I felt honoured to hear some personal reflections of his life.

Toastmasters is kind of like that - each week an eclectic group of people come together and produce all kinds of speeches in the name of self-development.

Some join to improve their communication skills, others to feel more confident in social settings, and some of us just love the company.

Originally, Toastmasters was set up to help people become more competent at public speaking.

The organisation was first established in 1924 through Ralph C Smedley and has grown to more than 200,000 members in over 90 countries worldwide.

I absolutely love our Whanganui Toastmasters club. The people who join are as different as they are similar.

Although we all come from different walks of life and occupations, we all share one thing in common - the belief that we can become better.

Better speakers, better leaders, better listeners, better at giving feedback, better learners and so on.

Toastmasters has generated a few coffee dates, new friendships and a whole lot of interesting conversations.

I seriously think our Toastmasters crew could solve a few problems of the world if you gave us half a chance.

If ever there was a place to feel safe and nurtured as you seek to improve yourself, then it is Toastmasters.

If you feel like a challenge and enjoy being thrown off the deep end, then you are welcome to be our guest.

-A registered psychologist with a masters in applied psychology, Wanganui mother-of-two Kristen Hamling is studying for a PhD in wellbeing at Auckland University of Technology.