Toastmasters helps people gain control of fear of public speaking

It was in the basement of a YMCA in Santa Ana, Calif., that Ralph Smedley held the first meeting of Toastmasters on Oct. 22, 1924.

A newly graduated college student, Smedley became the director of education for the YMCA. He believed that individuals needed "training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings."

The training format that he developed has literally helped thousands of people over the span of 85 years in improving their verbal communication skills. Since 1924, the organization has reached International status with clubs around the world. More than 10,000 clubs have been chartered and membership reached 250,000 in June of 2009.

The Jefferson Chamber Toastmasters club was founded in February 2001 and has received national recognition several times.

For many individuals, getting up and speaking before a group produces stress that has been equated with the loss of a family member or an individual going through a divorce. Multiple surveys and research results show that most people would rather die instead of talking in front of a group or a live audience.

Below is a top ten list of fears:

Fear of public speaking (glossophobia).

Fear of death (necrophobia).

Fear of spiders (arachnophobia).

Fear of darkness (achluophobia, scotophobia or myctophobia).

CONTINUED 1 | 2 | 3 Next