Jacqueline Howard and The Soaring Eagles Toastmasters Club are hosting a Summer Youth Leadership Academy available free of charge to students ages 15-18.
The Soaring Eagles Toastmasters Club started 10 years ago with the goal of providing opportunities for individuals who wanted to develop their public speaking skills.
“Some people like to talk, but they find it difficult to get through a good, strong beginning, a main point, and then wrap it up,” Howard explained during a recent interview. “And I knew I needed that for myself.
“I went to the Toastmasters Club when I retired, but had I known the true value of it, I would’ve made the time for it, I believe, earlier. A lot of times, we get so clumped in work and our responsibilities, we don’t take the time for extra things to do.”
There are scholarships available for up to three graduating seniors through the Youth Leadership Academy, sponsored by Sampson Partners.
“We’re very excited by that,” Howard said.
The program is being held at 4442 Bonnetsville Road in Clinton. Sessions take place on Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Four Toastmasters are volunteering their time to the academy.
“These are people who know techniques, that will help students grow,” Howard emphasized.
The Leadership Academy held its first meeting this past Tuesday.
The academy has a limited number of spots available, making early registration important.
“Even for the Toastmasters Club, the maximum would be 25. Between 20 and 25 is an excellent group to work with one-on-one,” she explained.
Howard is asking students to register before Tuesday.
“It’s an eight-week program, and so we don’t want people drifting in and not getting the full advantage of it.
“We cover speaking skills, body gestures. We talk about speaking, but listening is a key point. Listen to respond, and look for whether what they’re saying agrees with their body language.
“It’s not all about standing here talking. Listening is so important to communication.”
At the first meeting, participants discussed the roles within the club, meeting procedures, club rules and how meetings are conducted.
Students also receive a word of the day to help increase their vocabulary.
“Then they have table topics, which, I love table topics,” Howard exclaimed.
“Table topics is when we give you a statement or question, and you have to talk at least one minute about it.
“This is an important part of job interview skills,” she continued. “You don’t want to sit there like a deer in headlights, so whatever they ask you, you can speak on it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you know exactly what they’re talking about. You can rephrase it and say, ‘What I understand you saying is …’ and then talk about something you know that ties into what they were saying. Little tricks like that.
“Some things we do are a distraction to other people. You might have a nervous twitch or some nervous habit that you do. Or even if your body language is not aligned with what you’re saying, it can become a distraction.”
Howard demonstrated by waving her arms while explaining.
“Like, I’m using my hands now, but if I’m speaking, I wouldn’t do that.
“All of those things, you can apply to every part of your life.”
Toward the end of the program, participants will take part in a celebration where parents can come and witness their progress.
“The one piece that’s required is research,” she explained.
“You’re going to present a speech to me — and the requirement is a five- to seven-minute speech — that you do your due diligence and research for content, because when you’re talking to people, you want to add value, because people are giving you their time. They can’t get it back.
“You have to grab them with a good opening statement, have value in your content and then wrap it up.”
Howard wants students to understand that constructive criticism is offered in a supportive environment.
“This is a safe environment, and what we do is speak truth in love.
“It’s very infrequent that you’re in an environment where everybody wants you to succeed. But in Toastmasters, everybody listening to you wants you to do well.”
Howard currently serves as chaplain at Sampson Regional Medical Center and is also a public speaker. She is a retired teacher and school administrator.
She also pointed out that completing a Toastmasters International Youth Academy can be a valuable addition to college applications and resumes.
“I love the children,” Howard remarked. “I love them learning and growing. You get excited when you see young people growing, and they’re hungry to learn new things.
“Some people have a lot to say, but they haven’t found their voice yet, and that’s the thing about Toastmasters,” she concluded. “It will help you find your voice. That’s what I wanted for the children.
“Not that everybody wants to speak, but they need to be comfortable with their own voice to speak out loud, because you can be as smart as you want to be, and unless you’re able to communicate that, people won’t know.”
Students who would like to register for the Youth Leadership Academy have until the end of Monday to sign up so organizers can prepare for Tuesday’s session.
To register or learn more, call Howard at 910-214-0763.
“If you want to come to the academy,” she added, “just call and make sure I’m not over the limit.”
Howard closed with a message she said guides her life and one she hopes to share with others:
“There’s greatness in you. Everybody has that seed of greatness. You just have to tap into it and let it flourish.”