BRATTLEBORO — BrattleMasters, the local chapter of public speaking development nonprofit Toastmasters International, is holding its next meeting on the road. Kipling Road, that is, at the World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute campus.
Three prepared speeches are on the agenda, with an equal number of peer evaluations - and a lively “off the cuff” speaking opportunity called Table Topics which gives volunteers the chance to speak for a minute or two on a surprise topic.
The meeting is Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at World Learning, 1 Kipling Rd., room 101 of the International Center.
Guests are welcome and refreshments are provided. The event is free.
According to Tim Maciel, an independent higher education professional and BrattleMasters' vice president of education, this “road show” is a departure for the club, as it's the first in a series of off-site visits the club plans as it works to support more people in the southern Vermont region.
“We're based in Brattleboro, but our scope is worldwide, and when we learned we had a chance to hold a fall meeting at the beautiful World Learning/SIT campus, we jumped at it. Their mission and ours dovetail nicely, and we're thrilled to show how we help each other become more polished, effective, and sought-after speakers,” Maciel said.
BrattleMasters, now in its sixth year in Brattleboro, regularly meets the second and fourth Thursday on the second floor of Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St. Members work on meeting communication and leadership goals from a series of basic and advanced manuals.
Members have used the space to workshop keynote speeches, business plans, radio and television interviews, panel discussions, job interviews, sales pitches, report presentations, a eulogy, and a rich variety of other informative, persuasive, motivational, and inspirational speeches - including a wedding toast.
The club also hosts a twice-yearly contest whose winners may go on to compete at the area, division, district, and international level.
Maciel said there is never any requirement to speak in Toastmasters, and members work at their own pace and with an assigned mentor.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Its website gives its membership at 292,000, and says these members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,350 clubs in 122 countries that make up its global network of meeting locations.