The eldest of Kyiv's six Toastmasters clubs, AmCham Toastmasters, marked its five-year anniversary this year,
the same year that Toastmasters International celebrated its 80th anniversary.
Of the 10,000 clubs and 200,000 members worldwide, the organization is represented by seven clubs in Ukraine. With the exception of a club in Odessa, all are located in the capital, and all but one of the Kyivan clubs operate in English.
The pioneer, AmCham Toastmasters No. 7226U, has 30 members.
Though membership in the AmCham club is limited to employees of companies that belong in the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, other Toastmasters clubs welcome anyone.
Kyiv's Toastmasters clubs are comprised mostly of young, enthusiastic people who believe that by developing their language, communications and leadership skills and creating a comfortable, friendly and supportive environment, they're doing their part to improve Ukrainian society.
This year, Ukraine's Toastmasters were represented for the first time at the international convention in Reno, Nevada.
Kyiv's clubs differ from those in the United States in that most first-time visitors to clubs in Ukraine want to improve their conversational English skills and to develop a better understanding of spoken English. They also want to improve their pronunciation, and listen carefully to native speakers.
As their English skills improve, Ukrainian Toastmasters learn to improve public speaking skills, and to develop self-confidence, communication and leadership skills.
Most Kyiv Toastmasters are Ukrainians between 20 and 30 years old. The few older members tend to be expatriates.
During the next several years, Toastmasters members hope to see more Ukrainian-language clubs started in an effort to build the ability to communicate in the national language. Too many people cannot correctly put their thoughts into words, they say, and fear public speaking.
Toastmasters was founded in 1924 by a small group led by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley in Santa Ana, California. The focus of that first Toastmasters club was to create a recipe for success through practice, training, public speaking and presiding over meetings.
Smedley wrote that, "ours is the only organization I know dedicated to the individual. We work together to bring out the best in each of us and then apply our skills in helping others."
Leo Andreyev is a Kyiv freelance writer.
AmCham
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
10 Voloska St.
Tel: (8050) 311-1795
Leadership Development Center
Monday, 7 p.m.
School 87, Room 2
4/6 Gorkogo St.
Tel: (8044) 461-9789
Dnipro Hills
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Int'l Institute of Business
51 Degtyarivska St
Tel: (8044) 490-5966
Toastcrackers
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
House of Scientists
45A Volodymyrska
Tel: (8044) 510-7287
Top Talkers
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Bldg. 5, Room 208
8/5 Voloska St.
Tel: (8044) 246-4799
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