WESTFIELD-Erica Mulinare will be among the members of the Prospeakers Toastmasters Club of Westfield welcoming area residents during an open house on Feb. 20 in the Lang Auditorium of the Westfield Athenaeum.
Club president John Michaliszyn will open the meeting with the Toastmasters mission statement after a brief meet-and-greet reception. The free event is planned from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Members and guests will participate in a regular Toastmasters meeting that includes prepared speeches, evaluations, and “Table Topics” which are impromptu speeches, according to Mulinare.
Erica Mulinare, vice president, public relations, for the Prospeakers Toastmasters Club of Westfield, receives a certificate of completion for Pathways Level 2, from John Michaliszyn, president, and Danny Rebelo, Vice President, education. (Prospeakers Toastmasters Club of Westfield photo)
“Prospeakers currently has 10 members,” said Mulinare, who serves as the club’s vice president, public relations. “We are looking to grow our club and we always welcome new members.”
Mulinare, of Southwick, joined the club last March because one of her goals is to give a TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) talk. In her current job, she is a trainer, facilitator, and instructor for several topics.
“The goal of TED is to inspire ‘Ideas Worth Spreading,’” she said, adding, “I feel comfortable in front of a classroom. However, standing in front of an audience to give a speech feels different than in a classroom environment.”
Mulinare added there are many “components” to give a speech and she felt drawn to Toastmasters to learn the best practices of writing and delivering an impactful speech.
“I joined Toastmasters to hone my speaking skills,” said Mulinare. “In the year I have been a member, I feel as if I have improved my core communication skills.”
Mulinare said the meetings have also taught her to learn control over her pace when speaking since she is a “fast talker.”
“I have decreased my use of filler words, such as um and uh,” said Mulinare. “My last prepared speech had zero filler words and I am proud of that.”
Mulinare added she has learned how to structure a speech so her opening “grabs audience attention” – not only because of what she is saying – but how she is communicating the message.
“The Pathways program has given me the opportunity to write and deliver different types of speeches for different purposes,” said Mulinare.
Since joining the club, Mulinare said she is a “better presenter” at work.
“I am able to be more controlled and get my intended message across more concisely than before Toastmasters,” she said.
For area residents attending the open house, members will share their experience in Toastmasters and how the club has helped them achieve their personal and professional goals.
“The open house will give a chance to meet the members and see what Prospeakers Toastmasters can do for you,” said Mulinare.
Mulinare explained that club meetings are not structured as a classroom environment, but an “active and interactive environment” dedicated to honing one’s craft of speaking in front of an audience.
“The skills learned in mastering public speaking and leadership are core skills for communicating with others,” she said. “Public speaking is not only presenting in front of others, it can also be something as simple as talking with a group of friends.”
Mulinare said that visitors to the open house will be welcomed and allowed to ask questions, interact with members and visitors, and be a spectator or participant.
The club meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Westfield Athenaeum. A 15-minute social intermission at mid-point allows members to interact. The monthly meeting ends promptly at 7:15 p.m. For more information on the open house or the club, contact Mulinare via email to [email protected], or visit http://prospeakers.toastmasterclubs.org.
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders, added Mulinare.
“The mission of a Toastmaster club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth,” she said.
