Lake Ridge TM - Testimonials

Karen Booker, Distinguished Toastmaster
District 27 District Governor, 2000-2001
member of Lake Ridge Toastmasters

I joined Toastmasters in March 1987. It was a Club in the government agency in which I worked ... I certainly didn't want to join, but a co-worker twisted my arm. I planned to stay only for an 8-week Toastmasters-sponsored course (called Speechcraft), but it has now been 20 continuous years.

Toastmasters Builds Self-Confidence

I have gained self-confidence through my ability to communicate more effectively. At work I began to feel more comfortable in meetings and on task forces, and soon was able to lead such sessions. This spilled over to my church and community activities.

I stay in Toastmasters because the more I work with others attempting to learn and grow, the more I feel that I, too, learn and grow. The Lake Ridge club, which I joined in 1993, is the best club in my community and the one in which I feel I can still find opportunities to continue my self-development (a process that I believe never ends).

Jim Heeren, Distinguished Toastmaster
District 45 Past District Governor
member of Lake Ridge Toastmasters

I joined Toastmasters in 1982. My Vice President of the Home Insurance Company had recommended it as early as 1975 but I did not find a club until invited by the General Manager of the American Life Insurance Company of Nairobi, Kenya. From that time on I realized how well-trained speakers could speak and how many speaking skills that I did not have. I have found that no matter

... no matter what level of expertise you have when you join Toastmasters you will improve your public speaking abilities ... I have witnessed incredible personal growth in others as well as myself ... I have come to know the power and self-confidence that come with learning how to speak in public. Opportunities have come my way that would have never been possible without my participation in Toastmasters ...

what level of expertise you have when you join Toastmasters that you will improve your public speaking abilities with practice and time. Toastmasters is an organization where I have witnessed incredible personal growth in others as well as myself. I have learned many people's personal stories ... some involving hardships that I have never faced myself. In time I have come to know the power and self-confidence that come with learning how to speak in public. Opportunities have come my way that would have never been possible without my participation in Toastmasters. Leadership opportunities abound in Toastmasters and I have enjoyed leading Toastmasters volunteers learning to lead clubs and help others find the power of verbal self-expression. Today, my greatest thrill is helping others in the Toastmasters organization becoming better speakers and leaders. The members of Lake Ridge Toastmasters are active and are learning better communication skills. The diverse and supportive membership is helping its members become more confident through improved speaking abilities.

You can always tell a healthy community organization because it is experiencing increases in membership and has enthusiastic leaders. Lake Ridge Toastmasters has both of these.

Joe Jarzombek, Distinguished Toastmaster,
District 1 Past District Governor (Los Angeles)
International Director from Region VII in 1992-1994 (Virginia)
founding member of Lake Ridge Toastmasters

Sharyn Jarzombek, Distinguished Toastmaster,
Past District 27 Division Governor>
founding member of Lake Ridge Toastmasters

Lake Ridge Toastmasters was a dream of ours when we lived in Virginia, and with the help of Dale & Marina Moyer and others we were so excited to have the vision of a club near our home that would meet weekly and become part of our "family". It was through the development of this club and the enjoyment of working with the people involved that we learned more about the community, and grew through our involvement. Members of Lake Ridge Toastmasters were always goal-oriented and had the best interests of the community at heart. We feel privileged to have been a part of the club during its inception and continue to appreciate watching the growth from wherever we are.

(Joe and Sharyn were mentors of Lake Ridge. Joe is a past District Governor from District ONE in Los Angeles. He served as International Director from Region VII, in 1992-94, when we lived in Montclair, VA. Sharyn served as a Division Governor in District 27 and they were proud to be on the District team when the District received Number One standing in the world in 1992.)