One of my fun little weekly adventures is a public speaking group in Oakland called Toastmasters; specifically, the Uptown Oakland Toastmasters. So named because they theoretically represent the Uptown are of Oakland. I say theoretically because for the entire year and a half or so that I’ve been with them, we’ve done all of our meetings over Zoom. But! That’s about to change, because we’re having our very first (since I’ve been a member) meeting in person, face to face, partially organized by yours truly, on December 9, Tuesday, from 11am - 2pm at the Arthaus Works building in Oakland.
Toastmasters is a public speaking group, most known for helping overcome their fear of public speaking. Now, I have to admit that I don’t have any fear of public speaking, so my membership is for two reasons: I enjoy helping others get over their fear of it, and I enjoy speaking! Call me weird, but for me it’s fun to just speak to others! Becoming a full member does cost a small amount of money, about $5/month, but you can come and join meetings and speak even if you’re not a member. And you don’t have to speak, that’s optional. There’s two main opportunities to speak: one, to do a formal speech of 5-7 minutes that is on a topic you choose ahead of time, or, two, there’s a section of the meeting for informal 1-2 minute “off the cuff” practice speechs on a theme of the day, like Travel, or Food.
Anyway, I’m not trying to shill for them, I’m just posting here because I enjoy it and want to get the word out about our in-person meeting! Let me know if it’s something you’d find interesting and I can tell you more, either about our online meetings or our in-person one!
https://oaklanduptown.toastmastersclubs.org/
