Toastmaster at Lunchtime

kw: toastmasters, public speaking

Why would a 30-year veteran of public speaking join a Toastmasters club? From time to time, I've been a sought-after speaker. My siblings and I were raised to speak. Seven years ago, I joined up. What has changed? I speak better in these ways: fewer "um" and "ah"; better gesture control (I was too histrionic before); and simpler organization of my speeches.

Now, why didn't I do this decades ago? It took this long (two total career changes and several moves to different states) to find a convenient club that I could "brown bag" at lunchtime. All the TM clubs I found before met in the evening, at a restaurant, where one was expected to buy a meal. I am a wimp when it comes to resisting the guilt trip...