His favourite topic, he says, is the forgotten 15 per cent of the population - left handed people. Another sphere of interest is how to overcome fear and public speaking is the world?s biggest fear, he says.
By Chrys Ayley
Toastmasters help people overcome the world?s biggest fear - public speaking. The Petone Toastmasters Club is 10 years old this Tuesday and to celebrate the public is invited to join club members for a slice of cake. Jackson Street resident Dave Stonyer has been a member of Toastmasters for 30 years and founded the Petone Club on January 20, 1999. Mr Stonyer also started the Hutt Valley Toastmasters Club back in 1969 and has developed his speaking skills over the years to enable him to confidently speak at corporate functions. His favourite topic, he says, is the forgotten 15 per cent of the population - left handed people. Another sphere of interest is how to overcome fear and public speaking is the world?s biggest fear, he says. Ten years ago Mr Stonyer was completing an advanced assignment at the Hutt Valley Club which required him to present a proposal. His proposal was to establish a Toastmasters Club in Petone but an exercise in public speaking suddenly turned into reality as fellow Toastmaster Denis McCord actively supported the concept and a new club was born. It took a while to get the club chartered, but it grew to 26 members and was chartered in June 2000. One of only three original members of the Petone Club, the others are Mr McCord and Briony Coote, Mr Stonyer is keen to encourage people to pop along and see how the club operates. The new year is a time when people start thinking about self-development and Toastmasters gives people an opportunity to learn communication and leadership skills. ?It?s the world?s leading organisation in self-development and has been going for 80 years.? There are over 40 clubs in the Wellington area alone, he says. ?Public speaking is a means to an end and people suddenly find they are able to run meetings or handle publicity.? People pick up a wide range of skills almost sub-consciously and often find that promotions or new jobs come along because they have learned new skills, time management skills and ?peripheral things?. Mr Stonyer, a member of three local Toastmaster clubs, has been able to network, meet people and has become not only a proficient speaker but has picked up leadership skills over the 30 years he has been associated with Toastmasters. ?We train people to be leaders.? The environment is friendly, supportive and non-threatening with people learning at their own pace with support and feedback, he says. ?It?s not a classroom situation at all and people can learn and have fun for less than the price of a cup of coffee a week.? Guests are welcome any time and may attend several meetings before making a decision about joining, he says. The club meets every Tuesday at 6.15pm at the Petone Community House, 6 Britannia Street and the birthday celebrations take place on Tuesday January 20th during the meeting. Contacts: Raylene Becker or email petonetoastmasters.org.nz www.toastmasters.org Photo caption: Dave Stonyer and Petone Toastmasters Club president Raylene Becker hope the public will join them for their 10th birthday bash and learn more about the club.
