At last week’s meeting, our club had the absolute privilege of recognizing a massive milestone: Peter’s 30th anniversary with Toastmasters! For three decades, Peter has been a cornerstone of our community, inspiring us with his captivating stories, impressive vocabulary and his clever humour.
To mark the occasion, we asked Peter to share a look back at his incredible journey. From searching for a club in a physical phone book back in 1994 to launching corporate clubs and starting fresh with Pathways today, his story is a fantastic reminder of why we all show up week after week.
Here is Peter’s Toastmasters journey, in his own words:
“Prior to joining Toastmasters, I had a strong fear of speaking in front of a group of people. One day, at a client meeting, I was asked to step forward and explain a concept; although I managed to get on my feet and walk to the front, I was utterly tongue-tied and could not even think, never mind speak. While driving back to the office, my boss suggested quietly that I join Toastmasters.
I looked up Toastmasters in the Calgary phone book (remember phone books?!); the responder suggested Glenmore RSVP. So in 1994, that was the club I visited. My wife, Judy, came along too, and we both enjoyed our first club meeting.
My Icebreaker speech was about the destinations worldwide to which my career had taken me. I practiced this speech intensely and had it memorised word-perfect. I was terrified in anticipation, but once started, my speech flowed out. (However, I received useful feedback – one member suggested that I memorise just my opening, closing and the sequence of main concepts, and then let the words fall into place during
the speech)
After about three meetings, I started to feel anticipation rather than dread, and I was beginning to understand the importance of the evaluation part of the meeting.
I reached Advanced Toastmaster Gold, just one level short of Distinguished Toastmaster. After I retired from work, I took a break from everything. I rejoined Glenmore RSVP in 2025, and decided to start all over again at Level 1. I must admit that I find the Toastmasters International web site rather challenging, and I have not yet figured out the pathways.
In 2007, I started WAAMtastic Toastmasters at my workplace, with the wonderful assistance of three co-sponsors from Glenmore RSVP. At our first meeting, we signed up 40 new members, whereupon I remember several months of Icebreaker speeches!
I find it easy to stay engaged with Toastmasters, because I enjoy the company of our club members, and I find speeches to be fun!”
Editor’s note: If you too are struggling with the Toastmasters International Website, don’t worry, we’re right there with you. We have our own in-house club members, Carol and Lynne H, who will mentor you through any issue that you have in navigating the website.
