Kim Brown: Speak well

COEUR d'ALENE - When Kim Brown turned to Toastmasters, she could speak well in public. No fears. Confident. Strong.

One problem.

Well, two.

Ahhs and umms.

"I had a terrible habit," she said. "When I came into Toastmasters, I wasn't nervous at all, but I did have the ahhh and ummm problem."

In one her first presentations, she said ahhh or umm 39 times. Yep, they counted. And they told her, too.

"Ouch. That hurt. Why do you people count these?" she wondered.

It worked. Brown doesn't hesitate to step up to the podium and no longer falls back on those ahhh and umms.

"I needed to be almost embarrassed," she said.

Today, the Post Falls woman is a Distinguished Toastmaster, past district officer and 20-year member of Post Falls Toastmasters, as well as educational vice president of Lake City Toastmasters.

A historian, Brown believes strongly in the international organization that has four Toastmaster clubs in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, and one each, too, in Sandpoint and Liberty Lake.

Young professionals, engineers, CEOs, athletes, retirees, teachers, clerks, moms and dads, they're all part of Toastmaster clubs. They come together to sharpen public speaking skills, communicate better, and yes, get over the No. 1 fear of most folks: Public speaking.

The Missoula native who worked her way through college stacking lumber on the night shift at the mill smiles often as she chats about what she says is the largest organization in the world that "really focuses on communication and leadership."

"Toastmasters is a hands-on experience. You learn by doing," she said.

Why do people join Toastmasters?

People have basically four or five things they want to do with their speaking. One, they may need to inform people. They may want to inspire people. They may want to do some selling. But there are some basic things you want to do with your speaking. You want to relate with other people. You want to make your point. Toastmasters will help you do all of that.

Who belongs to it?

People from all over the world belong to it, and they do it to get an edge on speaking.

What does it take to be a good public speaker?

"It's a matter of making your point, getting to the point, being clear about it. It's not only your minister on Sunday or the president of the Unites States.

Are there bad speakers?

A lot of people actually think they're good speakers, when they're not. It's surprising.

What happens at a Toastmasters meeting?

The meetings are the what I call the most productive meeting you will ever attend.

Does it work?

We had a Toastmaster, there was a crunch for United Way funding. She brought her speech to the club, gave the speech she was going to give to the United Way. She practiced and got a few little pointers and feedback. She came back the next week, she said, "They were tight on their funding, our organization was funded."

There are some wonderful successful stories of how people use it in their work settings. People come in to stay mentally alert, retirees, seniors, homemakers, executives, they want to go to an interview, give a talk and not be terrified. Presentations, job interviews, just talking with the boss. They want to be confident in their skills and ability to communicate.

If someone comes to a meeting, will they be called on?

People come into those settings to practice, to practice communication and what's good about it, it's safe environment. You're not going to be graded. It's not judgmental. You practice at your own pace.

So you don't have to speak?

We're always encouraging people to do that. What you'll find is it's safe, it's supportive, it's nonjudgmental. At the same time, it does want to move you toward being comfortable, moving out of your comfort zone.

You don't have just the aggressive blabbers talk. The shy people talk.

So what will you do if you're new?

You will listen, you will observe, you will practice, you will do. We sure don't want to put someone on the edge of the pool and say time to swim. We're going to give you every tool possible.

What's the key to public speaking?

It's a matter of continual practice.

The thing is always evaluating what you're doing and playing your game harder and better.

If you're going to do anything, you've got to practice how to do it. You can't just think about it. The more you do, the best you do. If you need improvement, who's going to tell you that?

What difference can a good speaker make?

Sometimes you'll have somebody walk through the door, and they're already a razzle-dazzle speaker. They will take the whole room to a different level because of where they're at.

Good speakers can get your attention. They get you to listen.

Why are we afraid to speak in public?

I think it's because we really don't practice speaking in public. We watch people. It's been kind of put up here on a pedestal. The only people who speak in public are the president, or they're politicians, your funeral home director. But everyone has to interact with people all the time. How comfortable are we doing that? That's where Toastmasters makes a difference.

What if we're not comfortable talking to others?

You may have a lot of good ideas, but if you're so uncomfortable speaking, you can't get them across. Palpitations, sweaty palms, you're afraid of what people will think of what you're saying you won't have the confidence to do it.

A lot of good thinkers, are afraid. Engineers often times are brilliant, but they can't explain what it is they've designed.

Will it take a long time to become a good speaker?

Whether you come to Toastmasters for six months or six years, you'll see improvement. It's kind of like riding a horse out of the chute. Pretty soon, you're spurring when you need to spur, you stay on and you go.

What do I need to join?

Before you join, come in and I would encourage anyone to visit. The big thing about Toastmasters is, it's your game. What do you want to accomplish, what are your goals, what's your timeframe.

What does it cost?

$36 every six months and a one-time initiation fee of $20.

What's the most surprising thing you've discovered about Toastmasters?

Toastmaster can make you appreciate humanity. In the Toastmaster meeting, you would be shocked in the dynamic of that meeting, what you can learn from your fellow man. I learn something every week. But I also like to give something back to the organization. That's why many of us stay involved, because we believe in the program. I was sold after one meeting.