Beyond the Club: Toastmasters Making an Impact in the Community

What happens when passionate individuals come together with a shared purpose, a commitment to service, and a desire to make a difference?

Something truly meaningful happens. Ideas become reality, connections are formed, confidence is built, and lives are inspired.

This was the spirit behind the successful “Find Your Voice. Know Your Worth. Make an Impact.” Public Speaking and Community Leadership Workshop, held on October 22, 2026, at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Vancouver Campus.

The workshop was a collaboration between Toastmasters, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver (EFry), and NYIT Vancouver, bringing together participants eager to strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and discover their potential as leaders.

From an Invitation to a Meaningful Collaboration

Every meaningful initiative begins somewhere. For this workshop, it started with an invitation from NYIT Vancouver to return and conduct another public speaking workshop.

Having the opportunity to bring together two organizations I am deeply passionate about,  Toastmasters and EFry,  made this invitation particularly special.

As a Toastmaster and Area Director in District 21, I have experienced firsthand how developing our communication and leadership skills can transform the way we see ourselves and engage with others. Through my work with EFry, I have also witnessed the importance of empowering individuals, helping them recognize their strengths, and creating opportunities for them to thrive.

Bringing these two passions together offered a wonderful opportunity to extend the impact of Toastmasters beyond our regular club meetings and into the wider community.

What began as an invitation became a collaborative effort, made possible by individuals who believed in the purpose of the workshop and generously contributed their time, knowledge, and talents.

Find Your Voice. Know Your Worth. Make an Impact.

The workshop was built around three interconnected messages.

Find Your Voice. Every individual has a story, a perspective, and ideas worth sharing. Yet many people hesitate to speak because of fear, self-doubt, or a lack of confidence. Through public speaking, we learn that finding our voice is not simply about speaking well. It is about having the courage to express ourselves and allowing others to hear what we have to say.

Know Your Worth. Confidence begins with recognizing our own value. We all bring unique experiences, talents, and perspectives to the table. When we recognize our worth, we become more willing to step forward, contribute, and embrace opportunities that once seemed beyond our reach.

Make an Impact. Communication becomes even more powerful when we use it to inspire, encourage, advocate, and lead. Our voices can influence positive change, strengthen communities, and empower others.

These messages reflect the very essence of the Toastmasters experience. We join Toastmasters to improve our public speaking and leadership skills, but along the way, we often discover something even greater;  our ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Bringing the Toastmasters Experience to the Community

One of the highlights of the workshop was the opportunity to introduce participants to the supportive and encouraging learning environment that makes Toastmasters unique.

Through prepared speaking, delivered by DTM Rob Evans and fellow Toastmaster Dr. Andrew Woods, impromptu speaking exercises inspired by Table Topics, led by Table Topics Master Thad Rodrigues, and constructive evaluations, participants experienced some of the key elements of a Toastmasters meeting.

The interactive activities encouraged participants to step outside their comfort zones, organize their thoughts, speak with greater confidence, and appreciate the value of constructive feedback.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about Toastmasters and the benefits of joining a club. By experiencing our learning approach firsthand, participants could see how Toastmasters offers a supportive pathway toward personal and professional growth.

The Power of Collaboration and Volunteer Leadership

Behind every successful community initiative are people who willingly step forward to make it happen.

I am especially grateful to my fellow Toastmasters, Rob Evans, Andrew Woods and Thad Rodrigues who generously volunteered their time and shared their expertise to support this workshop.

Their participation demonstrated the spirit of service, teamwork, and leadership that defines our organization.

What makes Toastmasters remarkable is that we do not simply learn about leadership, we practice it. We organize events, mentor others, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, and take responsibility for creating positive experiences.

These opportunities help us become more effective leaders, both within and outside our clubs.

It also highlighted the value of partnerships. By working with educational institutions and community organizations, we can reach new audiences, introduce more people to Toastmasters, and create meaningful opportunities for learning and engagement.

Measuring Success Through Impact

For me, the success of an event is not measured solely by how smoothly everything runs or how well the program is delivered.

It is measured by the difference we make.

There is something deeply fulfilling about taking an idea, bringing together people who believe in it, and seeing that collective effort turn into a successful event.

Receiving positive feedback from participants makes the experience even more rewarding. It is encouraging to know that the messages we hoped to share resonated with those who attended.

My greatest hope for this workshop was that participants would leave feeling more confident, more aware of their own worth, and more inspired to use their voices to make a difference.

Seeing the enthusiasm, engagement, and positive responses from participants was a meaningful reminder of why initiatives like this matter.

Sometimes, all it takes is one encouraging experience, one opportunity to speak, or one person who believes in us to inspire a lasting change.

And that is the kind of impact worth creating.

Taking Toastmasters Beyond Our Clubs

As members of Toastmasters District 21, we have a wonderful opportunity to extend our influence beyond our club meetings.

Our clubs are places where we learn, practice, and grow. But the skills we develop are meant to be shared.

Imagine the possibilities if more of our clubs reached out to schools, colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups to offer public speaking and leadership workshops.

These initiatives can serve several important purposes: helping individuals develop confidence, strengthening community partnerships, increasing awareness of Toastmasters, and introducing potential new members to our clubs.

Community outreach is not simply an opportunity to promote membership. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the value of Toastmasters through meaningful service.

When people experience firsthand how Toastmasters can help them grow, they begin to understand what makes our organization special.

And when we bring that experience into our communities, we strengthen both our clubs and the communities we serve.

With Gratitude

My heartfelt thanks to NYIT Vancouver for the invitation and continued trust, to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver for being part of this meaningful collaboration, and especially to my fellow Toastmasters who generously shared their time, talents, and passion for helping others.

Your support and participation made this workshop possible.

I am grateful that we were able to turn a shared vision into a meaningful experience, and I look forward to seeing more opportunities for Toastmasters to connect, collaborate, and make a difference throughout our communities.