February is Toastmasters month and the local club is happy that the City of Parksville has officially recognized it.
The international non-profit educational organization teaches public speaking through a worldwide network of clubs, including Arbutus Toastmasters in Parksville and others in the mid-Island.
The programs help people develop skills in speaking, listening, giving feedback, enhancing leadership potential and promoting self-awareness and self-esteem.
Founded in 1924, they have more than 280,000 members in 13,500-plus clubs in 116 countries and more than a quarter million people attend events every week.
The first club outside the U.S. was here on Vancouver Island, in Victoria in 1935. There are now more than 5,000 members in 286 B.C. clubs.
Earlier this month Arbutus Toastmasters held a successful Proclaim Your Vision Soapbox Open House giving people a chance to speak their New Years resolutions and declarations for the region.
They were happy when Parksville mayor Chris Burger recently responded to their request and proclaimed Toastmasters Month in the city.
For more information check http://arbutus.toastmastersclubs.org/ or drop in to their meetings every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre.