Gresham Toastmasters

Gresham Toastmasters Celebrating 60 years

The Gresham Toastmasters club celebrated 60 years of having served east county residences with an opportunity to improve their public speaking, listening and thinking abilities in April. The club was charted as Club Number 783 on April 21, 1951. That means it was the 783 club charted by Toastmasters International which now boasts over 12,500 clubs with 260,000 members in 113 countries.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization whose purpose is to develop in its members better listening, thinking and speaking abilities. Making a presentation before a group of people has been cited as the greatest fear or phobia individuals have. Gresham Toastmasters has helped hundreds of individuals overcome that fear, and worldwide over 4 million men and women have benefited from the training.

Another very important part of the Toastmaster program is leadership training. Through Toastmasters International a number of training modules can be purchased and then given by club members. They include a session on Parliamentary Procedure, How to Conduct Meetings, How to Make the Sale, to mention just a few.

Some notable east county business and civic leaders belonged to the group at one time. They have then used the leadership training in their various positions. Ross Morgan, Milt Erickson and Stan Swan, all deceased, belonged to the club for many years. Ross Morgan was a state legislature for several years. Stan Swan was a popular member of the Elks and served on the staffs of Congresswoman Edith Green and Robert Duncan. Milt Erickson was a well known real estate agent. Don Holtzheimer was a prominent local veterinarian and still belongs. Several doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, nursery owners as well as policemen and firefighters from the area have belonged.

Currently, Barb Jones, Fairview city councilor is serving as President. George Miller, retired meteorologist and local author is serving as Vice President of Membership. Several employees of Les Schwab have served as officers in the club and moved on to manager positions. Dianna Gould, VP of Public Relations is a Director for Society for Human Resource Management. Other members include pharmaceutical representatives, accountants, marketing and tax consultants.

Through the years, the Gresham Toastmasters has assisted organizations by providing judges for local and area speech contests. They also have had a program where members bring canned goods to the meeting to be delivered to Sno-Cap.

The club holds weekly meetings every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. at the Elmer's Restaurant, 1590 NE Burnside in Gresham. Guests are welcome. Please contact Secretary/Treasurer George Miller 503-666-9278 for additional information or visit the Toastmasters International website: www.toastmasters.org or local website.

Become a Better Speaker

Gresham Toastmasters meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the Elmer's Restaurant, 1590 NE Burnside, Gresham, Oregon 97030.

After your first visit, you'll want to return.

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Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped millions of men and women become more confident in front of an audience. Our network of clubs and their learn-by-doing program are sure to help you become a better speaker and leader. Why pay thousands of dollars for a seminar when you can join a Toastmasters club for a fraction of the cost and have fun in the process?

Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations, and you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others.

Toastmasters Can Change Your Life

How can the Toastmasters program help you? Here are examples from the lives of Gresham Toastmasters. Click this link, or click "Toastmasters Can Change Your Life" from the Articles section on the left.

Don’t worry! Everyone in a Toastmasters club was once at the level you are now. The environment is friendly and supportive, and the self-paced program allows you to build confidence with each speaking assignment. And you’ll love the applause! Constructive evaluation is the heart of the Toastmasters program. Each time you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out strengths and suggest improvements. At first you’ll be applauded for your effort; later you’ll be applauded for your skill.

You won’t regret it. Toastmasters currently has more than 200,000 members in 80 countries. Our club is just one of the more than 10,000 clubs located around the world. For membership meeting information, please see our membership information page.

Visit Us Soon

Gresham Toastmasters meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the Elmer's Restaurant, 1590 NE Burnside, Gresham, Oregon 97030.

After your first visit, you'll want to return.

Click Here for Directions