Earlybirds mark 65 years of good talk
It’s not just talk. That’s the message members of the Butler Earlybirds Chapter 2255 of Toastmasters International stressed as the group marked its 65th anniversary Saturday with an open house and breakfast party.
Toastmasters International is an organization dedicated to improving speaking skills, but Earlybirds members shared that the group not only made them better public speakers but gave them leadership skills and the courage to step outside their comfort levels.
President Cameron Suorsa said he joined the Earlybirds 19 months ago when he was a Grove City College student studying entrepreneurship.
“I wanted to be more thoughtful and prepared in my speaking,” Suorsa said. He hoped to improve his business pitch presentations.
Through the group meetings — which included giving prepared speeches, as well as impromptu “table topics” presentations, taking online courses and receiving feedback from fellow members — Suorsa said he used his new-found skills to secure $18,000 in business grants.
“There are different paths. You get to do speech projects. You give speeches, and you get guidance. You learn about different speaking types,” he said. “You learn methods to engage with audiences, to capture and keep their attention.”
Through Earlybirds, Suorsa said he was encouraged to start a podcast, attend conferences outside the club and enter speech competitions.
Jing Humphreys, a member of Earlybirds for nearly 30 years, said the group provides a very supportive atmosphere for members looking to improve their speaking skills.
“I think self improvement really changes people, really changes lives for the better,” she said.
Humphreys said the group’s 17 members met online for three months via Zoom, and now meet at the Butler YMCA at 7:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. They’ve been meeting at the YMCA since it reopened in July 2020.
“We were there masked and social distancing. Once the world opened, it couldn’t hold us down,” she said.
Stephanie Scott, the Toastmasters District 13 director, said her involvement with the group made her a better communicator and leader, both at work and at home.
“The key to that is conquering things you didn’t think you would be able to do. That’s the secret in the sauce,” said Scott.
She said when the original 23 members of the Earlybirds formed the chapter on March 1, 1957, they had “no idea the club was going to be around in 65 years.”
The chapter gained a new member Saturday when Butler County Community College student Ian Moore signed on.
“I stutter. I tend to be quiet, and I am not confident in my speaking abilities. I hope to improve my speech,” Moore said.
“You have to put yourself out there when you give a speech,” Suorsa said. “This is an amazingly supportive environment.”
Scott said, “What a fantastic way to celebrate 65 years of a club. We’ve got a lot of quality people here who have been here for a number of years who will keep the club going. Spread the word.”
