Where can you learn or improve your communication skills in a fun and supportive way? At Toastmasters club. Since its inception in 1924 in California, Toastmasters has has grown tremendously and is now present in 90 countries through more than 10,500 clubs. Chartered in 2000, the Port Louis Toastmasters is the first Mauritian club and has this year reached a milestone by winning the ?President?s Distinguished Club? award.

Toastmasters offers a two-track educational program. Once members have completed the introductory speaking manual, they may enter the communication track and/or the leadership track. The latter track helps members develop advanced speaking skills through a variety of specialized manuals. The leadership guides members serving in various clubs and district offices through a leadership project of their choosing.

One of the most interesting aspects of Toastmasters is the ?learn-by-doing? experience. There is no instructor - instead members evaluate each other?s speeches, guided by Toastmasters International?s unique and proven educational material. Members receive recognition for progress as they advance. A positive learning environment fostering self-confidence and personal growth leads to better job performance. This has not gone unnoticed by corporations and a visit to the Toastmasters International website (www.toastmasters.org) shows that giants like IBM, Citigroup and Exxon, have their corporate clubs.

The Port Louis Toastmasters club meets twice monthly at the Port Louis City Club and membership is open to anyone above 18. More information can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected]

The club elects its president and executive committee on a yearly basis. The newly elected President is Me Eddy Tong Sam. With the support of the executive committee, he will have the task of taking the club to further heights after the brilliant term of immediate past president Padmini Lareine.