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working hard to improve
themselves through the
Toastmasters educational
program.

In the next pages I am
delighted to share with you
the words of several of these

Toastmasters about their
experiences. Some of these
writers are still incarcerated,
some are now out of prison. All of them have involved with a Toastmasters meeting. You’re
found great value in Toastmasters. either learning something new, or teaching

someone something. The experiences that
Isaiah— I’ve accumulated during my time with the
I was first introduced to Rose City club has increased substantially. It gave me

Toastmasters by an acquaintance of mine. the communication skills I need for real
Originally, I never wanted to stick around, world experience, from job interviews, to all
but after attending my first meeting with the way down to holding a basic conversation.
the club, I realized how interesting it was. I’d like to share my love and gratitude to
Other than honing the communication everybody, and I hope to learn more as the

skills that are offered, I never would have time goes on.
thought of this as something more than a
club. The environment is always smooth

going from when the meeting starts till Ahren—
when the meeting ends. Though with the For those of us who have found ourselves
individuals that are involved, everyone at a place in our lives where we now have a
is respectful towards the diversity of the criminal record and are in custody, it is easy
club. I also love how there is a variety of to want to give up, to feel hopeless, to see

courses that match each unique persona ourselves as the refuse of society that most
of those that are entering Toastmasters. casually disregard or, even worse, vilify.
There’s never a dull moment when you’re Toastmasters offers those in custody an

VOICES! | MARCH 2023 7