by Candi Blunt
I had the opportunity to attend a demo meeting of a new Toastmasters group named R.A.R.E. on Saturday, January 28th. Gabrielle Faulkner, the leader of the group, delivered her icebreaker speech where she shared her vision and aspirations for the group.
R.A.R.E is located in South Dallas and aims to host both in-person and digital meetings to cater to young black professionals and retired professionals. The objective of the group is to provide a platform for networking and enhancing leadership skills.
The theme for the meeting was “Empowering Your Legacy”. I find these demo meetings for new groups particularly exciting because they demonstrate that Toastmasters is not just about public speaking, but also about leadership. From managing time to providing and receiving feedback, these meetings are an opportunity for members to hone their leadership skills.
The meeting was closed by Dr. Conda Ross, who delivered an encouraging message as the general evaluator. Toastmasters is a wonderful place for learning new skills and being supported by a community of peers.