Photo By Ryan Labadens | Senior Airman Dallas Hannon (right), 403rd Communications Flight client systems...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss -- For many people, public speaking can be a nerve-racking task, but one 403rd member decided to take steps toward overcoming his fears by joining Toastmasters International.
"Toastmasters is a non-profit organization, and ultimately it is designed to help people become better public speakers," said Senior Airman Dallas Hannon, 403rd Communications Flight client systems technician. "So it's all about teaching public speaking and also teaching leadership skills."
According to Toastmaster International website (toastmasters.org), Ralph C. Smedley initially began the organization in 1924, when he decided he wanted to organize events to help people learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees in a social environment. There are currently 15,400 Toastmasters clubs in 135 countries around the world, and the organization currently has more than 332,000 members.
Hannon started attending Toastmaster club meetings for the Ocean Spring, Mississippi, in 2008 initially on accident, he said.
"I was invited to attend what I thought was a chamber of commerce meeting," said Hannon. "I sat down in this room (of about 20 people), and there was gentleman in a wheelchair who just said some very inspiring words - super motivational - and I said 'Wow, how can I sign up for something like this?'"
Hannon's original motivation behind attending the meetings stemmed from his desire to be more comfortable giving presentations for the civilian job he had as an insurance agent. He later recognized that he could apply what he learned from these meetings toward his Air Force career, particularly in regards to mentoring and leadership.
"With a lot of the new jobs here, I've helped (new 403rd CF Airmen) become familiar with their tasks and responsibilities by demonstrating how to do them. So acting as a mentor to the new people in Toastmasters makes me feel like I can lead and be a mentor to the newer Airmen in my flight," said Hannon.
The Ocean Springs Toastmasters club was started here by Michael Bayne, a retired U.S. Army reservist, and his wife in 2002. Both he and his wife are Distinguished Toastmasters, the highest level that can be achieved in Toastmasters. Bayne has participated in Toastmasters for 26 years.
"I love it because I keep on mentoring new people. I've watched Dallas (Hannon) grow since he became a member, and I can see the difference in people," said Bayne in regards to why he still participates in Toastmasters. "You keep on honing their skills... and you watch people that have some hidden talent, and it really comes forth."
Hannon said the organization provides material for participants to use in helping them prepare for speeches in front of their club member, and also gives them the opportunity to give impromptu speeches and conduct meetings. He also mentioned that feedback is constructive, focusing first on positive encouragement before providing critiques on how to make improvements.
"It's very helpful, it's fun, it's educational and you can experience a lot of growth from it," said Hannon.
Hannon said that the Ocean Springs Toastmasters club currently meets once every two weeks at the Boomtown Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information on local Toastmasters International meeting, Hannon can be contacted at 954-892-7062.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2016 15:44 |
| Story ID: | 215749 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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