Toastmasters Youth Leadership

Toastmasters Youth Leadership

Students in the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP) at Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute have been stepping out of their comfort zone and participating in a youth leadership public speaking workshop provided by Toastmasters International. The students completed their final day in the Toastmasters International Youth Leadership Program today and received their certifications.

 Lakehead University's Office of Aboriginal Initiatives Storytellers Group serves as sponsor to the following group, of youth and provides a coordinator, Anna Chief, Outreach and Recruitment Officer  to present the program. Meetings follow a format similar to that of a Toastmasters club meeting, including an announced agenda, practice in parliamentary procedure, and the selection of presiding officers.

 "This has been a wonderful opportunity for our students provided by Toastmasters International," says David Olenik, Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute Business Teacher. "Many of our students come from Northern communities and a lot of them have had to step outside of their comfort zones to participate in a program such as this. They have been extremely successful."

The Youth Leadership Program is a workshop consisting of eight one to two hour sessions that enable participants to develop communication and leadership skills through practical experience. The program is presented during or after school, or on weekends.

Participants learn to:

  • Evaluate present speaking ability
  • Organize and give speeches
  • Give impromptu talks
  • Control voice, vocabulary and gestures

For further information, please contact Anna Chief.

Original article from Lakehad Public Schools