Mike Whitt is fostering connection, community, and confidence through the Speaking Out Toastmasters Club.
A Spartanburg native, Whitt recently retired from the auto industry, which took him out of the Upstate for 30 years. During this time, he called Western North Carolina home before returning to the Spartanburg area in 2004.
Whitt first learned about Toastmasters in 2019, when he received a flyer from a colleague advertising a workshop that promised to teach students how to craft an elevator pitch. Whitt and his wife were in the process of starting their own business and decided to attend. They later learned that the class was hosted by the Toastmasters Club, and Whitt went to his first meeting. He’s been a member ever since.
The Toastmasters organization was first created in 1924, and its membership is worldwide. Whitt says that there are semiautonomous clubs with over 350,000 members all across the globe. Its system is based on giving public speakers positive reinforcement — not being critical, but instead challenging speakers to improve and grow.
Toastmasters also provides opportunities for its members to grow as leaders. Each club has officers — Whitt serves as the president of two Toastmasters clubs, as he’s also involved with a North Carolina chapter — to allow deeper involvement.
The club meets weekly for one hour, and challenges speakers to think on their feet and receive intentional feedback.
Whitt says that his experience as a member of Toastmasters has been overwhelmingly positive. “I enjoy everything about Toastmasters,” he says. “I enjoy speaking, obviously, but I also love the different roles we have in the meetings.” However, he says it’s the community that has truly made the biggest impact on his life.
“What brings me to every meeting is the people who go there. I love the people I’ve met, and I’ve made some close friends. It’s just great to be around people who share your passion for becoming a better public speaker and leader.”
While some people jump at the chance to speak in public, it’s not something that everyone naturally gravitates toward. Public speaking is actually one of the most common phobias worldwide, with over 77% of adults reporting some level of fear of public speaking. According to Whitt, Toastmasters is the perfect space to begin overcoming that fear.
“I’ve seen remarkable transformations,” Whitt says. “I’ve seen men and women of all ages who can barely open their mouth in front of people just grow remarkably. Within a year, they’re taking on leadership roles and love to get up in front of people and speak.”
According to Whitt, he’s seen transformation in himself as well. “My business often requires me to get out and talk to people, and that requires self-confidence. I’ve seen a difference in my ability to communicate with people since I’ve become a Toastmaster.”
Toastmaster clubs are relatively small, with most clubs containing fewer than 25 members, but remain open to new members. The Spartanburg chapter of Speaking Out Toastmasters currently has about 15 members of all ages — 30-year-olds to members 75 and older. They meet each week on Thursday mornings.
Whitt welcomes anyone wishing to become a stronger communicator to reach out via phone or the club’s website: https://speakingout.toastmastersclubs.org/
