Sheppard combats glossophobia

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Unlike rainfall, professional development opportunities aren't as scarce at Sheppard with chances to better one's self on a weekly forecast.

The Toastmasters of Instruction Club here has been providing opportunities for service members and their families to better themselves when it comes to glossophobia, the fear of public speaking.

Toastmasters is designed to help people overcome their fear by helping them develop confidence in their ability to communicate.
 
"If you've ever felt an inhibition about giving a speech, then this is the place to overcome that fear," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Thompson, Sheppard Toastmasters vice president.
 
Master Sgt. Seth Moening, Sheppard Toastmasters president, reflected on his reasons for joining the club at his previous base. "Toastmasters helps with speaking on your feet," Moening said. "It helps with speaking in front of people, giving briefings and things you do in your day-to-day life" 

Moening started the base club to give members of the base an opportunity to have a Toastmasters meeting during the work day so it wouldn't take away from their family time after work.

"Most of the members have little to no public speaking experience when they get here," Moening said. "It's kind of like watching Picasso learn how to paint and learn new techniques."

The club is completely open to whatever the individual wants to speak about. It allows the members to relax and focus on what it's like to speak in a public setting. During meetings, members perform a variety of short speaking assignments in front of each other and then talk about what the speaker did well and what improvements or adjustments can be made.

"We're not here to perfect the speech, but to perfect the speaking," Thompson said. "This is not about what you're saying, but how to say it in the right context."

According to Moening, public speaking is a useful skill for members of the military because of the necessity to give briefings and other speeches in front of people and leadership.

Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 11 a.m. and the third Thursday of every month at 12 p.m. Base access is all that is required to attend meetings and join the club.