The Power of Club Support

When I walked onto the ballroom stage at the 2025 DONA International Conference, ready to present a 90-minute workshop to hundreds of doula birth professionals, I carried something unexpected with me: a serving tray.

Just before stepping on to the stage, I learned that I didn’t have a lectern, and this tray was to be a stand-in as a place to hold my notes. But what I did have: months of preparation, honest feedback, consistent practice, and a Toastmasters club that showed up for me in every way that mattered.

My club, Toast of the Town Toastmasters in Seattle, Washington, was instrumental in making that presentation a success. Not just because they offered encouragement or told me I’d do great—which they did—but because they gave me exactly what every speaker needs: flexibility, honest feedback, and a community committed to growth.

When I started developing my DONA talk on culturally informed postpartum nutrition, I knew I needed more than solo practice in front of a mirror. I needed real people, real feedback, and real opportunities to refine my message.

My club instantly agreed to let me practice sections of my workshop as my club speech. When I needed to work on specific skills, members gave me detailed, actionable evaluations. When I recorded an early version of my talk (that I couldn’t even bear to watch myself), fellow Toastmasters offered thoughtful critiques that helped me see what I couldn’t see on my own.

The evaluations I received were specific and honest. Members told me exactly where I rushed through content, when I lost eye contact, and how my notes were controlling me instead of supporting me. They pointed out the moment in my speech when the room’s energy shifted, and helped me understand why. That level of detail transformed my preparation.

The support and feedback I received from fellow members were essential to my being able to give the presentation. Preparing for a 90-minute workshop with interactive activities and scenario-based learning required a different kind of practice than a standard club speech. My club adapted. They understood that sometimes growth means doing things that aren’t traditional. That willingness to be flexible while maintaining high standards made my preparation possible.

Club members didn’t just attend meetings—they invested in my development. They stayed after sessions to discuss my approach. They celebrated progress and challenged me to do better.

When I practiced in front of coworkers or family, or ran through sections on Zoom, I knew what to focus on—because my club had already shown me where the gaps were.

I used to think I was a naturally good speaker because I’m comfortable with impromptu conversation. Toastmasters taught me I was wrong. I’m actually better at structured speaking—something I learned only after I understood how to truly use feedback.

On the day of my DONA presentation, I didn’t get anxious when I had to improvise with a serving tray instead of a lectern; I didn’t get rattled after walking through the projector light while managing slides; I was able to adjust my pacing based on the room’s energy.

When a conference attendee came up to me afterward and said I helped them finally understand some difficult concepts and gave them a framework they could actually use, I felt the significance of that accomplishment. But I also knew I hadn’t done it alone.

Toastmasters didn’t teach me to be perfect. It taught me to prepare well, to seek honest feedback, and to lean on people with a growth mindset who are willing to help.

My club gave me flexibility, honest evaluations, and a community of people who genuinely cared about helping me succeed.

The support from Toast of the Town members made me realize that Toastmasters isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s a community that makes growth possible.

---

Share this article