If there is anyone in Elk County who understands the value of Toastmasters International, it is St. Mary’s stalwart member, Cory Straub.
It wasn’t Straub’s own idea to join. His business partners informed him that he needed to acquire “people skills” and encouraged him to join Elk County Toastmasters.
Straub began his long-term relationship with Toastmasters in 1990, and more than 25 years later, he remains a steadfast member and officer. He is one of the group’s true guiding lights.
A polished communicator, he nevertheless knows that hard-earned skills get rusty without continual practice.
In his own words, Straub says “Toastmasters has helped me to feel confident and allows me to articulate my ideas. This helped me excel within my career in local industry.”
He also made a promise to Elk County Toastmasters’ inspirational founder, Earl Buchheit, that he would do his utmost to keep the club alive after he passed away.
He kept that faith, even during years when membership shrank to a handful of die-hards. Lately the club has rebounded with many new members and is now bursting with vitality.
Toastmasters is an organization that helps people to develop communication capabilities. There are more than 330,000 members worldwide, the majority in large cities, and rural Elk County is very fortunate to have a club.
Its power lies in the ongoing opportunity to practice speaking, listening and leadership skills in an environment that provides positive feedback.
Elk County Toastmasters meets at 7:15 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month, at the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Education Center on Washington Street in St. Marys.
Visitors are always welcome (at no charge), and people do not have to live within Elk County to join.