When asked what he thought about history, a young boy answered, “I don’t know. It happened a long time ago and I wasn’t there.”
Fellow Toastmasters, what do you know about history? Whether you know a little or a lot about history, there is a Toastmasters Club for you. It is Club #8860, Historically Speaking Toastmasters.
Historically Speaking Toastmasters was started in 1997 by a group of Toastmasters who were interested in learning more about history and being an active part of history in the making. The objective was to focus on historical events in Table Topics and in speeches.
In the beginning, we decided that each member would choose one former U.S. President and present a speech on his life and presidency. Through the years, our members have learned more about the Presidents as well as other prominent citizens and their contributions to society. Various world leaders have also been subjects of speeches.
Some speeches have focused on the growth and expansion of the United States. Others have talked about the participation of the United States in times of war, nationally and internationally.
Some members have shared personal experiences. One member spoke about her parents, who were second-generation immigrants, and their life as owners of a small store. Another member told about how his life as a teen led him to give time as a volunteer with an organization that works with troubled teens.
Disneyland once featured an exhibit of the “Home of the Future.” One of our members gave a speech and told why it no longer exists and what changes have occurred since then. Another speaker gave a history of the auto industry, how far it has come, and what is coming in the future.
One of the members has given several speeches about U.S. Presidents by focusing on a very different perspective: the dinnerware that the President used in the White House. She has a place setting of authorized, authentic reproductions of the dinnerware of 12 former Presidents. Not only does she speak about the achievements of each President but also his favorite foods and the influence of the First Lady during the presidency.
Yes, some may be unfamiliar with history because it happened a long time ago, but this certainly is not the case for members of Historically Speaking Toastmasters. For them, history is a living entity, and they are part of its dynamic development.
If you would like to visit or become a member of this vibrant club, it meets
at 7:15 P.M. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in the Los Alamitos/Rossmoor
Library. For more information, please contact Fred or Wilma Springer at 562-598-3696
or wmspr@aol.com.