|
From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Community
Nassau, Bahamas - It was a dynamic and heartwarming ending to another successful Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) facilitated by the First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters, Club 1600 for residents of the Ranfurly Homes for Children.
Through
YLP, participants honed their public speaking skills in a supportive
club atmosphere. Teens learn how to participate in and lead group
discussions/meetings, organize and present their ideas logically and
convincingly, and overcome the nervousness everyone feels when asked to
speak before an audience.
In
their final speeches on Saturday, September 27, one after the other,
youths told how they have personally benefited from the programme.
“The
programme brought me from one level to the next in a very positive way.
I have more confidence when I speak to people. It’s easier for me to
give eye contact. Before, I would always look away. It’s not that I’m
shy. I just had a problem maintaining eye contact. I’m also able to
better control my nerves when I speak,” said an 18-year-old, whose name
is being withheld due to her residing within the home.
“I’m sure that there’s something that has changed in all of us through the YLP.”
Her statement seemingly rang true for most participants.
A 16-year-old boy said others noticed the change in him.
"My
teacher said she sees the improvement in me. She says to continue to do
well," according to the 11th grader, who credits the programme with
expanding his vocabulary and also allowing him to better evaluate
speeches. “Toastmasters will be with me for a lifetime,” he said.
Another
16-year-old participant confessed he faced a “daily dilemma” in staying
focused. He described how the programmed helped him.
“I’m
not shy. I had no problems speaking in the front of people. The problem
I had was giving others my full attention. I had a short attention
span,” said the 11th grade boy. “Amazingly, this taught me how to be
comfortable around people, to be confident and to push myself.”
He
thanked the programme’s coordinator, Dion “Da Butcha” Knowles for
allowing residents to “express our inner most feelings in words.”
The
teen also thanked the home’s administrator, L. Alexander Roberts, for
placing him in such a programme which helped him to “better myself.”
The
teen told his Toastmasters mentors not only would he follow their
leadership and public speaking tips now, but also into the future.
In
his first, official presidential address in July, Valentino Munroe
outlined the Youth Leadership Programme as one of the club’s priority
for the 2014/2015 Toastmasters Year.
Describing
YLP as an "effective tool" in helping to strengthen one’s
self-confidence, President Munroe acknowledged the impact its made on
the youth at the home.
The Ranfurly Homes for Children currently has 28 residents – 17 boys and 11 girls, ages 18 to 11.
Eleven of them participated in the Youth Leadership Programme which was funded by Generali Worldwide Insurance (Bahamas).
“This
was an awesome opportunity,” said VP of Education Carlos Palacious, “To
be able to work so closely with young persons who really have the
ability to change the country by first improving themselves is an
encouraging thing.”
When Club 1600 offered to facilitate the programme at the home, Adminstrator Roberts readily agreed.
“I
understand public speaking is one of the biggest fears of most people
and I hadn’t had the opportunity to see them speak publicly,” said the
administrator who has been with the home for four years. “Every now and
then I call on them, without notice, for a vote of thanks. For the most
part, they are growing in confidence.”
He thanked the Toastmasters clubs for bringing the “positive innate qualities” they all possess, out of the youths.
During the eight week programme held every
Saturday, the Toastmasters mentors witnessed tremendous growth amongst participants.
President
of Toastmasters' Scotia Dynasty Club 829842, Jarissa Miller said she
sees leadership capacity in each one of them. Ms Miller's club partnered
with Club 1600 in this initiative.
She
recalled how some teens were nervous and timid when they delivered
their first speech. Now, they are able to deliver longer, well-prepared
presentations, she reported.
Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM), Attorney Charles Newbold III, echoed similar sentiments.
“Certainly,
from where I sat in here on the first day I have seen much
improvement,” said Mr Newbold, who served as assistant coordinator. “For
those of you who realized the immediate benefits of programme hats off
to you, you will see it more in the weeks and months to come.”
Speaking
on behalf of Generali Worldwide, Toastmasters Division I Governor and
manager of sales at Generali, DTM Delmaro Duncombe said he was pleased
to witness participants “final steps to becoming the greatest, most
effective leaders and communicators in The Bahamas.”
Students received a completion certificate at the end of the course.
One
lucky student was guaranteed a job with 100 Jamz after making a
positive impression on owner, Robert Carron during a YLP tour of the
station’s facilities.
The First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters, Club 1600 meets every
Thursday at 8pm at SuperClubs Breezes.
|
