ATLAS Ministry staff members complete Toastmasters Speechcraft Program

Published 3:33 pm Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Six members of the ATLAS Ministry staff recently completed an eight-week Speechcraft Program presented by members of Greene County Toastmasters. Speechcraft is a blended learning program designed to provide optimal support for learners interested in building their communication and public speaking skills.

Although claiming to be somewhat nervous and apprehensive at the start of the program, participants Ebony Browning, Michelle Caricofe, Azariah Chester, Gerald Davis, Shawntica Jackson and Idalet Lazaro blossomed into polished, confident speakers, meeting new speaking challenges each week. As their skill levels grew, they surpassed each challenge with confidence, learning to feel comfortable delivering prepared speeches and constructive evaluations, as well as responding to off-the-cuff questions directed at them — skills that will benefit them personally as well as professionally.

The members of Greene County Toastmasters who presented the program were impressed with the progress made by the group in such a short period of time.

“Before we began this program with the ATLAS staff, we thought we would be the instructors and they would be the students,” said Joyce Crawford, Greene County TM’s secretary/treasurer and one of the program presenters. “But their natural warmth, combined with their sense of humor, created an atmosphere of pure joy that made the program as inspiring for us as for them. This was definitely a win-win situation.”

Toastmasters is a “Learn by Doing” organization and open to anyone 18 or older who is interested in improving their speaking and leadership abilities. Greene County Toastmasters meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, at Lakeside Church, 5800 Lake Oconee Parkway, in Greensboro, Ga. 30642, as well as online via Zoom. For more information, email Kris Mapp, president, at president-1174747@toastmastersclubs.org, or call 706-467-3740, or Mary Sims, Vice President Public Relations 706-999-0041.

ATLAS Ministry, Inc. is a non-denominational Christian organization serving Greensboro, Georgia and the surrounding area.  Formed in Greene County in 2005, ATLAS is a Christ-centered community resource that works with families who are committed to setting their lives on a healthy and productive new path.