FROM STAFF REPORTS

Toastmasters International Circle of Champions will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and Open House on Monday, April 15, at 6:45 p.m. at The Abundant Life Church 1625 Kent Dairy Road in Alabaster.

Current and past club members as well as guests are invited to be a part of this milestone in the club’s history. Circle of Champions serves the Birmingham and Shelby County area, and is one more than 16,000 Toastmasters International clubs in the world.

Circle of Champions was chartered on April 27, 2009, by distinguished toastmaster Wanda D. Spillers, who saw the need to have a fully functioning club in Shelby County to support the communication and leadership development of the community. The club chartered with 25 new members who paved the way for more than 100 new members to join toastmasters international over the past 10 years.

The Circle of Champions is one of the premier Toastmasters clubs in Birmingham metro area, having earned the designation of President’s Distinguished, the highest honor given to any Toastmasters club, in each of the last three years and Select Distinguished for five years. In the past 10 years, three members have attained the top individual Toastmaster award, distinguished toastmaster, two members have served as area directors and three as district officers. Toastmaster Sonia DeYampert was the 2017-2018 Area Director of the Year recipient.

The club is diverse and located in Alabaster, making it the only club in Shelby County. The club has members who live in Alabaster, Pelham, Montevallo, Helena, Calera, Chelsea and Maylene. The Circle of Champions includes members from Veterans Administration, Lawson State College, Chamber of Commerce, VOIP business, Alabama State Nursing Association Leadership and several military veterans.

At a Toastmasters meeting, public speaking abilities are sharpened through prepared speeches and impromptu practice. Members develop important leadership proficiencies such as conscious listening skills, critical evaluation capabilities and group facilitation and time management abilities as they serve in meeting and club leadership roles.

Current and past Toastmasters as well as the general public are invited to attend the April 15 milestone celebration.

The group meets regularly on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m.