Joined Toastmasters and my local Rotary Club.

Toastmasters has been interesting. My local one meets once every two weeks at a small community college. They're a mix of highly religious citizens and highly active citizens with one or two stage-shy older folk. My experience so far has been good. I'll admit that a lot of that probably stems from the group dynamic more than a specific increase in my speaking abilities. They are an approachable group and easy to talk to. Their organization is good and the meetings always (so far) go well. I'll be holding my first speech soon and my only concern is they are very heavy on doling out compliments but can be somewhat lax on critical points. I'll give them six months and see if it pays off in improved public speaking abilities.

Rotary was different. I fell into the Rotary Club. I was invited to speak after taking over the local library and (despite a flub where I forgot a point I was making) it went well. None of the old men nodded off, that I saw. I was invited to come back and was offered to join. I took it. A bit more spur-of-the-moment than I should like, but I did have my reasons. Public libraries depend on community connections, and I feel it is my job to be the library's public persona. It ought to be represented in the community. As with Toastmasters, I will give Rotary six months or so and then analyze my experience and if I or the library have or will gain from continuing on there.