BOX ELDER — The Box Elder Toastmasters Club is coordinating a regional open house Monday, June 29, at the Box Elder City Hall Community Room.
The event will bring together seven Toastmasters clubs from the Box Elder and Rapid City area under the theme “Celebrating America’s 250th.”
The open house will give community members an opportunity to learn more about Toastmasters and the communication and leadership development opportunities it offers. Representatives from all seven clubs, including three corporate clubs, will be present to share information and discuss the benefits of membership.
Toastmasters International was founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley. His goal was to create a collaborative learning environment where young people could develop public speaking skills. Today, more than 8 million members across 148 countries and territories have participated in the program.
Karl Merbach of Rapid City spearheaded the open house. Merbach joined Toastmasters 25 years ago. He worked in municipal government in Indiana, where his job required frequent public speaking before city councils and other agencies. He said Toastmasters initially helped him build communication skills, but it also became a way to engage in communities and meet local residents as he moved throughout his career.
When he moved to Rapid City, Merbach joined the Mount Rushmore Toastmasters Club, established in 1953 and the city’s first Toastmasters club.
“And I tell people, ‘No, I wasn’t a founding member,’” he joked.
His involvement has grown over time. Merbach has served in multiple leadership roles within Toastmasters and now helps establish new clubs in the area. He said the open house is intended to welcome the community and showcase what the organization does. Activities will include demonstration meetings, prepared speeches with evaluations and table topics, or impromptu speaking. Attendees will also learn about Toastmasters history and impact.
The Box Elder Toastmasters Club is nearly a year old. Rebecca Bader, the club’s current president, said 10 to 15 people attend meetings, which are held the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
“I really enjoy public speaking, and I liked that part of school,” she said. “I miss utilizing those skill sets from a passion perspective. I can hone in on what I want to work on personally.”
“We’re not immediately throwing you in front of a group of people,” Bader said. “There are a wide range of steps to ease yourself into it.”
Merbach added that the program is self-paced, allowing members to progress at a comfortable level.
“It’s not your college speech class. You’re learning from others,” he said.
Bader said she has noticed increased confidence among club members, including herself, over the past year.
The open house will be Bader’s last meeting as club president. She said the most rewarding part of her leadership was working alongside members, guiding them and helping provide a level of comfort at each meeting.
Merbach said that while Toastmasters focuses on public speaking, it also builds leadership skills.
“It’s everything from learning how to run a meeting to leading groups, doing projects and serving as an officer with responsibilities,” he said.
Participating clubs include Box Elder Toastmasters, Synchrony Speakers Toastmasters, Mount Rushmore Toastmasters, Skyline Toastmasters, Top 5 Toastmasters, High Energy Toastmasters and BHFCU Money Talks Toastmasters.
The agenda includes:
5:30 to 6 p.m. — Welcome and overview of Toastmasters, local clubs and membership
6 to 6:30 p.m. — Demonstration meeting featuring prepared speeches and evaluations
Additional activities include:
• Patriotic presentation
• Table Topics
• Patriotic-themed activities
• Tall Tales contest
• Closing remarks on the benefits of Toastmasters
• Introduction of the Box Elder time capsule
