Toastmasters do the Scariest Thing in the WorldToastmasters isn't about toast as in bread and butter. It's an international non-profit organization that helps people do the scariest thing in the world - competently speak to an audience. Renaissance Speakers of Clearwater Florida meets Mondays, 6 p.m., at Jim Warren Art Gallery, across from the Post Office in downtown Clearwater. "The idea of making a presentation in public is the number one fear reported by people in the U. S.," says Paul L. Witt, PhD, assistant professor of communication studies at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. When Jerry Seinfold heard about a survey that put fear of public speaking above fear of death, he said, "In other words, at a funeral, the average person would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy." "If it's not fun, it's not Toastmasters." says Rick Furbish, Director of Marketing in the Tampa Bay area. With nearly 250,000 members and over 12,000 clubs in 106 countries, Toastmasters is a very popular group that knows how to make speaking fun. Readers are invited to visit Renaissance Toastmasters in Clearwater (727 538-9701) and/or they can contact a club near their home or office by going to Toastmasters.org and clicking on "Meeting locations Find a location near you."
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