By Sean Provencal, CC, CL, PM2

My journey in Toastmasters started in Sept. 1982 when I joined Venetian Toastmasters.  It was a Top 10 Toastmasters Club and I certainly learned a lot by being a member.  I was a college student at Broward Community College and felt that public speaking training might help me a lot. In Dec. 1983, I finished the basic manual and attained the Competent Toastmaster designation.  I served as a Sergeant-At-Arms from January-December 1984. Due to college and work commitments, I wasn’t able to participate in Toastmasters for several years after I graduated from Florida Atlantic University in April 1986.  After a disastrous job interview, I realized I needed to join Toastmasters again and I started attending the Jackson Health Systems Toastmasters club prior to 1998.  I had a job interview in early 1998 and because of my Toastmasters training and experience, I did a great job and was selected for the new position! The Education Coordinator at the Miami VA wanted to establish a Toastmasters Club there and she received approval from the Medical Center Director for the formation of a new club. I was the first President and Treasurer of the Miami VA Toastmasters Club and it was quite an experience.  I served as Treasurer throughout the years our club was in existence. After the Miami VA Toastmasters Club lost its charter because we were unable to get enough members to continue their memberships, I joined the Pembroke Pines-based Saturday Fearless Toastmasters Club.  I served as the Treasurer from 2016-2017. I then joined the West Pines Toastmasters Club in the Summer of 2017 and became Sergeant-At-Arms in July 2019. Toastmasters is my Continuing Education! My Toastmasters journey continues…