Local club helps members build confidence

Walter Henley, a Spanish language interpreter for UAB’s Callahan Eye Hospital, knows that communication is crucial to his profession. That’s why he unabashedly credits Toastmasters International, Inc. Club #512, for helping him evolve his communication skills.

“When you join our club, you progress at your own speed and in the direction you want to go,” said Henley, a 30-year veteran of the Vestavia club that’s known locally as Vulcan Voices.

He serves as vice president of public relations for the club, which meets each Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. 

“In my late 30s, I went on an Outward Bound program in North Carolina, which was an incredible experience,” said Henley. “It pushes you to your limits, and teaches you to go beyond where you thought you could go. I came home from that and felt like I had something to express, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. And of course if you’re nervous, you can’t deliver your message well.”

At the advice of his father, John C. Henley, a founding member of Vulcan Voices, Walter attended a meeting with another of the Club’s founders, Harry Jaffe. 

“Harry was the real grandfather of the Club,” said Henley. “He told me he’d pick me up that Monday night, and I got started. Despite the fact that he was in his 80s and had a hard time walking, he’d go week after week – he loved it so much.”

After a cautious start, Henley worked his way up the officer listing -- holding each position from sergeant-at-arms all the way to president -- before he gave his first speech. Today, he’s regarded as one of the Club’s most distinguished members.

“No question, this group has changed my life,” said Henley.

Each week, members rotate between various roles for the evening, including Toastmaster, Topicmaster, Jokemaster and Grammarian. Vulcan Voices has 22 members, with 14 in regular attendance. The group is a mix of Basic and Advanced Toastmasters. 

Jeff Daniell credits his 30-year membership in Toastmasters to the group’s relaxed atmosphere. 

“We improve our skills, we communicate, but we also have a lot of fun,” said Daniell. “You come because you want to improve yourself.”

Daniell, now retired, came to the group on an invitation from his friend Dan Shirah. Daniell found the Club a useful training ground to improve his presentation skills, which helped boost his self-confidence and led to success in his former career as a manufacturer’s representative in the home décor industry. 

“If you are in a sales position, if you have to make presentations at work, if you are in a leadership role in a service club, a teacher in Sunday School, or any in capacity where you will be talking in front of people, this group can help you improve your communication skills and build your self-confidence,” said Daniell.

He added the group’s collegial atmosphere has helped more than a few members find their public speaking rhythm. 

“One of our members is Robin Ward of Ward Sand & Gravel,” said Daniell. “Here is a guy who routinely has to make talks as part of his position.”

Ward came to the Club on invitation from Henley, with whom he served on the Young Executive Board for what was then Compass Bank. 

“I asked him to come to Toastmasters with me, and to give the invocation,” he said. “And he was uncomfortable about the invocation. It’s really been wonderful to see how he has blossomed in his expressiveness.”

For more information about the Vulcan Voices Toastmasters Club, visit vulcanvoices.toastmastersclubs.org.