Here is a list of some of our members who have chosen to make their profiles public.

Derek Myburgh - "Networking and engaging with a client or any other individuals, whether on a personal or business level, depends on how confident you are as a person. This is what I have gained from being a member of Toastmasters, the ability to interact with confidence, no matter on which level. I frequently find myself in a situation where I suddenly hear this voice inside me, saying "Thanks to Toastmasters" for the training and guidance it gave me so that I can cope with that specific situation, whether I am in a one-on-one or group situation." 

Past Division E Governor, Derek Myburgh, founder member of Protea Toastmasters in East London  has been instrumental in Protea's growth, helping the club to achieve the District 74's Top Club award in the year 2009-10, and to maintain a President's distinguished club status for the past  5 consecutive years, since the year 2007/8.

Derek who recently moved to Cape Town and just joined Winelands Club, was asked some questions about his Toastmasters life, and below were the responses:
 

Derek Myburgh

Q1: Why and when did you join Toastmasters?
Answer:... I arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1996 and realised that (as an Afrikaans speaking person) I needed to learn to speak proper English, Toastmasters was suggested as an option, I attended my first meeting (while fighting the fear and nerves) and the rest is history. I am now a Toastmaster for life. Can’t live without it!

Q2: What do you do for a living?
Answer:...Business Banker at Absa, looking after a portfolio of “Large Segment” clients.
 

Q3: How do you use communication skills in your daily life?
Answer:...For me it all comes down to a mixture of Confidence and Patience. Toastmasters taught me the confidence to believe in myself and then it is easy to bring my point of view across especially when marketing to a potential client.
Toastmasters also taught me Patience, to listen when a client is “off loading his frustrations” . To listen before speaking is something I did not know about until I became a Toastmaster. It even works wonders when communicating with my wife!

Q4: How have you grown as a communicator and leader since you joined Toastmasters?
Answer: …My employer incorporated my Toastmasters goals into my personal  self-development plans at the office. By achieving my Toastmasters goals it then opened opportunities  for me in the financial organisation I work for.  Very few potential Toastmasters realise that the real advantage of Toastmasters is that it improves the REST of your life!!

Q5: If someone asked you to give a presentation on short notice, how would you react?
Answer:...Definitely YES, I am happy to do so. And I prefer to do it in English (although I am Afrikaans speaking by nature). I am always available to stand up and “say something”.
 

Q6: What do you like best about your clubs?
Answer: …It does not take long to become part of the  family. Toastmasters is the most positive place I have ever been to, it is in no-one’s interest to come there just to whine about negatives in life. It is always a group of positive individuals.
 

Q7: Now that you have come this far, what is your next step?
Answer: …To plough back. I am involved in Mentoring at my new club and looking forward to watching new members grow.
 

Q8: What surprised you the most about Toastmasters?
Answer: …...”The helping hand” principle. No-one loses anything by helping someone else to improve themself.


Q9: What is the most important thing you would tell your friends and family about Toastmasters?
Answer: …Mistakes are the portals of discovery. This is the place to improve yourself because no-one will laugh at you-we are all in the same boat and learning from one another, whether you are new or old in Toastmasters.

Derek Myburgh, (ALB,ACG) is nearly achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster award. We wish him all the best with completing the HPL programme and with sponsoring a club.

Source: On A Point, District 74 Newsletter, Issue 181 of 19 October 2012.

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