Toastmasters International is undergoing a major overhaul this year, and the Fountain Hills club is getting in on the action.

Toastmasters is an organization that’s all about communicating. Whether you’re hoping to gain confidence, deliver more impactful presentations or just work on your conversational skills, the club focuses on the areas necessary to become a better communicator.

But while Toastmasters has been around for decades, the structure of the program hasn’t been refreshed from the ground up for quite some time. That’s where “Pathways” come into play, a new curriculum that allows participants to better focus their experience with the club toward their individual goals.

Whether you want to be able to address a lecture hall, deliver an update to your coworkers or nail a one-on-one conversation, there’s a Pathway for everyone.

Another advantage is that the Pathways system is all online, making it easier for participants to work on their speaking skills and keep track of their progress.

Helping integrate Pathways into Toastmasters of Fountain Hills are local President Tom Lindsey, Ambassador Tim Noble and Guide Ellen Flanary. Flanary’s role is serving as the technical expert in the new system.

According to Noble, what makes Pathways such a big deal for Toastmasters is that it marks the biggest change to the organization since the original “Able Toastmaster” program that was created in the 1940s. Bringing the system into the technological era and creating a more personalized experience for participants, the team hopes, will encourage more folks to drop by a local meeting and see what Toastmasters has to offer.

“What is unique about this new Pathways program is that it immerses you in an online world of rich information and tutorials,” Noble said. “It gives you videos of good techniques and contrasts the example with techniques that need improvement.”

Noble said that, along with this rich instructional information are 21st Century tools to utilize during and after the meeting to help track individual and club progress.

“Currently there are 10 paths to choose from with two more to be announced for the 2018/19 Toastmaster year,” Noble continued. “Each of these paths builds speaking skills. In addition, some paths include a focus on interpersonal communication, leadership or management skills.”

And in case a participant isn’t sure what their exact goal is with Toastmasters yet, there’s even a skills assessment that will help members narrow down their choices.

“Pathways in Toastmasters is exciting and Fountain Hills Toastmasters is a great place to see how Toastmasters can energize your communication and leadership skills in all aspects of life, whether you are working or retired,” Noble said.

Lindsey agreed, saying Pathways is a system overhaul that makes now a good time to see what the local club is all about.

“Our meetings are an hour and they are very structured,” Lindsey said. “One of the goals is to get everybody involved each week, if possible. There are three speaking opportunities each meeting including prepared speeches and table topics.”

Lindsey explained that table topics allow members to practice their impromptu speaking based on the week’s theme.

“The third opportunity is that every speaker is given an oral evaluator,” Lindsey explained. “They take notes and then offer feedback based on the things the speaker did well and will hopefully continue to include in future speeches, and the things they could have done to make the speech better.”

Participants also offer written evaluations for their fellow members.

“Really, that’s one of the greatest strengths of Toastmasters,” Lindsey said. “Every time you give a formal speech, you get automatic written and oral feedback so you can then work on your skills and continue to improve.”

Lindsey said he’s excited to see Toastmasters evolve through Pathways and he invites anyone in the community to learn more, drop by and get involved.

“The sole purpose of Toastmasters is to help an individual improve their communication and leadership skills,” he said. “Anybody, no matter their level of proficiency… if they’re looking to enhance their professional or personal growth, they can get something out of attending Toastmasters.

“It’s a laboratory to practice and get feedback in a positive and supportive environment. That’s what makes it so great. It’s safe; everyone is here to help and support you.”

To learn more, visit toastmasters.org/Pathways or drop by one of the group’s weekly meetings to experience Toastmasters firsthand. The local group gathers at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Fountain Hills VFW, 9624 N. Monterey Dr. Unit 1.