According to a 2016 study performed by the National Institute of Mental Health, 74 percent of people suffer from speech anxiety.

Most people plagued with the fear simply avoid the problem, but Judy Donley of Elizabethton set out to overcome it.

“Years ago, I was invited to give a ten-minute speech, which I had practiced for days,” Donley said. “On the day of the presentation, I gave my ten-minute speech in two minutes. I spoke so fast no one understood a word I said.”

A member of her audience suggested she look into Toastmasters International, a public speaking club. She joined a club in Jonesborough and remained a member for five years. After attending meetings in Bristol, Donley decided to start a club in Elizabethton.

Toastmasters was founded in October of 1924 and is an educational program that aims to improve public speaking and to sharpen leadership skills. Each club uses training modules and provides constructive criticism to improve an individual’s public speech. If a member is going to be giving a speech outside of the club, their comrades will listen and provide them with feedback for enhancement.

“Toastmasters wants to see everyone who joins improve their leadership and public speaking skills,” Donley said. “For me personally, it is a tremendous joy to see someone join who are barely able to stand in front of a group and say their name to becoming a public speaker.”

The Elizabethton club meets the second and fourth Thursday evening of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Elizabethton Library. The meetings last one hour and run on a time schedule that complies with the standards set out by Toastmasters International.

“We have a Sergeant of Arms who opens the meeting,” Donley said. “Toastmaster of the evening ensures the meeting is controlled. The other roles include the Speakers, Evaluators, Grammarian, and Table Topic Master.”

Much different from other organizations of its kind, Toastmasters has a one-time initiation fee of $20, then $50 every six months.

Donley welcomes anyone to join the Elizabethton club. “Whether you are an employer and you want your company to have talented spokespeople to represent your business who know who to effectively communicate, or someone looking to improve their individual speaking and leadership skills, Toastmasters is the place for you,” she said.