Community Building: Rotary & Toastmasters Alliance in Cambridge
Cambridge Alliance: Rotarians and Toastmasters talking about working together for building community
 
Members of two local volunteer organizations are talking about working together to make the city of Cambridge a better place. Rotary International and Toastmasters International members have long worked to help community events and causes. Now, an alliance is growing between local members of both organizations and had a first meeting on July 22, 2021. 
“This is rare opportunity for two organizations to empower one another to support community projects, as members of each group build on each other’s strengths and wisdom,” said Tejwant Singh Sethi, a Cambridge Toastmasters Member and Toastmasters area director, overseeing five clubs in the city.
 
 
“It is planting the seed to grow a powerful relationship supporting community-building projects.” Dr. Mike Lawrie, a long Cambridge Rotarian and past Rotary District 7080 Governor for central Ontario is optimistic about the opportunities. “We have much in common and encourage individual members to visit and perhaps join the other organization. In addition, the opportunity for combined meetings is a great bonus for both groups. Sharing our skills and training programs will make both organizations stronger and more effective.”
 
Rotarians focus on “Service above Self” and giving back to their communities. Toastmasters is “Where Leaders are Made,” through personal development in communications and leadership skills. “The main objective of Rotary is service and giving back to the community,” said Matt Lantz, a member of both organizations in Cambridge: High Noon Toastmasters and Rotary (Preston-Hespeler). “The partnership provides an excellent opportunity for toastmasters members to give back to the local community and provide them with the best platform for volunteering and a real world setting to demonstrate and fine tune their toastmasters speaking and leadership skills.” 
 
 
“This is a first date, a get-together for Rotarians and Toastmasters members to learn about each other—and envision shared opportunities working together,” said Kevin Swayze, chair of the meeting and Cambridge Toastmasters Club president 2021-2022. Rotary-Toastmasters partnerships are taking root in communities around the world. Everything started in May 2019, when the international leadership of both groups formed a strategic alliance, drawing from the strength of their many similarities and complementary differences. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages.
 
About Rotary
Rotary International brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Through Rotary's disease treatment and prevention programs, members educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. For more information, visit Rotary.org
 
There are three Rotary clubs in Cambridge:
Rotary Club of Cambridge North www.cambridgenorthrotary.org
Rotary Cambridge Sunrise www.rotarycambridge.com
Rotary Club of Cambridge (Preston & Hespeler) www.rotarycambridge.ca
 
About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a worldwide non-profit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 364,000 in more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.
 
There are five Toastmasters clubs in Cambridge:
Grand River Toastmasters —www.cambridgegrandrivertoastmasters.com
High Noon Toastmasters— https://1036597.toastmastersclubs.org
Top Drawer Advanced Toastmasters — www.facebook.com/groups/TDTM7175
Conestoga College Toastmasters—www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Cambridge Toastmasters https://2728.toastmastersclubs.org
 
Community building: Rotary & Toastmasters Alliance in Cambridge