A chapter of Toastmasters International formed specifically as a teaching and adjustment tool for developmentally disabled adults served by Volunteers of America, Dakotas.   In early 2005, Pam Bollinger, President and CEO, was approached by a local volunteer activist and two decade member of Toastmasters International.  Arlene Pearsol was convinced that the Toastmaster’s experience would be of benefit to developmentally disabled and physically disabled adults.  Volunteers of America, Dakotas has two programs, West Oak and Vocational Training, where a significant number of adults with disabilities are served.   A meeting was scheduled and staff from both programs were asked to recruit participants who might benefit through public speaking, speech preparation and confidence building.  Pam Bollinger selectively recruited management personnel interested in improving their skills and acting as “mentors” to the program participants.   Arlene recruited Toastmaster members to present a “sample meeting” and to mentor the new group.  The opening meeting was attended by nearly 30 people, a mix of vocational training participants, most of whom were shy and reluctant; West Oak residents who primarily seemed bewildered as to the purpose of the gathering; line staff who work with them on a daily basis; and management staff, including the CEO and 3 members of the senior management team.    Arlene and her comrades, one was a gentleman with fairly advanced MS, presented a sample Toastmasters meeting.  with an opening prayer and the pledge to the flag, a humorous reading two formal speeches, each between five and seven minutes, several one to three minute impromptu talks called “Table Topics,” evaluations of the speeches and awards.  Each participant was greeted by extended, enthusiastic applause.   A primary speech was made by the gentleman with MS.  His physical condition was as severe, or more severe, than anyone in the room.  Despite tremors and difficulty with speech, the man gave a moving and funny talk.  The West Oak and the Vocational Training participants were drawn in.  At the end of the meeting Arlene asked if people were willing to try a group of their own.  Enthusiasm was high and several people stepped up to take temporary officers posts.  Over the next couple of weeks, the staff worked with the Toastmasters volunteers to create a club.  The club was formed and named “Speakeasy, Volunteers of America Toastmasters.”  This name was registered with Toastmasters and later a banner arrived with the printed club name.  It is displayed at every meeting   Speakeasy, Volunteers of America Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon.  Through its initial year, membership evolved.  The officers group went from all staff to a mix of staff and particpants working as equals.  Speeches were rotated.  Since it is a supportive, but still competitive climate, when staff members deliver speeches, they compete against other staff.  Participants compete against participants.    Three senior management members became regulars and attend as often as their schedules permit.  The participant population has a core base that comes every week and a transient population.  The group does frequently lose those who “graduate” from their VOA programs.  But sometimes clients who have “graduated” still return for meetings. West Oak and Vocational Training staff continue to attend with their participants and a handful of staff from other areas fill in the remaining chairs.    Everyone pays their own Toastmasters dues except for a few who have no source of income and they are covered by a scholarship fund created by interested donors.   Toastmasters International sends out a membership package to each person which entitles them to all privileges and binds them to all responsibilities of any other Toastmaster member.  Meetings are conducted by the rules of Toastmasters International including adhering to speech times (maximums and minimums) and other evaluation standards.  No special consideration is given to the members disabilities.    Improvements in the social adjustment of the adults with developmental disabilities were noticed almost immediately.  Families began to report that their members did not seem as shy.  Information came about how young adults, for the first time in their lives, were learning appropriate speech, projecting their voice, respecting the words of others, expressing appreciation to others and enjoying the appreciation expressed toward them.    If you are interested in getting involved contact Lisa Ferguson at (605) 338-3461.