By Anna Skinner
The Westfield Toastmasters Club begins its year in July, and last month new board members were elected. Nikhil Nomula, president, and Cindy Garloch, vice president of memberships, said they hope to increase the club’s 20 members by 10 before next July.
“We already have three new members in the last six weeks,” Garloch said. “People are slowly finding out about Toastmasters and public speaking. So basically, we go in and help people learn how to public speak and be leaders in our community, which is why we feel so strong about being in Jan’s (Village Pizza) and being able to help people in Westfield.”
Previous owners of Jan’s Village Pizza, Jan and Steve Miller, allowed the Toastmasters to meet in the restaurant once a week since 2013. With the new ownership of the pizzeria now under Kim and Bryan Kercheval, the Toastmasters are looking forward to continuing the relationship.
To start fresh, the group is hosting an open house Aug. 23 at Jan’s Village Pizza, 108 S. Union St. A meeting will be held 7 to 8 p.m., and socialization will be 8 to 8:30 p.m. Curt Whitesell, although not a member of Toastmasters, will speak about his real estate business and small businesses in Westfield.
“This year, our plan is to get more awareness in Westfield so people can know what toastmasters can offer,” Nomula said.
All ages are welcome, and Garloch said younger members join the club to increase their public speaking abilities before college. Nomula originally joined because he is in the process of earning his MBA from Ball State University.
“I wanted to start a company, and I wanted to be more articulate so I can tell my vision to my employees and what my company wants to achieve, and that’s what Toastmasters is about,” he said.
For more, visit 1845527.toastmastersclubs.org.
