It’s been eight years since Harold Usher retired from his role as Ward 12 Councillor, but he’s still a weekly visitor to City Hall to attend the Toastmasters club. On June 29, the London City Hall Toastmasters mark 20 years since receiving its charter. “I do it to honor others, I help them, I coach them, I can be a mentor,” Usher said about this ongoing commitment to the club. “I can help them to develop their leadership and communication skills. I find that it’s very, very satisfying to me.” Usher started the club in 2006 after meeting with then-City Manager Jeff Fielding about the need to help people develop public speaking and leadership skills. Toastmasters has clubs around the world that offer a safe and supportive opportunity to practice planned and impromptu speaking, receive constructive feedback, and become leaders. The club at City Hall includes a mix of city staff and members of the public. “I joined Toastmasters approximately one year ago because I am terrified of public speaking, in front of an audience, especially impromptu speaking,” says Simona Rasanu, a Senior Planner at City Hall. Rasanu’s growth was apparent as she began the meeting and agreed to be interviewed on camera by CTV News. “I think it is an important skill to develop, especially if you want to speak in front of Council, for example, or if you want to be in a leadership position,” she added. “I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing a member start coming here and grow. And sometimes they don’t even realize how much they’re growing,” Usher explains. Even after 41 years as a Toastmaster, Usher says he still looks forward to each week’s meeting of the London City Hall club. The London City Hall Toastmasters club meets for an hour every Thursday.
