“Being a good communicator is essential to professionalism,” says Realtor Allan Corbett, which helps explain why he recently become one of thirteen Realtors elected to the first executive of the Real Talks Toastmasters. The club held its chartering celebration in the FVREB’s auditorium August 21 and is aiming to expand its current 23-member club.
“One of the best things about Toastmasters is that it gives you a safe place to practice and learn how to become a good communicator,” says Corbett, “and also because everyone there wants you to succeed. ”
Corbett has been a key driver in getting the Real Talks Toastmasters off the ground. From previous experience in Toastmasters clubs Corbett discovered that the best way to become a proficient speaker is to combine repetition with feedback. He says whatever you are doing right or doing wrong, it usually takes an objective observer to give you the critique that will help you to improve and build confidence.
“We need to help others in order to grow ourselves. And how many other places can you get applause every time you get up to speak?”
“In the real estate community, you are often called on to speak about something without any notice,” explains Corbett. “Someone asks you a question and although you’ve got the knowledge in the back of your head, they ask a question that you haven’t thought about before, and you have to compose your thoughts quickly and say something intelligent. It’s learning how to speak on the spur of the moment or extemporaneously that’s so important.”
Because Real Talks Toastmasters is a self-managed club, there are plenty of opportunities to develop leadership skills. The 2017/2018 Executive Members are:
- President: Trevor Beauchamp – Royal LePage Northstar
- Club Mentor: Ken Cowie – RE/MAX 2000
- VP Education: Allan Corbett – Paramount Realty
- VP Membership: Kelvin Neufeld – Sutton Premier
- VP Public Relations: Sadaf Baig – Sutton Premier
- VP Mentorship: Cameron Tsoi-A-Sue – RE/MAX Little Oak
- Secretary: Jayne Liu – Homelife Benchmark Titus
- Treasurer: AlNoor Teja – RE/MAX 2000
- Role Scheduler: Jatinder Grewal – Sutton Group West Coast
- Speech Scheduler: Harman Chahal – RE/MAX Little Oak
- Sgt. at Arms: Narinder Bains – RE/MAX Blueprint, Janine Mazzalupi – Royal LePage Wolstencroft
- Sgt. at Arms: Ranjit Dhaliwal – Your Property Agent
To encourage guests to learn about the program and determine if they’d like to continue, the first two sessions of Real Talks are free of charge.
- New to Toastmasters and joining for six months: $150 (includes support materials)
- Returning to Toastmasters and joining for six months: $95 (for both new members and renewals)
Real Talks Toastmasters for Realtors meets weekly on Monday mornings from 9 am to 10:30 am in the FVREB Auditorium. The exceptions are holidays and New Member Orientation days. For more details about the club, contact President Trevor Beauchamp at 778-836-8738 or any of the Executive members. You may also contact Rick Wood, Director, Operations, FVREB.