Public speaking is not for everyone, but those interested in improving their speech abilities often join a club that aims to help them improve their skills.

The Toastmasters Club, started in 1924 by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, is designed to help improve the communication and leadership skills of its members by having them present speeches and then receive constructive criticism on how to improve the speech, said DeKalb’s Toastmaster President Theresa McClure.

“I feel that it has increased my effectiveness as a business manager and it has improved my communication skills,” she said.

The Toastmasters will hold an array of events Saturday at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

The District 54 Speech Conference, hosted by the club Saturday, will highlight keynote speaker and renowned author Sporty King, and Justin Gottsreid, an international director of the club. Speech evaluation and international speech contests will follow the presentation.

In the evaluation contest, contestants will observe and take notes on a speaker, and then receive five minutes to review their notes. After that time has expired, they must give an evaluation of the speech they just heard, without the use of their notes.

The contestants will be judged on clarity, conciseness and the constructive criticism they give on the speech.

The international contest is designed for contestants who already have won at the club, area and division competition levels. They are judged on how well they give an informational, persuasive and/or inspirational speech.

The two leading contestants will have the opportunity to become world championship speakers by successfully competing in the Toastmasters Regional Conference and then advancing to the Toastmasters International Conference.

Local resident Edwin Zehner, a member of the DeKalb Toastmaster Club, took first place in previous area, club and division level competitions and should provide a challenge to competitors Saturday.

Zehner encourages everyone to join Toastmasters, regardless of their level of public speaking experience.

“I and many others in the club feel that the Toastmasters experience not only makes us better speakers, but also gives us more confidence in all of our social interactions, both personal and on the job,” he said.

The club has been giving speeches for over 50 years.

McClure said the DeKalb Area Toastmasters is open to all who want to join at a fee of $50 each year. The meetings are held at the American National Bank at the corner of Bethany and Sycamore roads every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The events will run Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Registration still is open for those interested in attending.

For more information, call Del Calderini at 895-6427.