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About Us
Osceola
Toastmasters is a unique
club. Chartered in April of 1977, the club has developed a character
all it's own over the years. Toastmasters International is dedicated
to building a better world by developing the communication and leadership
skills of individuals. At Osceola Toastmasters we have discovered that
as we develop as better speakers and better leaders, we also develop
lasting friendships. Visit one of our meetings and you will immediately
notice that we have fun! One of our members said of the club, "Every
time I step in the room I am always welcomed. Everyone is always ready
to lend a hand, to encourage and support each other. I believe that
it's this group's attitude that makes it all worthwhile. We all come
with the desire to improve and to share our experience in life, to grow
together and make our community a better one."
The best way to find out about Osceola
Toastmasters is to be our guest at one or more of our meetings. We believe
in what we do, and we believe in enjoying life. If you're still asking,
"but what is Toastmasters?", please follow the link to "About
Toastmasters International" .
Our Name
Osceola
Toastmasters has among it's many traditions, a very
proud name. We meet in Kissimmee,
Florida, which is the Osceola
County Seat. Osceola County is situated in central Florida. It is
a popular place to visit due to the close proximity of Disney World,
Universal Studios, and numerous other parks and attractions.
The County was named after Osceola,
the leader of the Seminole
resistance known as the "Second Seminole War". This began
in opposition to a "treaty" which effectively confiscated
Seminole lands in central Florida. The Seminoles were being loaded like
cattle onto boats which took them across the Gulf of Mexico, up the
Mississippi and unloaded them in Arkansas. They were then herded to
Oklahoma; needless to say the death rate along the way was appalling. The
Seminoles have not signed a treaty with the U.S. Government to this
day.
Osceola was not a chief, but was skilled as an orator, motivator, and
spokesman. His fearlessness in battle in the Seminole's resistance to
the tyranny of the "relocation" earned him the great respect
and the title of "war chief". Osceola was captured in 1837,
while under a deceitful flag of truce offered by Gen. Thomas Jessup.
Front pages around the world noted his death a year
later in a Charleston, S.C. prison. We at Osceola Toastmasters salute
"Chief" Osceola, for the powerful leader and communicator
he was.