On Thursday, People Growing Together Toastmasters will host an open house at the Hurley YMCA. International Director Russell Drake will be the guest. He is the author of “If This Is a Secret Why Am I Telling It.”

In this one-hour presentation, Drake will share techniques to overcome nervousness, connect with any audience, use verbal and non-verbal communication skills, eliminate filler words and distractions and achieve a commanding executive presence. Whether you give sales presentations, engineering briefings, executive summaries or large group speeches, you might benefit from this information.

This is also a chance to see how Toastmasters can help develop better speaking, listening and leadership skills, sponsored by the People Growing Together Toastmasters club. There will be experienced Toastmaster members there to answer any questions you may have.

Registration and social time will start at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation beginning promptly at 6. Door prizes will be awarded. Admission is free. There is limited seating; RSVPs are appreciated.

For more information, contact Glenda Edwards at 828-310-8491, or e-mail gteamsedwards@windstream.net.

For a directions, go to www.peoplegrowingtogether.org and click on “Directions.”