Prince Rupert, it's time we talked.

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our club's mission is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

The Club Meets Every Week

From September to June, the Prince Rupert Toastmasters meet on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Due to COVID-19, meetings are being held online via Zoom web conferencing. Join us on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. via ruperttoastmasters.ca/meet.

Reach Milestones At Your Own Speed

In a club meeting, you practice giving prepared speeches as well as brief impromptu presentations, known as Table Topics. There is no rush and no pressure: The Toastmasters program allows you to progress at your own pace.

Build Leadership Skills for Real Life

Anyone who is a strong leader has to first be an effective communicator. In Toastmasters you will hone your speaking skills, and you will develop leadership abilities — through evaluations, listening, mentoring, serving as club officers and filling roles in club meetings.

Meet the Club's Leadership Team

Leslee Bruce
President

Leslee recently retired from the position of Finance Administrator at Ridley Terminals Inc. While practiced at accounting, payroll and pension, her passions also include literacy and music. Leslee sings in the Prince Rupert Rotary Community Choir — a group that performs at many civic functions — and is committed to a healthy lifestyle. Reflecting on her accomplishments so far, Leslee says her proudest achievements include raising her two children to adulthood, and serving in the community.

Debby Peng
Public Relations

Debby immigrated to Canada in 2000 from Taiwan. After completing her education in the Lower Mainland, she moved up North to pursue a career in Environmental Public Health. Debby finds strong connection, creativity and resilience in the Coastal community of Prince Rupert. She appreciates the opportunity to grow personally and professionally serving in leadership roles both in volunteer organizations and at the workplace. Her goal for the upcoming Toastmaster season is to complete the Visionary Communication Path.

Aidan Murphy-Morven
Logistics

Even though Aidan grew up in Canada's northwest, the year he spent studying in France (as part of a Rotary Youth Exchange program) extended his loyalties. Aidan is a dancer, soccer player and tutor with PAC 10 Tutoring. While serving as president of the Rainmakers Interact Club, Aidan led the Rainmakers Now broadcasts. He continues with Interact as the chair of its International Understandings Committee; he also coordinates the Chamber of Commerce's business mentorship program.

Christa Simonds
Administration & Finance

Christa Simonds is from Prince Rupert but left at 17 to pursue education and work experience. She has lived in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto and Montreal, only to find there is no place like home. Her interests include outdoor activities and live music. Christa organizes the Home Routes concerts, which provide live music in an intimate setting. Christa enjoys learning new things, is an avid reader and hopes to further develop her leadership skills with Toastmasters.

Brendan Eshom
Club Growth & Membership

Brendan is a graduate of Prince Rupert's Charles Hays Secondary School, where he played with the provincial championship-winning senior boys' basketball team. He is also a veteran of the school's Debate and Public Speech club and the Rising Stars business mentorship program. He maintains the Sm'algyax Word of the Day website and apps to popularize the traditional language of BC's north coast. Brendan is studying in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia.

Michael Gurney
Education & Training

Michael grew up in the Lower Mainland and moved to Northwest BC in 2011. After working for the Port of Prince Rupert and two years shepherding the Lester Centre of the Arts as its General Manager, he launched his own consulting business. In addition to Toastmasters, Michael's passions include history, live theatre, music and multimedia production, hiking and kayaking. He contributes leadership to the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce as part of its board of directors.

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