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

The Prince Rupert Toastmasters Club meets each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Northwest Community College, in a classroom next to the Multipurpose Room. Get directions to Northwest Community College (map opens in a new window). Visitors and newcomers are always welcome.

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

Michal Sluka
President

Michal was born and raised in the Czech Republic; he and his wife Eva moved to Canada in 2008. Michal is a real estate agent with Realty Executives. In addition to the Prince Rupert Toastmasters, Michal is a member of the Prince Rupert Rotary Club, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station #64 and he also serves on the board of directors of both Prince Rupert Tourism and Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest. He loves outdoor recreation, including golfing, fishing and snowboarding.

 
Public Relations

This position is currently vacant.

The club's Vice President of Public Relations is responsible for all outward facing club initiatives. This includes oversight of the club's online presence, open houses and any fundraising activities. The VP Public Relations also informs club members about special club events (e.g., social gatherings).

Toby Lake
Logistics

Toby, originally from southern Ontario, is a graduate of the Social Service Worker Program at George Brown College. He was part of the Occupy Wall Street movement and moved to Prince Rupert in 2014. Toby works for Slickers Raingear Warehouse and the BC Liquor Store, volunteering with Prince Rupert Civic Pride. He is an avid Internet user and maintains numerous Facebook accounts to help foment debate. While online he also promotes Pokémon, a game in which he declaims himself the city champion.

Leslee Bruce
Administration & Finance

Leslee recently retired from the position of Finance Administrator at Ridley Terminals Inc. While practiced at accounting, her passions also include literacy and music. Leslee is a member of the Friends of the Prince Rupert Library, which supports the municipal library through fundraising. She sings in the Rotary Community Choir, a group that performs at many civic functions. Reflecting on her accomplishments so far, Leslee says her proudest achievement has been raising her two children to adulthood.

Michael Gurney
Club Growth & Membership

Michael grew up in the Lower Mainland and moved to Northwest BC in 2011, where he works with the Port of Prince Rupert. In addition to Toastmasters, Michael's volunteer involvement encompasses North Pacific Cannery, Harbour Theatre Society and the BC Heritage Fairs Society. He discovered Toastmasters in 2015 after accepting the repeated invitations of Michal Sluka. Michael's passions include history, live theatre, music and multimedia production, hiking and kayaking.

Krista Ediger
Education & Training

Krista is a proud daughter of Saskatchewan, although she finished high school in Chilliwack, BC. She has worked in the community relations department of the Port of Prince Rupert since 2015. Krista is the city's most vocal fan of the Roughriders football team; her equal enthusiasm for hockey now includes the Rupert Rampage hockey club. Krista is on the board of the North Coast Transition Society and Harbour Theatre Society. She is also a pianist and flutist with the Prince Rupert Community Band.

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