By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Concordia College Alabama now has its own Toastmasters International chapter.

The Concordia Proclaims Club will focus on helping members improve their public speaking and leadership skills. It is comprised of 33 members including students, faculty, staff and members of the Selma community.

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization with headquarters in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

The organization’s exceeds 300,000 members with 15,0000 clubs in 135 countries.

Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds overcome public speaking fears along while improving leadership skills. The mission of Toastmasters International is to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders through values of integrity, respect, service and excellence.

A chartering ceremony will be held Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Kreft Center theater room on the main campus of Concordia College. Membership to the club is open to anyone in the Selma-Dallas County area who is interested in self-improvement and professional development. The club meets every Monday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. at CCA in room 203 of the Kreft Center.

Those interested in joining the club should contact Chapter President Constance Smith-Hendricks at (334) 874-5700 or chendricks@ccal.edu.