SANFORD - The Ernest and Ruby McSwain Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant to Central Carolina Community College for a new program, "Presentation Skills for Community Leaders."
CCCC President Matt Garrett accepted a $3,000 check on behalf of the college from Ruby McSwain, who established the foundation, at a luncheon Friday at the Worthy House.
"The ability to speak in public is an essential skill for success in most vocations, and is helpful in all vocations," Garrett said. "The college is very pleased to have an organization like the McSwain Charitable Foundation right here in Sanford that is interested in promoting strong public presentation abilities. This is just one of many improvements that Ruby McSwain has made in Lee County."
The college is asking the community to help identify rising leaders who could benefit from this opportunity. Churches, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and businesses in Lee, Chatham, and Ha ett counties may nominate up-and-coming leaders for the training. Three skill-building programs, one in each county, will be established. A committee will select those to participate from the nominees in each county.
Forrest Greenslade, of Fearrington Village, noted speaker, author, artist, retired executive, and member of Toastmaster's International, will facilitate the weekly sessions. He holds Toastmasters International's highest educational certification, Distinguished Toastmaster. In 2001, he was recognized as North Carolina's Toastmaster of the Year.
Once participants complete the Presentation Skills for Community Leaders program, they will have an opportunity to make brief presentations in front of an invited audience, followed by an award ceremony and reception. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity to further refine their skills by participating in a new Toastmasters International club.
The McSwain Foundation grant will fund new member application fees for all the participants, in addition to their initial program scholarships. After the grant ends, the new Toastmasters International chapter will continue as a CCCC club and will be open to current or former curriculum or continuing education students and CCCC staff.
Ruby McSwain (center), who established the Ernest and Ruby McSwain Charitable Foundation, presents a grant check for $3,000 to Central Carolina Community College President Matt Garrett as W. Woods Doster, McSwain Foundation board member, looks on. The grant will be used to establish a ‘Presentation Skills for Community Leaders’ program at the college, training them in public speaking. A chapter of Toastmasters nInternational will be established at the college.