Walter Smith, president of Butler Early Toastmasters, compares it to a family reunion.

"Over the history of Butler Early Birds, there have been close to 1,000 members," Smith said, "and it will be nice to celebrate those 50 years."

Butler Early Bird Toastmasters will celebrate it's 50th anniversary with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Rocky Mountain Deli restaurant, Main Street. The public is invited.

Cost of $15 will include a meal, membership drive, award ceremonies and a chance for old and new members to participate in table topics.

Toastmasters is an international organization dedicated to providing a supportive environment in which people can develop communication and listening skills.

"We try to get people to face their fears of public speaking and build their communication skills," Smith said. "You never really overcome the fear, but you learn to master it."

In order to learn at their own pace, Toastmasters members receive a manual, which they use to give 10 speeches and be certified as a competent communicator. In these initial speeches, members learn to focus on eye contact, hand gestures and speech content.

From there, more specialized manuals are offered. There are about 20 such manuals according to Smith — each with a different focus. For example, topics include giving a toast, receiving or giving an award and manuals that focus on business transactions.

After completing these manuals, a member can become an advanced communicator in three levels: bronze, silver and gold.

The highest achievement is the level of distinguished communicator, though there is also a World Champion of Speakers, achieved at the international level. This can be earned by presenting speeches and achieving success through the club and at area, division, district, regional and international levels.

Beginning members are eased into the program, according to Smith. They complete small tasks at first such as leading the pledge of allegiance at the bi-weekly group meetings and presenting a word of the day and explaining its meaning.

Next come three or four prepared speeches. These speeches are from the manuals and count toward the 10 required to grant a member competent communicator status.

From there, members take part in table topics in which members discuss current issues and events — helping them to think on their feet and communicate quickly and efficiently, Smith said.

Table topics typically take up the first half of the meeting. The second half is devoted to evaluating prepared speeches delivered that day and preparing table topics for the next meeting.

To ensure meetings run smoothly, a toastmaster of the day is selected. This member is notified at least two weeks in advance, allowing time to prepare the agenda, notify other members and line up discussion topics.

"The toastmaster of the day is great for members," Smith said. "It helps develop leadership skills and reinforces good communication skills as they make phone calls and send out e-mails."

Butler Early Bird Toastmasters meet at 7:30 a.m. on alternate Saturdays at Lifesteps on New Castle Road. Anyone is welcome to attend for free.

Members pay a minimal fee, which amounts to about $1 a week, according to Smith.

Currently there are 21 members of Butler Early Bird Toastmasters. Members must be at least 18 years old. Toastmasters was originally only a mens club until about 1985, when women were allowed membership. The group has a near equal representation of men and women.

John Trotta is the group's longest active member, with more than 30 years experience.

"The reason I've remained so long is I just downright enjoy it," he said. "I think enjoying anything you do is an important part of life.

"It's great to listen to other people and interact with them."

A self-employed barber, he added that the communication skills gained allow him to look at things differently and communicate thoughts better.

"In life, communication is everything," he said, "whether it's talking with friends or speaking to a large group. And I'm still learning."

The majority of members are in their 40s or 50s, according to Smith. He said that they are typically business people who are looking to get ahead and be able to speak more effectively and persuasively in meetings, and with customers and clients.

There are more than 200,000 toastmasters internationally in more than 90 countries. Butler County has two clubs, the other being in Cranberry Township.

According to Smith, Butler Early Birds has maintained at least 20 members over the years, with the total reaching 28.

Some notable members over the years have included actor Tim Allen, Coors Brewing president Pete Coors and best-selling author of "Think and Grow Rich" Napoleon Hill, who has also served as an adviser to the president.

For more information, call 724-968-7368.