What prompted Tom Shindruk to join Toastmasters for the third time?

Let’s go back 68 years. At age 22, Tom secured a position with Sunkist Growers Inc., a citrus farmers’ co-op in California. Living in Winnipeg, his sales territory stretched across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Western Ontario to Thunder Bay, North Dakota, and Northern Minnesota. This meant extensive travel and frequent presentations.

But Tom was terrified of public speaking. Determined to improve, he found a retired school teacher in Elmwood (a Winnipeg neighbourhood) offering a public speaking course. For ten dollars, he signed up for a 10-week class with participants ranging from a lawyer to a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, a postman, and himself—a young salesperson.

Building a career through communication

Tom’s career took him to Toronto in 1961. By 1963, he was promoted to Director of Training for Sunkist North America, working in both Canada and the U.S. His ability to teach new hires and present effectively also led to many invitations including being a wedding MC and delivering eulogies at funerals. He became known as an accomplished and confident speaker.

When his family later settled in Calgary, Tom’s career in the food industry still required presentations. In 1982, he joined Twin Rivers Toastmasters in Calgary, staying until 1987 when he and his wife moved to Edmonton. There, he joined Northern Lights Toastmasters until 1997, before returning to Calgary and stepping away from club meetings.

Service and teaching beyond the workplace

Outside of work, Tom gave back to his community. For over 20 years, he volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, leading fundraising efforts. He also created and led Be a Great Dad, a seven-year program supporting divorced and separated fathers, many of them newcomers to Canada, through Families Matter Association.

Shifting careers once again, Tom spent nine years training food processors in workplace safety with the Alberta Food Processors Association. Later, he became a classroom instructor in the oil and gas industry, teaching safe driving programs. Communicating clearly, tactfully, and effectively became a daily requirement.

Returning to Toastmasters at age 90

Now at 90, Tom is embarking on a new chapter—as a motivational speaker. He serves on the boards of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre (DDRC) in Calgary and Calgary Pro-Life Association, while returning to additional volunteer work with the Canadian Cancer Society. These roles often involve presentations, and Tom knows Toastmasters is the best place to sharpen his communication and leadership skills.

“Toastmasters is a great place to network and to improve your communication skills,” Tom says.

So why would a 90-year-old man join Toastmasters again for the third time, this time with Heritage Go-Getters Toastmasters?

Because we all need to keep learning, no matter our age. Tom believes it’s important to live with purpose and to have someone to love. This September, he and his wife Sonja celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Both are cancer survivors—Tom four times, Sonja once.

Tom’s message is simple and powerful:

“If you lack confidence, if you are lonely, if you want to be better at communicating, if you want to have a more fulfilling life at any age—JOIN TOASTMASTERS.”