David Reed has come a long way in three years. Once a guy who didn’t think much about public speaking, Reed is now set to compete in the semifinal rounds of Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking to be held on Aug. 22 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Reed, a Kirkland resident and president of Redmond’s Wordwise Toastmasters club, won the organization’s District 2 championship on May 11. His prize-winning speech, “Give Your Gift,” recounts the moving true story of a high school friend who joined the military and survived a war only to die of cancer at an early age.

“The crucial element is to be all heart,” Reed commented on his approach to public speaking. “Pour out your heart like a pitcher of love and hope for each person in your audience. Love each and every one of them individually.”

In the competition, involving 30,000 people worldwide, Reed rose above hundreds of Toastmasters from the vast region between Kent and the Canadian border.

Eighty-six district-level winners from around the world advanced to the semifinal round after a six month process of elimination through club, area and district speech competitions. Their five-to-seven-minute speeches were judged on content, organization, gestures and style.

“Toastmasters speech contests are another way to build your confidence, because you sharpen your skills and speak to many different audiences,” said Reed. “I am looking forward to competing on a much larger stage in Cincinnati.”

Reed’s work as a Microsoft software architect prompted him to join Toastmasters, which is known for its success in developing public speaking skills.

“Before I joined Toastmasters, I saw myself on a video speaking to thousands of people at two different technical conferences,” recalls Reed. “I could tell the guy on the video was terrible.”

Three years ago, Reed joined MicroToast, a Toastmasters club at Microsoft.

“I joined with the stated goal of learning to shut up,” said Reed. “I am still learning how to say effectively what needs to be said without rambling on.”

Since joining Toastmasters, Reed and his wife, Samia, have plunged into the organization in a major way. In addition to starting Redmond’s Wordwise Toastmasters, they find tremendous satisfaction in supporting the Voice Masters gavel club for 12- to 17 year-olds, to provide an accelerated head start in life through the gift of Toastmasters.

“The kids meet every week and run their own meetings and operate their own club just like adults do, contests and all,” said David. “Seeing these amazing kids outperform many adult Toastmasters is gratifying and gives us hope for the future.”