NIAGARA FALLS—Hundreds of folks from all walks of life will converge this weekend to compete in something some people find unimaginable on a volunteer basis — giving speeches.

Toastmasters International District 65, which encompasses 100 clubs from Western and Central New York, will host a Leadership and Communications Conference in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel today and Saturday. Toastmasters offers participants an opportunity to sharpen their interpersonal, leadership and communication skills and gain valuable experience useful in today’s job market, according to the organization.

Local clubs usually meet on a weekly basis, giving their members a chance to hone their skills with encouragement from small groups before working their way up to contests such as the ones to be conducted this weekend, where speakers will face up to 300 people at one gathering.

“This is practically like getting a free education, and it’s about belonging to a small community where they are kind and helpful to each other,” said Elizabeth Morana of Williamsville. She belongs to the A. M. Lockport Club, which meets at 7 a. m. each Wednesday at the Friendly’s Restaurant at 2 W. Main St., Lockport.

Morana, a retired clinical psychologist, wanted to sharpen her interviewing skills as she embarked on a second career as a writer of family histories, historical fiction and memoirs. She joined three Toastmaster groups at once this past winter, finally narrowing it down to the Lockport group and “treating it like a grad course, where I research my topic all week and prepare my speech.

“It’s been a blast,” she said. “The people in Toastmasters are very funny and experienced and there’s a camaraderie. You’re always developing your listening and speaking skills.”

Those attending this weekend’s conference will have a choice of 12 one-hour educational workshops, with topics ranging from leadership, motivation and humor to first impressions, online marketing and voice acting. The conference begins at 5 p. m. today and continues throughout Saturday.

The “Friday Night Improv Event,” which convenes at 9 p. m., and Saturday’s “Humorous Speech Contest” at 4:30 p. m., highlight “the lighter side of public speaking,” according to organizers.

William Miller, of Wilson, is a charter member of the Cataract Communicators, which meets Wednesdays in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. He will be participating in the humorous speech competition at this weekend’s conference.

“People are hesitant to join because they don’t know what it is, but it’s so much fun,” said Miller, who works in risk management for the casino. “It’s open to everyone, and you get out of it what you put into it.”

Conference attendees who register online and pay in advance will pick up their conference kits at registration prior to attending the events. Online, advance registration for workshops and events is $25 total, or $100 for the full conference, including all meals. To register online, visit http://d65conference.eventbrite.com, or to see a full schedule of events, visit http://d65fallconference.wordpress.com.

Walk-ins also are welcome, at a cost of $20 to attend workshops and competitions.