Ideas to help build a Tall Tales speech ...

I came across a post that was comparing two types of virtual worlds - gaming and non-gaming - and found the following quote that sounded like it could be applied to a Tall Tales speech ....

Games have at least three advantages other virtual worlds don't. First, many games, and most social games, involve an entrance into what theorists call the magic circle, a setting with simplified and knowable rules. The magic circle saves the game from having to live up to expectations carried over from the real world.

Click here to read the whole article and learn about the other two advantages that games have over other virtual worlds.

If you think about it, isn't a Tall Tale speech sort of like a virtual world? The speaker takes us to this world and shows us around, hopefully something interesting happens and then it gets resolved (perhaps unexpectedly) and everyone's happy. If you have played a computer game with a "virtual environment" you can see where there are similarities to a Tall Tales speech.

How can you use this to build a better Tall Tales speech? Try practicing your speech with your eyes closed. Visualize the virtual environment that you are trying to describe. Use your practice time to immerse yourself in this world so that you know it "inside and out". This way you will have a strong "feeling" for the environment and when you describe it as part of your speech, it will be easier to remember and, most likely, more vivid for the audience.

Give it a try!


Dates to remember....

Spring Club Contest deadline: by March 17th

Area Contest deadline: April 7th

Division A Contest: Wed, April 11th at 7:30pm, Wooster School Library, Danbury, CT. Hosted by WestConn Toastmasters.

District 53 Contest / Leadership Summit Conference: May 19th in East Hartford.

Story of dedication and perserverence...

I came across the story of the Apple Graphing Calculator (click here) and while it was enjoyable, I thought it could also provide some ideas for a Tall Tale or International speech ...

What do you think? How could you take this and exaggerate it or adapt it into a Tall Tale contest speech? How could you take these concepts and make an inspirational speech for the International Speech Contest?

Please share your ideas and suggestions in the comments section (see link below).

submitted by Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor, 2006-7

Organizational Meeting set for Div. A Advanced Club ....

From: Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor, 2006-7

Thanks to the efforts of Anne Swartout, Area A4 Governor, we have finally located a place and time to have an organizational meeting for the Div.A ADVANCED Toastmaster club ....

Place:
Ridgefield Public Library, in the "History Room"
472 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877
click here for a map showing the location

Directions are also available on the library's web site: http://www.biblio.org/rdgfld/pages/direct.htm

Date/Time:
Thursday, Jan. 25th, 2007 (sorry about the short notice)
7:15 to 8:45pm (please try to arrive at 7pm so we can start on time)

Proposed Membership Guidelines:
Open to any advanced Toastmaster or any Toastmaster who will be at least an AC-B by the time we charter this club (i.e. soon). The proposed membership guidelines (click here) will be discussed at this meeting, so please attend or send us your comments via email. Membership is open to Toastmasters in all Divisions in District 53 or even adjacent Districts (assuming they want to travel to Division A for meetings). Click here to see where Division A is located within District 53.

If you miss this meeting...
If you or anyone in the clubs in your area are not able to make this organizational meeting, please have them send me an email expressing their interest. We expect that we will have another meeting in February which will be geared toward planning the meetings for the upcoming 6-12 months. This information is posted on the Div.A blog, http://www.areaa4.blogspot.com/ so check here occasionally for updates.

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7
theshot92@gmail.com

Added Bonus for Talk Up Toastmasters!

From: Roger Brown
Subject: Talk Up Toastmasters!

Talk Up Toastmasters! - Add 5 New Members in February / March

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/marketing.html

Do Toastmasters Like to Talk?

During the Talk Up Toastmasters! membership contest, encourage your club members to invite as many guests as possible to your regular club meetings. Consider conducting a special guest meeting or open house. That is, conduct a regular meeting, but also specifically discuss the benefits Toastmasters members receive as they participate in the program.

Add five new, dual or reinstated Toastmaster members to your roster between February 1 and March 31, to receive a special Talk Up Toastmasters! ribbon to display on your clubs banner.

The club will also earn a choice of one module from The Better Speaker Series, The Successful Club Series or The Leadership Excellence Series.

Membership applications and payment for members who join between February 1 - March 31, must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than March 31. Each members join date as listed on the application must be no later than March. Transfer

and charter members do not count for credit. There is no need to apply for this award. Your club is automatically entered when the first new member application is received in February.

Better Speaker Series

http://www.toastmasters.org/store/subcategory.asp?SubCategoryID=3

The Successful Club Series

http://www.toastmasters.org/store/subcategory.asp?SubCategoryID=4

The Leadership Excellence Series

http://www.toastmasters.org/store/subcategory.asp?SubCategoryID=61

In February and March 2006, seven Clubs in District 53 (only 5% of the District) earned a
Talk up Toastmasters! ribbon. Can we do better in 2007 ?

Fwd: District Dollars for you!

From: Marv Cross
Date: Jan 18, 2007 2:13 PM
Subject: RE: FW: District Dollars for you!
Fellow Division D Toastmasters! Your club can win some D53 District Dollars! Like this!

The blurb on the ten-spot is just one way to earn the bucks!




District 53 will also give a $50(yes, that is fifty) bookstore credit to every club that achieves at least Distinguished Club status by April 30th!

What that means in a nutshell is that, if your club achieves at least five DCP points by April 30th and shows either charter membership (20 or more members) or a net gain of five (five more than the "base" on record for your club last July 1) on the TI reports, your club gets the District Dollars!

Remember that renewals are due April 1st so don't forget to begin collecting dues in March and submit them on time (part of a DCP point).

Your membership and DCP numbers are reflected on your club's DCP report on the Toastmasters website ( http://www.toastmasters.org/).

Imagine what $50 or $60 worth of bookstore materials (like additional Successful Club, Leadership Excellence, or Better Speaker modules or some new CL books or nifty little "golden gavels" to award to your members) could do for your club!

So, put out the posters, spread the word, and make some dollars for your club's library and members!

Take advantage of your club's contests (the Tall Tales and International Speech Contests) to spark additional interest since they need to be complete by March 17th anyway.

Let's grab some of those District Dollars and put them back into our club's and member's (yes, that means you too) goals! Please forward this to all of your members. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact your Area Governor, your Division Governor, even your Lieutenant Governor of Marketing, Karin von Kaenel.

Thanks and good luck!

Marv
Marv Cross, ACB/OCL
Division D Governor

Attn: Authors & Reporters for District Newsletter

From: Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster
Date: Jan 18, 2007 9:31 AM
Subject: Submission Guidelines for Yankee Activator Authors & Reporters

A Message from the Yankee Activator Editor-- John Osborn

Get Published!

Sharpen your written communication skills by writing an article for the Yankee Activator! How about ... Success in your Toastmasters Club, or"How to" for leaders or speakers or report on individual/club recognitions, anniversaries, community and/or corporateawards or tell us "How Toastmasters has advanced my career."

Articles for the Spring '07 Edition must be submitted to the editoratEditor53@district53toastmasters.org by 24 February, 2007.

New! See the Article Submission Guidelines for YA Authors & Reporters

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/yankee.html

--If we want something different - something greater - we must

think greater thoughts, we must have greater visions. Lead With Vision.

Idea for an International Speech?????

I read this post (copied below) by Seth Godin and thought it would make a good "kernel" of an idea that could be developed into speech for the International Contest.

Manana...

If you could do tomorrow over again, would you?

Most of us live programmed lives. Tomorrow is set, finished, done, and you haven't even started it yet.

And we accept that as part of the deal in setting goals and reaching them.

But what about the tomorrow thirty days from now? Or a year?

If you could do those over, would you? How?

It is not a big post, but it is an interesting idea ....

On a related topic.... has your club and area planned the date for your Spring Speech Contest? How many people are working on their Tall Tales and International speeches? Do you have a manual that you are going to target for the speeches so you get credit towards your next award?

Happy Contests !

Dave Wheeler

What is "Fun"?

I came across an interesting article on the web that relates "challenge" to "ability" to determine how something is "fun".

Check out this article ....

http://www.jenovachen.com/flowingames/flowtheory.htm

How do you think this relates to Toastmasters? to the upcoming Contests? To the upcoming leadership opportunties (new club officer elections, district officer positions, other district functions)?

Please comment by clicking the link below !

Exaggeration .... animation-style

Since some of you are preparing your speeches for the upcoming Tall Tales contest, I thought this link might be of interest ....

http://home.comcast.net/~harrymott/principles2-9.html

It talks about how exaggeration is achieved in some Disney cartoon, but it could just as easily be applied to your Tall Tale speeches !

Leave a comment and let us know what you think !

Martin Luther King Day, Jan.15, 2007

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, here is a link to his famous, "I have a dream" speech, as posted on YouTube.com!

(A blend of new technology with a classic speech.)

Have you ever taken the time to listen to the whole speech? I probably had heard it before, but I took the time to listen to it all the way through today (in honor of the holiday). The speech runs about 17 minutes and it has lots of interesting points that a Toastmaster might pick up....

Did you know that in the beginning of the speech he used notes? (Or at least he looked down and appears to use them.) Notice how little he uses them toward the end of the speech!

Check out his use of Pauses ... especially as the speech builds up to its climax.

He also uses some great verbal "word pictures" and his vocal variety builds through the speech until it is greatest at the end !

40+ years later ... we are still learning from MLK !

Happy Martin Luther King Day !

Dave Wheeler

Leadership Exchange Sat. 1/27 at Marist

The room has been set ....

The Leadership Exchange for Division A is scheduled for January 27, 2007 at Marist College, Dyson Building, room 149, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Thanks to Area A5 Governor, David Gavin, for setting up this location !


Here is a link that shows where Marist College is located. [Click here]
or you can paste this link into your browser:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=3399+North+Road,+Poughkeepsie,+NY+12601&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=41.726487,-73.932023&spn=0.01358,0.032959&om=1&iwloc=addr


We will start around 9:30am and we look forward to seeing you there !


Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7

Spring 2007 Club/Area Speech Contests

From: Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster
Date: Jan 3, 2007 9:48 PM
Subject: Spring 2007 Club/Area Speech Contests

Subject: Spring 2007 Speech Contests for all Toastmaster Clubs and Areas in District 53

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/contests.html

It is never too early plan ahead !

Contest Deadlines:

All Club Level International Speech and Tall Tales Contests are to be Completed by

** March 17, 2007 **

All Area Level International Speech and Tall Tales Contests are to be Completed by

** April 7, 2007 **

International Speech Contest

Objective:
Contestants will deliver an original speech with a meaningful and clear purpose or theme. The speaker will demonstrate outstanding speaking skills - proper speech development, effectiveness, and speech value. The speech can be on any topic; serious or with light humor; persuasive or purely entertaining.

Time: 5 - 7 minutes, +/- 30 seconds

International Speech Contest Rules

http://www.toastmasters.org/fupload/media/IntlSpeechContestRules.pdf

International Speech Contest Scoring (Ballot Synopsis)

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/ContestScoring.html#international

Tall Tales Speech Contest

Objective:

The Tall Tale is an opportunity to be very creative, to exaggerate; to engage and excite the imagination of the audience. Very often, a tall tale is a story that uses irony, humor, and surprise twists. The speaker may stretch the truth and tell one of those "entertaining" campfire stories. The speaker's appearance, gestures, body language, expressions, should reinforce the story.

Time: 3 - 5 minutes, +/- 30 seconds

Tall TalesSpeech Contest Scoring (Ballot Synopsis)

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/ContestScoring.html#talltales

Eligibility:

Any Toastmaster member in good standing, from a Club in good standing. For the International Speech Contest all contestants must have also completed at least 6 speeches in the Competent Communication Program Manual. {Exception: Club Members of any Club chartered after July 1, 2006 may compete with less than 6 speeches completed.} For both contests, District Officers (DG, LGET, LGM, District Secretary and Treasurer, Area and Division Governors, Public Relations Officer and IPDG) are ineligible.

Get New or Returning with Toastmaster Resolutions

From: Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster
Date: Dec 29, 2006
Subject: Get New or Returning with Toastmaster Resolutions

January is an excellent time to launch a membership building program. Some people make New Year's Resolutions and others simply say - "After the hectic holidays - I'll get organized."

Take the effort to contact former or inactive members and all the guests for the past 6 to 12 months. Send them an email or snail mail invitation with words of encouragement and tout the communication and the leadership benefits of the Toastmaster programs. A sample message is provided below. Edit the message below and provide the specific information for your club.

But we must ACT NOW! If you or your Club is going to catch the wave of New Year's Resolutions, you need to get the word "Toastmasters" placed before the public eye! You need to let people know that your Club is meeting in January and guests are welcomed!

And if your Club has a public web site, make sure that it is up to date ... clearly indicating that your Club is alive, meeting in January, and welcoming guests.

============== clip here =========

The Central City Toastmasters Club would like to invite you to attend a regular meeting in January. Our organization, i.e. the dynamic Toastmaster members, will provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment. Every member has the opportunity to develop and improve their

communication and leadership skills.

Join us on Thursday, January 4th or January 18th , or on any 1st and 3rd Thursday at the Central City Library, Room X, 555 Main Street, Central City, CT. We gather for conversation at 5:30 PM. The meeting and educational program starts at 5:45 PM prompt. Meeting adjourns at 7:15 PM .

Our new Club web site is available with more information about the Central City Toastmasters Club. Please visit: http:// www.centralcitytm.org

We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about Toastmasters either before or after the meeting. Or feel free to reply to this email with any immediate questions.

Consider the definition of resolution \Res`o*lu"tion\ , n. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.

Become a better speaker. Put more confidence in your presentations. Enhance your leadership skills through informative and persuasive communications.

Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Check out the TI website at http://www.toastmasters.org/

============== clip here ==========================

Area A1 Holiday Luncheon

Toastmaster Clubs from Area A1 had their holiday luncheon on Friday Dec. 15th, 2006 at Umberto's in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Division A Governor, Dave Wheeler was the speaker for the event and he talked about "The meaning of life ... your one thing".

The Holiday Luncheon also featured the "Area A1 Holiday Singers!" who led the audience in the singing of some Christmas Carols ! A great time was had by all !

A New Club Web Page in Area A4

A new Toastmaster Club Web site has been Discovered!
Let's welcome Cartus Magnus Toastmasters Club of Danbury, CT and their new Club Web Site at http://cartusmagnus.freetoasthost.net//

Bravo! Great picture of the Club members.

submitted by Roger Brown, the District 53 webmaster, who has also added a link to their web site, see http://www.district53toastmasters.org/diva/index.html

Fall 06 Conference Photo Gallery - more PIX

From: Roger Brown
Date: Dec 18, 2006 8:14 AM

Subject: Fall 06 Conference Photo Gallery

I recently received photos from our D53 Photographer, Don Logie, and thus we have new photos to enjoy. Check out the following links.

The Fall 06 Conference Photo Gallery Index

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/PhotoIndex.html

Pictures from the District 53's 50th Anniversary

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/50th_Anniversary.html

Pictures from the District 53 Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contests

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/D53_Contests.html

Picturesof the Educational Seminars and Networking

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/Fall06Conf_Education.html

Pictures of the Hall of Fame and other Toastmaster Recognitions

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/Fall06Conf_Recognitions.html

Pictures of the Fall 06 Conference - Saturday Daytime.

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/Fall06Conf_Day.html

Pictures of the Conference Banquet and Humorous Speech Contest

http://web.mac.com/rogerbrown/iWeb/D53/Fall06Conf_Banquet.html

December 18th Evening with Two Champions

On Monday December 18th why not treat yourself to an early holiday gift?

Our members will have the unique opportunity to be coached by two World
Champions of Public Speaking. This is a unique chance for everyone that
attends to receive expert and proven techniques to make them a better
communicator immediately. All of the information that is needed to
attend is on the attached flyer. Please reply to
"areab4@district53toastmasters.org" to save your seat. We are limited to
200 people and for security purposes you will need to pre register to
attend.

We would like to personally thank Marsh Kiley and her team for all of the
work that they have done to make this event possible for our members.
Pass this message on to all of the clubs in your area and anyone that
you feel can benefit from this program.

WHQ transactions postponed due to Inventory 12/16/06 - 01/07/07

Subject: WHQ Transactions Postponed for Inventory 12/16/06 - 01/07/07

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

World Headquarters–Transactions Postponed for Inventory

Add new members, file new club charter forms, file educational award applications, and order all supplies for mid-winter Club Officer Training, etc BEFORE December 15, 2006 (i.e. received at TI WHQ in California).

As part of TI's inventory process, which is required by law, we will be unable to process the following transactions between Saturday, December 16, 2006 through January 7, 2007.

This includes submissions online and/or by mail:

• Supply

• New member kits

• Charter kits

• Education award certificates (including free advanced manuals)

Submissions received by Friday, December 15, 2006, 11:59 p.m., PT, will be

processed and shipped, with one exception – orders that require engraving

must be received by Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 11:59 p.m., PT.

Between December 16 and January 7, supply orders, applications for

educational awards and applications for new members cannot be

entered online. Any of those items, as well as new club charter forms

received by mail will be held and processed after January 7.

We suggest you hold your submissions until January 8 and then enter

the information online. This is the fastest way to get your materials.

HELPFUL HINTS:

If you know you will need materials during this time, place your order

in early December so you will have the materials you need and you

won't be disappointed. Have some Competent Communication and

Competent Leadership manuals on hand to give to new members if

they join your club during this time. Once they have submitted their

application and check and have been voted into your club, you can

give them a set of manuals to get started. Then, when they receive

their new member kit they can turn the manuals over to the club.

The club can then give the manuals to other new members as they

join while they are waiting for their new member kit.

FREE EVENT..Toastmaster World Champions - Monday, Dec. 18

"An Evening With Toastmaster World Champions"

or

"The Champions' Edge ... Live!"

How much would you pay to be coached by a World Champion Speaker? How much would you pay to be coached by TWO?

If you want to improve in any skill, it pays to seek the advice of others who have already "been there; done that." The fact is, if you want to improve your skills you need a coach -- someone to teach you to think, act, and perform at a higher level. Even Tiger Woods has a coach.

On Monday, December 18th (7:00 pm til 9:30 pm) , you'll get a chance to experience the magic of coaching from two World Champions of Public Speaking. Our Toastmaster Champions David Brooks (1990) and Darren LaCroix (2001) invite you to a special free program at The Hartford, Tower Bldg, T22, 690 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT.

http://members.instantaudio.com/postcard/?4469408X1413

Dave and Darren have taught, coached, and mentored thousands of business communicators around the world. Here's your chance to be coached by two of the best in the

business.

After a short opening presentation from Darren and Dave, volunteers from the audience will be given a rare opportunity to deliver a short presentation, and then receive instant feedback

from the champs. If you're one of the volunteer speakers, you'll experience the kind of coaching Darren and Dave give finalists in the World Championships.

And even if you aren't a volunteer speaker that evening, you'll learn just as much by watching how we coach. In short, whether you're sitting or standing, as long as you're there, you'll learn!

To read and know more about Dave and Darren, please visit their websites: http://www.davidbrookstexas.com/ and http://www.humor411.com/

Listen (with your audio speakers on) to Darren's personal invitation, an audio postcard ... click

http://members.instantaudio.com/postcard/?4469408X1413

Email Your RSVP to champions@district53toastmasters.org .

Reservations are required by Monday, 12-18-06, 11:00am. We're sorry, but due to space limitations and security requirements, walk-ups (or walk-ins) can not be admitted.

Questions?
Call 860-547-6337, or email Area B4 Gov, Judith Chambers

areaB4@district53toastmasters.org

Keep your Web Eye on

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/champions.html

Spring Contest Scheduling

The spring contest season is on the horizon ....

And before we all get too busy with holiday shopping and parties, it might be a good idea to put our Area and Division Contests on the schedule for 2007. This will also help the clubs in your area plan their club contests.

The deadlines are:
Club contests by March 17th, 2007
Area contests by April 7th, 2007
Division contest by April 28th, 2007
District Contest ON May 19th, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel in E.Hartford, CT.

I can probably get a location for the Division A contest in the Danbury, CT area, but if there is someone who would like to host it somewhere on the NY state side of Div.A (and have the "home court advantage"), I would be happy to work with them to make it happen. We just need to get it on the schedule SOON.

Please let Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor, know when you have a date for your contests and he will post it on our Division blog at www.areaA4.blogspot.com.

Best wishes for a great holiday season !

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7

Div Govs Offer The Leadership Exchange

Leadership Exchange and Officer Training - Winter Dec 06 , Jan/Feb 07

Division Governors Offer The Leadership Exchange
by LGET Will Ryan, DTM

Here comes winter training.

Between December 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007, the Division Governors will be hosting biannual training and development sessions for club officers. This year we have a new name for winter training - The Leadership Exchange - inspired by a suggestion from Jim Parsons, Area F1 Governor. Thanks, Jim.

Webster's online dictionary lists these definitions. (My interpretations relative to The Leadership Exchange follow the definitions):
Exchange = Reciprocal giving and receiving.

We will share winning leadership strategies and in so doing, all attendees will give and receive. Something offered, given, or received in an exchange. Leadership Exchanges will work well when club officers attend with a give attitude and come to the event prepared to share their experiences in club leadership. A place where things or services are exchanged.

Our winter gatherings will surely be places to exchange ideas that work. In the same time frame, Area Governors will be conducting make-up Exchanges for those club officers who are unable to attend the Division sessions.

Each year Toastmasters club officers gather twice for training and development. During the summer, we assemble an expert faculty to offer many courses designed for all club offices. We call this annual gathering the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI). The breadth and depth of subjects is impressive, and feedback indicates that we're on target, offering courses that club officers need and want.

The Distinguished Club Program (DCP) identifies ten goals that 80 years of experience indicate, when achieved, result in very strong clubs. Goal #9 says, "A minimum of four club officers trained during each of two training periods." If your club was not able to have four officers trained during the summer, your club is ineligible for a DCP point for training. But remember, it's the learning that really counts, and statistics show that well-developed club officers lead strong clubs. So attend your Division's Leadership Exchange, and be prepared to give and receive by sharing your experiences with fellow club officers.

If you're a club officer or a club leader, put your Division's Leadership Exchange on your calendar and BE THERE!

Editor's note: You may want to "exchange" your questions and your ideas on Officer Training, The Leadership Exchange, or any Toastmasters educational programming with your Lt. Governor Education & Training, Email Will Ryan, DTM . Don't be shy.

The dates for the two Division A Leadership Exchange events are:

Jan.24th, 2007 at 7:30pm
Hosted by Socially Speaking Toastmasters, Brookfield, CT
at Brookfield Congregational Church (basement, door in back)
160 Whisconier Road, Intersection of Routes 25 & 133, Brookfield, CT, 06804,

Jan.27th, 2007 at 9:30am
Hosted by Marist Toastmasters, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601 (building and room TBD)

Contact your area governor for more information or questions.

Feb.& March Membership Drive (and an added bonus)

District 53 is putting their money where their mouth is ... and for an organization that is based on communications that is pretty important !

As part of the "Talk Up Toastmasters" membership drive that Toastmasters International runs in Feb/March, District 53 will award any club that adds 5 or more new members a credit for $10 toward Toastmasters materials !

If a club meets this target in Feb/Mar and achieves Distinguished status by April 30th, the total credit would be $60 ! (Which would go a long way toward a full sized banner for your club or other valuable Toastmaster materials.)

Do you think you can do it?
Of course you can!
Now is the time to put your marketing and public relation ideas in motion so that they can bear fruit by the Feb/Mar timeframe. For example, some clubs are running SpeechCraft workshops to draw in new members while others are reaching out to their local newspapers or TV stations to get their meeting times announced. And, of course, if you don't already have a club website, be sure to create one! (FreeToastHost.com is a great resource!)

If you have any questions on this program or need more ideas to boost membership, feel free to contact your Area Governor or myself at the email address below:

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7
Email: theshot92@gmail.com

P.S. Did you know that Division A was tied (with Div.D) for the most clubs receiving Smedley Awards in all of District 53? The Smedley Award is given by TI for adding 5 or more new members in the August / September timeframe and it was achieved by IBM East Fishkill Speakers Club, BI and Cartus Magnus. Can we do it again in Feb/Mar? Can we do better than Division D? (I bet we can!)

Fall Conference 2006 - Humorous Contest

Division A was represented by Bruce Goulart in the Humorous Speech Contest and he did a GREAT job !

Pictures below show Bruce during the contestant interview session. (There was no flash photography permitted during the speeches so we could not take a picture of his speech.)



After the contest, Bruce went home, got a few hours sleep and then ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 5th. His time was 4 hours, 45 minutes for the 26.2 mile race.

Wow! Congratulations Bruce ! I'm sure you now have material for the next speech contest !

Fall Conference 2006 - Pat H. places 3rd in Eval Contest

Division A was well represented at the Fall Conference held on Saturday, November 4th, in Albany, NY.

In the Evaluation Contest, Pat Hendrickson placed third. (See photos below of the contestant interview and Pat accepting her award).



Congratulations to Pat for a job well done !

The Power of Enthusiasm ...

Seth Godin's blog post about enthusiasm (click here to read it) got me thinking about how much our attitude impacts our experience of Toastmasters.

For example, the Fall 2006 Conference last weekend was attended by a LOAD of enthusiastic Toastmasters and it was an incredible experience! (More on that in later posts). If you missed it, the next district conference will be held in May 2007!

What are you enthusiastic about? How can you bring more enthusiasm to your Toastmasters club? If you do, you will find that more things get done, they get done quicker and more easily and everyone has more FUN !

If you have some great examples of enthusiasm (or the opposite of enthusiasm) and the consequences / results of same, please email them to us at theshot92@gmail.com !

Speak UP !

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7

Are you still "In the pool"?

I read a great blog post today that...

1) Highly recommended Toastmasters (which got it off to a good start) and

2) Presented a bit of wisdom that all Toastmasters could use. (After you read the post, the title of the entry will make more sense.)

Let me know what you think !

Click here to read the post at Scott Ginsberg blog, "HELLO, My Name is...".

Post by Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor, 2006-7

Press Coverage for Marist Toastmasters

David Gavin, Area A5 Governor, forwarded a copy of the following article about Marist Toastmasters that appeared in the Marist College newspaper.

click here to read it !

Note: Marist is already an official Toastmasters club, but they are working on becoming an official school club since that provides additional benefits and could attract more potential members.

Congratulations to David and Marist Toastmasters for getting this PR for their club!

Videos and other links...

WestConn Toastmaster's VP-Education, Croix Sather, forwarded the following links that you might like ....

http://www.fivestarspeakers.com/ Click a speakers profile and get an example of a presentation

http://andydooley.com/Comedy/videos.html
(this looks like a contest speech!)

Ideas for beginning your speech ...

The beginning of your speech is CRITICAL to its success. Either your audience "gets on your bus" or they don't. You have to interrupt their internal dialogue about all the other things going on in their life and get them to engage with you and your speech. Otherwise, they will be planning their shopping list or what to have for lunch and missing at least half of your speech (if not more).

Kathy Sierra posted a great article on her blog that really hits it on the head ...

Check it out by clicking here !

What did you find that you are going to use in your next speech? Is there something that you could even apply to a CONTEST speech? The contest that are coming up in the Spring are the Tall Tales and International Speech contests and they both would benefit from a strong opening!

Enjoy !

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7

Fall Conference Update ....

Treat yourself to a celebration and conference on communications and leadership. Pay heed to Stephen Covey's 7th habit of highly effective people, namely Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal." Register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and the District 53 Fall Conference. Do it Today and save!

What: 50th Anniversary Celebration
When: Friday, November 3, 2006
Join the 50th Anniversary Celebration - District 53's Fiftieth Birthday Bash!
There will be 50's music played throughout the evening, door prizes, continuous video displays of club memorabilia from years gone by, many surprises, and dancing to the hits of the 50's, 60's, and beyond.

Questions? Contact Frank Kane, 50th Anniversary Chair,
Phone: (860) 228-3261
Email: frankk53@sbcglobal.net

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/anniversary.html
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/50thAnniversaryRegistration.pdf

What: District 53 Fall 2006 Conference
When: Saturday, November 4, 2006

* Enhance your Communication or Leadership skills with a choice of 9 outstanding Educational Seminars
* Evaluation Speech Contest (10:00 AM)
* Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon
* District 53 Council Meeting
* Humorous Speech Contest and Dinner Banquet

Where: Holiday Inn Albany-Turf on Wolf Rd, Albany, NY

Stay Overnight: Call the Holiday Inn Turf before October 12 at (518) 458-7250 and mention "Toastmasters International Block" to get a special discounted room rate of only $99.00!
Visit Holiday Inn online at www.hialbanyturf.com/contact.asp

http://www.district53toastmasters.org/conferences.html
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/eduSessionsFall06.html
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/Fall06ConfRegistration.pdf

Conference Co-chairs:
Email: fall53conference@district53toastmasters.org
Jabbar Fagan Phone: (518) 447-8267 (w)
Sandra Buxton Phone: (518) 746-2560 (w)

Registration Chair:
Sarah Gebbie-Measeck
Phone: (518) 747-7390 (h)
Email: sarahgebbie@yahoo.com

Education Program Chair:
Jeff Sobel
Phone: (518) 355-3731 (h) (518) 356-7598 (w)
Email: fall53program@district53toastmasters.org

****** information provided by Rich Couture, DTM ************************

Division A Fall Contest results !

The Division A Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contests were held on October 11th at 7:30pm, hosted bythe WestConn Toastmasters at the Wooster School Library in Danbury, CT.

Humorous Speech Contest Results
1st place - Bruce Goulart, WestConn Toastmasters, Club #599
2nd place - Carole Hurst, Orange County Toastmasters, Club #9315

Evaluation Speech Contest Results
1st place - Patricia "Pat" Hendrickson, Catskill, Club #9542
2nd place - Geoff Crew, IBM Poughkeepsie Speechmakers, Club #315
3rd place - Cynthia Slater, Diversity USA Toastmasters, Club #3401

pictures will be posted soon.

Pictures from Area A1 / A5 Contest !

Area A1 Governor (and ContestMaster), Colleen Yarter with Area A1 Evaluation Winner, Geoff Crew.







ContestMaster Colleen Yarter with Area A5 First Runner-up, Toni Bass, Arlington Rotary Toast (5614), Evaluation Winner, Susan Doyle, Arlington Rotary Toast (5614) and Area A5 Area Governor, David Gavin.






This happy (and very humorous) group includes....
Area A1 Humorous Contest Runner-up, John "Gasbag" Paulus, IBM East Fishkill Speechmakers ( 9977), Area A1 Governor /ContestMaster Colleen Yarter, and "Cursed" Alison Easton, Richard "Changes" Bessner, Area A1 Humorous Contest Winner Adam "Stag Warrior" Izzo, Voices of the Valley ( 4396).

Area A1 / A5 Fall Contest winners !

The winners from Area A5 are:
Area A5 Evaluation :
1st ~ Susan Doyle, Arlington Rotary Toast (5614)
2nd ~ Toni Bass, Arlington Rotary Toast (5614)

The winners from Area A1 are:
Area A1 Evaluation :
1st ~ Geoff Crew, IBM Poughkeepsie Speechmakers ( 0315)
2nd ~ Adam Izzo, Voices of the Valley ( 4396)

Area A1 Humorous
1st ~ Adam Izzo, Voices of the Valley ( 4396)
2nd ~ John Paulus, IBM East Fishkill Speechmakers ( 9977)

Area A2 / A4 Fall Contest Results

Here are the results from the Area A2 / A4 Fall Contest ....

Bruce Goulart, Humorous Winner, Area A4, club 599
Croix Sather, Evaluation Winner, Area A4, club 599

Cynthia Slater, Humorous Winner, Area A2, club 3401
Cynthia Slater, Evaluation Winner, Area A2, club 3401

Reminder: District 53's 50th Anniversary...Reserve your Room & Register

From: Roger Brown
Date: Oct 4, 2006 10:16 AM
Subject: Reminder: Reserve your Room & Register

Celebrate District 53's 50th Anniversary Year

WHEN: Friday, November 3, 2006 from 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM

(The night before the Fall Conference)

WHERE: Holiday Inn

Albany-Turf on Wolf Rd (ARPT)

205 Wolf Road, ALBANY NY 12205

COST: $39.00 per person for evening program and dinner.

URL: http://www.district53toastmasters.org/anniversary.html

There is a choice of 3 Dinner Entrées:

__ Pan Fried Chicken Breast, __ Prime Rib of Beef, or __ Eggplant Parmesan. In addition to the entrée, the dinner includes appetizer, salad, dessert, and coffee/tea.

Stay Overnight: Enjoy the Fall D53 Conference the next day, Saturday, November 4, 2006.

Reserve your room today, call the Holiday Inn Turf before October 12th at (518) 458-7250

and mention "Toastmasters International Block" to get a special discounted room rate of only $99.00!

Hotel parking is free for all attendees. Visit the Holiday Inn Turf online at http://www.hialbanyturf.com/

"IT'S NIFTY TO BE 50"

There will be 50's music presented throughout the evening, door prizes, continuous video displays of club memorabilia from years gone by, many surprises, and dancing to the hits

of the 50's, 60's, and beyond. Music provided by our own District 53 DJ's. Please bring your club banner for display.

Questions? Comments? Contact:

Frank Kane, 50th Anniversary Chair

Phone: (860) 228-3261

Email: frankk53@sbcglobal.net

Area A3 Contest Results !

Area A3 held their Fall Contests on Monday night, Oct. 2nd at the Gardnertown United Methodist Church in Newburgh, NY and everyone in attendence agreed ... it was alot of FUN !

John Capen gave the target speech for the Evaluation Contest entitled "Humor for Health" and the contest was won by Patricia "Pat" Hendrickson (see picture to the right)

The Humorous Speech Contest was won by Carole Hurst who advances, along with Pat, to the Division A Contest on Wed. Oct. 11th at Wooster School Library at 7:00pm. A picture of Carole is shown below.

The Division Contest is hosted by West Conn Toastmasters (www.westconntoastmasters.org) and contestants should arrive at 7pm. Directions are available on the WestConn Toastmaster's web site (see link above).

Hope to see you there !

Neat Idea from the Saratoga (NY) area

At the recent District 53 Executive Committee meeting, the group of Area Governors from the Saratoga, NY area showed us their "chart" for tracking members progress towards their goals. They created a racetrack and each member had a "horse" with milestones on the way to the "finish line". For example, one "racetrack" was the Competent Communicator award with 10 speeches on the way to the finish.

A neat idea !

See below for a close-up of the banner ...

Area A3 Speech Contest set...

Area A3 has scheduled their Fall contests (Humorous and Evaluation).

It will be held Monday October 2, 2006 at 7:30pm.

The location is at the United Methodist Church in Gardnertown, NY and will be hosted by Orange County Toastmasters.

Gardnertown United Method Church

1191 Union Avenue

Newburgh, NY 12550-1633

Phone: (845) 564-4134

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=1191+Union+Ave,+Newburgh,+NY

Contact Dave Wheeler, John Capen or Carole Hurst for more information.

Dave Wheeler can be reached via email at theshot92@gmail.com

Running A Toastmasters Speech Contest

Running a Toastmasters Contest for the first time can be a bit intimidating ...

There seem to be tons of rules; many, many roles (some of which you might not be familar doing and much less managing or leading others in those roles).

On top of all that there are excited (and probably tense)contestants and loads of audience members who you might not know ... especially if you are running an Area or Division contest.

What do you do??? Where do you start???

If it is Summertime and you are preparing for the Fall Contests, you can attend training at TLI. There is always at least one session on running a contest and you will pick up some great information as well as a good handle on the paperwork and protocols.

Of course, if you are like me, you've put it off and the contest is next week and you have to pull things together NOW !!!!!

So, let's dig in ...

Running a Toastmasters contest is really very simple. You only need 3 things for a successful contest.

1. PEOPLE,
2. FORMS, and the
3. AGENDA !

Well, that doesn't sound too hard...
... except for the fact that I have no idea what any of those things mean !

:() <-- That's the symbol for "OH NO!!!"

District 53 to the rescue !
The linked text below gives you the handout developed by Dave Wheeler for training Area Governors in District 53. There are links to different formats depending on how you want to print it out.

Contest Survival Guide
(11 x 17 two sided format ... good for folding and holding all your forms).

Contest Survival Guide
(8.5 x 11 single sided format ... good if your printer does not do two sided.)

Contest Survival Guide ... tall version of "People" page
(if you have ALOT of people in your contest or your contest is a combination of multiple clubs or areas.

Now, from this point on, I will assume you have the Survival Guide in front of you ...

First, the "People" roles that are most critical...

Contest Master and Chief Judge.

These two people are the team that will make a successful contest meeting. It also allows the division of labor so that neither person has to do everything. If you are running a contest, most likely you are filling at least one of these two roles.

Next, recruit the key role players including Judges, Timers, Counters and Sergeant at Arms. You can use Judges for both contests and you should be sure to pick a mix of people from different clubs or areas so that there is no chance for biased voting. Shelly Hathaway, District 53 Chief Judge, has put together a table of "Requirements for Contest Roles" and you can download them by clicking here.

If you are having an Evaluation Contest, it is important to recruit your "Target Speaker". This speech should be a reasonable length (5-7 min. is good) and can be from a manual (although you won't tell the audience or the contestants that it is from a manual). This is a great opportunity for a speaker to get a number of evaluations of their speech and it can be a great experience for the Target Speaker.

Now, before we get to the Contestants... let's get our forms !

All of the forms listed in the Survival Guide can be ordered from Toastmasters. Most of the forms are not allowed to be posted on web sites due to copyright laws, but if you search long enough you will probably find them (or some old, out-of-date versions). The best bet is to purchase a set of the listed forms from TI's online store.

Now that you have all your forms... you need to start getting the room and contestants ready!

Contestants can start by filling out the Biographical Information (BI) and Eligibility and Originality (E/O) forms if they have not done it already. The Survival Guide has check boxes to make sure you get the forms from all the Contestants.

The Chief Judge should review the Technician and Judge Briefing Guide that was provided by District 53's Chief Judge, Shelly Hathaway. (Click here to download it in PDF format.) This covers the "Judges Briefing" portion of the agenda shown on the Survival Guide.

Next, the Contest Master should review the Contestant Briefings Guide ... also provided by District 53's Chief Judge, Shelly Hathaway. Click here to download it in PDF format. The Contest Master should also review the Fall 2006 Contest Script provided by Shelly Hathaway. Click here. There are also some additional "Good Ideas" on the back page of the Survival Guide that you should review before you get started with the pre-meeting activities in the AGENDA.

Now, all that is left is to run the meeting according to the agenda provided in the Survival Guide with the guidance provided by the Briefing Guides and the Contest Script.

If you have learned the material presented here, it should be very staightforward to use your Toastmaster skills to run the Contest as you would a Toastmasters meeting.

Good luck and enjoy the process !

Contributed by Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor, 2006-7 (Survival Guide) and Shelly Hathaway, District 53 Chief Judge, 2006-7

Most of the linked documents in this document are in PDF format and, if needed, free viewer / reader software can be downloaded at www.adobe.com

Friday Humor (?)

I found this picture on Seth Godin's blog and thought you might get a kick out of it ....