2500+ ideas for Speeches ...

I came across this website, called "Speech Topics, Help and Ideas", when I was searching for other things ... and I just had to pass it along.

If you are looking for an idea for a speech or even some interesting TableTopics... this is the place ! Check it out... there are alot of great ideas !

Here are just the main sections of the Table of Contents ...

- Persuasive Speech Topics
- Informative Speech Topics
- 100 Process Speech Topics
- Good Speech Topics
- School Speech Topics
- Speech Class Topics
- Graduation Speech Topics
- 40 Narrative Speech Topics
- Interesting Speech Topics
- Special Occasion Topics
- Ceremonial Speech Topics
- Funny Speech Topics
- Entertaining Speech Topic Tutorial
- Commemorative Speech Topics
- 7 Guidelines for Funeral Speeches
- Wedding Speech Topics
- A Public Speaking Topic Fast
- Speech Writing Tip Top 10
- Speech Outline Examples - How To Outline Your Speech Topics
- Business Topics

The site is run by Jim A. Peterson, Staff Editor, and I would be very surprised if he has not been a Toastmaster at some point in his life !

Where exactly are the clubs in District 53???

I stumbled upon this site that includes markers on a Google Map for nearly all the clubs in District 53. I think it is missing a few clubs (which is probably why they named it an "unofficial" map), but it is kind of interesting to see where everyone is coming from... geographically!

Check it out ! click here

If you think we have alot of clubs, check out District 46, our Toastmasters to the Southwest in NewYork/New Jersey metro area.... click here. You will have to zoom in (and re-center on the cluster a few times) to get close enough so that the markers are not right on top of each other!

If you know who created these web page, please leave a note in the comments so that we can give them credit !

Honor Roll for Div. A ....

Did you know that there is an "Honor Roll" that lists the member achievements for this Toastmaster year?

There is... and it is located on the Div. A section of the District 53 website (click here to see it).

How are they being recognized by their club? Their Area? Their Division?
Any ideas? Please leave a comment on this blog!

Dilbert cartoon humor ... that a Toastmaster would appreciate!

I saw this Dilbert cartoon and thought other Toastmasters would enjoy it ...

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2007034072810.gif

I wonder if this is the first in a series of speaking-related Dilbert cartoons ???

Winners of Local Putnam speaks Contest

Susan Schefflein sends along the results for Putnam Speaks Toastmasters recent club contests...

Subject: Winners of local Putnam Speaks Contest
We had our local ontest last night.
The winner of the International Speech Contest was David Alexander ATMS. Runner up was Walter Beveridge DTM.

The winner of the Tall Tales was Nicholas Valhos, a new member to Toastmasters.

fyi: The area contest will be March 21: http://www.district53toastmasters.org/diva/calendarA.html

Nominations for District Officers... by March 30th, 2007

If you or someone you know would be interested in running for a District Officer position for the coming Toastmaster year (2007-8), the form is available on the District 53 home page or by clicking here (Word Version).

The Chair of the Nominating Committee, Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Paul Young, DTM is asking that nominations for the 2007 - 2008 slate of District 53 Officers be submitted to the committee by March 30, 2007. Paul's email address is paulyoung53@cox.net.

The District 53 Council will elect the District officers (DG, LGET, LGM, Division Governors) at the Spring Conference in May 2007. The 2007-08 Area Governors, District Secretary, District Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and additional committee chairs are appointed by the 2007-08 District Governor, and if you are interested in any of these positions you should speak up now !

If you would like to learn more about District offices... talk to your current Area Governor or Division Governor. I'm sure they would be happy to tell you what is involved and everything that they learned in their year of service. You can see the current officers in Division A on the District web site as well as their email addresses in case you would like to contact any of them. (Click here for the Div. A page on the District web site).

There are also a couple District Executive Team meetings between now and the Spring Conference and you are welcome to attend as the guest of one of the current officers to see what goes on and to meet some of the great people that help run District 53.

Serving as a District officer is an incredible learning experience as well as an opportunity to grow your leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment.

I highly encourage you to consider running for office !

Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7
Area A4 Governor, 2005-6

Conference Call for Advanced Club.... Thursday, 3/15 at 8pm

Since it may be difficult for some people to make the recent meetings of the Advanced Toastmaster Club we have organized (at the Ridgefield, CT Library), we are going to have an informational conference call for anyone who might be interested in becoming a CHARTER MEMBER of the Div. A Advanced Toastmasters Club.

The conference call service is free but the call-in number is long distance (South Dakota). I'm hoping that many people have either a cell phone or home phone that has free long distance so hopefully this won't be a big problem. We can cover the basics quickly right up front for those that don't want to run up their long distance bill.

If you would like to join in the conference call, please send us an email and we will send you the access code and telephone number !

Dave Wheeler, theshot92@gmail.com

NOTE: Our next meeting will be at the Ridgefield Library in the History Room on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 7:15 - 8:45pm. We hope you can join us! The theme of this meeting will be "Developing Advanced Evaluation Techniques" and we may even have some target speeches on video.

Tips for Tall Tales Contestants (or anyone writing a speech)...

The YouTube videos by Ira Glass (see links below) were featured on Presentation Zen (another blog) today and they have some great ideas for anyone building a speech ... especially those of you who are entering the Tall Tales contest.

Check them out...

Video # 1 (Click here)

Video # 2 (Click here)

Video # 3 (Click here)

Video #4 (Click here)

Let us know what you think ... leave a comment below !

BIG EVENT in Division A ... April 19th !

The Toastmasters "Battle of the Border !" has been scheduled !

Thursday, April 19th, 2007, 7:15-8:45pm
in the Dayton Room at the Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St., Ridgefield, CT,

Two divisions on the border between District 53 and District 46 will go "head to head" in an [unofficial] International Speech Contest for bragging rights on the CT/NY border.

This event will also kick off our Div. A Advanced Club by featuring contest winners from Div.A (D53) and Div.G (D46) as well as other award winning speakers. Div.D (D53) winners have also been invited to compete if they are interested since they also border District 46 (in Southern Fairfield County).

The Dayton room at the Ridgefield Libary holds 60 people, has audio/visual equipment and a raised stage so it will be excellent preparation for our Division contestants before they compete in the District contest in May.

If you will attend, please send us an email (it is a big room, but we hope fill it up !):
Div.A Governor, Dave Wheeler at theshot92@gmail.com or
Area A4 Governor, Anne Swartout at rebrokerct@aol.com.

Other Toastmaster blogs ...

It seems that other Toastmasters are blogging too ! Here are a few that you might find interesting:
www.ah-um-er.blogspot.com
Sara M, from Fitchburg, MA (USA). I especially love the name of the blog!

www.titusvilletoastmasters.org
This club uses a blog as their website and has a section for Podcasts or, as they call them, "Toastcasts". Cool!

www.atoastmastersjourney.blogspot.com
Bill Bishop, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In his own words, Bill "is a former public speaking phobic who has recovered largely because of Toastmasters".

www.stevepavlina.com/blog/
Steve Pavlina is a professional blogger (and business owner) who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. He blogs about all aspects of Personal Development and I often enjoy his posts. His wife, Erin Pavlina, is also a blogger (and psychic/medium) and both of them occasionally mention the impact that Toastmasters has on their lives.

www.buildingachampion.blogspot.com
Rich Hopkins, 3rd place last year at the World Championship of Public Speaking (in other words, he can still compete... watch out!)
Location: Spokane, Washington, US

Toastmaster evaluates the Oscar Acceptance Speeches...

USA Today featured an article where Lance Miller, the 2005 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking, talked about the highlights of the speeches made at the Oscars.

Check it out -------> Click here !

Barnum Square Toastmasters - Speech Contest Results !

Speech Contest Season is underway ... and we have some results & pictures!

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark.Frohlinger
Subject: Barnum Square Toastmasters - Speech Contest Update

Our last meeting featured our local Speech Contest in preparation for the coming Spring 2007 Speech Contests for all Toastmaster Clubs and Areas in District 53.

All the contestants who participated performed exceptionally and their speeches were thoroughly enjoyable as well as motivating. Those who will present at the next level will proudly represent Barnum Square.

The following is a listing of who presented, the titles of their speech as well as in which realm they spoke. Also included, thanks to Gail and Phil Palermo are pictures taken during the meeting.

In the future, please consider participating in such a wonderful experience and enter a future contest. Thank you and enjoy your day and weekend to come.

Barnum Square Speech Contest Summary-

Tall Tales

Richard Smith KILLER - First Place

Pat Wilson-Perkins TRAUMA ROOM 2

Tom Shaw DAMNED NATION DAILY

International

Liz Smith FA BAFF - First Place

Gail Palermo ORDINARINESS

Dilbert on Toastmasters ....

Ever wonder how Dilbert, the famed comic hero (?) with the corporate lifestyle, would handle Toastmasters?

Well, check out how Scott Adams, the creator and writer of Dilbert, handles some of the unexpected events that occur during his appearances as a world-famous author !

click here to visit Scott's blog post

It looks like Scott would be a GREAT Tabletopics speaker !

Fwd: Talk up Toastmasters! with an Open House

From: Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster
Date: Feb 23, 2007 12:16 AM
Subject: Talk up Toastmasters! with an Open House

During the months of February and March we are asked to
Talk up Toastmasters!

"Talk Up Toastmasters!" is an annual membership contest and marketing event that encourages Toastmaster members to invite as many guests as possible to their club meetings. We want to help our guests discover the benefits of Toastmasters and at the same time, increase our club's membership.

As club leaders, we are asked to consider conducting an Open House (guest meeting) as a means to increase Club membership. Let's explore the concepts or activities that are part of successful Open House.

An Open House meeting is a regular Toastmaster meeting where:

• the meeting theme is the communication and leadership benefits of Toastmasters;
• the prepared speakers "Talk Up Toastmasters!" and demonstrate the objectives and benefits of manual speeches (from Ice Breaker to any Advanced speech project);
• the evaluators demonstrate the values of verbal evaluation and written feedback;
• the Toastmaster and Table Topic Master specifically discuss the benefits Toastmasters members receive as they participate in the prepared or impromptu program (as timer, grammarian, wordmaster, invocator, quizmaster, etc); and
• the General Evaluator (or the Club President) leads a brief Q&A session at the end of the meeting to handle any questions from the guests.

An Open House meeting doesn't "just happen." An Open House meeting requires planning and preparations before the doors are opened. Encourage every member to get involved in the Open House in some way, perhaps you can ask each member to join at least one committee (for this special Club event).

The Educational Program Committee , chaired by the VP Education, plans the Open House or "show case" meeting program. The committee focuses on the content of the meeting, what is going to happen from gavel to gavel. For example:

• select the speakers (balance your speaker selection from basic to advanced speakers);
• select experienced evaluators;
• select the Table Topic Master and select TT questions that fit the theme and lend to the demonstration or testimony of the value of the Toastmasters program;
• select Toastmaster and General Evaluator;
• set and print the "timed" agenda, promote the theme; and
• discuss the motivation and theme of the Open House meeting with all participants.

The Membership or Public Relations Committee , co-chaired by the VP Membership and VP Public Relations, fills the room with guests. The committee focuses on pre-event advertising or promotion of the Club's Open House event. Some possible tasks include:

• create bulletin board flyers or announcemnts;
• update club web page with event information;
• prepare and distribute press releases, public service or calendar event;
  Use the Sample Press Release for Club Open House [ word.doc acrobat.pdf ]
• encourage all to invite their colleagues, friends, and neighbors; and
• send a written invitation to guests who have visited in the past, yet have not joined.

The Social and Reception Committee , chaired by the Sgt. At Arms, assures that all guests feel welcomed and comfortable with the Toastmasters Club meeting environment. Tasks include:

• create guest information packets, something the guest can take home;
• provide name tags for guests (members should wear their CC, AC or DTM recognition badge or plain name tag);
• display guestbook and collect contact information from each attending guest;
• pair each guest with a Toastmaster member (Assist Sgt. At Arms);
• provide refreshments; and
• smile.

New members are the lifeblood of every club and without sufficient members your club has difficulty fulfilling its mission ... "to provide a mutually positive and supportive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to pursue communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self confidence and personal growth."

Membership building is a challenging yet rewarding task. By adding new members to your club you add new perspectives, personalities, and potential club officers/leaders. Can you use free resources for a membership building program? Check out the D53 On-line File Cabinet.

• TM Marketing Flyers (Club contributions)
• TM Marketing Kit Resources
• TM Public Relations Resources
• TI's Publicity and Promotion Handbook (Catalog No. 1140) Free Online

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

Area A3 Contests... set for April 4th

From Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor:

Since I have not gotten any responses the email I sent out last week, I made an "executive decision" and scheduled the Area A3 contest in conjunction with the Area A1 / A5 Contest on April 4th. (I have already discussed the subject with Area A1 & A5).

We want to make sure we give all the clubs in Area A3 the opportunity to participate in the Spring contests ! They should also be aware that each area will have their own trophies so while the contests are being run together, the competitions will only be within each Area!

On 2/27/07, Roger Brown <rogerbrown@mac.com > wrote:

Good Morning Dave.

The Area Contests should start real soon now. And it

looks like Division A is nearly ready for the march to the

final 6 speakers in D53.

Area A1 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,

3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Area A2 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Area A3 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,
3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Area A4 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Area A5 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,

3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Division A Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Adding Power to Your Point

Forwarded by: Roger Brown, District 53 Webmaster;

Adding Power to Your Point By Jennifer Openshaw
TheStreet.com Contributor, 12/15/2006 12:29 PM EST
URL: http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/smallbiz/10327484.html

They don't seem to be listening. ...
... electronic communication has become so routine, so automated, so abundant, that once again we miss the important message. Moreover, it's so easy to create electronic communication we don't think enough about its content.

That's what I believe is encumbering today's typical PowerPoint presentation. Same stuff over and over. Same clichés, buzzwords, phrases, bullets and lead-ins, with different animations, backgrounds, shapes and graphics. It all runs together, and the audience is tired. We dutifully applaud each pitch, but the messages pile up in our mental "in tray," never to be fully absorbed.

Now, the point of any presentation is to get a point across and have it retained. But PowerPoint is too easy. We create slide after slide, all with some form of "creeping elegance" designed to "wow" and be remembered. But it doesn't work. What was the main point of that 20-slide pitch?

We rely too much on PowerPoint features, not enough on content. Some complain that PowerPoint really makes it easier for the presenter, not the audience. It becomes a crutch, if not a substitute for crisp, meaningful communication.

[ ... ]

So I ( Jennifer Openshaw) advocate trying a few proven speaking elements of the ancient (business) world. A few favorites:

• One word at a time. Single words stimulate thinking. "Think" "Plan" "Do" "Act," are easy to remember and leave the audience hungry for more. Even a PowerPoint slide with single words -- instead of clichéd phrases -- can be effective. Of course, these words are tied to main points.
• Handcrafted visual aids. Now, I know flip charts are hard to take on an airplane. But how about single words on single sheets of paper taped around a room? Or your own portable "cube" of cardboard, one word on each side, flipped into position at the right time?
• Town meeting format. No PowerPoint, in fact, no visual aids at all! Just arrange the room in a semicircle, set a chair in the center, and talk! People will focus on you, not the slides. Tom Peters did it so well in the mid-80s in In Search of Excellence days, but I've hardly seen it since.

These "old-fashioned" techniques are different, and that's the point. Put them to work and your presentation will also make a difference.

What words do you use ALOT...

Many of us think, with good reason, that Steve Jobs of Apple Computer is a pretty good speaker....

... but this video (click here) shows that even the best of us have certain phrases that we "lean on" quite a bit.

For your next speech, ask your evaluator if you are using a phrase unconsciously that should be eliminated such as "ya know" or "...Anyways..." [for transitions between subjects].

Or, can you work a catchphrase into your speech to build on a central theme? Sort of like... "You must be a Redneck ..." [Comedian Jeff Foxworthy] or "Git R Done" [Comedian, Larry the Cable Guy].

What words are you using?

Div A Tall Tales & Intl. Speech Contests

From: Roger Brown, District 53 Webmaster
Date: Feb 7, 2007 10:51 PM
Subject: Div A Tall Tales & International Speech Contests

Toastmasters Division A * District 53 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests
When: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Agenda: 7:00 PM Doors open. 7:15 PM Contestants & Judges briefing 7:30 PM International and Tall Tales Speech Contests Where: Wooster School Library , 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT Map Registration Fee: FREE Directions: Refer to WestConn Toastmasters Web Site www.westconntoastmasters.org 1. Take I-84 to Exit 3 (Danbury Mall) 2. Take left at end of ramp (Backus Ave). 3. Go through 3 traffic lights (Exxon station on left) 4. Go straight through light to triangle stop sign (pass the Post Office on right, Federal Express on left) 5. Bear right at stop sign. 6. Turn right into Wooster School, approx 200 ft. 7. Go up hill and take a right. 8. We meet in the building on the left (Library). Parking is FREE.	Questions: Contact Dave Wheeler, ATMS/CL Division A Governor Phone: 203-740-9333x3076(w) 203-354-9386(h) Email: theshot92@gmail.com Rob Ferrucci CTM, Host Club President Phone: 203-730-8567 (w) Email: ferruccir@comcast.net The Division A Speech Contests are hosted by the West-Conn Toastmasters, Club 599. See, hear, and enjoy the winners from the Area level speeches. The very best speakers from Division A. Guests and prospective members are always welcomed.
Attend the District 53 Conference and Speech Contests on Saturday, May 19th http://www.district53toastmasters.org/conferences.html

Div. A Spring Contests Set

The following dates have been added to the Div.A calendar on the District53 website ...

Area A2 / A4 Contest, March 21
Hosted by WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT (same location and details as in the Fall)

Area A1 / A5 Contest, April 4th

Hosted by Marist Toastmasters at Marist college, Poughkeepsie, NY (same location and details as in the Fall).

There is the possibility that the Area A3 Contest may be combined with Area A1/A5, but I still need to confirm that with the clubs in that area.

Division A Contest, April 11th

Hosted by WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT (same location and details as in the Fall)

District 53 Contest (and Spring Conference / Leadership Summit),

May 19th, E.Hartford, CT

Mark your Calendar !

Beyond Bullet Points ... Powerpoint tips!

I came across the following PDF from Cliff Atkinson's Beyond Bullet Points after reading a comment on another blog. (Which reminds me... your comments are welcome and encouraged for this blog too!)

Click here:
http://sociablemedia.com/PDF/atkinson_nov3_05_PDF.pdf

This web site also offers some free tools including a template for laying out a story... which might come in handy when you are developing your Tall Tale contest speech!

The resources page is located at:
http://www.sociablemedia.com/thebook_resources.php4

ADDED BONUS....
Click here to read the first chapter of Beyond Bullet Points !

Please let us know what you think by adding a comment below !