As part of his communications class in college, Eric Johnson was required to attend a Toastmasters meeting and report on his experience. About a month ago, Eric visited Socially Speaking Toastmasters in Brookfield and was kind enough to send us a copy of his comments (see below) and allow us to publish them here.
****************************************************************
Eric Johnson
Communications 105.81
Toastmaster's Report
I attended the Wednesday, April 25th meeting of the Socially Speaking Toastmasters club in Brookfield, Connecticut. It was a normal meeting with a turnout of six regulars, myself, and another gentleman who was attending a Toastmasters meeting for the first time. The overall experience was very much like our regular Comm 105 classes, which I found surprising. For some reason I had the notion that our college class was substantially different from a formal club meeting. It was the same relaxing environment that our class provides, with a few changes more suited to the two hour time allotment.
I started out by arriving at 7:30 PM for an 8 PM meeting due to a misprint on one of the websites listing the meeting times. Talking with people as they arrived helped me define them in my brain as not strangers, which helped relieve my anxiety a little later during table topics. The meeting was more formally structured than our classes, with a printed timeline handed out to the attendees before starting. The meeting proceeded with each member introducing themselves.
Table topics were two minutes long and everybody was invited to participate, including guests. Instead of having one rather open-ended topic for everyone, an appointed member posed a table topic to each speaker individually. After that came the main speeches prepared by members for this particular meeting. I was particularly impressed by the speech given by a member who has Down Syndrome even though I had some difficulty understanding her.
Then came the evaluation portion of the evening. The official timer reported on the lengths of the table topics and main speeches. Most speeches were evaluated by a particular evaluator designated earlier. One was evaluated 'round robin' style, which was a new experience for me. Everybody evaluated the speech, and it was interesting to hear the diverse opinions of the group. I was not expecting there to be such a wide variety of opinions on just two minutes of speaking.
In the end, the guests were invited to return to future meetings and/or join the club. I believe the other gentleman who was a guest will continue to attend. As for myself, I am not so sure, but it was definitely an experience everyone should have at least once.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Newly elected and appointed District Officers
Newly elected and appointed District 53 Officers:
The District 53 Council elected District officers at the Spring
Conference and Leadership Summit on Saturday, May 19th. The following
elected officers will serve from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Top Three District Officers for 2007 - 2008
* District Governor: Will Ryan, DTM
* Lt Gov Education/Training: Karin Von Känel, ACB, ALS
* Lt Gov Marketing: Marsha Kiley, CTM
Division Governors for 2007 - 2008
* Division A Governor: David Wheeler, ATMS
* Division B Governor: Michael Aron, ACB, CL
* Division C Governor: Sharon Mercado, CTM, CL
* Division D Governor: Thomas Fitch, CTM, CL
* Division E Governor: Michael Finn, ATMS
* Division F Governor: Jim Parsons, ACS
District Governor-elect, Will Ryan, DTM announced the following
Officer Appointments. The following appointed officers will serve
from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Appointed District Officers for 2007 - 2008
* Public Relations Officer: Deidre Boone, CC
* District Secretary: Norm Thibodeau, DTM
* District Treasurer: Sam Young, DTM
URL: http://www.district53toastmasters.org/0708Officers.html
Revised: Monday, May 21, 2007
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Division A still has openings for Area A2 and A4 Governors. This is an opportunity to learn more about Toastmasters and expand your leadership skills. Area Governor has been called "The Best Job in Toastmasters" by nearly every District officer who has held the title. Contact Dave Wheeler (theshot92@gmail.com) or Will Ryan (will53@shawenon.com) if you are interested.
[Serving as Area Governor also fulfills one of the requirements for the Advanced Leader award!)
The District 53 Council elected District officers at the Spring
Conference and Leadership Summit on Saturday, May 19th. The following
elected officers will serve from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Top Three District Officers for 2007 - 2008
* District Governor: Will Ryan, DTM
* Lt Gov Education/Training: Karin Von Känel, ACB, ALS
* Lt Gov Marketing: Marsha Kiley, CTM
Division Governors for 2007 - 2008
* Division A Governor: David Wheeler, ATMS
* Division B Governor: Michael Aron, ACB, CL
* Division C Governor: Sharon Mercado, CTM, CL
* Division D Governor: Thomas Fitch, CTM, CL
* Division E Governor: Michael Finn, ATMS
* Division F Governor: Jim Parsons, ACS
District Governor-elect, Will Ryan, DTM announced the following
Officer Appointments. The following appointed officers will serve
from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Appointed District Officers for 2007 - 2008
* Public Relations Officer: Deidre Boone, CC
* District Secretary: Norm Thibodeau, DTM
* District Treasurer: Sam Young, DTM
URL: http://www.district53toastmasters.org/0708Officers.html
Revised: Monday, May 21, 2007
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Division A still has openings for Area A2 and A4 Governors. This is an opportunity to learn more about Toastmasters and expand your leadership skills. Area Governor has been called "The Best Job in Toastmasters" by nearly every District officer who has held the title. Contact Dave Wheeler (theshot92@gmail.com) or Will Ryan (will53@shawenon.com) if you are interested.
[Serving as Area Governor also fulfills one of the requirements for the Advanced Leader award!)
Spring Conference a HUGE Success !
Division A was well represented at the District 53 Spring conference / Leadership Summit. Croix Sather, of WestConn Toastmasters, took home the trophy for 2nd Runner-up in the Tall Tales contest and Nana Danso, of BI Toastmasters, took home FIRST PLACE in the International Speech contest!We are very proud of both of them and we will wish Nana the best of luck at the Regional contest ! (More information on this will be posted in case you want to attend a regional conference and see Nana compete.)
We should also point out that this was Nana's first conference (as shown by the "First Timer Ribbon" that was next to his trophy ... or at 
least I assume that it was his). It just goes to show that while experience might help, it is not always the complete recipe for success !
least I assume that it was his). It just goes to show that while experience might help, it is not always the complete recipe for success !This was Croix's second year on the District stage and I'm sure we will all agree that it will certainly not be his last!
Pictures below include Croix along with the other Tall Tales winners, Phil Shay and Joe Zafian as well as Croix's Tall Tale "interview" session prior to the announcement of the winners.
TLI 07 Training Catalog & Registration
As you will see from the email below the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), also known as "officer training" is MUCH EARLIER than last year. This will help us get off to a fast start (and have a better chance of having clubs meet their goals and get awards).
Also... TLI # 4 has just been added:
TLI # 4
July 28, 2007,
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Manchester Church of Christ
595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Roger Brown
Date: May 14, 2007 11:39 PM
Subject: UPDATE: TLI07 Training Catalog & Registration
Also... TLI # 4 has just been added:
TLI # 4
July 28, 2007,
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Manchester Church of Christ
595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Roger Brown
Date: May 14, 2007 11:39 PM
Subject: UPDATE: TLI07 Training Catalog & Registration
Check out http://www.district53toastmasters.org/training.html
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/TLI07/TLItraining07.html
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/TLI07/TLItraining07.html
Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) TLI provides the essential training courses to help you understand the full responsibilities of your role as a club officer and will help you get started with effective methods and strategies.
| |||
Plan Ahead - Mark Your Calendar Now | |||
| TLI 1 | June 9, 2007 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Toastmasters Leadership Institute Space 360 360 Warren Street, Hudson, NY | |
| TLI 2 | June 30, 2007 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Toastmasters Leadership Institute Marist College, 3399 North Road (Route 9), Poughkeepsie, NY | |
| TLI 3 | July 14, 2007 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Toastmasters Leadership Institute | |
-- The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet. Lead With Vision.
-- District 53 Webmaster
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Fwd: New Web Sites
Forwarded From: Roger Brown, District 53 Webmaster
Date: May 14, 2007 12:19 PM
Subject: New TM Web Sites
Date: May 14, 2007 12:19 PM
Subject: New TM Web Sites
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Mark Twain's rules for writing...
I came across the following "Mark Twain rules for writing" and thought they might be of interest to Toastmasters writing speeches!
Note ... If you are in the Tall Tale contest, be sure to read #6 (and disregard as needed).
Mark Twain divides his rules into large rules and little rules:
Large rules:
1. A tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere.
2. The episodes of a tale shall be necessary parts of the tale, and shall help develop it.
3. The personages in a tale shall be alive, except in the case of corpses, and that always the reader shall be able to tell the corpses from the others.
4. The personages in a tale, both dead and alive, shall exhibit a sufficient excuse for being there.
5. When the personages of a tale deal in conversation, the talk shall sound like human talk, and be talk such as human beings would be likely to talk in the given circumstances, and have a discoverable meaning, also a discoverable purpose, and a show of relevancy, and remain in the neighborhood of the subject in hand, and be interesting to the reader, and help out the tale, and stop when the people cannot think of anything more to say.
6. The personages of a tale shall confine themselves to possibilities and let miracles alone; or, if they venture a miracle, the author must so plausibly set it forth as to make it look possible and reasonable.
Little rules:
7. An author should say what he is proposing to say, not merely come near it.
8. Use the right word, not its second cousin.
9. Eschew surplusage.
10. Not omit necessary details.
Thanks for The Happiness Project blog for bringing this to our attention!
Note ... If you are in the Tall Tale contest, be sure to read #6 (and disregard as needed).
Mark Twain divides his rules into large rules and little rules:
Large rules:
1. A tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere.
2. The episodes of a tale shall be necessary parts of the tale, and shall help develop it.
3. The personages in a tale shall be alive, except in the case of corpses, and that always the reader shall be able to tell the corpses from the others.
4. The personages in a tale, both dead and alive, shall exhibit a sufficient excuse for being there.
5. When the personages of a tale deal in conversation, the talk shall sound like human talk, and be talk such as human beings would be likely to talk in the given circumstances, and have a discoverable meaning, also a discoverable purpose, and a show of relevancy, and remain in the neighborhood of the subject in hand, and be interesting to the reader, and help out the tale, and stop when the people cannot think of anything more to say.
6. The personages of a tale shall confine themselves to possibilities and let miracles alone; or, if they venture a miracle, the author must so plausibly set it forth as to make it look possible and reasonable.
Little rules:
7. An author should say what he is proposing to say, not merely come near it.
8. Use the right word, not its second cousin.
9. Eschew surplusage.
10. Not omit necessary details.
Thanks for The Happiness Project blog for bringing this to our attention!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Fwd: Wanted: TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Instructors on 6/9, 6/30, 7/14, and 7/28
From: Karin von Kaenel, D53 Lt.Gov.-Marketing
Date: May 8, 2007 12:49 PM
Wanted: TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Instructors on 6/9, 6/30, 7/14, and 7/28
Fellow Toastmasters,
Are you ready for another Leadership experience?
Every year, on July 1, new people are taking office in every Toastmasters club. This offers a great opportunity for everybody to try something new!
This is also an opportunity for you to get involved: We need volunteers for TLI: Toastmasters who'll apply their speaking and leadership skills and become TLI instructors, Toastmasters who'll run the registration table, Toastmasters who'll be facilities coordinators, food coordinators, ...
This year, there will be 3 TLIs:
6/9 in Hudson NY
6/30 in Poughkeepsie NY
7/14 in Chicopee MA
There will also be a major Division B/C training event:
7/28 in Manchester CT
Would you please let me know:
- whether you can volunteer for the above events (let me know which ones you can volunteer for)
- what roles you're willing to volunteer for (presenter, registration desk, facilities coordinator, ...)
I'd also appreciate if you'd forward this email to your clubs/areas so others who're interested can step up.
I hope I'll hear from you soon!
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
Karin von Kaenel
P.S.: This is also an opportunity to do your HPL, e.g. on being a facilities coordinator for all TLIs.
Date: May 8, 2007 12:49 PM
Wanted: TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Instructors on 6/9, 6/30, 7/14, and 7/28
Fellow Toastmasters,
Are you ready for another Leadership experience?
Every year, on July 1, new people are taking office in every Toastmasters club. This offers a great opportunity for everybody to try something new!
This is also an opportunity for you to get involved: We need volunteers for TLI: Toastmasters who'll apply their speaking and leadership skills and become TLI instructors, Toastmasters who'll run the registration table, Toastmasters who'll be facilities coordinators, food coordinators, ...
This year, there will be 3 TLIs:
6/9 in Hudson NY
6/30 in Poughkeepsie NY
7/14 in Chicopee MA
There will also be a major Division B/C training event:
7/28 in Manchester CT
Would you please let me know:
- whether you can volunteer for the above events (let me know which ones you can volunteer for)
- what roles you're willing to volunteer for (presenter, registration desk, facilities coordinator, ...)
I'd also appreciate if you'd forward this email to your clubs/areas so others who're interested can step up.
I hope I'll hear from you soon!
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
Karin von Kaenel
P.S.: This is also an opportunity to do your HPL, e.g. on being a facilities coordinator for all TLIs.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Club Officer Elections in May - Attend TLI in June/July
From: Karin von Kaenel
Date: May 3, 2007 7:10 AM
Date: May 3, 2007 7:10 AM
Are your clubs ready for another leadership growth experience?
Every year, on July 1, new people are taking office in every Toastmasters club.
This offers a great opportunity for everybody to try something new: Club members can become club officers and club officers can take a different office or apply for a District assignment.
This is also an opportunity for the current officers to apply their leadership in a new way: Find successors and show them the ropes, be a mentor to them, be a role model.
By encouraging your clubs' members to try something new, to step outside of their comfort zone, and by supporting them when they take that challenge, you help them grow!
Let's build leaders who want to get involved, have the courage to act, and care for others by running the clubs!
The time to act is now:
- Start immediately by encouraging you clubs to hold club elections in May.
- Ask your clubs to submit the new club officers list online right after the elections at https://ecommerce.toastmasters.org/timssnet/login/tnt_login.cfm
- Ensure that all of your clubs' members know about TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute), the best chance for every Toastmaster, but especially for officers, to learn about leadership. This year, TLI will take place on 3 different dates in 3 different places :
6/9 Hudson NY
6/30 Poughkeepsie NY
7/14 Chicopee MA
Further details will be published towards the end of the month at http://www.district53toastmasters.org/
I hope to see all of your clubs' officers at TLI!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you for all you're doing for your clubs!
Sincerely,
Karin von Kaenel, CTM/AL
Lt.Governor - Marketing, District 53
Monday, April 30, 2007
Div.A Toastmasters Club Size Distribution
Club Size or number of paid members is often an indicator of the health and long term viability of a Toastmaster club. Check below to see how your club is doing !
If you have any questions, please contact your Area Governor or Dave Wheeler, Div.A Governor, at theshot92@gmail.com.
Forwarded Email below..............................................
From: Roger Brown, District webmaster & Past District Governor
Date: Apr 30, 2007 10:58 AM
Subject: Toastmasters Club Size Distribution
Clubs BELOW Charter Strength shown in Red
If you have any questions, please contact your Area Governor or Dave Wheeler, Div.A Governor, at theshot92@gmail.com.
Forwarded Email below..............................................
From: Roger Brown, District webmaster & Past District Governor
Date: Apr 30, 2007 10:58 AM
Subject: Toastmasters Club Size Distribution
Div. A Club Sizes as of April 27, 2007
The number of members given below represent
Current Dues Period Renewals Plus New Members
Average Club Size in District 53 = 16 members
Clubs BELOW Charter Strength shown in Red
AREA CLUB# CLUB NAME CLUB SIZE
Area A2 7386 BI 38
Area A4 875053 Cartus Magnus 38
Area A1 315 IBM Poughkeepsie Spe 31
Area A4 599 West-Conn TMs 25
Area A4 1701 Barnum Square 24
Area A1 9977 IBM East Fishkill Sp 22
Area A5 790849 The Bureaucrats 20
Area A1 4396 Poughkeepsie Area Ch 18
Area A2 4839 Putnam Speaks 18
Area A2 9685 Wooster Heights TMs 15
Area A3 9542 Catskill TMs 15
Area A5 5614 Arlington Rotary 11
Area A5 2623 Rhinebeck TMs 9
Area A4 4720 Socially Speaking 8
Area A3 4507 Henry Hudson 6
Area A3 9315 Orange County 6
Area A2 3401 Diversity USA TMs 5
Area A5 9107 Marist TMs 0
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Problem adding comments???
We have heard from a couple people that they had problems adding comments to this blog. Unfortunately, I have not been able to duplicate the problem and the only suggestion I can make is to add you comments as "Anonymous" and include your name at the end of you comment.
Sorry for this inconvenience and we hope to have this figured out soon!
(We really do want to hear your comments!!!!)
Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7
Sorry for this inconvenience and we hope to have this figured out soon!
(We really do want to hear your comments!!!!)
Dave Wheeler
Division A Governor, 2006-7
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Division F contest results !!
The Division F Tall Tales and International Speech Contests were held on April 24th at GE Global Research Center, Steinmetz Hall, in Niskayuna, NY. The facilities were excellent... the speeches were given in a lecture hall with sloped seating and great acoustics. In addition, there was pizza and soda provided ... very good pizza, I should point out!
Regarding pictures of the winners (or my lack thereof) .... I did bring my digital camera, but due to the security at the GE Research Center ... and the big signs saying that pictures and cameras are not allowed... I decide that I did not want to risk bringing it into the contest.
The winners of the contests were as follows...
Tall Tales Speech Contest Results
1st place – Don Countermine, Clifton Park Speakers Club #7877
2nd place - Christina van Hoesen, Bethlehem Club #542
International Speech Contest Results
1st place - Neal Benoit, Patroon Club #3863
2nd place - Yun Li, Mohawk Club #1931
Regarding pictures of the winners (or my lack thereof) .... I did bring my digital camera, but due to the security at the GE Research Center ... and the big signs saying that pictures and cameras are not allowed... I decide that I did not want to risk bringing it into the contest.
The winners of the contests were as follows...
Tall Tales Speech Contest Results
1st place – Don Countermine, Clifton Park Speakers Club #7877
2nd place - Christina van Hoesen, Bethlehem Club #542
International Speech Contest Results
1st place - Neal Benoit, Patroon Club #3863
2nd place - Yun Li, Mohawk Club #1931
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Division E Contest Winners !
Division E held their Spring Contests last night at Elms College in Chicopee, MA and had an excellent evening of speeches! 
The winners included...
Tall Tales Winners
(l-r in picture)
Michelle DeDominicus,
1st Runner-up,
Kay Kanavino,
2nd Runner-up,
Phil Hayes, 1st Place
International Winners:
(l-r in picture)
Steve Sottman,
1st Runner-up
Michelle DeDominicus,
1st Place,
Laura Grunfeld,
2nd Runner-up
The last picture here includes all the contestants / winners...from left to right,
Steve Sottman, Michelle DeDominicus, Kay Kanavino, Laura Grunfeld and Phil Hayes.
If we mispelled anyone's name or if you can add the contestant's speech title or home club name & number, please send an email to Dave Wheeler at theshot92@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
The winners included...
Tall Tales Winners
(l-r in picture)
Michelle DeDominicus,
1st Runner-up,
Kay Kanavino,
2nd Runner-up,
Phil Hayes, 1st Place
International Winners:
(l-r in picture)
Steve Sottman,
1st Runner-up
Michelle DeDominicus,
1st Place,
Laura Grunfeld,
2nd Runner-up
The last picture here includes all the contestants / winners...from left to right,
Steve Sottman, Michelle DeDominicus, Kay Kanavino, Laura Grunfeld and Phil Hayes.
If we mispelled anyone's name or if you can add the contestant's speech title or home club name & number, please send an email to Dave Wheeler at theshot92@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Who won the "Battle of the Border"????
Since you all know that the [infamous?] "Battle of the Border 2007" between District 53's Div.A & D and District 46's Div.G was held last night at Ridgefield Library (hosted by the new Div.A Advanced TM club), I'm sure you are wondering.... WHO WON THE BATTLE?????
Well.... before I get to that, let me show you some pictures....
The picture above includes (l-r) Anne Swartout (Area A4 Governor/D53), Croix Sather (Tall Tales winner Div.A/D53), Edwin Borelly (Intl. winner, Div.G/46), Rob Ferrucci (Intl.Runner-up Div.A/53), Koshy Chacko (Intl.2nd Runner-up, Div.G/46), Jinghua Xu (Tall Tales Runner-up Div.A/53), Richard Peck (Tall Tales Winner Div.D/D53), Mary Neff (Div.G Governor/D46) and Nana Danso (Intl.Winner Div.A/D53)
As you can see from the pictures... everyone was having alot of fun.
Of course it wasn't all about FUN... we provided feedback to each contestant ... in an "American Idol" format with Richard Hastings, Mary Neff and Anne Swartout providing their comments along with inputs from the audience.
The contestants came prepared for a "bare-knuckle speech contest" and the audience was not disappointed! (The ContestMaster, Dave Wheeler, wore boxing gloves ... at least for a little while... but eventually, "the gloves came off".)
The prizes were awarded to the following contestants (pictured here, l-r):
Edwin Borrelly D46, 3rd place
Nana Danso D53, 1st place
Rob Ferrucci D53, 2nd place.
Of course the real winners were ALL the contestants who participated and were able to take their speeches and skills to a new level. All the speeches were incredible... and some may argue that the audience was the real winners.
How are we going to tell who really won?
I guess we will have to do it again next year !
Talking points for the advanced speaker
From Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster:
I recently stumbled across some interesting, thought provoking, and yes, humorous talking points for the advanced speaker or the invited conference speaker. Check it out.My favorite is "If at all possible, you should stop talking before your audience stops listening."18+1 Bits of Tongue in Cheek Advice for Speakers
by Peter de Jager
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Division D crowns their champions....
Last evening at the Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton, CT, Division D had their Spring contest, led by ContestMaster Maureen Moreau and Chief Judge Tom Fitch with the following results....
Tall Tales contestants pictured:
(l-r) Seizo Mazer, Richard Peck, Yashika Forrester, Richard Frantz, Jr.
International Speech Contest:
1st Runner-up:
Ben Lacar, "Fear as a Source of Power"
Tall Tales Contest:
1st Place:
Richard Peck, "The Snow Angel"
Richard Peck, "The Snow Angel"
1st Runner-up:
Yashika Forrester, "The Magic Pot"
Yashika Forrester, "The Magic Pot"
Tall Tales contestants pictured:
(l-r) Seizo Mazer, Richard Peck, Yashika Forrester, Richard Frantz, Jr.
International Speech Contest:1st Place:
Brian Cavanaugh, "The Call's for You."
Brian Cavanaugh, "The Call's for You."
1st Runner-up:
Ben Lacar, "Fear as a Source of Power"
contestants pictured are:
(l-r) Angela Govila, Brian Cavanaugh, Ben Lacar and Jeff Rosow
(l-r) Angela Govila, Brian Cavanaugh, Ben Lacar and Jeff Rosow
It was a fun evening of entertainment and education....If you missed it, you will definitely want to get to the Spring Conference on May 19th!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Time to Register for District 53 Leadership Summit
From: Roger Brown, D53 Webmaster and PDG
Date: Apr 18, 2007 12:35 PM
Subject:
Registration for District 53 Leadership Summit & Spring Conference
Toastmasters,
NOW is the time to register for the D53 annual Spring Conference.
2007 Leadership Summit ... Leveraging Your Speaking Advantage
May 19, 2007 * Sheraton Hartford Hotel, East Hartford, CT
__ Full Pass Registration - $85.00 - postmarked on or before May 5th
Includes: Continental Breakfast, All Educational Sessions, Tall Tales Speech Contest, Luncheon Buffet and C&L Award, International Director's Address, Dinner Banquet and International Speech Contest.
__ Day Pass Registration - $60.00 - postmarked on or before May 5th
Includes: Continental Breakfast, All Educational Sessions, Tall Tales Speech Contest, Luncheon Buffet and C&L Award, International Director's Address
__ Evening Pass Registration - $45.00 - postmarked on or before May 5th
Includes: Dinner Banquet and International Speech Contest.
Review the Spring 07 Leadership Summit Activities and Agenda
Print and Complete your Registration Form for the Spring 2007 Leadership Summit
http://www.district53toastmasters.org/spr07registration.pdfIf necessary, download the latest version of Adobe Reader – Free.
When are you going to give your next speech?
When I read this post on Senia.com's Positive Psychology Coaching blog, it got me wondering... when is the "perfect time to give a speech"?
Of course, as Toastmasters, we know that if we wait for "the perfect time", it will never come and we will not achieve our goals.
So, when is the "Imperfect Time"?
Life is a series of tradeoffs or decisions about how you will use your time ... should I think about a speech while I'm driving home (and then write it up as soon as I park the car) or should I just turn on the radio and zone out to songs and boring commercials?
When I get home, will I watch another re-run of an old "Law and Order" episode or will I turn it off and practice my speech?
Will I go for a run or dig around in the attic for a prop for my next speech? (OK... maybe I should go running... but I can still think about my speech while I run!)
From Senia's article...
Senia also referred me to this list of 10 Steps-you-can-take-to-guarantee-failure on http://www.persistenceunlimited.com. (Doesn't that web address sound like a great philosophy?) If you look at the 10 steps, you will see many of them relate to "Waiting for the perfect time".
So, how do you change your choices on a daily basis? What if you are thinking... "I just don't feel like it. I'm too tired."
I learned from Tony Robbins that there are 3 things you can use to change how you feel about an event or task. Emotions are a result of
1) Change your physiology. Go for a brisk 5 minute walk around the block. Do some jumping jacks. Play some exciting music. Anything to boost your heart rate and pump you up to what Tony Robbins calls a "Peak State".
2) Focus on the opportunity of what you want to do, not the drawbacks or negative consequences. Look for what is right and what will help you achieve your goals... not reasons (or, more accurately, "excuses") for why you can't do it.
3) Eliminate the WHINE. If you had a 2 year old child who was constantly complaining about how nothing is good enough and there is nothing to do... you would not put up with it and you would certainly give them a "motivational speech". (Maybe something like..."Go outside and play!"). Don't let the 2 year old inside of you take over... tell them it is TIME TO PLAY! Don't put up with language that focuses on the negative... every "problem" is challenge or an opportunity to grow!
Now.... When are you going to give you next speech?
Of course, as Toastmasters, we know that if we wait for "the perfect time", it will never come and we will not achieve our goals.
So, when is the "Imperfect Time"?
Life is a series of tradeoffs or decisions about how you will use your time ... should I think about a speech while I'm driving home (and then write it up as soon as I park the car) or should I just turn on the radio and zone out to songs and boring commercials?
When I get home, will I watch another re-run of an old "Law and Order" episode or will I turn it off and practice my speech?
Will I go for a run or dig around in the attic for a prop for my next speech? (OK... maybe I should go running... but I can still think about my speech while I run!)
From Senia's article...
So, back to the original question: suppose you know that something is important. Suppose you know that you ought to do something. But you want to WAIT until…. until you’re better prepared, until you feel more confident about it, until someone else suggests that you do that action….
Let me tell you something briefly - the only context in which “until” is a beautiful word is in this quote by Jim Rohn:
“How long should you try? Until.”
Senia also referred me to this list of 10 Steps-you-can-take-to-guarantee-failure on http://www.persistenceunlimited.com. (Doesn't that web address sound like a great philosophy?) If you look at the 10 steps, you will see many of them relate to "Waiting for the perfect time".
So, how do you change your choices on a daily basis? What if you are thinking... "I just don't feel like it. I'm too tired."
I learned from Tony Robbins that there are 3 things you can use to change how you feel about an event or task. Emotions are a result of
1) Physiology,
2) Focus and
3)Language.
In other words, how you 1) move your body, 2) what part of your surroundings or events you choose to focus on and 3) the words that you use both in your internal self-talk as well as words you use in conversations with others.
So, the next time you want to change your pattern (and you really don't "feel" like it)....1) Change your physiology. Go for a brisk 5 minute walk around the block. Do some jumping jacks. Play some exciting music. Anything to boost your heart rate and pump you up to what Tony Robbins calls a "Peak State".
2) Focus on the opportunity of what you want to do, not the drawbacks or negative consequences. Look for what is right and what will help you achieve your goals... not reasons (or, more accurately, "excuses") for why you can't do it.
3) Eliminate the WHINE. If you had a 2 year old child who was constantly complaining about how nothing is good enough and there is nothing to do... you would not put up with it and you would certainly give them a "motivational speech". (Maybe something like..."Go outside and play!"). Don't let the 2 year old inside of you take over... tell them it is TIME TO PLAY! Don't put up with language that focuses on the negative... every "problem" is challenge or an opportunity to grow!
Now.... When are you going to give you next speech?
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Directions to Toastmasters of Paris (France), club 3230
Someone sent me a link to this (click here) ....
... and I think you will get a kick out of step # 23 of the directions!
... and I think you will get a kick out of step # 23 of the directions!
Meeting Ideas and TableTopic Ideas...
Here are some ideas for Meeting themes and TableTopics !
Based on the email address on his web page, I'm guessing these great ideas came from someone named Rick Clements. (I've sent him an email to find out more about how he came up with the ideas and where he is located.)
What his list points out is that there are no shortage of ideas for GREAT Toastmaster meetings ! Which means that there is no reason we can't all have GREAT meetings !
My personal philosophy is that, like anything, you will get out of Toastmasters what you put into it ! And you will enjoy it more if you "make it your own" through creatively expanding on existing ideas and pushing the envelope of what has been done in the past.
Try something new! Even if it doesn't work... you will learn and come up with ideas to make it better next time !
Based on the email address on his web page, I'm guessing these great ideas came from someone named Rick Clements. (I've sent him an email to find out more about how he came up with the ideas and where he is located.)
What his list points out is that there are no shortage of ideas for GREAT Toastmaster meetings ! Which means that there is no reason we can't all have GREAT meetings !
My personal philosophy is that, like anything, you will get out of Toastmasters what you put into it ! And you will enjoy it more if you "make it your own" through creatively expanding on existing ideas and pushing the envelope of what has been done in the past.
Try something new! Even if it doesn't work... you will learn and come up with ideas to make it better next time !
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The "Battle of the Border" .... April 19th!
The Battle of the Border is ON !
The newly initiated Div.A Advanced Toastmasters club has reserved the (very large) "Dayton Room" at Ridgefield (CT) Library for a BIG EVENT on April 19th.
Click here for a copy of the event FLYER !
The Dayton Room at the Ridgefield Library has a raised platform and audio equipment that will be good practice for the winners of the Division A contests (prior to the District Contest in May). We expect to pull in the winners from Division D ( Southern CT) and even Division G of District 46 in WestChester County, NY and parts of NJ.
The agenda will be similar to a Toastmasters contest... with a few variations since it is NOT an official contest. It is simply a [tongue-in-cheek] grudge match between neighboring divisions in different districts!
In fact, it might end up being more like "American Idol" than a "normal" Toastmasters contest!!
Our "first pass" agenda looks like this....
Warm-up Section:
Toastmaster: Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor
Introduction of Timer, Ah Counter / Grammarian and Judges
Speakers:
Croix Sather, Tall Tales winner, Div.A (D53)
Tall Tales winner Div.D (D53)
Nana Danso, Intl. Winner, Div. A (D53)
Rob Ferrucci, Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. A (D53)
Intl. Winner, Div.G (D46)
Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. G (D46)
Intl. Winner, Div.D (D53)
Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. D (D53)
alternate speakers (to fill any empty slots above if needed)
Jinghua Xu, Tall Tales 1st Runner-up, Div. A (D53)
[name?], Tall Tales club winner, BI Toastmasters (D53)
[send an email to Dave Wheeler at theshot92@gmail.com if you would like to be considered as an alternate speaker).
Panel of Judges:
Anne Swartout, Area A4 Governor (D53)
Mary Neff, Div.G Governor (D46)
Evaluation Contest Winner & Runner-up(D46)
Div.A Advanced Club members
Ah Counter/Grammarian
Timer
Voting for Best Overall Speech (and runner-up) will be made by audience choice and announced after the speakers have each had a brief evaluation / comments from the Judges.
TROPHIES will be awarded !!!!!!
Bring a guest and enjoy a great evening of entertainment !
The newly initiated Div.A Advanced Toastmasters club has reserved the (very large) "Dayton Room" at Ridgefield (CT) Library for a BIG EVENT on April 19th.
Click here for a copy of the event FLYER !
The Dayton Room at the Ridgefield Library has a raised platform and audio equipment that will be good practice for the winners of the Division A contests (prior to the District Contest in May). We expect to pull in the winners from Division D ( Southern CT) and even Division G of District 46 in WestChester County, NY and parts of NJ.
The agenda will be similar to a Toastmasters contest... with a few variations since it is NOT an official contest. It is simply a [tongue-in-cheek] grudge match between neighboring divisions in different districts!
In fact, it might end up being more like "American Idol" than a "normal" Toastmasters contest!!
Our "first pass" agenda looks like this....
Warm-up Section:
Toastmaster: Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor
Introduction of Timer, Ah Counter / Grammarian and Judges
Speakers:
Croix Sather, Tall Tales winner, Div.A (D53)
Tall Tales winner Div.D (D53)
Nana Danso, Intl. Winner, Div. A (D53)
Rob Ferrucci, Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. A (D53)
Intl. Winner, Div.G (D46)
Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. G (D46)
Intl. Winner, Div.D (D53)
Intl. 1st Runner-up, Div. D (D53)
alternate speakers (to fill any empty slots above if needed)
Jinghua Xu, Tall Tales 1st Runner-up, Div. A (D53)
[name?], Tall Tales club winner, BI Toastmasters (D53)
[send an email to Dave Wheeler at theshot92@gmail.com if you would like to be considered as an alternate speaker).
Panel of Judges:
Anne Swartout, Area A4 Governor (D53)
Mary Neff, Div.G Governor (D46)
Evaluation Contest Winner & Runner-up(D46)
Div.A Advanced Club members
Ah Counter/Grammarian
Timer
Voting for Best Overall Speech (and runner-up) will be made by audience choice and announced after the speakers have each had a brief evaluation / comments from the Judges.
TROPHIES will be awarded !!!!!!
Bring a guest and enjoy a great evening of entertainment !
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