Bridgeport Toastmasters in-the-news !

The University of Bridgeport has a nice article on the "News & Events" section of their website about the involvement of their students with the Greater Bridgeport Toastmasters club (click here).

UB is also where we will be having one of the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) events on Saturday, July 25th !

Hope to see you there !

D.Wheeler

What's going on with Dave Wheeler?

Dave Wheeler has discovered Twitter.com ... and is becoming an active "tweeter" !

What does that mean?

It means that you can "follow" him and receive super brief updates (up to 140 characters) or other "tweets" from him via your own twitter page.  Visit http://twitter.com/ to sign up for Twitter and then search for "theshot92" to find Dave' updates.  (It is free.)

Why?  What will I get?

Depending on who you are following, Twitter provides quotes, life updates and insights that range from the profound to the inane.  In other words, choose who you follow wisely... but then you probably already knew that from real life !

Why is the media making such a big deal about Twitter?

Twitter is part of what is called "Social Networks" or "Social Media".  In other words, it is an online way to connect with people and spread "the word".   (Whatever "the word" means for you and people who think like you.)  Other sites that are often mentioned as part of the "Social Media" are Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.  (Dave is on Facebook and Linkedin too, in case you are interested.)

Try it out and let us know about your Social Media experience !

You might be surprised what you find.

Dave Wheeler

D53 LGM, 2008-9

D53 LGET, 2009-10

 

What are you doing with your Cognitive Surplus?

The video below introduced me to the concept of "Cognitive Surplus" and got me thinking... What am I doing (or going to do) with my own "Cognitive Surplus"?

In short, the gist of Clay Shirky's speech is this...

In the industrial revolution, people were drawn into cities; productivity created a boom in free time (vs. the old agrarian lifestyle) and the "opiate of the people" (to steal a concept from another historical figure)  was GIN (or at least it was for London, which Clay talks about).  The boom in free time (and time to think about things) is what Clay calls a "Cognitive Surplus" and in the industrial revolution it was eventually deployed by society in the form of libraries, schools and other institutions which helped society.

He goes on to point out that, [in the post world-war growth of mass media and business growth], productivity of our business systems has continued to grow and the replacement for GIN is television.  (specificically, according to Clay, TV sitcoms).

His question is ... how are we, as a society, going to use our growing "Cognitive Surplus" (instead of just watching more sitcoms on TV)?

Clearly, Toastmasters is a great choice and the good news is that you don't have to give up sitcoms "cold turkey".  There are now DVR's which will tape your shows and play them back (without commercials) so you can attend your evening Toastmasters meetings !

What are you going to do with your Cognitive Surplus ?

 

World Champion comes to D53 !

Shera Cohen and Springfield (MA) Toastmasters organized an excellent event last Thursday evening featuring the 1962 World Champion of Public Speaking, Bob Garton. 

There was also television coverage (channel 22) as shown by the YouTube video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdyTTu_sIaI

How to deal with the stress of the current economy...

The link below shows Tony Robbin's appearance on The Today Show yesterday....

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7506072

He makes some great points very quickly but his best point is right at the end... and it emphasizes why we should all start to think about our next role within Toastmasters !

How are you going to challenge yourself over the coming Toastmasters year?

Working on your CC/AC/CL/AL?

Don’t think you’ll have time to finish all your speeches by the end of the Toastmaster Year?

Well, Division A wants to say “YES you can” and to help you, we are pleased to announce our

Year      End       Super meeting
Speech-a-Thon and Membership Drive

Saturday, May 30^th, 2009 9:00AM to 3:00PM

King of Kings Church
543 Union Ave
New Windsor, NY

The day will consist of two Toastmaster meetings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This will provide an opportunity for up to 12 people (6 each in AM and PM) to give a speech and up to 12 people to serve as Speech Evaluator (for CL). 

Also, up to 10 people (two each role) can serve as Toastmaster, Timer, Grammarian, Ah-Counter, and General Evaluator (for Competent Leader). (Note, there will not be Table Topics, just speeches). Roles will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is open to all Toastmasters and all Toastmasters are invited to bring guests (AKA potential members) as well. Membership information and forms will be available. Agenda is as follows:

9:00AM           Registration/Gathering/social time

9:45AM           Welcome and Introductions

10:00AM         First Meeting starts

12:00PM          Lunch  / Registration for PM Session Only Attendees

1:00PM            Second Meeting starts

3:00PM            Wrap up

There will also be prizes for:   

• Club with most attendees, 
• Club with most guests/visitors attending, 
• Area with most clubs (percentage of total in area) participating, 
• Farthest traveled, and more. 

There will also be a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle. 

 COST: Meetings are FREE!!!

 An optional $5.00 pizza lunch will be available at the site or you can go off site

If you’d like to participate, please email  Registration Chairman Andre White at dtxr2001 [at] gmail.com and ask for the applicaiton form.

It will be a lot of fun !  Don't miss it !

An interesting TableTopics Question...

Neatorama.com had a recent post about a "new Stonehenge" in Georgia which ends with a question that would make for an interesting TableTopics session ...

In 1979, an anonymous group erected a massive stone structure in Elbert County, Georgia. This modern-day stonehenge is more than twenty feet tall and arranged to serve as a calendar and a clock. Its slabs have instructions in eight languages for reconstructing society after the collapse of civilization. The instructions are more philosophical than technological, but perhaps nonetheless prudent:

PROTECT PEOPLE AND NATIONS WITH FAIR LAWS AND JUST COURTS. LET ALL NATIONS RULE INTERNALLY RESOLVING EXTERNAL DISPUTES IN A WORLD COURT. AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS. BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES. PRIZE TRUTH—BEAUTY—LOVE—SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE INFINITE. BE NOT A CANCER ON THE
EARTH—LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE—LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE.

If you were composing brief instructions for survivors of the collapse of civilization,
what would you write?

The original article in Wired magazine has additional background ... which could spur additional questions for your TableTopics session, such as "Where did this structure come from?" and "What does it do?".

Have you found something interesting that you have turned into a TableTopics Session? If so, please leave a comment below and tell us how it went !

Multiple Magazines ... as a Marketing Tool !

Did you know that if you are a member of multiple clubs, you will get multiple copies of the Toastmasters magazine?

If you are already a member of multiple clubs, that is probably not news to you ... but have you been leveraging those extra magazines into PR for your clubs?

Toastmasters International will, according to this webpage, ...

... the magazines can be shipped directly to an address of your choice.

Simply contact World Headquarters and ask to have that extra copy redirected to another address. It can be sent directly to a local library, friend or business associate.

To make this request, please send an e-mail to membership@toastmasters.org with your name and club number as well as the new name and address. A staff member will make sure your magazine gets a new home.

Toastmasters also has another good suggestion before you start sending magazines to your mechanic, and doctor and dentist and ...

It’s always a good idea to ask permission of any office staff before leaving
copies.

The more places that have a Toastmasters magazine where someone is waiting, the more likely it will find its way into the hands of someone who could become a member of your club !

Give it a try !

Remembering Robert J. Benn, ACS

Division F Mourns the Loss of a Great Toastmaster - Robert J. Benn, ACS On Friday, March 20, one of our fellow Toastmasters, Bob Benn, passed away. Bob Benn was an Area Governor and an active member of the Washington County TMs Club #9988 in Fort Edward, NY. He had earned the TM recognition level of Advanced Communicator Silver (ACS) in 2007. The District offers its sincere condolences to Bob's family and Toastmaster friends. DG Karin Von Känel writes, "Bob joined Toastmasters many years ago and I had the privilege to get to know him when we both served on the District Leadership team in 2005-06. Bob was the Area F4 Governor in upper New York state. Bob was extremely active in Toastmasters and just recently completed a Youth Leadership Program. I will always remember Bob for his insightful comments." Link to his obituary.

World Champion Public Speaking Pro Coming to Springfield, MA

From: Shera Cohen
Date: Mar 15, 2009 9:28 PM
Subject: World Champion Public Speaking Pro Comes to Springfield

To all Toastmasters, Friends, Guests, and the Public

FREE - YOU ARE INVITED

Springfield Toastmasters Club

presents special guest

TOASTMASTERS WORLD CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
ROBERT GARTON

Thursday, May 7, 2009

7:00pm - 8:00pm

The Glass House

1380 Main Street, Downtown Springfield

(free on-street parking
and adjacent parking lots)

Mr. Garton earned the title of International Champion in 1962.

He is one of only 68 Public Speaking Champions in the world.

He later became a Senator for the State of Indiana for over three decades.

for information http://springfield.freetoasthost.biz

Interesting book... timed for contest season !

They timed the release of this book perfectly... right near the beginning of the International Speech Contest season !

What do I meant? Rich Hopkins has a book about the 2008 International Speech finalists and as another Toastmasters blog said...

The Finalists:2008 is a compilation of the stories of the 2008 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking Finalists and their path to the big stage.

The 2008 Finalists included:
Rich Hopkins
Robert MacKenzie
LaShunda Rundles
Martin Presse
Colin William
Charlie Wilson
Katherine Morrison
Henry Flowers IV
K. Loghandran
Jock Elliot

You can get a free pdf copy by signing up on Rich Hopkin's web page...

http://www.richhopkins.net/

Who will be the next World Champion?

How about You !?!

Slack Time... Toastmasters Time !

Seth Godin (one of my favorite bloggers) wrote an excellent post that finds a silver lining in the current economic situation...

A lot of corporations have seen dramatic decreases in revenue and have cut back projects as well. In many cases, this is accompanied by layoffs, and so everyone is working far harder.

But in other organizations, and for a lot of freelancers, there's more time than work. In other words, slack time.

Assume for a moment you don't have money to develop and launch something new. So, what are you going to do with the slack?

What can you build over the next year that will take time now and pay off later?

If you were laid off, you definitely will have some slack time. You can only look for work so many hours in a day... there will have to be some extra, if only in the time you would not have been commuting.

Seth suggestions two things...

1. Learn something. Become an expert.
2. Earn a following and reputation.

To these two things, I would add ... join Toastmasters !

Seth, as a speaker, you should know that 3 is the magic number ... and Toastmasters is where speakers practice their magic!

Presentation / Meeting tips ...

Kevin Wortman, winner of the District 53 Evaluation Contest last Fall, sends us some ideas about presentation / meeting skills that he picked up at the blog, SixMinutes.

Tips for increasing your "speak-up" rate

1. Let go of perfection

...A perfect thought that never gets expressed is useless.

2. Have a goal for the number of times you speak up at a meeting

...If you currently don't speak up often, commit to speaking up at least once at every meeting you attend.

3. Experiment with speaking first

Once you've mastered speaking at least once at every meeting, make it a point to speak first or as early as possible in the discussion.

4. Voice your support for what other people say

The research shows this is useful and it's a relatively easy and low-risk way to express yourself.

5. Get used to interrupting people if you have to

In some aggressive corporate cultures this is the only way to get heard. ...Here's how I do it. I say "Can I just interrupt you there?" Then as soon as they've stopped speaking, I make my point.

6. Use a formula to help you structure your thoughts

A formula will help you think on your feet and you'll come across as credible, organized and persuasive. An easy formula to use is PREP. PREP stands for Point, Reason, Example, Point. Here's an example of how to use it:

• Point - Speaking up can enhance your career
  
• Reason - People who speak up are perceived as being competent and intelligent leaders
  
• Example - Richard Backstrap has just been promoted for the second time this year. He speaks up a lot - but he's no more competent than the rest of us (note: fictional example)
  
• Point - Speaking up can enhance your career.

As our district governor, Karin von Kaenel, often points out, "Toastmasters is about going from not having a voice to having a voice" and speaking up for yourself is obviously part of that process !

Thanks Kevin for bringing this to our attention !

D53 Theme ... comes alive !

I just read about a butterfly (shown to the right in 2 different lights) that has nearly transparent wings.

Here is some background (from this article)...

Greta oto may sound like the name of a silent movie star from Eastern Europe
but is in fact the scientific name for one of the most exquisite - and little
known - species of butterfly on the planer. This butterfly's claim to fame
is that its wings, spanning up to six centimeters, are almost completely
transparent. That's right, you can see just about right through them.

It got me thinking... haven't I seen something like that before?

Check out the logo for our District Governor, Karin von Kaenel's D53 theme (shown below).

Amazing similarity don't you think?

Look deep into my eyes.......

How important is it to have eye contact with your audience?

Probably bigger than you imagine ... especially if you consider it is an extension of the impact that eye contact makes in one-on-one conversations.

I read a great little article on the Greatness Project blog where they said...

... That direct, deep look fosters a connection which creates great moments of creativity, collaboration, intimacy and a host of other positive behaviors. When I connect in this manner, or someone connects with me, the ability to create something positive is almost effortless because by the simple action of
looking someone in the eye, I acknowledge their personhood, uniqueness and contribution.

Wow, those are pretty strong words for a simple concept like "eye contact"... but when was the last time you really noticed it?

I was at a tradeshow (for Toastmasters, as a matter of fact) in Bridgeport, CT and noticed that the people who made eye contact during a conversation seemed to have a much better "connection" and seemed to be listening better than those that did not maintain eye contact.

(And, to be fair, I noticed when I was not maintaining eye contact ... so the gaps in connection could have been my fault too.)

How can you improve your "Eye Contact"?

This is what they said over at The Greatness Project blog...

I make sure I see the color of their eyes. If I don't know the color of their eyes at the end of the conversation, I know I have not looked at them.

Interesting concept.... care to try it the next time you are having a conversation with someone? How about when you are speaking to a small audience... like at a Toastmasters meeting?

Leave a comment below and let us know how it worked for you !

Toastmasters at Bridgeport (CT) Business Expo

A number of Toastmasters, led by Peggy Jean, President of Greater Bridgeport Toastmasters, worked at a Toastmasters booth at the Bridgeport Business Expo today (Feb.27th, 2009).

The event was well attended and plenty of potential Toastmasters stopped by the booth to learn more about what we do.

What really surprised me was the GREAT response we got at the Bridgeport Business Expo. It is hard to tell how many of the people we spoke with will become members, but it was definitely worth the time and effort.

The Toastmasters who worked at the booth got a chance to stretch their communication skills in many new ways since working a tradeshow booth requires many different types of communication.

You have to 1) be able to "break the ice" with someone walking by ("Have you heard of Toastmasters?" worked pretty well for me), 2) be able to explain Toastmasters quickly to someone who may not be interested (yet) and finally, 3) find out how Toastmasters can help them (through questions and your own knowledge of & experience with TM).

This type of interaction is not something that happens every day and certainly not in the volume that we saw in Bridgeport. Overall, it was an excellent experience and I would encourage other Toastmasters to try it themselves... just be sure to wear good shoes (the concrete floors are tough on the feet).

Some booths offered prizes to entice visitors to stop at their booths but we really did not have anything to offer in Bridgeport (not even candy) but we did pretty well even so. I've done many tradeshows and I think it does not hurt to have a prize.

On the other hand, you have to be careful not to rely on the prize to get people's contact information... it is better to actually talk to them and generate real interest. If you rely on the prize to get names, you end up with leads that are less likely to turn into guests and could end up wasting someone's time following up.

Pictures:

Top:
Peggy Jean (behind the Bridgeport Mayor's Lecturn)

2nd from Top:
Mayor Bill Finch drew a good crowd for his brief (encouraging) comments.

3rd from Top:
District 53 Governor, Karin von Kaenel along with Peggy Jean at the Toastmasters booth. (This was before the expo got started since the crowds made it difficult to move after a while.)

4th from top:
Dave Wheeler, D53 Lt.Gov.-Marketing, at the Mayor's Lectern... which just only goes to prove that if you set up a microphone and a lecturn... a Toastmaster will find it !

Below:
The representative of CT's Governor reads the announcement from the governor. D53's former PRO, De Boone, also was helping out the organizers of the event and is seen in the white shirt to the right side of the lecturn !

D53 Toastmasters are EVERYWHERE !

"Lost" members?

Are you focusing on the positive or the negative aspects?

I got an email today about a layoff at a company in District 53 where we have a corporate club. In the email, the writer talked about how they "lost some of their club officers" due to the layoff.

Are the people who are laid off really LOST?
Certainly they won't have their membership paid for by their old company anymore, but chances are they still have some time left on the current paid membership (or they may be able to negotiate a renewal into their exit package).

These members are definitely not lost... they are simply in the process of transitioning to another Toastmasters club where they can expand their personal network of connections and possibly find an even better job!

It does no good to dwell on things in the past... and by leveraging their Toastmasters experience these "lost members" will be miles ahead of others in the job market !

... there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it
so. ...
- Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 2, scene 2

You control what you choose to focus on.

Make it something that moves you in a positive direction !

Reminder: DiversityUSA Advanced TM meeting tonight!

DiversityUSA Advanced Toastmasters will be meeting TONIGHT at 7:15-8:45pm, Ridgefield (CT) Library, History Room.

Dave Wheeler is hoping to give a speech and would appreciate your expert evaluations! If someone else has a speech that they would like to have evaluated, please let us know and we can put you on the agenda.

Be sure to bring your tips & ideas to pass along to our fellow members !

Guests are welcome too !

The Smartest Thing I Ever Did...

There is a "meme" or recurring idea / topic floating around blogs on the internet about "The Smartest Thing I Ever Did..." and Div.E Governor, Croix Sather, forwarded me this link...

http://thomsinger.blogspot.com/2007/04/one-of-smartest-things-i-ever-did.html

In his blog article, Thom Singer says ...

One Of The Smartest Things I Ever Did was....
....to join a Toastmasters club.

...I timidly attended my first meeting of the Balcones Toastmasters Club in Austin, Texas ....and discovered that I was not alone in my fears. Over the next few years I improved both my abilities and my confidence in delivering presentations.

What is the Smartest Thing you've ever done?

The smartest thing I've ever done (aside from joining Toastmasters which is obviously a "given") was probably getting married... but not for the reason you might think.

Some people may not know that I am currently divorced which makes it even stranger that I still consider getting married one of the smartest things I've ever done.

The reason is that, in hindsight, I can recognize that while the relationship with my wife was not always "easy", I definitely appreciate how much it made me grow as a person.

I have a better appreciation for the dynamics of relationships now. I can empathize with other people more than I did before. I have a clearer understanding of my own point of view and have even developed (a few) better habits as a result of my marriage.

Don't get the wrong idea. I'm definitely still a "work-in-process" and there were many reasons the relationship did not work out but I would not trade my marriage for anything.

How about you? What was the smartest thing you ever did?

Happy(?) Groundhog Day

Roger Brown, past District 53 Governor, reminded me that today (Feb.2nd) is Groundhog Day... which, in turn, reminded me of the Bill Murray movie of the same name.

I always thought that Groundhog Day (the movie, not the "holiday") had a great lesson for life and, besides, I'm a big fan of Bill Murray and can't resist the opportunity to use his movies to make a point.

Unrelated line from the movie:
[to the groundhog who he's holding behind the wheel of the truck he's driving... see picture to the right.]
Don't drive angry. Do not drive angry.

Back to the story ...
In the movie, Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) repeats the same day (Groundhog Day) over and over again. He is in some sort of "time loop" and he can remember everything that happened in the previous days (even though no one else can).

Analogy ... or is it a Metaphor?
Have you ever gotten into a rut where you were running the same "loop" over and over again? ... going to work every day, doing the same thing, day in and day out? And then you realized that a month had passed ... or a year ... or more ... without any progress being made toward the things that were really important in your life?

If so, you could be living in your own, personal "Groundhog Day".

What does Phil Connors do to get out of his Groundhog Day?
At first, he gets depressed and figures life is not worth living... especially since he is a "big city person" trapped in small town Punxsutawney, PA.

Phil: I've been stabbed, shot, poisoned, frozen, hung, electrocuted, and burned.
Rita: Oh, really?
Phil: ...and every morning I wake up without a scratch on me, not a dent in the fender... I am an immortal.

Eventually, Phil realizes that he can become involved in the lives of the people around him and find activities that he enjoys.

He catches a boy who falls out of a tree and he helps 3 old ladies who get a flat tire. He talks to nearly every local person and learns what "makes them tick".

Phil: Nancy, she works in a dress shop... and she makes sounds like a chipmunk when she gets really excited.

He takes up the piano and progresses from a lowly beginner to eventually playing in the band featured at the Groundhog Day celebration.

Piano Teacher: Not bad... Mr. Connors, you say this is your first lesson?
Phil: Yes, but my father was a piano *mover*, so...

And he also finds love. (It is a Hollywood movie after all.)

What about you?
On this Groundhog Day, are you going to make a change? Or are you going to continue in your rut?

The one thing that I learned from watching (and re-watching) Groundhog Day is that "Small changes, done often, can accumulate to produce amazing results!"

What will you have to show for your life next month or next year?

What are going to work into your life?

Find the time. Make the time.

It is your life !

Happy Groundhog Day !


[Side Note to District Conference organizers: I wonder if we could get Bill to speak at one of our District conferences? I think he lives in upstate NY.]