Friday, September 26, 2014
Speaking by the Peak - How you can help
Here is a great chance to work on your speaking skills and show off what you are doing while helping the Southern Division and Chris with his HPL project!
Me and my map show up on the video too!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Stomp The Prompt - August Style!
Want to have a fun night, listening to short, funny stories?
Want to learn about speechwriting?
Want to take a chance answering a question in front of a friendly group?
Want to learn more about leadership skill and how you really can handle public speaking?
Want to hang out with the best group of people in the area?
COME JOIN US FOR STOMP THE PROMPT - Saturday 9/16!
Want to learn about speechwriting?
Want to take a chance answering a question in front of a friendly group?
Want to learn more about leadership skill and how you really can handle public speaking?
Want to hang out with the best group of people in the area?
COME JOIN US FOR STOMP THE PROMPT - Saturday 9/16!
Stomp The Prompt!
The local Toastmasters club are hosting a monthly
public speech event where participants will have the chance to attend a
workshop and practice impromptu speaking in a public setting.
Everyone is welcome, so come to participate or just watch.
Doors Open at 6:00pm
Workshop from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Everyone is welcome, so come to participate or just watch.
Doors Open at 6:00pm
Workshop from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Signup at 7:00pm
Impromptu Speech Open Mic from 7:15pm to 9:00pm
Impromptu Speech Open Mic from 7:15pm to 9:00pm
When: August
16, 2014
6pm -
Workshop with Pamela Hertzog
7pm - Impromptu Speech event
Where:
Cottonwood Center for the Arts 427 E. Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs CO 80903 www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com
August’s Workshop: Writing
a Speech of Mythic Proportions – Using screenwriting tools to energize your
storytelling
Why do some stories
captivate our attention, holding us riveted, while others are merely ordinary?
The secret is a storytelling method passed down through the centuries. By
learning a few tips from screenwriting teachers Robert McKee and John Truby,
you’ll make your speech more compelling and memorable.
Check website for more info on upcoming
workshops and Toastmaster Club Meetings you can visit and Join!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Keith Horowitz, DTM
After 3.5 years in Toastmaster, I have achieved the highest level education award today: DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster.
Not the fastest time to DTM, but pretty fast. Some of it was luck. Some of it was great support. A lot of work. However, it is hard to call it work: it was amazing, exciting time. I learned more and did more than I could have imagined. I also learned that I have to be wary of my own limits.
In spite of achieving my DTM, my journey in Toastmasters is hardly over. I will continue, grow and share. I did most of the work in the last 18 months. In fact, I had even done some extra work on additional repeat awards. I had done more than a DTM or work in the last little over 12 months.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and accompanied me and continues on with me on this exciting journey!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Value of Toastmasters Contests
In a couple of weeks, Toastmasters International will be holding their yearly International Convention. One of the key highlights of the convention is the International Speech Contest - where winners from each District compete for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
Judges will chose one person who started the contest at their club level, along with thousands of other contestants who started the contest at their club, mostly in the last 6 months.
However, many Districts are already warming up for the next cycle of contests. My home organization, District 26, holds contests twice a year. In the fall, we have 2 contests that go up to District Level - usually Humorous and Evaluation contest, though every now-and-then they will switch out Humorous for Tall Tales. In the Spring, they hold Table Topics with International Speech Contest. The Table Topic goes up to District level. International, as I mentioned before, goes on to the International Convention.
I was one of those people who was not in a rush to compete in a contest. Yet, I knew I wanted to do more with Toastmasters beyond my club. At first, I helped as a functionary. As VP Education for my club, I decided if I was going to ask my members to take part in the contests, I needed to show them I was willing to step up to be in the contest as well. I was surprised to be selected over another person to represent our club in the Evaluation Contest. I wound up representing at Area and Division.
I was very nervous about being in a contest. But I found it was so much more valuable that I could have imagined! I learned a lot about myself and the Toastmasters process. I learned how much more I still needed to learn in Toastmasters and it gave me a much better focus about what I could gain and give in my club.
I was a very different person between the Area Contest and the Division Contest. By the time I went to the Division level, I found I had a giant boost in my confidence. I still felt the nerves, but I felt much more in control of them, and they didn't distract me or stay with me like they did at Area.
6 months later, I pushed myself to take on the International Speech Contest. Yes, in spite of the greater confidence, I still wasn't sure about being in front of a group of strangers, competing. But I knew with my idea of wanting to help serve in the District, I had a limited window. Again I went on to Area and Division. At Division, I stopped - I had gone over on time. But the strength I gained from the process was amazing and invaluable.
From there, I felt the confidence to take on a higher role in the District: instead of going for Area Governor, I went for Division Governor, and was voted in.
Before the contests, I was one of the people who rarely added much in the officer breakout sessions, and avoided being the person to speak in from of the TLI group. I usually needed 6 weeks between speeches to be able to recharge and work up speeches.
About 9 months after taking part in my first contest, my gauge of personality had swung from being solidly in introversion to being solidly in extroversion. Yes, I still need to recharge now and then, but it is rare. Now, not only am I comfortable speaking up in groups, I look forwards to my next speech, and feel lost if I don't get to do a speech for more than a couple of weeks. Instead of being a person who avoids speaking in front of the group for a TLI, I am a person who wants to speak in front of the group. I am comfortable leading officer break-out sessions and come up with my own educational sessions.
I realized today where my strongest skills lie. People look up to me as a leader. I have done very well as a leader. But I still have some more stills to work on for being a great people leader. My skills are much more about educating and inspiring people. I get the most emotional reward from those aspects.
To my surprise and amazement, I have become a very strong speaker. Anyone who knew me even 10 years ago would have no idea that it was even possible. I took a number of baby steps, at first on my own, then as being a leader in an outdoor hobby, then with Toastmasters. However, the giant steps came when I took part of the Toastmasters contest. They can help cause the biggest growth in the Toastmasters process.
I know it is hard, and scary and emotional. Those are all okay, because the personal value gained by trying yourself with the contest process. Don't wait until you are ready. Do it now to get your value and perspective!
Judges will chose one person who started the contest at their club level, along with thousands of other contestants who started the contest at their club, mostly in the last 6 months.
However, many Districts are already warming up for the next cycle of contests. My home organization, District 26, holds contests twice a year. In the fall, we have 2 contests that go up to District Level - usually Humorous and Evaluation contest, though every now-and-then they will switch out Humorous for Tall Tales. In the Spring, they hold Table Topics with International Speech Contest. The Table Topic goes up to District level. International, as I mentioned before, goes on to the International Convention.
I was one of those people who was not in a rush to compete in a contest. Yet, I knew I wanted to do more with Toastmasters beyond my club. At first, I helped as a functionary. As VP Education for my club, I decided if I was going to ask my members to take part in the contests, I needed to show them I was willing to step up to be in the contest as well. I was surprised to be selected over another person to represent our club in the Evaluation Contest. I wound up representing at Area and Division.
I was very nervous about being in a contest. But I found it was so much more valuable that I could have imagined! I learned a lot about myself and the Toastmasters process. I learned how much more I still needed to learn in Toastmasters and it gave me a much better focus about what I could gain and give in my club.
I was a very different person between the Area Contest and the Division Contest. By the time I went to the Division level, I found I had a giant boost in my confidence. I still felt the nerves, but I felt much more in control of them, and they didn't distract me or stay with me like they did at Area.
6 months later, I pushed myself to take on the International Speech Contest. Yes, in spite of the greater confidence, I still wasn't sure about being in front of a group of strangers, competing. But I knew with my idea of wanting to help serve in the District, I had a limited window. Again I went on to Area and Division. At Division, I stopped - I had gone over on time. But the strength I gained from the process was amazing and invaluable.
From there, I felt the confidence to take on a higher role in the District: instead of going for Area Governor, I went for Division Governor, and was voted in.
Before the contests, I was one of the people who rarely added much in the officer breakout sessions, and avoided being the person to speak in from of the TLI group. I usually needed 6 weeks between speeches to be able to recharge and work up speeches.
About 9 months after taking part in my first contest, my gauge of personality had swung from being solidly in introversion to being solidly in extroversion. Yes, I still need to recharge now and then, but it is rare. Now, not only am I comfortable speaking up in groups, I look forwards to my next speech, and feel lost if I don't get to do a speech for more than a couple of weeks. Instead of being a person who avoids speaking in front of the group for a TLI, I am a person who wants to speak in front of the group. I am comfortable leading officer break-out sessions and come up with my own educational sessions.
I realized today where my strongest skills lie. People look up to me as a leader. I have done very well as a leader. But I still have some more stills to work on for being a great people leader. My skills are much more about educating and inspiring people. I get the most emotional reward from those aspects.
To my surprise and amazement, I have become a very strong speaker. Anyone who knew me even 10 years ago would have no idea that it was even possible. I took a number of baby steps, at first on my own, then as being a leader in an outdoor hobby, then with Toastmasters. However, the giant steps came when I took part of the Toastmasters contest. They can help cause the biggest growth in the Toastmasters process.
I know it is hard, and scary and emotional. Those are all okay, because the personal value gained by trying yourself with the contest process. Don't wait until you are ready. Do it now to get your value and perspective!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Future Synergy Ideas - Breaking Records
Speech Marathons - 26 speeches in a row, broken only by a table topic or an evaluation. This might be a great way to get people to stop by and ask questions in a public space - and a great way to get a little media attention.
I'm game to try doing this - I have the documentation from at least 30 of my speeches, and would be comfortable repeating each one with just a short review.
Break a listed record:
357 Speeches in 80 hours
Greatest range of ages at a TM meeting; Most Toasts in 5 minutes; Most Table Topics answer at the same time (20)
Guinness world record for public speaking: 21 speeches in 24 hours
I'm game to try doing this - I have the documentation from at least 30 of my speeches, and would be comfortable repeating each one with just a short review.
Break a listed record:
357 Speeches in 80 hours
Greatest range of ages at a TM meeting; Most Toasts in 5 minutes; Most Table Topics answer at the same time (20)
Guinness world record for public speaking: 21 speeches in 24 hours
Monday, June 9, 2014
June 2014 Happenings Southern Divsion D26
Please note correction to typo for Sunday East Library Meeting: Date is 6/29
Advanced Club ~ S-Peak Leaders
Thur 6/12 6:30pm-8:30pm
Rockrimmon Library 832 Village Center Drive
Contact us now to get in on Charter discount!
-+-
Sun 6/29 3:15pm-4:45pm
East Library
832 Village Center Drive
-+-
Thur 7/10 6:30pm-8:30pm
Rockrimmon Library
832 Village Center Drive
-=-
Stomp the Prompt & Career Workshop
Sat 6/21 7:00pm
Cottonwood Center For the Arts
427 E Colorado Ave
Show your Table Topic Skills!
-=-
Sky Sox ~ Toastmasters
$2 Tue 7/1 7:00pm
Security Service Field
4385 Tutt Blvd
RSVP early or purchase your own tickets
$2 Tuesdays sell out quick!
-=-
Remember to select the future radio button when submitting next term’s officers!
You should be adding to a blank slate, not replacing names!
-=-
Revitalized Education Program Update:
Roll-out expected no earlier than next July.
Beta testing may begin as early as May or June.
Existing members are expected to have 24 months to select when to convert to new system.
Some educational videos are expected to be chosen from member sources.
Advanced Club ~ S-Peak Leaders
Thur 6/12 6:30pm-8:30pm
Rockrimmon Library 832 Village Center Drive
Contact us now to get in on Charter discount!
-+-
Sun 6/29 3:15pm-4:45pm
East Library
832 Village Center Drive
-+-
Thur 7/10 6:30pm-8:30pm
Rockrimmon Library
832 Village Center Drive
-=-
Stomp the Prompt & Career Workshop
Sat 6/21 7:00pm
Cottonwood Center For the Arts
427 E Colorado Ave
Show your Table Topic Skills!
-=-
Sky Sox ~ Toastmasters
$2 Tue 7/1 7:00pm
Security Service Field
4385 Tutt Blvd
RSVP early or purchase your own tickets
$2 Tuesdays sell out quick!
-=-
Remember to select the future radio button when submitting next term’s officers!
You should be adding to a blank slate, not replacing names!
-=-
Revitalized Education Program Update:
Roll-out expected no earlier than next July.
Beta testing may begin as early as May or June.
Existing members are expected to have 24 months to select when to convert to new system.
Some educational videos are expected to be chosen from member sources.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Tiebreaker Counts!
For Toastmasters contests, the tiebreaker ballot is more important than you may know!
It is also important to correctly score all contestants.
In the example above, you have a tie for first place. You would open the tiebreaker ballot, and use it to break the tie for first place between Speaker #3 and Speaker #5 (14 points each).
Do not apply the tiebreaker ballot to uncontested placements. You would NOT use the tiebreaker counts to Speaker #1 and Speaker #2 - their placement as 3rd and 4th are already calculated, and adding tiebreaker counts would only confuse the scoring, and not be correct.
However, you are not done yet! There is still a tie for 6th and 7th place (zero points each)!
Yes, to correctly report the standing for ALL contestants, you also need to break the tie between Speaker #4 and Speaker #6. They may not have gotten a placing from any of the regular judges, however, that does not disqualify them from placing in the contest!
All contestants that were not disqualified for other reasons should and must be reported to the next level!
For example, let's say that Speakers #1, #2, #3, #5 and #7 were all in a lottery pool together: they won, and all decided to go to Hawaii instead of going to the next level contest.
Who is the valid person to be allowed to compete in their stead: Speaker #4 or #6?
That is why you need the tiebreaker ballot to be counted for ALL contestants.
This information is entered on form 1182 - Notification of Contest Winner - as completed by the Chief Judge.
It is also important to correctly score all contestants.
Do not apply the tiebreaker ballot to uncontested placements. You would NOT use the tiebreaker counts to Speaker #1 and Speaker #2 - their placement as 3rd and 4th are already calculated, and adding tiebreaker counts would only confuse the scoring, and not be correct.
However, you are not done yet! There is still a tie for 6th and 7th place (zero points each)!
Yes, to correctly report the standing for ALL contestants, you also need to break the tie between Speaker #4 and Speaker #6. They may not have gotten a placing from any of the regular judges, however, that does not disqualify them from placing in the contest!
All contestants that were not disqualified for other reasons should and must be reported to the next level!
For example, let's say that Speakers #1, #2, #3, #5 and #7 were all in a lottery pool together: they won, and all decided to go to Hawaii instead of going to the next level contest.
Who is the valid person to be allowed to compete in their stead: Speaker #4 or #6?
That is why you need the tiebreaker ballot to be counted for ALL contestants.
This information is entered on form 1182 - Notification of Contest Winner - as completed by the Chief Judge.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Advanced Club Initial Business Meeting
The Colorado Springs new forming advance club will be having the initial business meeting this Thursday.
Thur 5/8, 7pm at the Golden Corral, at Woodmen near Powers. It would be nice if you planned to eat, but it is not required at this time.
If you have completed your CC or CL, and are interested in working more on what Toastmasters can give you, check out our plans for the new club in town!
The name of the club is to be "S-Peak Leaders". The club is going to have a leadership focus. However, that doesn't mean you have to be a people leader or want to be a manager. You just have to be interested in the topics that makes us leaders in all facets - from parents, to deciding key tasks on projects you do, to leading in Toastmasters Clubs and beyond - to people leading and perhaps leading companies.
There are many techniques that are the focus of leadership programs, such as Emotional Intelligence, Time Organization, Professional Communication, and Coaching to name a few. All of these can be useful in our everyday lives both in and out of work.
We can also work on skills and presentations related to achieving DTM, and focus on activities that lead us to speaking beyond Toastmasters.
While the club will have a leadership theme, expect this to be a club where you can do longer presentations, and get a deeper evaluation.
We will be filling out charter membership forms, determining officer roles and discussing details for the meetings and membership. If we can get 20 members to sign up right away, I'll arrange a discount for charter members of the club. I expect we will be properly chartered by June 1st.
Thur 5/8, 7pm at the Golden Corral, at Woodmen near Powers. It would be nice if you planned to eat, but it is not required at this time.
If you have completed your CC or CL, and are interested in working more on what Toastmasters can give you, check out our plans for the new club in town!
The name of the club is to be "S-Peak Leaders". The club is going to have a leadership focus. However, that doesn't mean you have to be a people leader or want to be a manager. You just have to be interested in the topics that makes us leaders in all facets - from parents, to deciding key tasks on projects you do, to leading in Toastmasters Clubs and beyond - to people leading and perhaps leading companies.
There are many techniques that are the focus of leadership programs, such as Emotional Intelligence, Time Organization, Professional Communication, and Coaching to name a few. All of these can be useful in our everyday lives both in and out of work.
We can also work on skills and presentations related to achieving DTM, and focus on activities that lead us to speaking beyond Toastmasters.
While the club will have a leadership theme, expect this to be a club where you can do longer presentations, and get a deeper evaluation.
We will be filling out charter membership forms, determining officer roles and discussing details for the meetings and membership. If we can get 20 members to sign up right away, I'll arrange a discount for charter members of the club. I expect we will be properly chartered by June 1st.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Southern Division Contest April 12th 1pm
Come join us to see the contests!
6 Table Topic Contestants - and 6 International Speech Contestants!
1pm at the PPLD East Library
6 Table Topic Contestants - and 6 International Speech Contestants!
1pm at the PPLD East Library
D26 Southern Division Synergy Meeting
Calling Club Officers and interested members of Toastmasters clubs of the Pikes Peak Region!
Join us to talk about what we can do together to make Toastmasters better!
By working together, we can help each other get the word out - create more interesting activities, share ideas, ask questions and network!
Please let me know if you have any topic to share.
Bonnie-Ann will be sharing her idea for an Ignite-type activity for Toastmasters!
Thanks to Bonnie Ann for helping getting this going!
Find the meeting on Meetup
Join us to talk about what we can do together to make Toastmasters better!
By working together, we can help each other get the word out - create more interesting activities, share ideas, ask questions and network!
Please let me know if you have any topic to share.
Bonnie-Ann will be sharing her idea for an Ignite-type activity for Toastmasters!
Thanks to Bonnie Ann for helping getting this going!
Find the meeting on Meetup
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Unofficial Golden Rule for Toastmasters
When it comes to Toastmasters, especially with contest, I just read a very valuable thought:
An unofficial golden rule of Toastmasters: "If there is no rule prohibiting the thing you want to do and it is in the best interest of the member, club or district - and is fair to all that are involved, then it should be done."
An unofficial golden rule of Toastmasters: "If there is no rule prohibiting the thing you want to do and it is in the best interest of the member, club or district - and is fair to all that are involved, then it should be done."
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
S5 Contest & S1-3-4 Contest Time Change
If you plan to attend either contest, please note the times have been moved up a little in both cases.
Thursday 3/20 - 6:20 briefings - 6:40 contest start
Sunday 3/23 - 12:45 briefings - 1:00 contest start
Check-in and briefings will start OUTSIDE the library - look for Canopy, table & chairs.
Saturday 3/22 2:00pm - S6 contest in Pueblo, same time. Please let us know if you come down to help!
Thursday 3/20 - 6:20 briefings - 6:40 contest start
Sunday 3/23 - 12:45 briefings - 1:00 contest start
Check-in and briefings will start OUTSIDE the library - look for Canopy, table & chairs.
Saturday 3/22 2:00pm - S6 contest in Pueblo, same time. Please let us know if you come down to help!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Additonal Competent Communicator
Have you completed your first CC?
Do you find opportunities to speak for Toastmasters that do not always match an Advanced Manual project?
Perhaps you find yourself as the backup speaker, needing to do a pocket speech.
Perhaps you decided to do an extra CC this year to help your club with its' distinguished goals, even though it may slow down your next Advanced Communicator award just a little.
Perhaps your find yourself in district leadership, and it makes sense to be working on multiple levels at the same time.
I found myself with all of the above in the last [Toastmasters] year.
However, does it seem crazy to have to get a whole other book to complete subsequent CC awards? Toastmasters must think so too! They have a hidden Gem out in their shop. It is called:
Competent Communicator Evaluator Guides #228
This mini-manual has just the evaluation pages from the CC manual. No cover. No objectives, so you still need your prior manual along. But it is only $1.50 as compared to $8.00 (or $7.00 in multi-packs).
For those who thought they could get by with copying the manual evaluation pages (a copyright violation, and cheating Toastmasters International), this gives you exactly what you needed to continue to work on and reinforce your basic skills while helping your home club, in a more efficient package!
Do you find opportunities to speak for Toastmasters that do not always match an Advanced Manual project?
Perhaps you find yourself as the backup speaker, needing to do a pocket speech.
Perhaps you decided to do an extra CC this year to help your club with its' distinguished goals, even though it may slow down your next Advanced Communicator award just a little.
Perhaps your find yourself in district leadership, and it makes sense to be working on multiple levels at the same time.
I found myself with all of the above in the last [Toastmasters] year.
However, does it seem crazy to have to get a whole other book to complete subsequent CC awards? Toastmasters must think so too! They have a hidden Gem out in their shop. It is called:
Competent Communicator Evaluator Guides #228
This mini-manual has just the evaluation pages from the CC manual. No cover. No objectives, so you still need your prior manual along. But it is only $1.50 as compared to $8.00 (or $7.00 in multi-packs).
For those who thought they could get by with copying the manual evaluation pages (a copyright violation, and cheating Toastmasters International), this gives you exactly what you needed to continue to work on and reinforce your basic skills while helping your home club, in a more efficient package!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Southern Division Advanced Club - is forming!
Focus: we are planning to focus on leadership topics featuring expanded speeches, presentations and workshops
Meeting: twice-a-month: you will help us determine dates/times: Thur PM, Fri PM, Sat, Sun PM -
look for a survey soon!
We are also scouting for location(s) for the meeting. Please let me know your thoughts!
Meeting: twice-a-month: you will help us determine dates/times: Thur PM, Fri PM, Sat, Sun PM -
look for a survey soon!
We are also scouting for location(s) for the meeting. Please let me know your thoughts!
Southern Division Meetup Group
Toastmasters District 26 Southern Division Meetup Group
We need EVERY club in the Southern Division to list their club meetings on the web site!
I need VP/PR and a backup from each club to become a meeting organizer on the meetup group. Please join the meetup group and let me know your role!
We need EVERY club in the Southern Division to list their club meetings on the web site!
I need VP/PR and a backup from each club to become a meeting organizer on the meetup group. Please join the meetup group and let me know your role!
Southern Divsion Area Contests
We need your help!
I appologize if you have already heard some of this and responded to others. However, we still need more help!
Contests only work when we have enough volunteers - especially Judges! There are still a number of roles to fill at our contests!
If you have completed 6 or more speeches in your CC manual - you can train online to become a judge!
Judges Training Online: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Judges - please sign up to help with a different Area than your home club!
Contestants - please make sure your Area Contest Chair is aware of your participation as soon as possible!
Make sure that you are prepared with your paperwork electronically or with you before the Area contest!
1183 Speaker Certification & 1189 Contestant Profile - Club Contest Chair / Nominating Chair - Please send 1182 Notification of Winners
3/15 Sat - S2 Contest - 8:00am – 11:30am
Firestation #20, 6755 Rangewood Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Needs Ballot Counters and Timers
3/20 Thur - S5 Contest 6pm – 9pm
Ruth Holly Library, 685 Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Needs: roles filled
3/22 Sat - S6 Contest - 2pm – 5pm
Rawlings Library, East Abriendo Avenue, Pueblo, CO Library Phone:(719) 562-5600
Needs: roles filled
3/23 Sun - S1-S3-S4 Contest - 1pm – 5pm
East Library Community Room, 5550 N. Union, Colorado Spring, CO
Needs: roles filled
4/12 Sat - Southern Division Contest - 1:45pm – 5:00pm
PPLD East Library, 5550 N Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Save the date - we will need to fill roles as soon as the Area Contests are completed.
Which leads to:
5/16-5/17 Fri-Sat District 26 Conference
5/17 Sat - District Contest - Table Topics AM, International Speech PM
Conference Flyer
I appologize if you have already heard some of this and responded to others. However, we still need more help!
Contests only work when we have enough volunteers - especially Judges! There are still a number of roles to fill at our contests!
If you have completed 6 or more speeches in your CC manual - you can train online to become a judge!
Judges Training Online: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Judges - please sign up to help with a different Area than your home club!
Contestants - please make sure your Area Contest Chair is aware of your participation as soon as possible!
Make sure that you are prepared with your paperwork electronically or with you before the Area contest!
1183 Speaker Certification & 1189 Contestant Profile - Club Contest Chair / Nominating Chair - Please send 1182 Notification of Winners
3/15 Sat - S2 Contest - 8:00am – 11:30am
Firestation #20, 6755 Rangewood Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Needs Ballot Counters and Timers
3/20 Thur - S5 Contest 6pm – 9pm
Ruth Holly Library, 685 Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Needs: roles filled
3/22 Sat - S6 Contest - 2pm – 5pm
Rawlings Library, East Abriendo Avenue, Pueblo, CO Library Phone:(719) 562-5600
Needs: roles filled
3/23 Sun - S1-S3-S4 Contest - 1pm – 5pm
East Library Community Room, 5550 N. Union, Colorado Spring, CO
Needs: roles filled
4/12 Sat - Southern Division Contest - 1:45pm – 5:00pm
PPLD East Library, 5550 N Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Save the date - we will need to fill roles as soon as the Area Contests are completed.
Which leads to:
5/16-5/17 Fri-Sat District 26 Conference
5/17 Sat - District Contest - Table Topics AM, International Speech PM
Conference Flyer
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
A Toastmaster of Many Hats
It is said that Toastmasters wear many hats.
Part of that is the whole education process of Toastmasters.
You learn by doing different roles.
You start off easy, perhaps doing the timer role.
Eventually you will work a more challenging role at a meeting, such as speaking, evaluating or even running the meeting as a Toastmaster.
In a well-run, and well-attended meeting, it is the goal to normally have only one of the roles.
In fact, to properly learn and give proper focus to a role, it is best to be able to concentrate on the one role. It can even be a challenge sometimes to give yourself completely to a role when you are taken in by the speaker's topic.
There are many times I've heard a person say they missed the time marks or didn't count crutch words, or didn't hear the word-of-the-day because they were so interested by the speech. I've even fallen into that a few times. This is expected at times, and can be a positive comment on the speech.
It does become easier to focus on specific responsibilities of a role, the more time you are in Toastmasters.
Just recently, I had to tell an eager, newer Toastmaster that they should not try to take on both Table Topics Master role and Evaluator role in the same meeting. I explained that most people want at least some of the time during Table Topics to review what they plan to say during their evaluation.
This can be an obvious way to show changing between activities during the meeting, and can even help visually demonstrating a transition.
I realized today, that while it is most valuable for the Toastmasters program for members to focus on a single role when possible, there is another way to look at this.
The Toastmasters meeting roles are designed to help us be more professional presenters and leaders. This suggests the Toastmasters process as an implied training for business meetings and professional presentation.
However, in many cases, the person leading the meeting is not just there to lead the meeting. They often have a number of responsibilities and involvements related to a meeting they are running.
Yet, we would not expect a person in a business meeting to keep changing their modes of presentation.
For example, we would not expect them to say, "As Chair, I can not agree,"; then turn slightly and say "As project liaison, I have to say this needs complete agreement".
You learn by doing different roles.
You start off easy, perhaps doing the timer role.
Eventually you will work a more challenging role at a meeting, such as speaking, evaluating or even running the meeting as a Toastmaster.
In a well-run, and well-attended meeting, it is the goal to normally have only one of the roles.
In fact, to properly learn and give proper focus to a role, it is best to be able to concentrate on the one role. It can even be a challenge sometimes to give yourself completely to a role when you are taken in by the speaker's topic.
There are many times I've heard a person say they missed the time marks or didn't count crutch words, or didn't hear the word-of-the-day because they were so interested by the speech. I've even fallen into that a few times. This is expected at times, and can be a positive comment on the speech.
It does become easier to focus on specific responsibilities of a role, the more time you are in Toastmasters.
Just recently, I had to tell an eager, newer Toastmaster that they should not try to take on both Table Topics Master role and Evaluator role in the same meeting. I explained that most people want at least some of the time during Table Topics to review what they plan to say during their evaluation.
On occasions where a member finds themselves with multiple roles, I have seen many cases where the person switches out figuratively or even physically changes something to indicate taking on a different role in the same meeting. I have even done this a few times, where I shift left to right as if I am talking to a second person, or try to show shaking hands with myself.
At one club, I've had to handle 3 or more roles during a single meeting. Some might call it the 'Keith Show'. While I like and am willing to handle multiple roles, I know that other members will get more value by having a variety of members take part. I will only do this when nobody else steps up after multiple chances and attempts to get others to take on roles.
To me, it is more important to try to fill as many of the activities of a Toastmasters meeting, than cutting the meeting content down. If that means I have to do more, I will be glad to help out.
I realized today, that while it is most valuable for the Toastmasters program for members to focus on a single role when possible, there is another way to look at this.
The Toastmasters meeting roles are designed to help us be more professional presenters and leaders. This suggests the Toastmasters process as an implied training for business meetings and professional presentation.
However, in many cases, the person leading the meeting is not just there to lead the meeting. They often have a number of responsibilities and involvements related to a meeting they are running.
Yet, we would not expect a person in a business meeting to keep changing their modes of presentation.
For example, we would not expect them to say, "As Chair, I can not agree,"; then turn slightly and say "As project liaison, I have to say this needs complete agreement".
Two thoughts to take away from this:
1) At what point is a Toastmaster experienced enough that not only can they take on more than one role, but to properly exercise good dynamic leadership qualities, they should have to take on multiple roles in a meeting?
Of course, this often goes hand-in-hand with being a top officer of a club, which can be by definition, be the point at which one is ready to take on more.
2) Where in the balance between: making a Toastmasters meeting fun, by over-acting the switching between multiple roles; and pointing out that in a professional setting, you probably would not, and maybe should not, make a show of switching roles (unless there is a professional reason to indicate a separation of roles).
To me, I would think that a General Evaluator should point out cases like this as a good way to have fun, but to remind multiple-role-participants to keep in mind a more profession approach to handling multiple roles when they are outside of Toastmasters.
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