Benefits of participating in speech contests

Is it a test? Or is it play? Have some fun on contest day!

You can enjoy speech contests 

When Nahid was asked to compete in her club’s humorous speech contest, she was mortified. “I – I’m not funny!” she exclaimed. Indeed, her manual speeches had been heartfelt and serious discussions on the meaning of life. But her fellow club members insisted that she was funnier than she realized. She decided to take up the challenge and try the contest. Much to her amazement, Nahid learned that she is more than funny – she’s hilarious. She won the club contest and found herself looking forward to the area level competition with a new sense of excitement and pleasure. Her fear of “funny failure” had been banished.

Now, when someone asks Nahid what she wants to do with her life, she responds without hesitation, “I want to be a comedian.” And she admits she owes it all to a speech contest, because it made her try something outside her comfort zone.

Speech contests present many opportunities. Those who benefit in the most obvious way are the competitors. Being a contender gives you a chance to try a new style or type of speech. The result can be amazing, as in Nahid’s case. And even if you stay with a topic that you've given before, you know you’ll have to take it to the next level in order to compete. This is a terrific way to confirm your skills.

Garry thought his evaluations were solid, but he wasn't completely sure until he won an evaluation contest. He had worked hard to make his evaluation skills shine, and the results of the contest confirmed his belief in himself.

On the other hand, it’s not always about winning. Evan was able to learn from watching expert speakers competing at higher and higher levels. He picked up several tips and tricks for performing that improved his own speeches and work-related presentations.

The best news is, speech contests benefit everyone who takes part. There are many roles to try, all offering some sort of leadership experience. You can improve skills such as organization, teamwork, written and verbal communication, and event coordination.

Of course, a lot of people are merely looking for an enjoyable way to use their Toastmasters skills. And while volunteering as a timer, counter, sergeant at arms, contest chair, or other role affords Toastmasters the opportunity for growth, adventure and a sense of team membership –you must remember that it’s also just plain fun.

And though you might not think it possible right now, there may come a time when you find yourself volunteering for the role of speech contest judge. Don’t be afraid to try it. Experienced speakers can learn so much by participating as speech contest judges. The judging criteria for great speeches is printed on the back of every Judge’s Guide and Ballot. It’s like having your own personal cheat sheet for making a good speech great. And the more experience you gain in using these criteria to judge the participants’ speeches, the better your own speeches will become.

That’s the great thing about Toastmasters speech contests. The more you put into them, the more you take away.

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Don't miss club meetings during the holidays!!

Keeping the Holidays Happy

You need your meetings more than ever!

It’s a few weeks before the end of the year and you’re falling behind in preparations. Your boss needs that year-end report, your kids need costumes for the school play, and your mother needs you to arrange her travel for the holidays.You need a 30-hour day! Some Toastmasters members try to reduce their holiday hassles by missing club meetings during these busy weeks. That’s the last thing they should do!

Remedy for the Holiday Rush 
Spending time with fellow Toastmasters is an ideal antidote to holiday pressures. As a club leader, it’s your job to remind members of the stress-busting benefits of attendance. Get the word out by email, phone call, postcard or a posting on your club’s website. By keeping up with their meetings, they’ll have the chance to:

• See friends
• Share some fun and laughs
• Discover more about their fellow members’ expertise
• Enjoy well-earned time for self-improvement
• Escape the demanding world for a while

Their schedules may be telling them that they don’t have time – but for their own health and well-being – be sure to recommend that your club members attend every meeting.

Reaping the Benefits If you happen to be a club member who steadfastly attends meetings throughout the season, pat yourself on the back. Not only have you been helping yourself, you’ve been helping your fellow Toastmasters to continue their pace of steady improvement while enjoying all the benefits listed above.

Missing In Action 
Perhaps you’re missing some of your friends from your club. They've skipped meetings and maybe sent you an email stating that they’d be back after the holiday season. What can you do? Remind them of all that you’re getting for attending this season. Send your friends an email and share the list of benefits.

More ideas 
You might schedule some holiday-themed meetings, with special treats and surprise guests. Wouldn't it be fun to get together with some former members from years gone by? Send out the invitations and prepare yourself for a wonderful reunion with your Toastmasters friends.

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Toastmaster will help you get through unemployment

Help in Hard Times

How Toastmasters training can see you through

There’s no doubt that many Toastmasters are facing challenging times. With corporate cutbacks, Wall Street woes and other worldwide financial difficulties, we’re all feeling the stress of the day. If you find yourself squeezed by some belt-tightening tactics, it’s tempting to retreat from long-term goals and instead focus on short-term survival strategies.

That may be a mistake.

Maintaining your progress toward a goal by setting a course that includes daily, weekly and monthly objectives can help you navigate your way through the troubled waters of today and prepare you for better times ahead. What better place to do this than at your regular Toastmasters meetings?

He got through it
Consider the example of Tom Oh, of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Tom works for an interactive marketing media company in the nearby town of Irvine. Before he landed this job, he spent what he describes as “seven long months” unemployed and job hunting. It was the longest period of time Tom had ever been out of work, and rather than panic, he chose a path that set him in the direction of reconnecting with his career and his future. He decided to use part of the time constructively by joining a Toastmasters club and improving his job skills.

Tom says two things became apparent when he was out of work: First, he needed to hone his public speaking skills. Second, he had no excuse to delay it any longer. This was a job skill he knew he would eventually need again and now his time was finally free to work on it. “No excuses!” says Tom with a laugh.

Encouraged by a Toastmasters friend, Tom attended a meeting in July and was hooked. He attended only five meetings before finding a new job – but in that time he pushed himself to give two speeches.

Tom especially wanted to improve his skills in speech writing and preparation. So he made the most of the Competent Communication manual’s features allowing members to focus on certain aspects. For him, it meant working through the Ice Breaker and then the project on organization. He enjoyed putting together a speech, following instructions on how to improve its organization. Re-evaluating his work and writing a more-focused speech – even before presenting it to the club – gave Tom extra confidence in his skills.

The meetings offered Tom emotional benefits as well. During a stressful time in his life, his club activities allowed him to escape to a place of camaraderie and support. Getting to know his fellow Toastmasters through their speeches made networking fun and easy. He relished the opportunity to network with all kinds of people. Tom says, “I met people working in different industries and enjoyed the opportunity to meet a diversified group.”

And the speeches – even those that were not work-related – really affected him. “People shared about their personal lives,” he says, “with wonderful quality and content to their speeches.” He learned that these personal perspectives make speeches more compelling and engaging. “They were passionate about their subject matter. It worked for the speakers and us, the audience.”  He soon discovered the lessons learned in the club improved his job-related speaking, as well.

To his own amazement, Tom had fun and learned a lot during his seven-month break from a job. And while he says it was uncomfortable to be job hunting in a difficult economy, he looks back at his experiences in Toastmasters with fondness. His new job doesn't allow the time to attend the morning meetings of his old club. But he wonders about finishing those other eight projects in the Competent Communication manual. Who knows? Maybe he’ll start a corporate club in his new company!

She’s getting through it
Another example is Paula Harris, a “local market sales manager” with Avis Budget Group before she was laid off along with a thousand other employees in a cost-cutting measure last September. Paula joined Toastmasters a few weeks later with a plan to become more confident and an effective speaker. “I did have to do some public speaking at my last job and want to feel more comfortable and confident when I am speaking in front of others.”

Paula hopes to soon land another job in marketing or account management and is preparing herself for the position by attending club meetings. “I want to increase my self-confidence and leadership skills and feel comfortable speaking in front of an audience,” she says.

Though Paula’s journey is just beginning, she appears positive and confident when speaking in her new club. Recently, she gave her Ice Breaker speech and stood in front of the lectern, presenting her story without the use of notes. She performed well and received a round of well-deserved applause at the end. Beaming, she returned to her seat and was all smiles for the rest of the meeting. Though Paula hasn't yet taken advantage of any networking opportunities, she does see the benefit of being in the group. She says, “Everyone is so friendly and supportive that I believe this is a group I can learn from.”

With that kind of attitude, Paula will no doubt make it through this trying time and move up to the next step in her career. And with the support of her friends in Toastmasters, she will definitely be smiling when she gets there.

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Benefits of Toastmasters paid membership

Why We Avoid the Dues Blues

Imagine that you're competing in the International Speech Contest. You've emailed your speech to friends and mentors for comments. You've practiced for weeks in front of your club, spouse and goldfish. Everyone’s rooting for you to win.

But it’s not easy. First, one competitor’s speech about his mother leaves no dry eye in the house, and you're sure he’s going to win. Then another club member makes everyone laugh, and you're sure she’s going to win.

Finally, after many anxious moments...the winner is announced.

It’s you! Your club is thrilled to send you to the next level.

A few weeks later – after much more practice and polishing – you step onto a larger stage and approach the lectern. The contest chairman starts to announce your speech – but a booming voice from the audience interrupts her. Marching down the aisle with arms waving, a competitor bellows, “THIS SPEAKER IS INELIGIBLE!” In the coming moments, you learn that your club has not kept up all its dues payments to World Headquarters. As a result, you’re disqualified from competing. You go home in shame, ruin and defeat.

Don’t let this happen to you!

The truth is, members who pay their dues on time and who belong to clubs in good standing enjoy a variety of benefits. Contest participation is only part of the package.

The Many Benefits of Paid Membership

• Educational Development. All new members receive the Competent Communication and Leadership manuals. The backbone of the Toastmasters program, these practical manuals have brought many nervous speakers into their own as confident, competent speakers and leaders. Plus, members receive three guidebooks: Your Speaking Voice, Gestures: Your Body Speaks and Effective Evaluation. These booklets guide speakers in developing the skills they need to communicate gracefully and feel at home in their Toastmasters meetings.
• Leadership Experience. For those who wish to pursue leadership training, opportunities abound at the club level and beyond. Leadership positions offer members great training at the area, division and district levels...and even higher. In Toastmasters, options are often limited to your dreams and your willingness to work hard in pursuit of them.
• Support the Club. It’s always a good feeling to know that you’re supporting your club. After all, these are the people who supported you when you first stood at the lectern with your knees knocking. By keeping up your dues, you’re helping your club to maintain its status (or work toward the goal) of being a Distinguished Club. It’s important to note that Distinguished Clubs offer the best possible learning environments for their members. Trisha Bridenstine, president of Rancho Speech Masters in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, agrees. “Working toward being a Distinguished Club not only stimulates personal growth and pride but bonds the club by providing a common goal,” she says. “This distinction is also a magnet for new membership, inspiring the club with new ideas, experiences and creative opportunity.”
• The Toastmaster Magazine. Toastmasters around the world look forward, each month, to the arrival of the Toastmaster magazine. Speaking tips, techniques, stories and a sense of community...they all come together in its pages. Included in your membership is a subscription to this helpful and informative magazine.
• Member Pricing on Toastmasters Products. Diana Ewing, president of UniMasters club in Lake Forest, California, enjoys the discounts at Toastmasters.org/shop. “The TI store is an added benefit for both individuals and clubs because it offers members access to – and preferred pricing for – a host of wonderful educational and training materials,” notes Ewing. “Also available are ribbons, pins, certificates and many other items that we use to recognize member achievements and encourage people to strive for even greater success.”

Don’t forget the contests. The rewards of competition, and in particular, the International Speech Contest, can be fabulous: learning opportunities, recognition, adventure, fun and a trip to the International Convention to be crowned the World Champion of Public Speaking.

But if it’s worth doing – it’s worth doing right. The Toastmasters Speech Contest Rulebook states that each contestant must “Be a member in good standing of the club in which he or she is competing. The club also must be in good standing. A new, dual, or reinstated member must have dues and membership application current with World Headquarters.” Colin William, top-ten finalist for the 2008 World Championship of Public Speaking, says, “It's always been reassuring to me when I compete to know that my clubs have had responsible treasurers whom I can trust to submit the dues on time.” Remember: To be eligible to compete in any contest, the speaker must be a member in good standing in a club in good standing. Have you spoken to your club treasurer about paying the club’s dues on time?

When you add them up, you may be surprised at all the benefits coming your way. So take a moment and imagine a new scene:

You’re competing in the International Speech Contest...and you win!

After confirming your paid dues, there’s only one thing left to do: Start practicing – that contest is just around the corner.

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Working together equals success!!

Teamwork

A key to success

When you hear the word, “teamwork,” what comes to mind? Do you see a positive image of everyone collaborating and working together? Or maybe you remember a not-so-positive experience when a team project fell on your shoulders because you were the only one who cared if it succeeded? Whatever the case may be, teamwork can be beneficial to all involved, especially if every “team player” respects the other players’ roles. Whether you are the project owner, contributor, collaborator or assistant – as a player, you’re an integral part of the puzzle.

American industrialist, Henry Ford, said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

Whether constructing the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal or the Golden Gate Bridge, history proves the importance of working together. Now, whether it’s running a presidential campaign, keeping a business afloat, or building and maintaining a thriving Toastmasters club – teamwork is still the key component for success.

Benefits of Teamwork 
You’ll find many benefits to joining a team. Your team might create a thriving home, community or professional environment. Or they might build a flourishing Toastmasters group. These advantages include:

• Families can take pleasure in a harmonious environment by working together to complete daunting tasks such as housework and chores.
• Community fundraisers or programs flourish when they capitalize on everyone’s individual strengths, knowledge, personal contacts and individual contributions.
• Professional teams thrive by collaborating on assignments, contributing ideas and using the “divide and conquer” strategy to finish large projects.
• In Toastmasters, new club officers enjoy a smooth transition into office when they can work with their predecessors as a team to ensure all duties are covered, questions are answered and best practices are maintained.

In so many ways, a team mentality will enhance your personal and professional life, as well as make your goals and projects more fulfilling and successful. Most importantly, team members enjoy:

• Making the most of individual strengths
• Producing diverse ideas
• Reaping the benefits of collaborative decision-making
• Encouraging involvement
• Improving workload distribution

Sometimes a little extra effort is required to enjoy all these benefits. Is your team experiencing issues with conflict? There are a few ways that personalities might clash in a team, but experienced leaders know how to correct such situations and steer a new course for success. You can Turn Team Conflict into Team Harmony.

Incorporate Teamwork into Your Environment Here are some items from Toastmasters International to aid in your team efforts:

• Competent Leadership
• Working in the Team Environment
• The Leadership Excellence Series Set

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Learn about other cultures through the Toastmasters experience

Visiting Clubs in Other Countries

Toastmaster Travels 

When Kim Allen took a vacation to China earlier this year, one of the things on her “to do” list was visiting a Toastmasters club. She found one in Beijing – and wasn't disappointed. Allen, a Toastmaster from San Diego, California, was surprised and delighted by many things at the club meeting; for one, all of the 20-plus members delivered their speeches in English – and delivered them beautifully. A few were novice English speakers who struggled at times, but they stayed positive and persevered, she says.

Allen was not only impressed with the quality of the presentations but was touched by the warm and enthusiastic welcome given her by Angela Han, president of the club – which is called, appropriately enough, the Global Communicators.

“It was a wonderful experience!” says Allen, who was also very excited to tell her hometown club – the Great Communicators in San Diego -- about the meeting.

Her cross-cultural connection is typical of the bonds forged when members visit clubs in other countries. And the great thing about Toastmasters is its global reach: Pretty much wherever you travel, there’s likely to be a club somewhere in the vicinity. After all, there are now Toastmasters clubs in 122 countries.

If you make a Toastmasters stop part of your vacation itinerary, it’s bound to be a rewarding experience, say members who have done just that. In a sense, members around the world speak a universal language – the vocabulary of Toastmasters. When you visit a club abroad, you celebrate that spirit of international fellowship.

Jay Davidson knows that feeling well. The retired elementary school teacher from San Francisco, California, has done a great deal of traveling over the years, making forays to Australia, New Zealand, England, Egypt, Africa, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. And almost everywhere he goes, he seeks out local Toastmasters groups.

“It seems like a good connection for common ground,” says Davidson. “It’s a good way to meet people who have similar interests.”

Yet what’s also enriching about such excursions is observing the differences among Toastmasters. Visits to clubs in other countries, say members, allow you to learn about other cultures through the Toastmasters experience.

“Most clubs reflect whatever society they’re in,” notes Davidson, a member of the Rainbow Toastmasters in San Francisco.

A Toastmaster since 1997, Davidson has ventured to clubs in Istanbul, Cairo, Buenos Aires and Sydney, among others. On a vacation to London, he met up with a Toastmasters club called the London Athenian Speakers; the group met in a most appropriate spot – the upstairs room of a London pub. The club took full advantage of the location: During the meeting break, some headed downstairs for a pint of lager.

Taking a Sentimental Journey Vimal Goyle grew up in India and moved to the United States with her husband in 1970. Nearly 40 years later, she had the opportunity to visit a Toastmasters club in her native land. “I was very excited,” says Goyle, who attended a meeting of the Chandigarh Toastmasters this past January.

A gynecologist in Topeka, Kansas, Goyle traveled to India to attend the Indo-U.S. Healthcare Summit in New Delhi. She was in the country for two weeks and went to three different cities, including Chandigarh, where she stayed with a nephew. The Toastmasters club there normally meets on Saturday afternoons, but when Goyle told club leaders she wouldn't arrive in the city until Sunday afternoon, they graciously re-scheduled that particular meeting for Sunday evening so she could attend.

The club -- which was less than a year old — held an installation ceremony for their seven new officers. Taking place in a restaurant, it was an elaborate and lengthy affair — a sign of how seriously the members take their Toastmasters experience, says Goyle. The district governor drove 200 miles to attend the event, she notes, and the officers’ friends and families were present – even their children. Afterward, a lavish buffet of Indian food was served.

The club designated Goyle as its “chief guest” and presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a gift. “It was very nice,” she says. “I was treated with such hospitality.” A member of the Via Christi Toastmasters club in Topeka, Goyle says it was a moving experience to see this new, flourishing Toastmasters club in the land where she grew up.

“I was very amazed and happy to know that all these members were so excited and working very diligently to do things for the club,” she says, adding that she made several friends in the group with whom she plans to keep in touch. “I had never known how Toastmasters exists on such an international level. These club members in Chandigarh have the opportunity to learn and to improve. I’m 67 -- I wish I had that opportunity when I was growing up.”

Goyle, a Toastmaster since 1998, had taken two guests to the meeting in Chandigarh – a family member and a friend. After the meeting, she says, both said they were interested in joining the club.

Think about logistics 
Those who have frequented clubs abroad also have some practical advice to share. They recommend consulting the Toastmasters International website in advance of your trip. Look up clubs located in the areas where you’re traveling. That way you can get contact information, addresses and more. Try to pre-arrange a club visit if possible.

Davidson suggests that a few days before the meeting you call the club’s contact person, so you can confirm the time and location – always a good idea when you’re in a foreign city.

Allen, the San Diego resident, checked the Toastmasters website before she went on her trip to China this past March. She found several clubs in Beijing and Shanghai, the two cities she would be visiting. As it turned out, the Global Communicators club was less than a five-minute cab ride from her hotel in Beijing. (And just to make sure she didn’t get lost, Angela Han, the club president and ever-gracious host, spoke to her guest over the phone before she rode over, describing some landmarks she could note along the way.)

An Assistant Recruitment Coordinator for the District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County, Allen still gushes with enthusiasm when she recalls her visit to the Beijing club. Making an international connection with fellow Toastmasters was a very special experience, she says.

“I’m an avid traveler,” says Allen, “and I will continue to seek out Toastmasters clubs around the world.”

Planning on traveling? 
Here are some Toastmasters items that may interest you:

• Flip Luggage Tag
• Wheeled Backpack
• Leather Luggage Tag
• Leather Travel Wallet

This article was originally publish at the Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Keep people in Toastmasters by helping them achieve their goals

Taking Care of Guests

Tips on making sure your guest comes back.

People join Toastmasters in order to achieve a specific goal or purpose. They might want to improve their public speaking skills so that they’re more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Others, such as business professionals, might want to develop their leadership skills to better manage and motivate their staff. They will stay in Toastmasters unless they feel that the people they deal with are indifferent to their needs. Keep people in Toastmasters by actively helping them achieve their goals.

The best place to start is at the beginning. Look at how you treat guests in your club. If you make sure that guests are treated well, they’ll return as members. Here are some tips on how to help turn visitors into members:

Set up a comfortable environment for your guests. The meeting room should be clearly marked and easy to find. If you've changed locations since your last meeting, make sure guests can find you. Keep your club website up-to-date and accurate, with any location changes posted clearly. Take good care of your banner so that it always looks its best, and display it proudly. Keep the meeting room neat and clean, with agendas, manuals and other materials well organized.

Welcome guests to your club meeting. Greet him or her with a smile. Have the sergeant at arms introduce herself as soon as a guest walks in. Provide the guest with a name tag and a guestbook to sign. Introduce the guest to other members and provide a buddy for him to sit with during the meeting. This helps guests feel accepted and encourages them to explore the Toastmasters program.

Run a professional and organized meeting. Start your meeting on time; by doing so, you will reward guests for being there at the start. Waiting for late members creates the impression that lateness is rewarded. Keep things moving. Your guest came to your club to learn communication and leadership skills, so make sure it’s clear how Toastmasters training can help. Then, be sure to end on time. Your guest will appreciate it.

Ask your guests for feedback. Once the meeting is over, make sure visitors are interested in coming back. Find out what aspects of the meeting each guest liked or disliked, and if there were any complaints, address them. Thank your guests for coming to the meeting and invite them to join. Let them know that they are welcome in your club. You can give them a package of materials to take home with them. Be sure to include pamphlets such as “The Benefits of Toastmasters Membership” (Item 354) and “Find Your Voice” (Item 99), as well as a membership application and a club officer contact sheet.

These guidelines will help your club to create a great first impression. By making a good first impression, you’ll ensure that guests will soon become members in your club. For more ideas, check out Moments of Truth, where you’ll find creative and innovative tools to perk up any club meeting.

This article was originally publish at Toastmasters International website. You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .