280,000 members

Have you ever stopped to think about the enormous number of people who are Toastmasters?  People from all over the world seek out this organization to improve their speaking skills and leadership skills.

What is it about Toastmasters that keeps people coming into the fold?  The people. That's what I think! It's the people. Toastmasters are people who have a common goal of self improvement in the area of speaking and leadership.

I have asked members of Toastmasters why they joined, and why they remain members for long periods.  Some tell me that they continue to hone their skills; others tell me they like the people.  I like the organization because each club has a personality but all clubs have a common goal.  Practicing speaking and helping others practice speaking is why I enjoy the Toastmasters organization.  It doesn't hurt that I continually meet some awesome individuals at Toastmasters meeting, contests, and conventions.

Why do you like attending Toastmasters club meetings?

Speechcraft

Speechcraft.  What is it and what does it have to do with Toastmasters?  I'd often wondered this...I looked it up on the Toastmasters.org website and I asked more experienced members of my club.  What is this "Speechcraft" thing?  I was told that Speechcraft is like a mini-version of Toastmasters, ran inside the club or outside the club by members who are willing to put in the extra time. The participants are then invited to join the club once they've completed the "event".  Apparently it's a rare event as no one in my area seemed to be hosting one.  (And just why is it called an "event"?) 

When my club's new president proposed hosting a Speechcraft event, I eagerly jumped on board.  The event was to be held at Alliant Energy (our president is an employee) for interested employees.  To say I was nervous would be an understatement. Yes, I've been a Toastmaster for about three years, and yes, I've completed both my Competent Communicator and Competent Leader levels.  Yet, I still felt like this was it--how would my new skills hold up in front of a room full of business professionals? 

Speechcraft is aimed at a select group of people to help them improve their basic speaking skills.  I was there to teach and to mentor.  After eight weeks of leading and critiquing and cheering, I realized that I learned just as much as I taught.

Unlike the club environment, this was "real".  This group of people were counting on me to show them the way.  Every time I spoke to this group, I was painfully aware of every mistake I made.  When I came unprepared (and I did) I felt like I let this group down.  I let myself down.

This experience taught me where my weaknesses still lie.  I have the basics; I can prepare a speech and include all the essential elements.  I can lead a meeting and get things done.  None of this matters in the face of my greatest weakness--procrastination.  Unlike in college, I can't stay up and prepare anything of worth the night before it's needed. 

Preparation is key.  Time to pull my information together--to create a spell-binding presentation that will not only hold my audience's attention but move them as well, takes preparation.  I'm learning this.  Every time I give a speech, I can hear and feel the impact time and preparation leave on my speech.  It's true: practice makes perfect.

Our "event" ended today.  The skills our "Speechcrafters" learned were evident in the successful final meeting in which I was able to sit back and watch them shine.  Eight weeks of dedication from all parties.  I will miss it. 

So I thank Karen, my club president for initiating this event.  I thank Jim and Stephanie whose presence and participation made eight weeks possible.  And I thank the six warm bodies who allowed me to hone my craft that much more.  I encourage you to participate in Speechcraft should you be lucky enough to encounter this "event".  Whether you participate as a Toastmaster, there to mentor, or as a newbie to public speaking.  The rewards are substantial.

The gift of experience

Thanksgiving time gets me thinking about the mountain of gifts I've received.  The gifts I appreciate most are those which offer memories of good experiences.  1 1/2 years ago I gave myself a gift which I did not expect to be as important to me as it turns out to be.  I signed up to improve my speaking skills.  I feared standing in front of a group.  I saw this as a huge responsibility and feared I would let my audience down.  Toastmasters has been and continues to help me be a better speaker and a better leader.  I was just looking for a way to become a better speaker.  What I got back was improvement in speaking AND the opportunity to practice my leadership skills with a group of amazing people.

Thank you, Toastmasters.
Respectfully your student,
Karen Staebell
President Eastside Madison Toastmasters
Club 1366

My adrenaline is up!

Every first and third Monday of the month my adrenaline increases. Actually every Sunday evening before these Mondays it begins.  Planning. Thinking. Looking forward to the big event.

Eastside Madison Toastmasters gets my enthusiasm going.  I'm excited about attending these meetings. WHY?

It isn't about me, really. It must be about helping others and others helping me become a better leader and speaker.  I like my co-members.  Each and EVERY person has qualities I admire. I look forward to listening and interacting with members of club 1366. I like the smiles, the jokes, the relaxed atmosphere, the conversations.... I like Eastside Madison Toastmasters.

What gets your adrenaline up, you enthusiasm going, your excitement rolling? I told you.  Now it is your turn to tell me.  I'm eagerly awaiting your feedback.

Karen Staebell
President
Eastside Madison Toastmasters
Club 1366

I am working on it, but more practice is in store

Some things are natural. Some things take practice.

The other day as I was transitioning from one meeting to the next, I was reflecting when I looked at the person approaching me.  A smile spread across his face.  Right behind him another smile spread across her face. I realized I had been smiling. This flitted my thoughts to another train, I must smile a lot.  I find people smiling at me, people I do not know. I often have to do a personal check: is something hanging from my hair? is my zipper up? is something on my face?  THEN is when I realize I am smiling at the other person.

Smiles are contagious.  Why is it when I stand in front of a group that the smile disappears? Nervousness? Focusing on getting other things right? This is an aspect I need to work on.  Relax, be myself, smile, speak.

Nothing ever happens by itself.  I do not become a better speak unless I practice.   Speaking is difficult for me, but I am getting better. I have my ups and downs, but I keep plugging away at this skill.

Take some time and think about what you need to do to meet your personal goals.
Feel free to share. Maybe if I know what you're working on, I can help encourage that habit or skill.

In your opinion, what makes a good leader?

I was speaking to some friends yesterday afternoon.  One of them received a job opportunity to lead a team of individuals. He was talking about the differences in his current position where he manages projects and his new position where he leads people.  This got me to thinking about what I think makes a good leader.

I believe a good leader is a good listener.  You have to understand where your team is coming from. Knowing how the team members work and feel helps you make better decisions.  Understanding your team also helps you develop a communication strategy that builds buy-in when change is required.

Second, I believe a good leader is a good communicator.  If you have all the best ideas and plans in your head, but cannot explain to people why the plan is good, you will have difficulty getting people to follow.   Leading becomes less challenging when your team understands and follows.

What, in your opinion make a good leader?

Contests : another way to improve

Successful professional speakers repeatedly tell us that stage time is key to improved speaking skills.  Every time you participate in a Table Topics session, give a speech at a regular meeting, fill the role as an evaluator or as a Toastmaster, you are giving yourself stage time. Another speaking opportunity exists in the speaking contests.  This fall, two contest opportunities are available to all Toastmasters.  The Humorous Speech and the Evaluation contests. Details about our contest opportunities are listed below.

Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests

Club Contest

The EastSide Madison Toastmasters will hold both the Humorous Speech and Evaluation contests on September 17, 2012.

Participation. 
All members are requested to attend so we have enough participants and judges.  Your participation, whether as a contestant or as a judge will create a successful event. 

Eligibility requirement
All members of EastSide Madison Toastmasters are eligible to compete in either or both of the contests.


Guests are welcome to observe the contests.  

Sign up.
Using the on-line sign up by navigating to our site : http://1366.toastmastersclubs.org , and logging in by clicking on Member Login.  Click on Meeting Agendas. View the September 17 Agenda.  At this point you can sign up as a contestant or a support person. If all the roles appear to be filled, post a meeting note telling us what role you'd like to fill.  The more contestants and judges, the better!

An alternative option to the on-line sign up is to send an e-mail to Victoria Frank advising your intentions.

Winners will be EastSide Madison Toastmasters' representatives at the Area Contest

Area contest
A member of District 35's area C-4, our area contest will be held on the same day as the area C-2 contests.
When: Thursday, Oct. 4th

            5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. -  Contestants' and Judges' Briefings

            6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  -  Contests/ Awards

Where: Strand Associates, Inc.

             910 W. Wingra Dr., Madison, WI 53715   (Google Map of Location: http://goo.gl/maps/aXtQM )

Winners will be Area C-4's representatives at the District Contest

District Fall Conference: Holiday Inn Riverwalk - Neenah

WhenFri, November 2, 8am – Sat, November 3, 10pmWhereHoliday Inn Riverwalk Hotel, Neenah 123 East Wisconsin Avenue, Neenah, WI (map)DescriptionDistrict 35 Fall Conference: Holiday Inn Riverwalk - NeenahJoin us in Neenah, WINovember 2-3, 2012Enjoy the Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests, take in the educational opportunities and reunite with your Toastmaster friends at the beautiful Holiday Inn Neenah Riverwalk Hotel.

Get the word out

Toastmasters has a lot to offer for those struggling for a change. Opportunities abound for people to practice activities that contribute to improved options for career advancement. Here's a short list (but there's more to be gained by joining):

• Leading a meeting
• Providing feedback in a sensitive professional manner
• Improving speaking skills
• Using appropriate humor in a professional environment
• Improving your time management skills
• Coordinating events

Coming soon (September 17) to the EastSide Madison Toastmasters are the Evaluator contest and the Humorous speech contests.

I encourage all the EastSide Madison members to begin putting your skills to practice by participating in roles that will help you improve your evaluation and speaking skills.  Ready yourselves to participate in the contests.

New members are always welcome! Come and visit one of our meetings and see for yourself the benefits you gain by joining our club.

We are a member of Toastmasters International - a not-for profit organization "Where Leaders are Made".

Give me your Feedback

I continually seek out ways to self improve.  One aspect I frequently focus on is how I am perceived.  Do people understand what I am saying? Is what I am trying to communicate the same thing as what is heard?
At Toastmasters we practice our feedback skills by filling the role as evaluator.  The ultimate role for feedback during the standard Toastmasters meeting is the General Evaluator. Who could ask for more? Evaluate my evaluation! How am I doing?

The June edition of the Toastmaster Magazine contains several articles that helps me as I provide feedback to other individuals. Contained are hints about eye contact, use of notes, organization of thoughts, and much more. Check it out! Specifically in this issue is the reminder that practice helps. I've read and heard many times that a successful strategy for self improvement involves practice. Stage time. Try it. Improve it. Try it again. By filling the roles of speech evaluator and general evaluator we get the stage time that each of us require to improve.

I frequently fill the role as the meeting's Toastmaster because I know I need to become better organized. I try to look back after each meeting to assess whether I forgot to share something or caused confusion by presenting some aspect of the meeting out of order.  I really appreciate the feedback that I receive in the form of notes from fellow Toastmasters and from the General Evaluator.

Thank you, fellow Toastmasters for your feedback on how I'm doing. Keep it coming.
Karen Staebell

You Can Not Drive the Bus from the Back Seat

You Can Not Drive the Bus from the Back Seat


Do you have a goal to improve your speaking skills?
Maybe your goal is larger, maybe you want to improve your leadership skills.


Along with  Eastside Madison toastmasters you can be on the team that exudes energy. Use Toastmasters to help you practice generating and leading an energetic, positive, professional team.

Jon Gordon, author of the Energy Bus advises that we as leaders should think of ourselves as bus drivers. AND as bus drivers we must choose who we want on our busses. Mr.  Gordan advises we should begin with getting all of the energy vampires, or people who sap our energy, off our bus. The next step is to surround ourselves with people who want to work as a team. Gordon offers many  other tid bits about becoming a positive professional leader, but I want to add my own spin to his Energy Bus philosophy.  I believe individuals, specifically you and I, who want to improve our leadership skills cannot drive the bus from the back seat.

I  believe that Toastmasters is the right environment for practicing speaking and leadership skills, but to gain the most benefit, each one of us must move to the front of the bus and begin driving toward our individual goals.  We cannot blame someone else that we are not communicating enough to the community at large.  Each of us  must take a stake in this responsibility and be a PR representative on behalf of our club.

Toastmasters International's Publicity and Promotion Manual "Let the World Know, "  states that the responsibility of Public relations in a club is the responsibility of each and  every club member.

When you open up the Competent Leadership Manual, you are provided many ideas in the leadership arena. When you write a newsletter articles, bring guests to meetings, assist with the club website you are demonstrating leadership.  Take some time and thin k about your opportunities to lead. Step a little out of your comfort zone. Check out that driver's seat.  Heck, you might like the view from the front of the bus!  Maybe you will find that you really enjoy a role you have not before filled.

This year I was asked to take on the position of President.  Before this was proposed to me, I contemplated taking on another officer role, but CERTAINLY NOT the role of President!  I thought I'd take on a role that held less responsibility, but then I decided that I should move myself to the front of the bus and drive toward my personal goals.

Now I am telling every person who reads this blog that each of you can be THE leader.  Take it at a pace that is comfortable to you, but step up a little more this year than you did last year.

The competent leadership manual gives you credit for becoming a mentor, for being editor of a newsletter, for helping out with the website, for coordinating a club event, and the list goes on.  There's a reason for these recommended opportunities.  They help the club become stronger AND they expose you to practicing your leadership skills.

Remember, you can NOT drive the bus from the Back seat!
If you're not a member, join us and find out how fun it is to learn and be with good people.
Karen Staebell
President, EastSide Madison Toastmasters

President and Vice-President of Education

This series concludes with the final two officers to be discussed: the club President and VP of Education.  These two roles are considered the top two officer positions in the club.  The reason for this is that the President and VP-Education automatically get votes in the District Executive Council.  The "DEC" meets twice a year at the District Fall Conference and Spring Convention.  Matters dealing with the District as a whole are voted on and discussed.  So, these two officers form a link between the club and district as they represent the club at these DEC meetings.

Now let's look at each officer position.

VP of Education - The VP of Education is considered the second-ranking officer behind the President.  The VP of Education's main focus is all things educational about the club, primarily the progress of the members through Toastmaster's educational tracks.  In our club, the VP of Education passes around a signup sheet for the next 5 meetings.  Members sign up for the roles they want to do.  The VP of Ed then fills remaining holes in the agenda via in-meeting anoouncements and through e-mail.  This officer also initials members' speech and leadership manuals after each meeting, and submits award applications when a member achieves a communication or leadership designation.  The VP of Education also is responsible for scheduling club speech contests and recruiting members to serve as contestants or judges.

President - This is the top officer role in the club.  The president is the club contact for other Toastmaster entities.  If Toastmasters International needs to pass some important information to the clubs, then the letter or e-mail is sent to the President.  He/she is contacted by the Area Governor frequently, most importantly to schedule the Area Governor's semi-annual visit.  Within the club, the President works with the other officers to make sure that meetings are scheduled and run well.  They should also verify that Toastmasters rules and regulations are being followed.  They also open and close the club meetings and conduct the business portion of the meeting.  You may also think of the President as the "face" of the club.  They help set the mood an tenor of the club meetings and the club as a whole.  Many newer members think that the President must be the hardest of the roles because of all that has to be done.  But remember, officer opportunities exist to help members learn leadership skills.  By practicing delegation, the president does not have to feel that he/she must do it alone.  Sometimes the office serves as a springboard to other Toastmaster postitions out side of the club -- for example, Area Governor.

Our club will hold officer elections in May.  Please read my earlier post where I descibe the various reasons why someone would become an officer.  Please consider taking on one of the 7 roles.  You'll enjoy the discovery of your own leadership strengths, and you'll be helping your club stay strong and provide an environment where all club members can grow and flourish.

Club Officers (cont.) - The Treasurer

Of all the officer roles in Toastmasters, the easiest one for someone to figure out the duties is the club treasurer.  If it's the treasurer, it must have something to do with money, right? 

Correct!

The treasurers main duty is to watch over the club's finances.  More specifically, it is the treasurer who gets involved whenever money comes into or goes out from the club.  The two busiest months for the treasurer are March & September -- because Toastmasters International requires all clubs to pay their renewal dues by April 1 and October 1.  If the club is corporate-based, the treasurer uses those preceding months to work with the corporation to receive whatever monetary support is given to the club.  If the club allows non-employee members, then the treasurer invoices those members for their dues.  If the club is a "community" club such as ours, then the treasurer needs to contact all members to request their dues payments.

Outside of these two dues-paying periods, the treasurer would accept applications & checks from new members, then log on to TI and enter the app & payment.  The treasurer also places orders for any Toastmaster supplies from International, and pays out reimbursements at the local level that are approved by the club president.  And of course the treasurer receives the monthly bank statements & reconciles the club's check book.

As you can see, the treasurer's work seems to come in spurts.  It requires someone with attention to detail and is a self-starter.  If other officers need to keep reminding the treasurer to pay /collect dues, or they take weeks to enter a new member app, the club is going to feel the impact.  Delays in paying member dues could affect whether a member receives an educational award they are due, or a member's eligibilty to compete in speech contests.  This is a great officer role - even a good one for a first-time officer.  As with all the officer positions, training is available from TI (through the officer manuals), the District (TLI/Officer Training) and former treasurers of your club.

Please consider taking on a club officer role.  Our club will hold its elections in May for the 2012-13 Toastmasters year.

My final post on club officers will focus on the last two officer positions: VP of Education and President.

Club Officers (Cont) - Membership & PR

I would like to continue the theme of the past two posts, and discuss two more club officer roles: the Vice President of Membership and the Vice President of Public Relations.

VP of Membership.  The primary responsibility of this officer is to work with our guests and guide them through the process of becoming a member.  Toastmasters International describes the VP of Membership as the club's "number one recruiter"; however, recruiting new members is a task that every club member participates in.  In our Eastside Madison club, the VP of Membership creates a "guest packet" which contains information about Toastmasters in general, a description of each of our agenda roles, a copy of "The Toastmaster Magazine", and an application for membership.  The VP of Membership should introduce themselves to the guest prior to the meeting, hand them a guest packet, and ask them about how they heard of Toastmasters.  After the meeting, you would meet again with the guest and ask them if they have any questions regarding the meeting.  If the guest fills out an application, then you would guide the guest through the process of filling out the app, then forward the app and the new member's check to the Treasurer.  There is no need to put on airs or "strong arm" the guest; just be yourself and discuss how Toastmasters can improve their communication skills.

VP of Public Relations.  If the VP of Membership helps get a guest from the "front door" to becoming a member, then the VP of PR plays an important role in getting the guest to the front door.  The VP of PR communicates to the outside world of our club's existence.  Our club already has a website and a presence on Facebook.  If you become VP of PR your goal would be to keep these web portals up to date, so prospective guests know we are here.  It's important to keep the club news and information up to date, since a visitor may think we are not active if the website shows club agendas from 6 months ago.  I've always thought the VP of PR is a great role to have because you are bounded by your own imagination.  What can we do to continue to spread the word about Toastmasters, and our club in particular?  The VP of PR should also promote upcoming Toastmasters events to club members.  Keep track of the dates for speech contests, club officer training (TLI), and district conventions.  Encourage members to attend and participate in these events, since these are benefits of their membership.

Remember, our club will be holding elections for the 2012-13 Toastmasters year in May.  Ask current officers about their roles and seriously consider helping the club by serving as an officer.

My next post will be on the club treasurer.

Club Officers: The Host & The Historian

I mentioned in the last post that I would discuss each club officer position, one or two at a time, over the next few blog entries.  I'll start with two officer positions: The Master Host & Secretary.

Master Host:  This office is sometimes referred to as "Sgt at Arms".  As a matter of fact, some of Toastmaster International's material still refers to the office by this title.  No matter how you call it, this officer is very important to the club, since all guests see the results of his/her handiwork immediately.  The Master Host is responsible for setting up the meeting room before the meeting starts.  They make sure the club banner is displayed, the lecturn is set up, evaluation forms laid out in the meeting room, and the timing device is ready for the Timer.  In a community club such as ours, the Master Host works with the restaurant so they know when our upcoming meeting dates are.
      The Master Host also greets people as they come into the meeting room.  At the end of the meeting, they pack up all the club materials, making sure they leave the meeting room in the state in which they found it.  Thus the role is very improtant since they ensure the meeting room looks professionally set.  A guest should see the room setup and know a meeting is happening here, not some haphazard event.

Secretary:  I know - I wrote "Historian" above, but the Secretary keeps track of the club's correspondence both to other Toastmasters entities, and to non-toastmasters as well.  In many clubs the Secretary keeps track of the active members and creates an updated club roster from time to time.  In some clubs, the Secretary keeps minutes of each meeting, recording who was Toastmaster, who were the Speakers and Evaluators, and who served in the other roles for that meeting.  Thus, they keep a historical record.  The Secretary may also record minutes of the officer meetings.
        In one club I belong to, which is corporate-based, the Secretary assists the Treasurer in determining which members will have their dues paid for by the company, and which will have to pay out of their own pocket.

Both of these officer roles are ideal for the member who is deciding to begin their journey down the club officer path.  They are great way to get to know your fellow officers and club members.  You'll also get to know more about the Toastmasters organization.  If you decide to attend TLI (club officer training) then you'll meet members from other clubs who are serving in the same role as you.

Keep these offices in mind when officer elections are held in May.  By helping the club as an officer, you will also be helping yourself by picking up valuable leadership skills you can use outside of Toastmasters.  Happy campaigning!!

Being a Club Officer

The new Toastmasters year begins July 1.  This means (hopefully) that clubs within Toastmasters International should be focusing on the upcoming club elections.  If the new officer team wants to take off running, then clubs need to hold their elections soon (in May) so the new team is in place by July 1. 

So now you are asking two questions: why would I want to serve as an officer? and where do I learn the responsibilities of each role?  Let's tackle each question.

1) Why become an officer?  There are a number of reasons.  Serving as a club officer is one of the requirements for the Advanced Leader Bronze award.  The skills you develop working with others, and on behalf of your club, are transferable to your work and/or home life.  The club does not run itself.  It needs a team of members who are willing to put in some effort to keep the club going and prime it for growth in the future.

2) How do I find out what the responsibilities are of each office?  The are several avenues available.  You can ask the current officers for feedback on their roles.  Each officer receives a manual full of information to help them throughout the year.  You could ask an officer if you could borrow their copy.  Once you become an officer, our District offers formal training to help you learn about your officer role.  Club officers from around the area come together to learn, ask questions, and trade tips with one another.  The first of these training sessions occurs in July, then a follow-up session is offered in January.

            There are seven officer positions: President, VP Education, VP Membership, VP Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sgt at Arms (also referred to as Master Host).  While I would not recommend the first two to first-time officers, the others are good starting points for building your leadership skills.  Over the next few weeks I will be posting further information about each of these officer positions. 

            Take the challenge of leadership.  Accept the growth possibilities within you.  Take that next step in your Toastmasters development.  Take the officer step!

PDS offers to pay for meeting space rental

The East Side Madison Toastmasters have been offered sponsorship for meeting space rental. PDS (Paragon Development Systems) CEO, Craig Schiefelbein (philanthropist and outstanding speaker) is interested in supporting the East Side Madison Toastmasters club by funding rental fees so we can meet twice monthly.

As the Sergeant-at-arms, I have contacted various locations that may meet our needs. Nothing EXACTLY fits our needs so far, but I think investigation of alternatives is a worthwhile investment. Before I continue the research I would like to know if you will remain with our club if

1. we change locations
2. the location is outside of the southeast side of Madison
3. the meeting days change to other days of the week
4. the meeting days change to other Mondays of the month
5. we do not have food service available

Another option is to remain at Monona Gardens Restaurant and

1. pay rental on the meeting room and have no food served
2. rearrange the meeting room so more people can fit comfortably in the space.
3. arrange for a table top podium (or free standing podium)

Please post your opinions on this blog or send me an e-mail.

Thank you,

Karen Staebell

Toastmaster on the Slopes

I revisited something new this winter and found myself feeling excited and scared, challenged and exhilarated. I cross-country skied. Actually, I cross-country skied for the first time last winter—only one time and then spring came. That one time was enough—I was hooked. I do look back and wonder why. What I remember most about that day is falling, and falling again (and again). I also remember getting up and trying again. I remember other skiers asking if I was okay. I remember a lot of smiles. I remember feeling really good.

So I tried again this year and was a bit more prepared. I bought my own skis, poles and boots. They’re just right for me (one size does not fit all in this sport).

As I locked my boots onto my skis and looked down the trail, I took a deep breath and asked myself, “Am I ready?” I was.

I began to ski along, challenging myself to look around at the trees and the sky. I wanted to keep my eyes safely turned to the ground. It was easier to follow the trail then to rely on actually feeling the movement of my skis, my legs, and my arms. To learn the trail by rote would take some practice.

Skiing along, I was proud that I hadn’t fallen yet. I soon realized there were skiers on the trail behind me—a girl and a man. She was learning to ski—he was her instructor.

It was then that I inevitably fell. I was embarrassed for a moment. In that moment on the ground, unhurt and struggling to get my feet under me safely, I realized something. I hoped that girl, skiing on the trail behind me, had seen me fall. Because I knew that I fell in the correct form to not get hurt; I knew that while I struggled, I was using the correct form to get back onto my feet. I hoped that girl had seen me fall and had learned something.

I continued on and came to a gigantic hill falling away from me. I stood, paralyzed, wondering how I was going to get down THAT alive. I watched another skier, fairly fresh to the sport like myself, attempt the slope. I watched her fall and then I watched her fall again. I knew that to advance on the trail, I needed to get past this hill. But was I ready for it? I considered all the ways to get past this hurtle and chose what I thought would be the easiest. I fell, but I made it to the bottom. When I turned and looked back, I realized it wasn’t as steep as it had looked on the other side. I vowed to revisit that hill again and ski it until it looked like a gentle bump from the top down.

This winter has been a challenge, offering little snow and terrible ski conditions. To practice this new skill, I can’t wait for the perfect opportunity. I need to reach out and make my own connections, find my own “perfect” place to practice. Next year, I will be even better. The hills will still appear miles deep, but they will be new hills—more challenging than the gentle bumps of this year.

Skiing and Toastmasters have a lot in common. As I strapped on my boots, I remembered the nervousness that I felt when I stood in front of the Eastside Madison TM Club and gave my Icebreaker speech. I remembered the fear I felt when I thought about making a mistake in front of a room full of people. The encouraging smiles and advice brought me back the next meeting. The “gigantic hill” I faced in Toastmasters was the first time I served as my club’s Toastmaster. I will admit now that I flew down that hill a little too quickly. My nerves were wracked and everything in me screamed to “stop!” But I went back and learned from that. I slowed down and began to go at a pace that was right for me. Like skiing, Toastmasters is an ongoing learning experience. I will challenge myself and at times I will wonder, “What was I thinking?” As the hills grow higher, so will my confidence grow, knowing that I am ready for the next hurtle.

TLI or Not TLI - It's Not Even a Question

In a prior post I mentioned how Toastmasters deadlines stay constant each year.  Pick any month, and there is some task or event that needs to be done.  In June/July and again in December/January, it's TLI time.

TLI?

When I first became a club officer in 1994, it was simply referred to as "Club Officer Training".  Sometime in the early 2000's, Toastmasters International designed a reboot.  Officer Training was now called TLI, or Toastmasters Leadership Institute.  What's the difference?  Well, ... plenty.

Many non-officer members believed that "Officer Training" was just for officers.  But it really was for any interested club member.  Hence, the name change.  The summer sessions focus on each club officer role, with specific training geared toward each role.  But one does not need to be an officer to attend.  Maybe you're thinking of being the club secretary next year.  There's nothing wrong with picking up a little knowledge this year.  Plus, there are general sessions that provide valuable information on topics such as club environment and improving individual leadership skills.

We are now in the mid-winter TLI period.  The focus on these sessions is more devoted to taking the club's temperature.  How are we doing?  Are we progressing toward accomplishing our DCP goals by the end of the year?  What can "we" do ("we" = all club members) to help members and the club achieve their goals?

It seems to be a perennial challenge to get club offiers & other members to attend the mid-winter TLI.  In our Wisconsin climate, the weather is definitely a factor.  There are those that say they will learn nothing new.  I've always found that, while the topics or topics may be familiar, there are always ideas that spring forth that I've never considered.  It's amazing what energy and synergy occur when Toastmasters get together.

Here in Madison, the next & last TLI session is on Saturday January 28 from 9:00 - Noon.  All Toastmaster officers & interested members owe it to themselves & their clubs to attend. 

Get re-energized!  Move into the latter half of the Toastmasters year with a strong purpose!  We can all become distinguished Toastmasters who are members of Distinguished Toastmaster clubs.

Speech Contest Season is Upon Us

Spend any length of time in Toastmasters and you find repetition.  The same monthly deadlines are there year after year.  February & March?  Why, it's spring contest season!

In Toastmasters, spring means the International Speech Contest.  The granddaddy of all speech contests.  Our club has set Monday March 5, 2012 as its club International Speech Contest.  What is it?  Contestants prepare an original 5 - 7 minute speech on a topic of their choosing.  Most contestants select topics of a motivational or inspirational nature.  A new look at the human condition.  The rules state that a contestant must be a paid member (naturally) and have completed at least 6 manual speeches.  This contest runs up through all levels of the Toastmasters hierarchy.  A contestant who keeps winning could eventually find themselves on stage at the World Championship of Public Speaking, which is held every August (there's that repetition again) at the Toastmasters International Convention.

But that's not the only contest.  Our club is in District 35, which is the state of Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan.  Our District is also conducting a Table Topics Contest.  Any club member can compete; there is no minimum speech requirement.  Every contestant in a given contest is asked the same question, and the judges determine who gave the best one- to two-minute response.  Our club will be holding its Table Topics Contest on Monday February 19.

Toastmasters literature says that contests are an important part of the overall program.  "They provide an opportunity for Toastmasters to gain speaking experience, as well as an opportunity for other Toastmasters to learn by observing proficient speakers."  (From page 4 of the 2012 Contest Rulebook.)

I've competed in a few contests over the years, and I've always found them to be a great time and a wonderful learning experience.  And no, I've never won the World Championship.  The only time I competed in the International Contest I won at the club level but then lost at the Area level.  I gained a great respect and awe of the speakers who did win and moved up to the next level.

Step outside your comfort zone!  Challenge yourself to take that next step in your communication development!  Compete in a contest -- it's another opportunity to share your voice with the world.

Eastside Madison Toastmasters!

Who are we?  We are a Toastmasters club in Madison, WI  (actually, Monona, WI to be more precise).  I've been a member of this club since 2004, and a Toastmasters member since October 1992.

My name is Jim, and throughout this blog adventure I will be joined by other members of this club.  We will share our Toastmasters experiences & adventures.  If you live or work on the east side of Madison, please feel free to join us for a meeting.  Our club website is at http://1366.toastmastersclubs.org/.  If you live elsewhere, the good news is that there is probably a Toastmasters club near your home or work.  Toastmasters International's website is www.toastmasters.org.

I guess the best place to start is "why are you still a member after 19 years?  Haven't you learned to speak by now?"  Good question.  As we all know, one never stops learning.  Am I a better speaker now than in 1992?  I believe so.  I believe so strongly.

But I still have room to improve.

I owe so much to Toastmasters.  I am able to speak in front of groups of any size.  I still get those pesky butterflies in my stomach, but now I'm their master - instead of the other way around.  I make them fly in wonderful formations.  I also took advantage of the leadership skills one can learn, and not only have held officer roles at the district level, but these skills have helped at work.  You see, I'm one of those pesky computer programmers.  We usually like talking with our mouse, but now I can talk to my mouse, my keyboard, co-workers, directors, and vice-presidents.

Why join Toastmasters?

I think the best response is a line of dialogue from the Academy Award-winning film "The King's Speech".  In case you haven't seen it (and I do recommend it), the story follows Prince Albert, soon-to-be King George VI.  The king has a severe stammer and his wife hires a speech therapist named Lionel Logue to help the king.  Prior to the coronation, both men are in Westminster Abbey where the king is rehearsing his dialogue for this momentous event.  Logue begins to irritate the king and refuses to listen to him.  The following exchange occurs:

King George VI: Listen to me. Listen to me!
Lionel Logue: Listen to you? By what right?
King George VI: By divine right if you must, I am your king.
Lionel Logue: No you're not, you told me so yourself. You didn't want it. Why should I waste my time listening?
King George VI: Because I have a right to be heard. I have a voice!

That final line sums up the movie -- and why anyone would want to join Toastmasters.  No matter who we are - King, President, CEO, computer programmer - we all have a voice.  We all have something to say.  With our voices we can entertain, inspire, cajole, instruct, empathize, argue, amuse, flirt, euologize, or sympathize. 

Toastmasters can help you find your voice and shape it.  It can give you the confidence to be heard - at home, school, work, in the world.  Find your voice.  Discover your passion.  Shape your world.