The speech contest I mentioned is at 6:30pm on 8/28 at our normal meeting place, The Sanctuary, 965 Anglum Rd, Hazelwood, MO 63042. We are on the second floor. Just listen for the room with the raucous laughter!
The speech contest I mentioned is at 6:30pm on 8/28 at our normal meeting place, The Sanctuary, 965 Anglum Rd, Hazelwood, MO 63042. We are on the second floor. Just listen for the room with the raucous laughter!
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When I first joined TM, I couldn’t every imagine myself competing in one of these events. Sure I loved watching them, but there was NO WAY I was ever going to stand up there and go head-to-head with other people and then be judged. Imagine my surprise when I returned from summer vacation to find myself “volunteered” to be a contestant. I’ll probably never know who signed me up, but I wish I could thank them because it turned out to be one of the greatest leaps in my speaking development I could have asked for. I’ve now competed in two competitions, and each time, I’ve grown as a speaker, a professional, and as a person. The exact reasons I joined TM in first place.
I know my goals may not be your goals, but I do know that each of us joined TM to become better at “something”: speakers, leaders, listeners… These contests are a tremendous opportunity to achieve those goals. So put your reservations aside: “I don’t have time…. I don’t have a ‘good enough’ topic… I don’t have experience…” and embrace this opportunity to be a contestant. I promise, it will be the best growth opportunity you can experience. One of the things that was immediately clear from the very first time I set foot in River City Toastmasters - all are welcome!
Expect it. Count on it. Depend on it. When you think about what you are setting out to achieve at Toastmasters - improve your speaking and leadership skills - you understand why it's crucial that you find a club that offers a warm, supportive and encouraging environment. Everyone has some level of nervousness when standing up to deliver an important message. River City offers a safe, and more importantly, growth environment for you to learn to expand your skills. I can't tell you how many times I've stood before my fellow members with my heart in my throat and my stomach tied in knots, only to find an encouraging group of people who not only understood how to calm my nerves, but offered me practical tips on how to improve my presentations. In the past year, I've benefited from the experience that comes from the knowledgeable and talented group at River City. But most of all, I've always felt it offered a welcoming and safe place for me to put even my less-than-perfect foot forward. I was inspired by Raymond Allen's 2011 District Championship for Table Topics. Even more inspired when I heard how he started at River City Toastmasters. Unsure of his speaking skills, strong potential but still being developed. You see, I've only known Ray for recent months and he's always been an accomplished speaker. I took it for granted. It hadn't occurred to me that the amazing club environment I've been enjoying at River City - low key, polished, supportive - was actually fostering champions.
Then I started hearing about the club's track record. A string of champions, District level executives, recognized club mentors... I just knew them as wonderful folks who made me feel comfortable, were humble in their skills, and always seemed to "hit the nail on the head" when providing supporting feedback during evaluations. It's like waking up one day and realizing the family you knew and loved were pretty famous - without the pretention. What an amazing experience and club environment! Toastmasters International's new tag Line "Where Leaders are made". How would you define a leader? For me personally, I prefer the silent leader style. They see a need and just take ownership and perform it to the best of their ability, with the work as a team approach, motivation and coaching. They do not want public attention, just the personal satisfaction of their abilities.
Posted by: Jim Blaine To follow this and other vibrant discussions, check out our LinkedIn Disscussion group. www.linkedin.com/groups/River-City-Toastmasters-3227 Toatmasters is as much about leadership as it is about the communication cycle (sender, message, receiver, feedback). Being an effective leader takes practice and being a member of a TM club gives us plenty of opportunities at that.
Women typically are not encouraged to be or offered opportunities to be leaders (okay, maybe I'm speaking as a "woman of a certain age") But I believe that continues today. Recently, there has been a big to-do about JCPenney selling t-shirts for girls that imply they don't need to be smart. And we still have beauty contests where women compete against each other under the guise competing for "scholarship money." There are too few places where girls are mentored to be leaders. TM is one of those places that can help women -- and men -- learn (or improve) leadership skills. With the Times
Toastmasters was founded in 1924. Wow! That's old... Some organizations might become "stuffy" or inflexible. Resting on their successes in the past without feeling the necessity of modernizing with the chaning of the times. Not so of Toastmasters. As reflected in their recent re-branding, Toastmasters is very much a dynamic, evolving association that keeps the needs of its members "front and center". The new slogan, "Where Leaders Are Made" embraces today's version of leadership and acknowledges it isn't confined to the boardroom. The desire and opportunity to influence and persuade those around us happens daily. It's for everyone, in all aspects of their lives - from the working professional to the new graduate to the stay-at-home parent. Leadership is a Skill that can be Learned Too often we look at leaders around us and tell ourselves, "They're natural leaders... gifted speakers... comfortable in the spotlight... (fill in the trait)... that's just not me!" Don't ask yourself if you ARE that way. Ask yourself if you WANT to be that way. The choice is yours and Toastmasters is the tool to get you where you want to be. At your pace. Regardless of your skill level. Despite your concerns. Leadership isn't about being "in charge", it's about impacting the world around you. It's about having people listen when you speak. It's about having your voice heard. It's about the confidence to communicate your thoughts powerfully and effectively. Today's definition of leadership is different from what it was in 1924, but Toastmasters is ready, up-to-date, and able to meet the need's of today's leaders. It's there for you. Toastmasters: Where Leaders Are Made Posted by: Nancy Whatley-Blaine |