Why I Joined....

The blog torch was passed to me to discuss a notable Toastmasters event I have experienced.

 What came to mind was the interesting combination of similarities and differences I have seen between Toastmasters clubs.  I joined Toastmasters at a corporate club. I participated in several meetings, however, my job role and location changed making it difficult to attend that location. That’s when I joined Speak for Success in Bradford, close to home.

I found both clubs were very supportive.  The meeting agendas and roles are also fairly similar.  The Corporate club meets for one hour each week, so the agenda and number of roles were paired down a little. 

I found the size of the corporate club to be one of the notable differences. It was literally a competition to sign up for roles and speeches at the corporate club.  At Speak for Success, I have found the smaller club provides members more communication and leadership opportunities.

Another difference I noticed, is that members of the local club are more invested in the club. This may be due of the smaller club size and more opportunities, but I think this is also because there is a greater sense of community associated with a club close to home.

All told, I’m happy how fate helped to change my Toastmasters experience, in my mind, for the better.

Bob Cameron
Vice President - Public Relations

A healthy change can create fulfillment in your life.

No resolutions for me, I believe in action. For those of you who lack will, take baby
steps. You know the saying one step at a time, this is a reasonable action solution.
Letʼs take an example, exercise. For some exercise is painful. Find the exercise you like
whether it is going for a walk in the woods, or doing a physical activity like racquet
sports or perhaps you are a quieter person who would appreciate yoga or stretching, it
really doesnʼt matter, find what it is that gives you pleasure and makes you feel good.
For me I need cardio activity everyday in order for me to thrive, so I do a physical
workout in the am but I also love the outdoors. Having a dog makes this happen for me
everyday and I appreciate the fresh air and nature and cherish those time. I just do it.

No resolution required!

 Start off slow...donʼt try to be an Olympian overnight, disappointment will surely happen
without even trying. Give yourself a reasonable action, try once a week. After
28 weeks (this is the time prescribed to create a habit) move your routine to twice a
week, give this 28 weeks and if you are truly ambitious add another day. You will know
what you are able to do, by how you feel. And the routine will be there before you know
it. The more you do it the easier it gets. Try to pick a time and date and stick to it. It will
make your routine easier to follow. If I put this in the context of a speech, I would take
action once a month to create a speech and practice it. This is how I was able to follow
through on my goals.

Be encouraging to yourself. This one we always forget...you are only going to do
something if you believe you can. So everyday when you look at what it is you would
like to achieve, tell yourself you can do it. When you have completed or got a routine
going celebrate by rewarding or giving yourself something that will make you feel good.
It can be simple or extravagant as you like, just set the celebration and make sure you
follow through. Perhaps use the 29th week for the celebration. Oh and donʼt be hard on
yourself if you have to change or miss a day, life happens and you can assure yourself
that you will resume the schedule after this circumstance.

Anything that is new takes time to work into your life. For those of you who have a very
full plate remember to add something else you need to remove something less
important. Sometimes it is that very full plate that makes your life take a back seat.
Again, only you will know what you can do. I remember the time when I was juggling a
new business, 2 infants, my aging parents and troubled brother, the daily cleaning,
cooking and all the other things momʼs do and exercise just wasnʼt in the picture, but I
always got my speech ready (that was the one thing I did for myself). Once my children
were independent enough I started to take a front seat to my action. Your time will come
too.

I guess you need to evaluate your life and move ahead the pieces that will help you be
more fulfilled and happy. I was once told “A happy wife is a happy life?” for you men
food for thought. I believe men and women need to do something that will create a
challenge in their life, because learning is growing and changing routines can be as
refreshing as a holiday, which make us more productive, but most of all fulfilled.

Marsha Field

Start with a goal

They say when you want to achieve a goal start with the end in mind. As a new member of Toastmasters it can seem overwhelming trying to come up with speech topics and getting through 10 speeches can seem daunting to complete your Competent Communicator Level 1. On the flip side it must be very challenging to keep topics fresh after a period of time with Toastmasters. I had to ask myself what would I hope to accomplish after 5 years and how do I use Toastmasters as an effective  tool for continuous improvement over time rather than a “one and done” program.

The moment I knew the Bradford Toastmasters club was for me was hearing from the long standing members who are so passionate and excited about Toastmasters and what they take away from each session. It is quite amazing to see so many people enthusiastic to help each other achieve goals and overcome obstacles.
As a recent member I would love to get more insight from our tenured members on some of the following topics:

1.How to give a speech effectively (all of the thoughts and behaviors that go along with it.)

2.How to achieve goals through Toastmasters – a speech on case studies from local clubs

3.Murphy’s Law for speaking or leading

4.Common phrases from around the world

5.Craziest public speaking memory

6.Making mistakes and why you need to make mistakes to be successful

7.Common myths of speaking or leading

With a New Year here already it is important to ask yourself: What are my goals? Are they Smart goals? How can I use this tool in my life to help achieve my long term goals? Where do I want to be in 5 years ? Am I beginning with the end in mind?

 

Maggie Dempsey

My First Date with Toastmasters

                                        My First Date with the Toastmasters Club in Bradford

 

                   It was August 2011.  On my fridge was a recent advertisement from Toastmasters inviting me to spend an evening with them.  This was like a blind date; I would not know anyone there.   I was curious, a little anxious and wondered if I would enjoy the evening's events.  I parked my car and wandered into the establishment.  I was greeted by friendly people.  The evening proceeded with jokes, quotes, and creative speeches.  I was invited back for more dates.  This was great! I was energized and inspired.  Toastmasters and I have been on many dates; over a year now and going strong.  Thanks for the fun, and opportunities Toastmasters. I am looking forward to a rewarding future with all of you.  

Sincerely,
Christine Legree
December 2012.      

Our Halloween Meeting

"Witches and Goblins? Not!" Characters from the past? Yes!

It was a fun night. Abraham Lincoln was our Chairperson and he, I mean she,
I mean Abraham did a mighty fine job. (Marsha) although her beard was the
tell tale sign of who was really under the hat.

Benjamin Franklin was our resident Tim Norton and I will say I was a little jealous
of the hair, it gave Tim a distinguished look.

I, of course came as my alter ego "Annie Oakley" carrying my gun and all (not a far
stretch really.)

It was an amusing night for sure...Jennifer entertained (as usual) with her Mary Tyler
look and theatrical performance. She was hilarious!

Christina, I mean Jacques Cousteau also made us laugh with whimsical story about
the infamous Jacques. She actually had a diver suit on!

John Lennon (Bob Cameron) almost fooled us into thinking he really was John, however
it came out during the meeting that he was our timer after all.

Our guests and new members chirped in to contribute to the meeting. The growth we
are having is incredible in our new location. I just knew this would happen.

Maggie Cohen gave a really fun and informative grammarians report and is an enthusiastic
new member. Thanks Maggie!

Our resident Doug Armstrong, who is always working so hard, just relaxed tonight. It was
good to see Doug just plain old enjoy himself!

John, read The Comfort Zone. It was deep and insightful. Thanks John, and your Private
Detective coat and hat made you look sophisticated.

Nice to Rick Nesbitt again, I hear he's bacccckkkkkkk.....He's a good bird!

Rob entertained us with his choice of table topics. I must say I thought I did well as a headless
women, wouldn't you agree? Story of my life always losing my head. lol

The night was mildly ghoulish, but more fun. I thought that everyone (including our new members)
participated which made it an even better meeting. Thanks for a great night to all!

Annette The Shy Buster!

Artistic Stress

Syndicated from The Acting Artist

Even with years of stage experience I still find that I experience a certain level of stress before performing a speech.  It was one of the main reasons why I joined Toastmasters to begin with.  I had little problems handling someone else's material, and did quite well in Improvisation when working with a group that I could bounce ideas off of, however I had not perfected the art of relying on myself for all the materials involved before.

I had written monologues back in high school and tried my hand as a disc jockey in college, but these didn't count in the same way to me as standing in a room with adults and entertaining them with my own words.  It's one of the reasons I never pursued stand-up comedy up to this point.  I was advised to by a number of people as I've been known to come up with quite a few zingers in my time, but it wasn't a place I felt ready to go.

The interesting thing is, this has nothing to do with speaking in public.  One, Fifty, Five Thousand, it doesn't matter. I am quite comfortable being in front of people.  Where my anxieties always lie is in the material.  When I am in improv mode, I'm not that worried about making mistakes.  I can always change tactic and make up something to make my phrasing sound coherent.  However with a prepared speech things are completely different.

Ironically, the more that I prepare my material the more nervous I feel in the hours leading up to my performance.  As the writer of said speech I have an artistic pride in doing it exactly right...and my pride can be pretty big sometimes.  Like most artists out there, I am my own worst critic and I hate being mad at myself.  So, I stress the entire day away, working out the best methods to not allow that to happen.

It has served me well, I guess.  My energy and enthusaism tend to be at their peak when I speak.  I've been told by some I make it look easy.  But what my audience doesn't see if that the entire day leading up to that moment has usually been laid to waste.  I can't concentrate on anything else, I'm withdrawn into my own thoughts half the time and I pace around like a crazed tower guard.

Those of you out there who think they are no good at public speaking because they get nervous...take heart. Even the most experienced of us have our nerves and stresses.  It's all part of the learning experience of being a public speaker or actor or even a comedian.  My own education is in going easier on myself, allowing the natural side of delivering my speech to flow better and to take more pleasure in what I do.

If I can't have fun, why do it at all?

11:00pm

Music I'm listening to right now: Dean Evenson - Dreamstreams
Podcast of the day: The Thrilling Adventure Hour

Humorous Speech Contest

October 13^th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (With photo provided)

BRADFORD TOASTMASTERS HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST

The Bradford Toastmasters club, Speak for Success, recently hosted the local and area Humorous Speech Contests at the BWG Leisure Centre. The two evenings were enjoyable for both those attending and participating.

Contest Chairman, Doug Armstrong with speech contestants Vetri Kasinathan,

Tim Norton,Rita Beechey,Debbie Auty and Francisco Zimmermann.

The area contest was held last Tuesday evening, featuring finalists from four area clubs. The four speech competitors included Vetri Kasinathan, Debbie Auty, Rita Beechey and Tim Norton. In addition to the speech contest, a Table Topics contest was also held. Debbie, Rita, Tim, and Francisco Zimmermann competed in the Table Topics contest. Area Governor, Doug Armstrong, was chairman for the event.

After an entertaining evening, the winners of the contests were announced. Tim Norton, our Bradford club President, won both the speech and table topics contests. Rita Beechey of Simcoe Shores Toastmasters placed second in each contest. Both Rita and Tim will advance to the division contest next month.

For those interested in seeing the best of their respective areas compete in the division contest, it will be held in Innisfil, at the Innisfil Church, 1571 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil, ON. L9S 1A9 on Saturday November 3^rd, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm at a cost of $5.00 per person.

 The Bradford Club meets every 2^nd, 4^th and when it occurs, the 5^th Tuesday of each month at the new  BWG Leisure Centre, 471 West Park Avenue, Multi-purpose room East End 2^nd floor, Bradford, ON, L3Z 2A8,. Regular meetings start at 7pm and run until 9pm. Guests are always welcome at no cost.

 Feel free to join a meeting, or please contact on the web at http://speakforsuccess.easy-speak.org/  or Tim Norton directly at 416-871-5744.