Avoiding the Last-Minute Scramble
November 2022
Avoiding the Last-Minute Scramble- Bill Brown, DTM
There is an annual event that takes place every year. It is called the Last-Minute Scramble. Each year every Toastmasters Club elect new officers, conduct Speech Contests and achieve DCP goals. All of these activities are to be completed by June. However, most clubs wait until May or June and try to complete those goals. The article talks about starting now and look for members to become part of the Executive team for the following year. Set a goal to earn your DCP goals by March or April. Encourage your club members to participate in the speech contest and explained the benefits.
Although it is November, think about where you want to be in June so you can avoid the Last-Minute Scramble and possibly run out of time.
Summary by Dwight Jones, DTM
Speaking Up To Change Lives By Ruth Nasrullah
December 2022
Speaking Up To Change Lives By Ruth Nasrullah
Comment: Stories of individuals who overcome tremendous obstacles to become successful and confident are always inspiring. This story gives me the idea for one or more future speeches on similar topics.
Summary: This story detailed the poverty and difficulties in which Jillian Haslam grew up in, and how that, her experiences working with the poor, and meeting inspiring workers motivated her to engage in activities to help the less fortunate. Part of her development was overcoming her fear of public speaking through Toastmasters. Today, she is an inspiration and role model for others. Her confidence and competence are a testament to the effectiveness of Toastmasters.
Summary by Mike Coe
What’s In a Name? By Fiona Swee Lin Price, PhD
November 2022
What’s In a Name? By Fiona Swee Lin Price, PhD
It is often said that it’s the little things that matter the most and show that you truly care. Our name is our identity and hearing it mispronounced can be irritating, and even considered a sign of disrespect, or not caring enough to get say it right. Prior to reading the article, What’s in a Name, November 2022 edition of the Toastmaster Magazine I did not give much thought to an occasional mispronounce of someone’s name. My thought was to do my best to pronounce it correctly and apology if I missed the mark.
This article made me shamefully aware that not everyone is laxed or even accepting of the mispronunciation of their name and will correct you to a fault, if necessary. My last name, BISPHAM is often incorrectly pronounced. I don’t want people to be uncomfortable trying to say it correctly so I don’t make a point to belabor an error, but rather focus on getting to know one another. I can now see how that is flawed logic. If I can’t correctly say your name, am I really getting to know you? Not everyone shares my sentiment and want you to pronounce their name correctly, and sometimes even demand you do so.
I better understand that taking the time to correctly pronounce someone’s name is a great way to begin to connect, establish rapport, and show respect. The strategies the author shared on learning to pronounce names unfamiliar were very helpful and in my opinion not difficult to use.
My greatest take away from this article was “make the time” to say the name correctly. A name is a person’s identity so don’t minimize the importance of the name or the person by being lazy, get it right. Consider using the strategies offered and pronounce the name correctly giving the person the respect and dignity due them.
What’s in a name? Too much not to get it right.
Summary by Sadie Bispham
7 Tips to Brush Up Your Small Talk By Diane Windingland, DTM
December 2022
7 Tips to Brush up Your Small Talk
How to have casual conversions during your work parties and holiday gatherings
by Diane Windingland, DTM
This is a great article. If there is one thing I know how to do is small talk. Unfortunately, I don’t practice it as much. This article caught my eye because the seven steps are doable. The one that sticks out to me is constructing a conversation resume. Per Patrick King, author of Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations and make Real Friends (I know, long title, right?), the conversation resume allows you to remind yourself that you are not such a boring person after all. A conversation resume will give you a good answer or story when someone asks,” What did you do last weekend? King suggests regularly updating your conversation resume with talking points about your daily life and significant experience. Can you imagine how better your Table Topics answer would be with this?
Summary by Cheryl Ladson
6 Tips to Jumpstart Your Journaling
November 2022
6 Tips to Jumpstart Your Journaling
Toastmasters Magazine personal growth department had 6 tips to jumpstart your journal and was very helpful to me. I have been journaling on an APP on my iPhone for several years and I have shared my journey doing this to my club members several times. Journaling is an opportunity to put your thoughts and feelings in your own words and it is a great opportunity to set personal goals. One of the tips that I believe is to make it a habit. I make a habit of starting my day with a positive thought or word. This helps me through the day. And as I make note of my day activities it is encouraging to know that I started the day positively. Another point that I follow is to review and look back. Sometimes looking back gives me a reason to look forward to better things in my life.
Summary by Brenda Marshall
Next-Step Networking
December 2022
Next-Step Networking
Fellow District 14 Toastmasters and friends, when reading the article on: Next-Step Networking: How to develop meaningful and useful connections with new contacts. This is what I am continually working on Networking and Interpersonal Skills. The first point of Doing your research is important not only knowing that person but what type of environment you are meeting them in unless its spontaneous and there is a podcast that goes in depth on networking in the article. One point for me that really took some pressure off in doing follow up is that “If someone you follow up with doesn’t welcome your invitation (or simply doesn’t have the time), don’t be disappointed. Even if it’s a “no” for now, nothing is stopping you from rekindling the relationship in the future”.
The number one thing I agree with is that tell your story and not bombard with facts or rambling. It maybe time to polish off that elevator pitch and know it well. Moreover, see where you can adjust your story due to the audience or the vibe you are getting from that person. The next point of What if you’re approached? Talks about when you begin to lead or brought to the forefront more often people will recognize that they may want to form a connection with you. Which I have personally experienced as I was going outside of my box to grow myself in learning how to connect with people as a behind the wallpaper introvert can without sending myself into shock by working behind the scenes and then I became bolder with leadership roles in District 14.
I really like how they gave examples for verbiage, and I was inspired and used it to make my own sample for a company that I am with to gain referrals in the future, yet the sample is easy to use for any venture even Toastmasters.
Article example:
“I would like to find people who might be interested in X. Is that something you could help me with?”
Instead of:
“I need to find people interested in buying X. Could you introduce me?”
My examples:
“I would like to find people who might be interested in joining a network of people wanting to inspire healthier living and it could be an opportunity to add to their income. Is that something you could help me with?”
“I would like to find people who might be interested in joining a network of people finding their voice through Effective Communication. Moreover, it could be an opportunity to develop or enhance Leadership Skills. Is that something you could help me with?”
The article finishes with Get to your goal and knowing that: If the silence continues, or the other person doesn’t want to proceed, just accept it. Don’t let it stand in the way of your positive relationship. Check in with them in a few months, as things may have changed.
Summary by Jennifer Green
Next-Step Networking
December 2022
Presentation Skills – Tips for Toasting
As a Toastmaster you may be called upon to give a Toast at an event you are attending. A few tips to help you give an effective Toast are
- Tap your glass to get the audience attention
- Read the room to make sure it is the proper time to give the toast.
- Do not assume people know who you are. Introduce yourself to show how you are related to the host.
- Keep it short and mean what you say.
- Deliver a Toast and not a Roast.
- Raise your glass to encourage others to raise their glasses.
- Always end with a call to action.
Summary by Dwight Jones
Gratitude Builds Bridges
November 2022
Gratitude Builds Bridges
Gratitude builds bridges. People who feel appreciated are happier, more satisfied with their work, and more productive. Moreover, gratitude benefits the grateful person, too. Grateful people are measurably happier and healthier than ungrateful ones. It makes sense that the more opportunities we take to express gratitude and appreciation the happier and more successful we all will be.
As a Toastmaster we have many opportunities to acknowledge club members, we give feedback about someone’s speech, share constructive advice, and emphasize what the speaker did right, our job is to find the hidden gems and praise them. In all we do, thanking people is one of the most valuable and impactful things you ever do. Our thanks must be authentic, demonstrate your awareness of the steps that went into the person’s work, and be specific in your thanks. Use the person’s name. Gratitude Stands you out. Note to embrace it.
Summary by Sandra Ukoh
The Benefits of Being Real at Work
December 2022
The Benefits of Being Real at Work
The December 2022 Toastmasters Magazine article on the benefits of being real at work has some very good information to help us with the reality of daily living. In life we all experience a plethora of emotions and things at some point.
The article reminds us that not being real is not good. We must learn to know that someone cares how you feel and sometimes they may be feeling “some kind of way” also. This article has points to note from the leader down to the employee.
The Toastmasters pathways even has a project that helps us see how our emotions impact others.
Summary by Brenda Marshall
If you’re interested in sharing tips or your summation of a Toastmasters Article, then please contact our Acting-Public Relations Manager , Jennifer Green, DTM at D14Toastmasters@gmail.com for more details.
Next Post on June 27th
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