Inner Universe Toastmasters Club

I had the pleasure of attending the Club meeting of Millennium Toastmasters, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday, the 18th November 2008.

The first thing that struck me was the camaraderie and fellowship that was in the air. Not even for a moment did I feel lost and I almost forgot that I was a guest over there. Each and every single member was most cordial and courteous and made me feel welcome and comfortable. Some readers may opine that this is expected of the Toastmasters brotherhood throughout the world, but then, my friend, it is one thing to preach and a totally different thing to practice!

I am told there are Toastmasters who take even one full year to deliver their Ice Breaker project. Is this procrastination or sheer nervousness to stand up and speak in front of a crowd?

Nervousness should not be taken lightly. While it is second-nature for many to orate, it could be the greatest challenge in their lives for many. Such people need all the support and encouragement to cross that crucial step of “I Can Do; I Will Do”.

I have had my evaluator saying that I walked the stage too much while I have also had other evaluators observing that I was not covering the entire stage though I was moving well. Granted that I could have been pacing differently during each of those occasions.

But how much movement and walking is good enough?

Here are some reminders from the CC manual on the topic:

• Any movement during your speech should be purposeful as well.

Before I start writing on this topic, I seek the indulgence of senior Toastmasters. I am too “young” a member in Toastmasters and perhaps not directly qualified to broach this subject. But mention I must as I see it from my perspective.

Having a powerful opening and closing, diction, body language, maintaining eye contact, covering a fair area of space available – if applicable, etc. are good traits and requirements of any good orator. While it may be appropriate to mention the above observations during the evaluation, does it suffice to stop with that?

I finished what I considered at the time possibly the most difficult project in the Toastmasters speaking manuals:  Cold Calling.  It is from the Persuasive Speaker Advanced Communication Manual.  But in many ways, it is one of the best projects.

While I did my project on selling consulting/coaching services to a law firm, it made me think about promoting Toastmasters as well.  Ever fear to “sell” Toastmasters?  Surprised by some people’s conception of Toastmasters?  Well, it should not be any surprise.  What Toastmasters represents, just as any solution you might wish to sell is:

Article posted by Omana Kallarkal

The Seven Thinking Sins of Public Speaking
September 9, 2008 by Olivia Mitchell

Here are the Top 10 Thinking Sins that contribute to the fear of public speaking.

1. My presentation must go perfectly
Truth: There is no such thing as a perfect presentation. And neither is it a laudable goal. Audiences prefer authentic to polished, they prefer conversational to slick. It’s normal to stumble over a word or forget for a moment what you want to say next. Your audience will forgive you.

The other day I found myself presenting my 2nd project when one of the other speakers was presenting his 32nd project.

In the next couple of days I shall be presenting my 4th project and will be up against heavy weights doing their 8th, 13th and 33rd projects. And that too at a joint meeting with a club holding its 344th meeting!

Should I have reason to smile or cringe?

Keep the Spark Alive

Inaugural Speech for the new batch at the Symbiosis BBA program, Pune

23rd June, 2008

By Chetan Bhagat

You never know where you can find good advice!

And smart are those who make use of good advice wherever it comes from…

The following article was originally released for Research Students, but then…. aren’t we all students throughout our lives for something or the other?

Hope you find the following article interesting and useful.

I came across this article by Morton C. Orman, M.D. and found it really worth sharing with our Toastmasters members.

As usual, always learn to take suggestions and recommendations with a pinch of salt. There is no absolute right or wrong way of how you may or can do things and you should use your discretion on how/what to to apply in your own usage… but, such articles and pointers do help immensely.

Enjoy… and benefit…

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