Do you dread speaking in front of an audience? Do you become tongue-tied when answering impromptu questions? I answered ‘yes’ to both questions before I joined Toastmasters! Toastmasters helped me conquer my fear of public speaking, put forth words in a coherent manner while answering impromptu questions, and become a more effective communicator! I also learned new leadership skills along the way. Summer Picnic
We've voted and elected a new 2009-2010 leadership team at our May 21st meeting. Our tradition is to install the new officers at our annual family style picnic at the Masonic Picnic Shelter. We are scheduled for Thursday, June 25th, beginning with social time at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM and our Toastmaster meeting at 6:30 PM. The meat will be provided and please bring a dish to share. Contact Kay to RSVP your attendance. The picnic will take the place of our regular morning meeting.
President's Distinguished Club - Again!!!
Toastmasters encourages clubs to grow and advance the goals of their members. The report card for progress is the Distinguished Club Program. This year under the leadership of President Vickie Shoutz, the Hutchinson II club received the President's Distinguished Club award - the highest award in the program. This marks the fifth consecutive year for the President's award and shows the Hutch club is active, healthy and helping its members to become better leaders and communicators.
Speechcraft
What do Mary Jo, Don, Margi, Shari and Mike all have in common? Besides being busy professionals, they are graduates of a six-week Speechcraft course sponsored by the Hutchinson Toastmasters II club. Each individual presented five prepared speeches while overcoming the anxiety of being the center of attention. One key thing they learned is that the audience wants to be informed and entertained and are hoping that you can communicate effectively. They also participated in dozens of table topics which improve their ability to sound intelligent while answering questions "off the cuff". Special thanks goes out to Jean for acting as coordinator and Mike, Robert, Kay, Dan, Vickie, Chuck, Raymond and Bob for acting as advisors to ensure the success of the course.
It's Come Home
The EGG, District 6's Elusive Gilded Gavel, is returning to our club where is spent most of last year. Sarah, Bob Lea, Jean, Bob Anderson and Vickie attended the Datamasters meeting in Chanhassen to make the capture. Shown on the right are Karen Fevold, Jeff Henke, Chris Amborn, Joana Gross and Kristin Smith of the Datamasters club.
The EGG is a District Six Lt. Governor of Marketing program to encourage visitation between clubs.
Tip Of The Week
A new thing for 2009 is the Tip of the Week. These pro tips will help you become a better speaker and leader. It's best to hear them at the meeting, but you can read them here as well.
Club Vision Statement
King Solomon said, "Without a vision, the people perish." We are looking to improve the club, so we took the king's advice and created our own club vision. The next challenge is to make sure the club is living up to the vision. President Vickie Shoutz is asking everyone to complete a survey form which will be complied and evaluated by the leadership team to determine where to direct efforts for improvement.
Mark's Toastmasters Rap:
Our 2008-2009 Prairie Division Governor Mark Ziegler introduced everyone at the District Six Spring Convention (2008) to the Toastmasters Rap. To listen, click on the player below. Mark joined Toastmasters a second time about two years ago, to develop better leadership skills. Mark works for the City of St. Cloud, and in his free time enjoys both songwriting and Toastmasters, so the song was just a natural outcome!
Click on the Play button below.
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Mastering Table Topics
Bob Lea shares some tips on delivering a winning Table Topic speech. Bob's article was published in the April 2008 Toastmaster magazine.
Like David Letterman's Top 10 Lists, here’s our:
Top 10 Reasons To Join Hutchinson II Toastmasters Club
by Vickie Shoutz, ATMG/CL
- Other options to consume your time could be much worse than practicing your presentation skills - like alligator wrestling or getting a root canal.
- Practicing the delivery of an important message is much easier in front of a supportive crowd (we’re not an angry mob).
- It’s a great way to jump start the day as we meet at 7:00 a.m. Your other option is to sleep in and waste good “exercising your brain” time.
- If you feel your life is boring, you can life vicariously through other's adventurous stories.
- Where else can you have a blank mind in front of a room of people that truly relate to your dilemma and be applauded for being brave enough to give it a try?
- It’s a low cost, high return on your investment unlike other returns we may count on like social security or winning the lottery for example.
- When you’re done reading your monthly Toastmasters magazine, you can place it in the bottom of the birdcage and your parrot can improve his speaking skills.
- You receive a Toastmasters Magazine each month that is packed full of great tips and insights that can help you improve your speaking skills. It’s a guarantee that you won’t just toss it in the trash or use it for starting a fire.
- We have high quality members who are there to mentor and provide constructive feedback in order to help you meet your speaking goals.
- When else do you have the opportunity to be a bit selfish and have a whole hour every week devoted to a focus on improving yourself?
Smart Money
We are always looking for ways to make our money work harder for us. Money Magazine published a list of the 50 Smartest Things You Can Do With Your Money. A subcategory within this article is entitled, "Great Ways to Better Yourself." They point out that no one ever got a raise by being a wallflower. Their smart money solution: join Toastmasters.
Toastmasters provides a motivating and encouraging environment where you can:
- Learn to communication confidently and effectively in public.
- Listen critically and provide constructive feedback.
- Improve your thinking ability.
- Learn leadership and project management skills.
- Network with peers and leaders at Hutchinson Technology and in the Hutchinson community.
- Serve your workplace, community and special interest group effectively by being better equipped for leadership roles.
Companies like Hutchinson Technology considers the Toastmaster program to be effective to the point where they will reimburse your membership dues. Your money stays in your pocket. Now that's smart use of your money!
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