The London Speaker

How to remember your speeches, talks and presentations 10th Feb 2010

From Anabela Pinto, President WiB&F Speakers, Canary Wharf

On Wednesday 10th Feb 2010 you are very welcome to attend at workshop being held at WIB&F, Canary Wharf. The all important subject - how to remember your speeches, talks and presentations.

The workshop will be led by Alan McMahon, Immediate Past President of Harrovians.

"When we go to Toastmasters we have to remember our speeches. There is a very easy way to know what you want to say using a unique technique called Memory Mapping", says Alan. "Please come and find out more."

President of WiB&F Speakers, Anabela Pinto, welcomes everyone to attend this free workshop and learn ‘how to remember your speech’.

When? 6pm Wednesday 10th February

Where? WiB&F Speakers, Canary Wharf. Map and Directions

Advanced booking essential. Please email Anabela if you would like to attend. EMAIL click here

Public Speaking tips from a past master

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

We  recently published speaking tips from Phil Collins, former speechwriter at No 10 Downing Street (click here).

There is much in common with the top tips from the great Victorian Prime Minister William Gladstone.  What did he discover about the art of persuasive public speaking?

In summary:

1. Study plainness of language, always preferring the simpler words. 2. Shortness of sentences. 3. Distinctness of articulation. 4. Test and question your own arguments beforehand, not waiting for critic or opponent. 5. Seek a thorough digestion of, and familiarity with, your subject, and rely mainly on these to prompt the proper words. 6. Remember that if you are to sway an audience you must besides thinking out your matter, watch them all along.

Sounds like a good recipe to me!

I found this in a book by Richard Aldous - The Lion and the Unicorn. Gladstone vs Disraeli, published by Hutchinson. Recommended to anyone interested in political history, rivalry and the art of speaking. And of course...if you are a fan of Alice Through the Looking Glass you will remember the wonderful drawing of the two great Prime Ministers as the Lion and the Unicorn.

Toastmasters Club Contests -what you need to know!

From Rory Marriott, Area 31 Governor, member St Paul's Speakers

Urban Myths Exploded

With contest season imminent, experience demonstrates that there is much confusion about the rules of engagement and therefore in order to explode some of the myths that surround the up coming Toastmasters Contest Season the following could be of help to you:

Q - How many speeches must I have completed in order to enter the International Speech Contest?

A – The International Speech Contest rules clearly state in order to be eligible to compete a member must:

“Have completed at least six manual speeches in the Competent Communication manual prior to the club contest. However, a charter member of a club chartered since the previous July 1 is permitted to compete without having completed six manual speeches in the Competent Communication manual. The club must be officially chartered before the area contest.”

For this criteria I will emphasize the phrase “…six manual speeches….PRIOR to the club contest”. There is a very poorly held belief that a member can use the contest to deliver their 6th speech and that makes them eligible – IT DOESN’T. The rules are very very very clear. A minimum of SIX CC/CTM accredited speeches must have been delivered BEFORE you hold your contest in order for the speaker to compete.

Q – How many speeches must I have completed in order to enter the Speech Evaluation Contest?

A – None. So long as you are a member in good standing (have paid your fee and it has been logged at WHQ) and you are an active club member you are able to enter your club contest.

Q – I have submitted my membership fee’s to the club and therefore I am eligible to compete

A – Contest rules stipulate that in order to be eligible a member must be … a member in good standing of the club in which he or she is competing. The club also must be in good standing. A new, dual, or reinstated member must have dues and membership application current with World Headquarters.

Which in translation means “the members dues must have been registered at WHQ. Simply having paid the money to the club is not sufficient , it has to be entered at WHQ. Contestant’s have been disqualified in the past as a result of clubs not completing the process correctly.

Q – Is it true that I can only enter one club contest?

A – Absolutely not – You can enter as many club contest’s as you like, however, you can only compete at one Area contest so if you win at two club contests you have to decide which Area you will compete in.

Q – I won my Club International Speech contest in Area X and at my Other Club contest in area Y I won the Evaluation contest. Can I compete in both area contest finals?

A – Yes – As they are separate contest’s in separate Areas there is no problem.

Q – I have been asked to be a judge at a contest at another club/area/division/district and am also competing. Can I be a judge?

A – In order to maintain integrity Toastie rules clearly state “An individual is not permitted to be a judge at any level for a contest in which they are still competing.”

Therefore you can not judge in different areas, divisions or districts if you are still in that contest. If you are only taking part in one of the contests you can however judge in the other.

If you have any other questions you are advised to raise these ASAP to the Division Council or post a comment here and we'll get back to you.

And finally...get involved with your club contests - as a speaker, an organiser - you will learn alot and it will be great fun.

For Bob Ferguson DTM's top tips for entering contests click here

Gilly Cutts - What it means to be a Distinguished Toastmaster

From Paul Walsh, President London Cardinals

In November of 2009, Gilly Cutts achieved the highest award in Toastmasters, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).  Here are some of her thoughts and feelings on being a Toastmaster and her achievement............

I joined Toastmasters’ International 15 years ago at Epsom Speakers.   I was painfully shy, ‘Minnie Mouse’ shy!   I remember competing in the Humorous Speech contest, ‘Just to make up the numbers’ and eventually came 2^nd in the Division! – I could not believe it and gave me a great boost!

That led me to a District Conference in Dublin, which was a turning point for me – I didn’t know anyone and fortunately found myself on a table with a fun bunch from London Corinthians – Celia Jones,   Barry Graham amongst others.  They made me so welcome and insisted that I join their club. I spent many happy years at London Corinthians and was proud to be their President in the ’nineties.

My husband Nigel and I enjoy Toastmasters and are always looking for challenges that will grow and develop us - In 2004 we  founded London Cardinals, which continues to thrive and late in 2009, we ran some Toastmasters’ workshops in our village at Ripley to ‘Spread the word’.

Newer Toastmasters ask me regularly ‘How can I get the most out of being a member of Toastmasters’ International and my advice is:

1. Always say YES! Get involved in the club committee – it’s great way to develop communication, leadership and management skills  and just as important, to get to know people and have fun – with every club I have been involved with, our Committee Meetings are held on a evening separate from the club meeting and are  followed by a meal afterwards,  so we can socialise.

2. Develop your Mentoring Skills – Mentoring is my passion and we have developed a strong and active mentoring programme at London Cardinals – everyone is mentored. It’s such a powerful way to develop

3. Take Risks!! If you don’t take risks you are not fully alive!!

I enjoy the opportunity to grow and develop within Toastmasters, so I had always pursued the communication and leadership pathways.   It wasn’t until I had completed a spell as Area Governor, however, that I thought, ‘Why not go for ‘DTM’?  So I did - It seemed the natural thing to do!  I am so thrilled to have become a DTM – It’s marvellous. Who would have thought 15 years ago, I would have achieved this!

Watch Winning Speech on dealing with judgement

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Rory Vaden Ist Runner up in the 2007 World Championship of Public Speaking talks about judging and dealing with being judged. Watch his speech for an interesting performance as well as the message. Thanks to Vanessa Simon on the Linkedin Toastmasters group for bringing Rory to my attention. Amazingly he is only 23 years old...sounds as if he's taken every opportunity to get his speeches evaluated and learn from the feedback he's received.

Help needed for New Lawspeak club launch

From Cami Burn, President Lawspeak Toastmasters

Hi Everyone. We are a new Toastmasters club called Lawspeak Toastmasters. We are open to law students at the Bloomsbury branch of the College. Our launch meeting is on the Wednesday 3rd February 2010 at 6.30 pm at The College of Law.  MAP

 

We are currently looking for lawyer TMs who would be interested in coming along to support the club. I am hoping that you will act as role models for students and encourage them to join. We have quite a few  roles to cover at the meeting so please get in touch with me or our VP Membership Catherine Tate. Let us know how you would like to help and I'll add names to our guest list and assign roles.

 

Email me Cami Burn (or call me on 078500 311 565) or email Catherine.Tate

You can also book a role directly via d71.org - search for LawSpeak Toastmasters.

 

Thank you for your help and support - look forward to meeting some of you on 3 February or at later meetings.

Speech Evaluation Workshop - Bloomsbury Speakers - 25 January 2010

From Craig Reid, VP Education, Bloomsbury Speakers

London’s newest Toastmasters International club – Bloomsbury Speakers - is gaining momentum and invites you to be a part of the fun and friendly vibe at out club’s first ever learning event – an Evaluation/Feedback Workshop on the Monday 25^th January 2010! 6.30pm for prompt 6.45pm start.

 

Purpose: High quality evaluations are critical to learning and improving our speaking skills. The Evaluation Workshop will be a practical opportunity to listen to two speeches and two impromptu speeches and to give feedback by evaluating them using the Toastmaster method. 

Event Structure: There will be an introduction to evaluation/feedback basics for a manual speech and an advanced speech. We will work in groups to share ideas and do group evaluations for both speeches. We will also see 2 expert evaluators in action. Finally the evaluations will be evaluated on what was done well and how it could be improved.

Awesome Facilitators: We are delighted to have 2 of our district’s leading lights facilitating the event for us – our Area Governor, Christopher Hall and the District 71 PR Officer, Freddie Daniells.

Other Information: Places are limited and booking will be done on a 1^st come 1^st served basis. 

There will be a £5 charge for the evening - great value for money with high calibre and experienced Toastmasters such as Christopher and Freddie!

Next Steps: If you are interested in becoming a better evaluator and wish to book a place, please log onto: http://bloomspeakworkshop.eventbrite.com which will book you on and take you to the Bloomsbury Speakers paypal site.

 

Venue: The Rugby Tavern, 19 Great James Street, WC1N 3LS

We look forward to seeing you there!

Learning, Orating and Laughing. LOL

Hear Darren LaCroix - World Champion of Public Speaking

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Toastmasters District 71 (UK & Ireland) is proud to announce that 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking Darren LaCroix will be the keynote speaker at the Land of Heart's Desire Conference 14-16 May 2010. The Conference includes the UK & Ireland finals of the International Speech Contest and the Evaluation Contest, as well as educational workshops and other activities including a golf tournament.

The Conference is being held in Sligo, Ireland.  A beautiful setting and a lovely place to go for a long weekend or extended holiday.  You can read more about the conference programme and the venue on the d71 website. Booking forms are being circulated via your Area Governors and Club Presidents.  More info to follow....

Memories of Michael Tipper with thanks

From David Adams, Area 45 Governnor

Memory

Hot balmy August evening

In Hammersmith

Speed cards event

The media are there

52 cards to remember

In under three minutes

For the silver medal

Bet he doesn’t get out much

Can he remember?

Can I remember?

Believe! The Story!

I struggled with that

Until I discovered

The memory course

And wrong beliefs

A life-changing experience

As a naval apprentice.

It’s the way you’ve been taught

To read

Not your memory.

Just read down the middle

Be involved in the process

Don’t lose the car.

Read faster.

The eye is the camera

The brain does the reading

Use a guide. Believe!

Change the frame of reference

Double your reading speed

At least; and remember.

Recall, Remember, Learnt

Understood, Attention, Interest,

Allow your emotions to drive you

Concentrate on the names

Have a conversation About the name

Have a conversation … focus

Change your beliefs. Effort.

Superior motivation.

Reptilian (old) brain. Juggle.

No red spot. Shame

I’d like

To learn

To Juggle

Left and right brain

Cortical skills.

Left and right

Logic versus emotion.

Little and often

Take lots of breaks

When you’re learning

80 per cent goes down the drain

In twenty-four hours.

A million, million, that’s

A million, million Brain cells.

They connect. Reinforce

10 minutes, 24 hours, and 7 and 31

And, one-hundred and eighty. Repeat

Practise

the In and Out

Muscle

Repeat and Repeat and Repeat

What we see, what we hear,

What we do.

One to ten in Japanese

With itchy knees

Using all three parts;

Structure the info

Use a Mind Map

To remember the facts

On the Rue Rivoli

It’s all about technique (Isn’t it always?)

Particularly on the Rue Rivoli…

For a Binary Memory.

It’s all about belief

You can do anything

With Belief!

Fly your butterflies In formation.Rejoice

Show that you care

Reframe. Enjoy.

And write to Himself At

Michael Tipper dot com.

David Adams after Michael Tipper 13th January, 2010

Many Thanks to Michael Tipper, Grand Master of Memory, for making the Excalibur Speakers event so special. We look forward to hearing how members benefit and use what they learned.

Rapid Reaction Fun Force - volunteer update

From Kim Crosby

Rapid Reaction Fun Force – End of year progress report.

The Rapid Reaction Fun Force has been established for 6 months now and, during that time, the Good People from Toastmasters have brought a lot of sunshine to the lives of elderly people who attend the Pullen Centre, London, SW1.

Those that need to be mentioned in Dispatches include Carol West; David Lennon; David Jones; John Craddock; Mia Silvas (daughter of Mike Silverman); Hilary Briggs (and accompanist Lady Jean Arbuthnot); Laura McCracken; Dick Dixon; Jane Liburd; Michael Keyte; Ann-Mary Mainoo; John Nyaruwa; Patricia Prince; and Ewan Wong. All: Take a bow

The purpose of the Rapid Reaction Fun Force is to bring a little bit of sparkle to the lives of vulnerable adults living in London. The Pullen Centre provides a vital local service for elderly people who are classed as ‘vulnerable adults’. That is people who are living on their own in the community but who, due to health or mobility problems, may have difficulty leaving their homes unaided and as a result of this, may feel vulnerable, lonely or isolated. If you would like to volunteer your services to:

· Practise your speaking / presenting / performing

Then we would like to hear from you.

So if you would like to deliver a presentation there, or can tinkle the ivories (ie play the piano!), or can sing or juggle (or any other form of entertainment!), then we would like to hear from you.

Best days / times are a Tue or a Fri, 13:00-13:30 hours on either day.

Contact Kim Crosby (Mob: 07775 992505; Email:TellMeMore@CustomerClix.com)