The London Speaker

London Toastmasters Triumph at the Public Speaking Olympiad

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Yes, they did!

The London Toastmasters team of Laura McCracken, Paul Carroll and David Jones won the Public Speaking Olympiad held in London on Saturday 29 May 2010.  In second placed the team from SpeakersBank - Chris Billington, Elaine Powell and Michael Ronayne.

Plenty of Toastmasters came along to support including proud club presidents Primrose Musingarimi (London Olympians), Peter van der Sloot (London Athenians) and me (Excalibur Speakers).

Team captain Paul Carroll's thoughts on why Toastmasters won: "We join Toastmasters to practice our speeches. What we don't realise is how much we gain from other activities like impromptu speaking.  This is a big help for debate where you need to be able to formulate responses quickly."

"The critical thinking projects in the Competent Leader Manual are also very useful - particularly for Cogers debating.  In this style of debate you have to listen carefully to early speakers and analyse what they've said before articulating your considered opinon - again with very little prep time. Because the Olympiad requires the teams to take part in four very different rounds you need all the flexibility that Toastmasters helps you gain."

The SpeakersBank team in the Rotary's "Youth Speak"style round.  Pictured from left: Michael, Chris and Elaine.

Pictured below: Gywn Redgers (a member of the ASC and Cogers) who was the driving force behind this years Olympiad. Caroline Sinclair from the Society of Cogers and Tony Koutsoumbos from the Central London Debating Society.

See more picture from Julie Kertesz on Flikr.

Improve your persuasive speaking...Come to the Public Speaking Olympiad

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Do you want to become a more persuasive and compelling speaker?  If so you need to put across your case and influence your audience.  Why not take advantage of the opportunity to hear four teams of speakers doing their best to persuade you and engage your interest at TOMORROW'S PUBLIC SPEAKING OLYMPIAD.

Not only will you hear some talented speakers, you'll experience different styles of speaking as the teams compete in four different rounds. Each aimed at testing the speakers' skills and flexibility.  Listen, learn and have fun!  Confirm your place by emailing Gwyn Redger [email protected]

The Public Speaking Olympiad is being held in cental London.

When? 10:30-4:30, Saturday 29 May 2010  (start time 10.30am please arrive a few minute before this)

Where? The George, 213 Strand, London, WC2R 1AP, across from The Royal Courts of Justice. Closest underground station is Temple. Walk down Kingsway from Holborn underground station.  Nearest mainline stations Blackfriars, Waterloo and Victoria.

Contribution?  £5 sandwhich lunch included.

The Toastmasters team pictured above: David Jones. Laura McCracken and Paul Carroll

Learn about speaking from Meryl Streep

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Meryl Streep recently gave an engaging and humorous commencement address at Barnard College for this year's graduates.  Learn from her pacing of her speech, vocal variety and self-deprecating humour all of which has her audience hanging on every word.  Thank you to Ian Griffin for bringing her speech to my attention. You can read a full analysis of the speech on his blog.

Read Ian's blog post here (http://www.exec-comms/blog/)

Saturday 29 May Speaking Olympiad 2010 support your Toastmasters team

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

Support your Toastmasters team on Saturday 29 May in central London as we compete in the 2nd Public Speaking Olympiad. Learn from the masterful speakers from the four competing teams and enjoy a unique event.  Book your place now by emailing Gwyn Redgers [email protected].

In 2006, London Toastmasters triumphed at the 1st Public Speaking Olympiad sponsored by The Society of Cogers to mark their 250th Anniversary. This year sees the 2nd Speaking Olympiad at The George On The Strand, comprising four rounds and four different public speaking organizations.  The teams will be engaging in four styles of public speaking - giving a speech with an introduction and vote of thanks; impromptu speaking; debating; and Cogers-style debate.

Come support the London Toastmasters team: David Jones (Holborn Speakers, Excalibur Speakers), Laura McCracken (London Olympians, London Cardinals) and Paul Carroll (London Athenians).  They'll battle the Society of Cogers, The Association of Speaking Clubs and Speakers Bank for the laurels of the Second Speaking Olympiad.

When? 10:30-4:30, Saturday 29 May 2010

Where? The George, 213 Strand, London, WC2R 1AP, across from The Royal Courts of Justice. Closest underground station is Temple. Walk down Kingsway from Holborn underground station.  Nearest mainline stations Blackfriars, Waterloo and Victoria.

Contribution?  £5 sandwhich lunch included.

Land of Heart's Desire Conference update

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

I wish you could have been there...not just at the Toastmasters UK & Ireland conference in Sligo last weekend but at the meeting organised by Peter Kieran in Dublin the evening before the conference started. A joint meeting between The Clontarf Marino club and Tube Talk (the London Underground Company club) - with 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking Darren LaCroix giving a short workshop and Peter's organising skills it was no surprise that over 100 people attended.

I got two great tips for adding some variety to meetings. First I was asked by Peter to read a poem near the beginning of the meeting and discovered that his club has a Poetmaster at each meeting. Second the Topicsmasters allows "add ons". Once the initial topics speaker finishes the audience is asked if there are any add ons ie people who want to stand and make a short additional contribution on the same subject. A great way to get more people involved.

The Land of Heart's Desire conference was great fun. We had a number of inspiring workshops from Darren Lacroix - all the participants went away chanting "Stagetime, Stagetime, Stagetime" - Darren's top tip for speaking success - never turn down stagetime. Andrew Brammer gave us masses of ideas for improving our storytelling, Ted Corcoran (former International President of Toastmasters International) gave valuable insights on leadership. Parallel workshops on Evaluation and The Competent Leader were also very good according to participants - unfortunately I couldn't be in two places at once!

And the all important International Speech and Evaluation Contests...

Erick Rainey (last year placed third in the World Championship Final) won the International Speech Contest.  Second Place: Gayna Cooper and Third Place: Iain Upton.

Jane Campbell from Glasgow won the Evaluation Contest.  Second Place: Caroline Edwards. Our London Evaluation Champion Laura McCracken came third.

Gilly and Nigel Cutts from London Cardinals had to be the most glamous couple at the fancy dress party on Friday night (must find a picture!) and Freddie Daniells (immediate Past Division B Governor and current District PR Officer) and Michaela Talbot were looking suave at the gala dinner

Iain Duthie from Tube Talk spoke at the Council meeting on Saturday to pitch for the May 2011 conference to be held in London.  Subject to his continued negotiations with the hotel it looks as though this will happen. More info will follow from Iain in due course and will more info from the Council meeting.

A big thank you goes to Ronnie Gillanders, Angela Farrell and the rest of the conference organising team.  And a special thank you from all the London Toastmasters who got home only one day late thanks to the quick work of Greg Ros, President St Paul's Speakers - a man with the organisational ability to take on a volcanic ash cloud and win!

Workshop - Communicating in Your Authentic Style 24 March

From Jenny Teuten, President West London Speakers

The world’s most successful individuals (Richard Branson, Barack Obama, Madonna) each have a strong identity – something that sets them apart.

They all invoke an emotion, not necessarily a positive one but something. That emotion emerges from a montage of their appearance, style, personality, behaviours, values and attitudes. In a word their BRAND.

So what is YOUR brand?

What experience do you create for your audience and colleagues? What emotions do you invoke in others? How do your skills and characteristics mesh? Do they accurately project the person you want others to see?

If you’re not sure and would like further inspiration come to a FREE workshop ‘Communicating in Your Authentic Style’ on Monday May 24th 2010 at the Hop Poles Pub, Hammersmith, W6 9HR. Arrive at 7 for a 7.15pm start.

Jennifer Overhaus, a member of West London Speakers and a private practice lawyer for nearly 20 years has written her first book ‘Juggling the Big 3 for Lawyers’. We’re delighted that she will be leading this half evening’s personal branding workshop exclusively for Toastmasters.

The more authentic we can be as speakers and leaders the more compelling and distinctive our personal branding becomes.

Look forward to seeing you on Monday.

Explore Storytelling on Tuesday 25 May 2010

From Luke Szyrmer, Polish Your Polish

"Mummy, will you tell me a story?"

"Yes, dear. What do you want to hear today?"

"The one where you become a scary dragon, then yell and whisper, and even turn the light off and on".

Everyone appreciates a good story. Narrative has always existed: in every society, at all ages, and at every level of technological sophistication. Stories have their place both in a child's bedroom before going "nighty night", and in the corporate boardroom when raising funding for a new investment project. Stories don't require Powerpoint or statistics to be effective, because they communicate on a level everyone understands. The best told story has the most impact, making storytelling skills very valuable.

Our public speaking skills form a great foundation for memorable storytelling. Many of the skills we practice as public speakers can easily be appropriated into the ability to spin a good yarn. Join Polish Your Polish, as we explore this medium together--in English. If you would like to serve in a role please contact Agnes Obara at [email protected]

Where: Ognisko Polskie, 55 Exhibition Road, SW7 2PN, South Kensington tube

When: 25th May, 19.15

Cost: Free

More Information:http://polishyourpolish.org.uk/english/

Workshop - The Power of Ideas

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

On Monday 24th May 2010, London Division B Toastmasters has a fantastic FREE workshop for you led by Liz Hobbs.

It was Victor Hugo who said “There is one thing more powerful than all the armies in the world, and those who are skilled at producing new ideas can make a profoundly important contribution to society.”

In this workshop we will explore the skills of idea producing and clarify the basic principles of Creative Thinking.

We will look at specific techniques that can make us all more effective at creating ideas and practice these skills in a friendly, helpful environment.

Like everything else in Toastmasters, we can tap into these latent skills and we can all do it – you never know – your next speech or the next big idea that we are all waiting for can be achieved.

When? Monday 24th May 2010 6.30pm f0r 6.45pm start - Ending by 9pm.

Where? The Spectator, 6 Little Britain, St Paul’s, London, EC1A 7BX. Tel:020 7726 4222. Close to St Paul's underground station.

The Spectator provides excellent snacks and meals. The kitchen closes at 8.00pm on Monday, but The Spectator is willing to take orders prior to kitchen closure and set it out following finish of workshop. If you have the chance, you could eat before workshop. Arrive, place your order, pay and it will be there.

Himanshu Vora - Distinguished Toastmaster

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

When did you join Toastmasters? I joined in 1998 when I was in Saudi Arabia. I joined the Kohinoor Club and then Desert Speakers as well. In those days I attended 2 meetings every week.

Why did you join? I got bulldozed into it! I was extremely shy and didn't think that public speaking was my thing at all. I found it helped me build confidence very quickly. I came out of my shell. I could communicate my ideas better and also talk to people at parties.

What happened next? In 2002 I was back in England and joined Riverside Communicators in Twickenham. I became a founder member of Trojans Speakers in 2005. Over the years I have kept working at my communication awards and also taken almost every club committee role as well as being Area 29 Governor.

What has being on club committees taught you? I have learned that leadership is initially about creating energy as well as momentum and then moving behind so that others can move forward and develop. Looking back I can see that public speaking is only 10-15% of what I've gained at Toastmasters. My greatest learning has been around leading - encouraging myself and others to achieve more. I've also developed great tolerance and much better listening skills!

In what other ways has becoming a DTM helped you? It may sound cheesey but Toastmasters has changed my life. All the skills I've gained have helped. For example, practising evaluations means I'm better at giving appraisals at work and teambuilding. Being General Evaluator has helped me appreciate the good things in life and not just look for what needs improving. The art of giving commendations has helped me be a good father and Sunday school teacher. Table Topics is useful because children have a knack of asking such a wide range of questions, at awkward times.

What would you say to someone starting out in Toastmasters? Use the three Ds. Discipline: attend meeting regularly and participate every time. Dedication: learn at every meeting and don't limit yourself to just gaining public speaking skills. Determination: If you ever feel you've got stuck just push through, take all feedback in your stride. Be determined to make a difference for yourself and others.

Warning - Toastmasters can seriously damage your marriage!

By David T Jones

Many of us remember Allan and Dale Rees-Bevan (pictured left with son Kieran back in 2009). Both were members of Holborn Speakers, and Dale was also in London Communicators. In 2005 they relocated to Sydney, Australia. I’m sorry to report that their new life down under has been turned upside down by Toastmasters.

Things had been going so well. Allan is an IT consultant and Dale is a director and founder of SpeakersBank Australia, following her success in SpeakersBank UK. They both joined Magnificent Mosman TM club, where Dale is currently President. Dale also joined Dural TM, a club in a different Division in Sydney. Both clubs are in District 70 (250+ clubs in New South Wales and Canberra). In the past they’d always help each other prepare and practise their speeches. But now the icy wind of rivalry has killed that cooperation because…they’ll both be competing in the District 70 International Speech final.

Hugely competitive, both want to go to the US for the International Speech final. Battles lines have been drawn across their house. Working secretly on their speeches, tensions are rising. At a recent family gathering, Dale lit the BBQ with some of Allan’s old speeches. At the last Magnificent Mosman meeting, after Dale gave an evaluation, Allan proclaimed “Not bad. With a bit of practice she might become a half-decent speaker”. Dale is now encouraging club members to attend the final to “see a husband eviscerated.” But in a Machiavellian masterstroke, Allan has engineered their long-awaited house move to happen three days before the final. He’s made sure he’ll be away on business that week. Dale will be left packing up the house on her own while Allan is comfortably ensconced in a hotel practising his speech.

All this is causing a buzz of excitement among Sydney toastmasters. For the first time in history a married couple will compete against each other in a D70 final. Will Dale prove to be too good for her husband? Will Allan become a wife-beater? The final is on 22nd May. We’ll keep you posted.