The London Speaker

Toastmasters in the media

Here are the links to just a few of the recent articles written by Toastmasters members and a radio interview... Also articles in which Toastmasters membership is recommended - Huffington Post and CNBC.  You find more links in the District 91 Press Room:  http://d91toastmasters.org.uk/press-room/.Please share the links as part of your club PR

How to Prepare for a successful Ted Talk

Jay Surti Area 34 Director shares her experience: http://eventindustrynews.co.uk/features/guest-blogs/how-to-prepare-for-a-successful-tedx-talk/

Toastmasters from Wokingham Speakers interviewed by Anne Diamond

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038bf5q. After the big debate in the House of Commons - a discussion about what makes a great speech with Chris Boden and Mell Sheppard. The interview start 1 hour 10 minutes 30 seconds into the show.

Did you know we have a monthly article on sales-initiative.com? Here is the latest from Paul Carroll http://www.sales-initiative.com/toolbox/selling/sales-presentations-can-you-expand-on-that/

CEO of Rising Media recommends Toastmasters

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raquel-eatmon/6-ways-to-keep-your-groov_b_8693314.html

How to learn five essential life/business skills with just one activity

Aaron Hanway shows how public speaking helps you develop key skills. http://thought-leadership.top-consultant.com/uk/FullArticle.aspx?ID=3543

CNBC recommends Toastmasters for the skills employers are looking for

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/01/the-skills-employers-are-looking-for.html

Could you be the next District 91 Finance Manager or Asst Manager?

From Jean Gamester, Lt Governor Education & Training, District 91

We are currently filling the roles of Finance Manager and Asst Finance Manager for 2015/16 for District 91 (UK South).

Why would you want one of these roles?

It’s an opportunity to contribute at the equivalent of board level in a not for profit organisation (we have 3,500 members across around 130 clubs in the south of the UK). It's also a great way to experience Toastmasters at a strategic level. We are one of the top performing districts in the world.  This means we have an increasing numbers of clubs, these clubs are successful in helping their members develop and gain educational awards and over 80% of clubs attain distinguished club status. These roles are crucial to supporting this level of performance.  Our aim is to build a strong leadership team in 15/16 that not only gets things done but has fun at the same time.  If you are interested the next step is to contact me and arrange time to the discuss the roles.  Click here to email Jean.

Finance Manager

The finance manager is a key role on the district leadership team – not only involved in shaping the district’s budget, but also in managing and reporting on the district's finances throughout the year. Here is the official description:

As the district’s finance manager, you are tasked with the fiscal oversight and management of the district. The district treasurer works closely with the district director to ensure that the district is making cost-effective decisions— within policy—that result in effective fiscal management. The district treasurer should have knowledge of accounting and be acquainted with the handling of financial matters.

Finance Assistant Manager

This a new role - the person will work closely with the Finance Manager. There is an opportunity for the two of you to shape the role.

Useful information

The district leadership handbook –provides context -  how the district works and how the leadership roles work together There is also guidance on managing district finances.

Improve your speeches with rhetorical devices

From Paul Carroll, President 104 London Debaters

Many commemorations to the great speaker and leader Sir Winston Churchill have been published this week. 

As public speakers we particularly remember the power of his leadership through his speeches.  During the war families would gathered round the "wireless" to listen to him. He of course also electrified the House of Commons and was praised for his set piece speeches at international events.

Please click through to read my article about his use of powerful rhetorical devices which is at: http://d91.toastmasters.org.uk/churchill-rhetorical-devices-toastmasters/

Youth Leadership New Year

From Andrew P Bennett DTM District 91 Youth Leadership Adviser

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program in District 91 is looking forward to programs new , programs in progress and programs completing as 2015 begins.

Programs completing include the one coordinated by Beate Rissbacher ( Past President Berkeley Square Speakers) at St Johann Tyrol in Austria (pictured here). This is our International export from Berkeley and London Division B - we never forget we are part of a worldwide community and love to share skills.

Beate says ' The young people had great fun and progressed their speaking skills. I personally enjoyed the program very much and watching the improvement was really rewarding. We were even the topic of a newspaper article,' ( See below)

Berkeley Square Speakers is also undertaking a Youth Leadership Program at ACS School, Hillingdon for the second time . Marc Lottig and David Salamons will again coordinate and guide the sessions on behalf of Toastmasters, with the added pleasure that Paul, a pupil at the school and graduate from the last program is taking on some leadership tasks as part of a special school project.

Our young people go from strength to strength and as you will have seen from my monthly postings we have several programs in mid flow. Just this week I have heard of two more that are being prepared for launch.

 Feel free to contact me if you or your club would like to be involved in Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program.

Toastmasters Spring Tower Conference - in London

Spring is in air! Well, not quite – but it is here at Toastmasters UK South District 91!

The conference team are excited to announce the launch of District 91’s very first Spring Conference – Spring 2015 Tower Conference – with its own dedicated website! The conference will be held over Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2015 at the Grange City Hotel in the heart of London and the team are busy putting together a jam packed programme that will whet any Toastmaster’s appetite.

The Spring Conference is held annually (there is also an Autumn conference) and is a truly inspiring event that brings together Toastmasters from across UK South to network, learn and cheer on fellow Toastmasters in an environment that we’re all familiar with – one that’s positive, supportive and friendly.

What will be on offer?

Lots! With an opening ceremony that will include a parade of all the District 91 club banners, inspiring workshops that will be focusing onleadership and communication, a council meeting where you can witness the District Officer elections, a keynote speech you won’t want to miss, the International Speech Contest Final and Evaluation Contest Final, a gala dinner (Saturday night) followed by an after dinner speaker and dancing, all rounded off with a wonderful closing ceremony, you can be sure you will get the best value from attending the Spring 2015 Tower Conference!

The best bit?

There is an early bird ticket offer available up until 31January 2015! You can snap up a ticket that covers the entire conference (see full programme here) for only £150!

And if you’ve spent a bit too much over Christmas, why not take advantage of our instalment plan available until 31 January 2015 where you can spread the cost over 4 months at an affordable sum of £37.50 per month or if you book very quickly, at £30 spread over 5 months.

Accommodation:

There are a wealth of hotels to choose from in and around London including a special rate of £139 per room available for Toastmasters at the nearby Apex City of London Hotel when booked by 8^th March 2015. Quote TOA0805 when booking.

We are offering a Buddy System for those Toastmasters who would like to share accommodation and our accommodation hosting programmewill give you the opportunity to be hosted by a fellow Toastmaster in their home in or in close proximity to London. Email [email protected] to find out more.

A chance to explore London:

Why not extend your stay and take in some of London’s world famous sites? The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are a stone’s throw away from the conference venue and many more famous London sites are within easy reach.

There are a limited number of tickets available so book your ticket now to secure your place at District 91’s Spring 2015 Tower Conference!

Keep in touch:

To keep up with Spring 2015 Tower Conference news be sure to follow us on

Twitter:                  @Spring2015Tower

Facebook:            Spring 2015 Tower Conference

Blog:                         Spring 2015 Tower Conference

For any enquiries please email [email protected]

HOD Speakers - Youth Leadership Program

From Andrew P Bennett DTM District 91 Youth Leadership Adviser

Yet more exciting news from Toastmasters Youth Leadership comes in the form of a new program at Stanmore High School.

Stanmore school teacher Richard Fowler attended a Youth Leadership briefing event I ran in October and was very keen to see the program launched at his school.

The next step was to find a sponsoring club and this came in the form of the ever effervescent HOD Speakers with President Tony Winyard and Toastmaster Gill Ornstein becoming program co-ordinators.

Stanmore Toastmasters Youth Leadership meets fortnightly on a Monday afternoon and accompanying teacher Richard runs an extra speaking session himself on the alternate weeks to consolidate the learning.

I was able to attend the very first session which began with our customary getting to know you exercise. The young people interview each other for a minute and then present their Interviewee to the group - a useful Ice Breaker which sees to it that every participant says at least a few words from the outset.

Tony and Gill decided to present the discussion on what makes a good speech in the form of good cop / bad cop.

Tony did a big introduction for Gill ' the great speaker.'  Gill then took to the stage and displayed every speaking fault you could think of - no eye contact, wandering around , mumbling voice , looking at the floor , waving arms - all of which greatly amused the young people as it was intended to. All credit to Gill who is really such an accomplished speaker - not easy to do it  all wrong!

The young people were invited to comment on Gill's speech delivery before Tony demonstrated a good speech. Again the young people were encouraged to join in with their evaluation comments.

I was very pleased to lead the first discussion on speech structure, Youth leadership officers were elected and then Tony ended the session with some witty table topics by which time the young people were really warmed up and clamouring for more public speaking.

It has come to my attention that some Toasties think our Youth Leadership coordinators are specialist youth workers - not so , they are simply Toastmasters who have a desire to share their speaking and leadership skills with young people.

Several of them have stepped out of their comfort zone to coordinate over the past 3 years since our initiative began .They won't mind me telling you that they hadn't necessarily been inside a school classroom since the day they left one themselves!

There is such joy in watching the young people grow in confidence as they learn. Our coordinators deserve a big thank you from the Toastmasters community for their dedication and the fine way in which they represent Toastmasters International. They are very precious to me and I am so proud of all that is being achieved as we share with the young people in Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

The most buzzworthy speeches of 2014?

Toastmasters International Lists 7 Most Buzzworthy Speeches of 2014

Presentations that captured the attention of audiences around the world

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 What is the secret to giving a speech that is viewed and shared by millions of people? A successful speech resonates with interesting content and a heartfelt delivery. After viewing the most discussed and shared presentations of the year, Toastmasters International considers the following seven speeches most buzzworthy in 2014...

Read the full list here (click on News Releases on the left hand side bar): http://www.toastmasters.org/About/Media-center

Toastmasters International's new website is live!

2 December 2014. The web Toastmasters International website is live.  Have a look round at www.toastmasters.org

"We are excited to reveal our new and improved website to our members, prospective members and visitors seeking information about public speaking and leadership," says Toastmasters Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rex. "The new toastmasters.org is more interactive and engaging than ever and includes a much-improved user experience."

Highlights of Toastmasters' redesigned website include:

• A Find a Club search tool with new geo-location functionality that automatically searches for clubs within a 25-mile (40 km) radius of wherever you are.
• A Resource Library offering easy access to videos and other resources by name, category, or file type.
• An improved shopping experience in the Online Store with more intuitive browsing on desktops or mobile devices.
• Easy access to management tools for leaders in Leadership Central to help manage districts and clubs successfully. (Requires log in).

Video tutorials are available to help familiarize the public with the site's new features.

 

Westminster Academy, Toastmasters Youth Leadership and Rotary Interact

From Andrew P Bennett District 91 Youth Leadership Adviser 

How good to be able to share with you news from Toastmasters Julia Kettlewell and Mark Mortimer who are coordinating a Toastmasters Youth Leadership program at Westminster Academy.

We are particularly excited as this is our very first collaboration with Rotary Interact - a youth work which the Rotarians have established splendidly at the school. Indeed the program participants are already looking towards participating in the Rotary Youth Speaks Contest in 2015.

Ten 6th formers have attended 3 sessions so far. They have been making good use of storytelling techniques to bring their Ice Breaker Speeches to life and express their points of view with clarity. A panel discussion proved a great success as did their first venture into the wonderful world of Table Topics!

Listen to the podcast with World Champion of Public Speaking

Have you listened to the Podcast interview with the 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking Dananjaya Hettiarachchi?  If not you can do so here: http://toastmasterspodcast.com/index.php/rss-feed/110-toastmasters-podcast-084-interview-with-dananjaya-hettiarachchi-2014-world-champion-of-public-speaking

You can now subscribe to the podcast on i-Tunes.