The Area 44 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests are scheduled for Friday night September 10th at 6 PM at the Boca Raton Community Center.
I am looking for a Contest Chair to organize this event. Please give me a call if you have any interest in helping.
Thank you.
John Schneyer
Area 44 Governor
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
4 Steps to Speak Better in Interviews
This is my weekly VPE post.
Knowing some of our members joined us to work on speaking skills specifically to help them find a job and given the discussion we had last night about the Ah Counter using the bell, I was very pleased to find an e-mail from The Ladders in my mail box this morning.
This article gives some suggestions on sounding more professional in an interview by eliminating many of the filler words the Ah Counter brings to our attention. While it does not suggest a bell (most of the suggestions are done by the individual, not in a group setting), I thought you might find it valuable.
I personally prefer to have the Ah Counter using the bell when I am speaking in any context, prepared speech, table topics or meeting role. Hearing the bell helps me realize what I have done. Last night, the Ah Counter report listed me for 1 double start. I have no idea when I did it as I never heard the bell.
You can find this article on The Ladders site here: Career-Advice
I have copied it below for your convenience.
John Schneyer
Vice President Education
4 Steps to Speak Better in Interviews
Filler words like "um," "ahh," "so," "like" and "you know" can reduce your credibility as a speaker and hurt your chances in a job interview.
May 28, 2010
By Jayne Latz
Recently I attended a panel discussion with three speakers. One of the speakers was a well-spoken young woman, but she used “filler words” excessively and to her detriment. In her first two minutes speaking to the audience she used 10 filler words — most prolifically, “um.”
After the panel discussion I turned and asked the people sitting with me if they noticed the excessive use of the word "um." They responded, “Notice? I couldn't concentrate on a word she said. All I heard was ‘um.’ "
What are filler words? They’re tics of speech such as “um,” “ahh,” “so,” “like” and “you know” that we use to fill gaps and pauses in our speech. Most of use too many of them, and they can reduce your credibility as a speaker and hurt your chances in a job interview.
At Corporate Speech Solutions, we recommend speakers try to maintain a limit of two filler words in every two minutes of speech. Any more than that and you begin to sound less professional and less qualified.
During a job interview, you may be asked questions that you are not prepared to answer. Don’t fill your answer with excessive “um’s.” Even worse, be careful of “like” and “you know.” These speech patterns may stand between you and the job.
Filler words can dilute the message and make you sound timid. When you use them excessively, it makes you sound unsure of yourself and uncertain of your answer. You want the interviewer to see you as a confident executive and a subject-matter expert.
The key to reducing filler words is a relatively easy, four-step process. Like anything, it takes practice.
1. Awareness: Listen to yourself on tape during a telephone conversation and count the use of “uh,” “um,” “like” or “you know.” Remember, if they occur more frequently than two times in two minutes, you need to work on modifying the habit.
2. Recognize your patterns. I have noticed that many of my clients habitually start sentences with “um.” Others may use the word “and” as a connector instead of using a period. Still others have a tendency to add “you know?” at the end of a sentence as confirmation of what they said. Recognize your own personal pattern if you want to address it.
3. Anticipate that you are about to use a filler word! Once you are aware of your pattern, you will recognize when you are about to use a filler word in your speech.
4. Pause. Once you know it is coming, take a pause. We call it “strategic pausing.” Strategic pausing will give you the time to think of what you want to say, say it and move on without inserting the filler word. Strategic pausing does not just give you time to think; it adds impact to your message. Resist the urge to fill the time with a “filler” word and you will automatically sound more impressive.
Practice these techniques every day until the filler words are no longer a part of your working speech pattern. Remember not to use the filler words when leaving voice mail messages. Notice how and when others use filler words. Does it sound professional?
Learning to eliminate your filler words will enhance the effectiveness of your speech and the professionalism of your interviews.
Jayne Latz, M.A.,CCC-SLP, is president of Corporate Speek Solutions. She has been providing speech therapy in New York as a licensed speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years. For details on our Speech Improvement Training Programs email jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com
Knowing some of our members joined us to work on speaking skills specifically to help them find a job and given the discussion we had last night about the Ah Counter using the bell, I was very pleased to find an e-mail from The Ladders in my mail box this morning.
This article gives some suggestions on sounding more professional in an interview by eliminating many of the filler words the Ah Counter brings to our attention. While it does not suggest a bell (most of the suggestions are done by the individual, not in a group setting), I thought you might find it valuable.
I personally prefer to have the Ah Counter using the bell when I am speaking in any context, prepared speech, table topics or meeting role. Hearing the bell helps me realize what I have done. Last night, the Ah Counter report listed me for 1 double start. I have no idea when I did it as I never heard the bell.
You can find this article on The Ladders site here: Career-Advice
I have copied it below for your convenience.
John Schneyer
Vice President Education
4 Steps to Speak Better in Interviews
Filler words like "um," "ahh," "so," "like" and "you know" can reduce your credibility as a speaker and hurt your chances in a job interview.
May 28, 2010
By Jayne Latz
Recently I attended a panel discussion with three speakers. One of the speakers was a well-spoken young woman, but she used “filler words” excessively and to her detriment. In her first two minutes speaking to the audience she used 10 filler words — most prolifically, “um.”
After the panel discussion I turned and asked the people sitting with me if they noticed the excessive use of the word "um." They responded, “Notice? I couldn't concentrate on a word she said. All I heard was ‘um.’ "
What are filler words? They’re tics of speech such as “um,” “ahh,” “so,” “like” and “you know” that we use to fill gaps and pauses in our speech. Most of use too many of them, and they can reduce your credibility as a speaker and hurt your chances in a job interview.
At Corporate Speech Solutions, we recommend speakers try to maintain a limit of two filler words in every two minutes of speech. Any more than that and you begin to sound less professional and less qualified.
During a job interview, you may be asked questions that you are not prepared to answer. Don’t fill your answer with excessive “um’s.” Even worse, be careful of “like” and “you know.” These speech patterns may stand between you and the job.
Filler words can dilute the message and make you sound timid. When you use them excessively, it makes you sound unsure of yourself and uncertain of your answer. You want the interviewer to see you as a confident executive and a subject-matter expert.
The key to reducing filler words is a relatively easy, four-step process. Like anything, it takes practice.
1. Awareness: Listen to yourself on tape during a telephone conversation and count the use of “uh,” “um,” “like” or “you know.” Remember, if they occur more frequently than two times in two minutes, you need to work on modifying the habit.
2. Recognize your patterns. I have noticed that many of my clients habitually start sentences with “um.” Others may use the word “and” as a connector instead of using a period. Still others have a tendency to add “you know?” at the end of a sentence as confirmation of what they said. Recognize your own personal pattern if you want to address it.
3. Anticipate that you are about to use a filler word! Once you are aware of your pattern, you will recognize when you are about to use a filler word in your speech.
4. Pause. Once you know it is coming, take a pause. We call it “strategic pausing.” Strategic pausing will give you the time to think of what you want to say, say it and move on without inserting the filler word. Strategic pausing does not just give you time to think; it adds impact to your message. Resist the urge to fill the time with a “filler” word and you will automatically sound more impressive.
Practice these techniques every day until the filler words are no longer a part of your working speech pattern. Remember not to use the filler words when leaving voice mail messages. Notice how and when others use filler words. Does it sound professional?
Learning to eliminate your filler words will enhance the effectiveness of your speech and the professionalism of your interviews.
Jayne Latz, M.A.,CCC-SLP, is president of Corporate Speek Solutions. She has been providing speech therapy in New York as a licensed speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years. For details on our Speech Improvement Training Programs email jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Empty Chair
I think you will find this video of a Toastmasters International Speech contestant meaningful on several levels. Consider 'The Empty Chair' as it relates to your life and to your membership in Boca Raton Toastmasters.
John Schneyer
VPE
John Schneyer
VPE
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Evaluate to Motivate
John Schneyer delivering 'Evaluate to Motivate' from the Successful Club Series
Click the black box to see the video
Click the black box to see the video
Would You Like to Break a World Record?
Fellow Toastmasters, a unique opportunity has come our way. District 47 is organizing an attempt to set the world record for the longest, non-stop speekathon and we have been invited to be a part of the effort! Wouldn’t you like to hold a world record?
This will be a great way to publicize Toastmasters (hint, VPPR), sign-up new members (hint, VPM), gain experience in front of other audiences (hint, all members), etc.
Beginning Thursday 6/10 going through Sunday 6/13, we will be going for a target of 80 hours!
Here are some details:
We need to have someone speaking at all times during the attempt with no more than 30 seconds between speakers
All speeches must be at least 5 minutes long; that includes evaluations. Speeches can be longer than that, way longer if you want an can. This is a great opportunity to give some speeches from advanced manuals but, you don't have to do a manual speech. You could give a training class, seminar, sales pitch, etc.
While you can give the same speech more than once, you can not give it more than once every 4 hours.
All speeches have to be logged in our official log book - speaker name, speech title, time
All speeches will be recorded with video to document the attempt
2 timers with stop watches must be present at all times
We need volunteers - speakers, evaluators, organizers, coordinators, promotion, publicity, etc. We need shifts of independent witnesses who are neither participating in giving speeches at all nor are related to anyone involved.
What I want from you:
Let me know right away how much you will contribute to this effort. How many speeches, how long, how many hours you can sit as an audience member.
If you are going to speak, we ask that you also contribute your time in another capacity. Remember that we need to go round the clock so, expect to be speaking and working sometimes in the wee hours of the night and early morning.
I suggest that we break this down a little and see how many hours we as a club can commit to and then fill them any way we can. We will need to be able to jump in if something happens and a speaker cannot go on (think looong table topics).
I am personally ready to provide several hours of speaking on a range of topics that I teach.
More information will be coming out shortly but, time is short and I need to know who is interested. Get back to me right away.
John Schneyer
VPE
This will be a great way to publicize Toastmasters (hint, VPPR), sign-up new members (hint, VPM), gain experience in front of other audiences (hint, all members), etc.
Beginning Thursday 6/10 going through Sunday 6/13, we will be going for a target of 80 hours!
Here are some details:
We need to have someone speaking at all times during the attempt with no more than 30 seconds between speakers
All speeches must be at least 5 minutes long; that includes evaluations. Speeches can be longer than that, way longer if you want an can. This is a great opportunity to give some speeches from advanced manuals but, you don't have to do a manual speech. You could give a training class, seminar, sales pitch, etc.
While you can give the same speech more than once, you can not give it more than once every 4 hours.
All speeches have to be logged in our official log book - speaker name, speech title, time
All speeches will be recorded with video to document the attempt
2 timers with stop watches must be present at all times
We need volunteers - speakers, evaluators, organizers, coordinators, promotion, publicity, etc. We need shifts of independent witnesses who are neither participating in giving speeches at all nor are related to anyone involved.
What I want from you:
Let me know right away how much you will contribute to this effort. How many speeches, how long, how many hours you can sit as an audience member.
If you are going to speak, we ask that you also contribute your time in another capacity. Remember that we need to go round the clock so, expect to be speaking and working sometimes in the wee hours of the night and early morning.
I suggest that we break this down a little and see how many hours we as a club can commit to and then fill them any way we can. We will need to be able to jump in if something happens and a speaker cannot go on (think looong table topics).
I am personally ready to provide several hours of speaking on a range of topics that I teach.
More information will be coming out shortly but, time is short and I need to know who is interested. Get back to me right away.
John Schneyer
VPE
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Successful Club Series- Setting the Stage for Success: Meeting Roles and Responsibilities
John Schneyer delivering the Successful Club Series- Setting the Stage for Success: Meeting Roles and Responsibilities to the Boca Raton Toastmasters 5/4/2010.
Click the image below to watch the video.
Click the image below to watch the video.
 |
| From Toastmasters 5-4-2010 |
Filling Meeting Roles
This is my weekly Vice President, Education post. You can find information on filling meetng roles on the Toastmasters International site here.
You are the Toastmaster for an upcoming meeting, how do you get the meeting roles filled? You expect everyone has joined because they buy into Toastmasters. They want to speak and lead and learn how to do both better. But does that mean they will volunteer? Does it mean they are available? Does it mean they communicate the same way you like to?
The answer to all three of these questions is often, No! As a Toastmaster, we all have to stretch from our comfort zones every once in a while. That applies to how we fill meeting roles as well.
Last night, Karen Novek approached everyone as they came into the meeting. She had a clipboard and roster for next week's meeting. She asked everyone to fill a role, gave choices, and information about the roles. Well done Karen! If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the number of e-mails you get looking to fill meeting roles, you will probably appreciate what Karen did last night. I expect I will get fewer e-mails this week as a result.
We seem sometimes to fall into the expectation that sending out an e-mail and having the roster available online should work all the time for everyone. We are a very diverse group in many ways. We come from different countries, speak different languages, and have different social norms. That's one of the big advantages I see from our club. It also means, we have to s-t-r-e-t-c-h sometimes in order to be effective.
If you send an e-mail and don't get a response, how about making a phone call? How about starting your planning early enough that you can get members to volunteer face-to-face at a meeting like Karen did last night?
When you take a little time, it's not hard to get the responses you want. Our club always comes through one way or another.
Knowing how many roles available each week makes it easy to find one that fits your needs. Don't wait for an e-mail, phone call, or personal visit, sign-up today using our online roster. Click here to reserve your place for future meetings:
Online Roster
Have a great week!
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
You are the Toastmaster for an upcoming meeting, how do you get the meeting roles filled? You expect everyone has joined because they buy into Toastmasters. They want to speak and lead and learn how to do both better. But does that mean they will volunteer? Does it mean they are available? Does it mean they communicate the same way you like to?
The answer to all three of these questions is often, No! As a Toastmaster, we all have to stretch from our comfort zones every once in a while. That applies to how we fill meeting roles as well.
Last night, Karen Novek approached everyone as they came into the meeting. She had a clipboard and roster for next week's meeting. She asked everyone to fill a role, gave choices, and information about the roles. Well done Karen! If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the number of e-mails you get looking to fill meeting roles, you will probably appreciate what Karen did last night. I expect I will get fewer e-mails this week as a result.
We seem sometimes to fall into the expectation that sending out an e-mail and having the roster available online should work all the time for everyone. We are a very diverse group in many ways. We come from different countries, speak different languages, and have different social norms. That's one of the big advantages I see from our club. It also means, we have to s-t-r-e-t-c-h sometimes in order to be effective.
If you send an e-mail and don't get a response, how about making a phone call? How about starting your planning early enough that you can get members to volunteer face-to-face at a meeting like Karen did last night?
When you take a little time, it's not hard to get the responses you want. Our club always comes through one way or another.
Knowing how many roles available each week makes it easy to find one that fits your needs. Don't wait for an e-mail, phone call, or personal visit, sign-up today using our online roster. Click here to reserve your place for future meetings:
Online Roster
Have a great week!
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
10 Tips on Using the Competent Leadership Program
Fellow Toastmasters, this is my weekly Vice President of Education post.
We tend to focus on our prepared speeches and, sometimes, that means we neglect the value of working through the Competent Leadership (CL) manual.
By working through the CL projects, we have opportunities to learn and stretch our comfort zones. Each project focuses on different leadership aspects primarily through meeting roles but also some more involved work such as being a Contest Chair or running a Membership Drive.
Make no mistake about it though, this is not just a "checklist" of tasks to be crossed off in a race to complete the manual. It is a learning and development tool requiring careful consideration of each project.
Please see me or your mentor if you have any questions on using these projects to further your goals both within and outside Toastmasters.
You can find more information on the Competent Leadership program on the Toastmasters.org site by clicking here. I have copied the article below for your convenience.
John Schneyer, VPE
10 Tips on Using the CL Program
“My club found every part of the CL manual very useful. There's no doubt that it really serves its purpose of developing new leaders.”
-Voltaire R. Victoria, DTM
So, what’s the deal with the CL program?
The Competent Leadership (CL) manual gives you an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills by serving in club roles. It will help you gain self-confidence and skills that will help you in many ways: academically, professionally and personally. The CL manual offers training in time management, organization, planning and critical thinking – all of which can be applied to everyday life.
Consider this: If the CL manual can help a club run more efficiently and successfully, and it can also help club members to improve their lives, why wouldn’t your club leaders pursue it? Sometimes, a little promotion from a fellow Toastmaster can help smooth the way. In case you’re finding it a little difficult to get the ball rolling with your VPE or other officers, here are ten quick tips from Toastmasters members that you can use to help promote the Competent Leadership manual:
1. At each club meeting, have one member assigned as the CL evaluator. By having an assigned evaluator, you ensure member progress in the CL manual.
2. Increase member awareness by requiring that members bring their Competent Leadership manuals to every club meeting.
3. Does your club have a sample copy of the Competent Leadership manual on display at every meeting? Keeping an extra copy on hand means you’ll have one available for guests to peruse or for new members to borrow.
4. Make sure that you recognize your members when they participate in the CL manual. Award a member with a ribbon when she’s halfway through and make an announcement when that person completes the manual. Let her know you appreciate the special care and preparation that she took with each meeting role.
5. Encourage the president and VPE of your club to promote the CL manual at each club meeting. Emphasize how the manual functions as a valuable learning tool – training each member on the different roles of the meeting and helping them build beneficial skills for the working world and daily life.
6. Place equal importance on the leadership and communication tracks in your club by including accreditations for both tracks in all correspondence, agendas and programs for your club.
7. Use the Competent Leadership Achievement Chart! Post it on the wall during meetings and keep it up-to-date. Draw attention to the successes listed on the chart.
8. For every speech a member gives, your club can request that he perform and receive evaluations on at least three meeting roles.
9. Does your club have a newsletter or Web site? Post a reminder to members to bring their manuals. Also, your club can post a congratulatory list of those who have completed the manual.
10. Ask each member who achieves the CL award to mentor a new member in the manual.
These tips will help make the CL manual a natural and easy part of your club’s meetings. When the CL manual is second nature to the members of your club, you’ll be pleasantly and easily learning leadership skills that help you everyday.
We tend to focus on our prepared speeches and, sometimes, that means we neglect the value of working through the Competent Leadership (CL) manual.
By working through the CL projects, we have opportunities to learn and stretch our comfort zones. Each project focuses on different leadership aspects primarily through meeting roles but also some more involved work such as being a Contest Chair or running a Membership Drive.
Make no mistake about it though, this is not just a "checklist" of tasks to be crossed off in a race to complete the manual. It is a learning and development tool requiring careful consideration of each project.
Please see me or your mentor if you have any questions on using these projects to further your goals both within and outside Toastmasters.
You can find more information on the Competent Leadership program on the Toastmasters.org site by clicking here. I have copied the article below for your convenience.
John Schneyer, VPE
10 Tips on Using the CL Program
“My club found every part of the CL manual very useful. There's no doubt that it really serves its purpose of developing new leaders.”
-Voltaire R. Victoria, DTM
So, what’s the deal with the CL program?
The Competent Leadership (CL) manual gives you an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills by serving in club roles. It will help you gain self-confidence and skills that will help you in many ways: academically, professionally and personally. The CL manual offers training in time management, organization, planning and critical thinking – all of which can be applied to everyday life.
Consider this: If the CL manual can help a club run more efficiently and successfully, and it can also help club members to improve their lives, why wouldn’t your club leaders pursue it? Sometimes, a little promotion from a fellow Toastmaster can help smooth the way. In case you’re finding it a little difficult to get the ball rolling with your VPE or other officers, here are ten quick tips from Toastmasters members that you can use to help promote the Competent Leadership manual:
1. At each club meeting, have one member assigned as the CL evaluator. By having an assigned evaluator, you ensure member progress in the CL manual.
2. Increase member awareness by requiring that members bring their Competent Leadership manuals to every club meeting.
3. Does your club have a sample copy of the Competent Leadership manual on display at every meeting? Keeping an extra copy on hand means you’ll have one available for guests to peruse or for new members to borrow.
4. Make sure that you recognize your members when they participate in the CL manual. Award a member with a ribbon when she’s halfway through and make an announcement when that person completes the manual. Let her know you appreciate the special care and preparation that she took with each meeting role.
5. Encourage the president and VPE of your club to promote the CL manual at each club meeting. Emphasize how the manual functions as a valuable learning tool – training each member on the different roles of the meeting and helping them build beneficial skills for the working world and daily life.
6. Place equal importance on the leadership and communication tracks in your club by including accreditations for both tracks in all correspondence, agendas and programs for your club.
7. Use the Competent Leadership Achievement Chart! Post it on the wall during meetings and keep it up-to-date. Draw attention to the successes listed on the chart.
8. For every speech a member gives, your club can request that he perform and receive evaluations on at least three meeting roles.
9. Does your club have a newsletter or Web site? Post a reminder to members to bring their manuals. Also, your club can post a congratulatory list of those who have completed the manual.
10. Ask each member who achieves the CL award to mentor a new member in the manual.
These tips will help make the CL manual a natural and easy part of your club’s meetings. When the CL manual is second nature to the members of your club, you’ll be pleasantly and easily learning leadership skills that help you everyday.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Successful Club Series - Mentoring
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
District 47 Spring Conference 2010
Click here for a few pictures from this past weekend's Toastmasters District 47 Spring Conference and Contests.
John Schneyer
DSC00310
Originally uploaded by jjschneyer
John Schneyer
DSC00310
Originally uploaded by jjschneyer
Meeting Roles Guidelines Now on the Online Roster
Fellow Toastmasters,
In the hope of making information on our meeting roles easier to find, I have added a tab to our online roster. The tab is "Meeting Roles Guidelines" and can be found at the bottom of the page right next to the "Weekly Agenda" tab.
You will find a list of our meeting roles and links or, where we don't have links, a brief explanation of the role.
You can find this information by clicking here.
In 2 weeks I will be giving a presentation from the Successful Club Series on Meeting Roles. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with all of our roles and, prepare in advance for any you are filling.
Give me a call with any questions and, as always, feel free to post comments below.
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
In the hope of making information on our meeting roles easier to find, I have added a tab to our online roster. The tab is "Meeting Roles Guidelines" and can be found at the bottom of the page right next to the "Weekly Agenda" tab.
You will find a list of our meeting roles and links or, where we don't have links, a brief explanation of the role.
You can find this information by clicking here.
In 2 weeks I will be giving a presentation from the Successful Club Series on Meeting Roles. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with all of our roles and, prepare in advance for any you are filling.
Give me a call with any questions and, as always, feel free to post comments below.
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Magic of Mentoring
This is my weekly VPE post.
I will be giving the Mentoring presentation from The Successful Club Series next week so thought it appropriate to include a link about mentoring from the Toastmasters site. Click here to prepare for the presentation and, check the author's name on The Magic of Mentoring portion of the link.
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
I will be giving the Mentoring presentation from The Successful Club Series next week so thought it appropriate to include a link about mentoring from the Toastmasters site. Click here to prepare for the presentation and, check the author's name on The Magic of Mentoring portion of the link.
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
Monday, April 5, 2010
Ignite your Audience with your Introduction
Fellow Toastmasters,
My weekly VPE post is early this week because I found something I don't want to forget to share with you.
Craig Valentine is the World Champion of Speaking from 1999. You can find a lot of great information at this link:
http://www.craigvalentine.com/speech/articles.php
and you can sign-up for a tip from Craig each week for 52 weeks here: http://www.52speakingtips.com/
Today's topic is one of Craig's:
My weekly VPE post is early this week because I found something I don't want to forget to share with you.
Craig Valentine is the World Champion of Speaking from 1999. You can find a lot of great information at this link:
http://www.craigvalentine.com/speech/articles.php
and you can sign-up for a tip from Craig each week for 52 weeks here: http://www.52speakingtips.com/
Today's topic is one of Craig's:
Ignite your Audience with your Introduction
Here is a traditional introduction speakers use:
Do yourself a favor and read the following paragraph out loud as if you are using it to introduce the next speaker for an event.
Our Next Speaker is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. With more than 175,000 Toastmasters in 68 countries, and over 25,000 contestants, he came home with the first prize trophy and a significant amount of national and international recognition. In addition, our speaker is absolutely oblivious to the fact that we could care less what he has done and that we are much more interested in what we will be able to do after hearing him. Moreover, our speaker seems to have no idea that we are simply hoping for his autobiographical introduction to end so we can start clapping as if we are interested. Finally, he does not realize that we are beginning to say to ourselves, "His entire introduction is about him; therefore I bet his entire speech is about him also. Why did I even come here today?" So, with that said, please help me welcome to the stage, the person who would have the least effective introduction in history if it were not for the thousands of other presenters who have introductions just like his; the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, Craig Valentine.
Do you get the point? How similar is your introduction to my old one that you read above? Is it about you or is it about what your audience will get out of your speech? Everything you do should be about the audience, including your introduction.
An effective introduction is the difference between starting off in a hole or on solid ground. Here are some nuts and bolts tools you can use in your introduction to get off to a great start with your very next speech. Do not go into your next speech without them.
3. Build your credibility but only with your relevant credentials – For example, I have a specific introduction for my teambuilding workshops. This specific introduction includes a piece that mentions how I won 3 consecutive East Coast Conference Championships and played in 2 NCAA March Madness tournaments as a college basketball player. Because this part of my history relates to teams, it belongs in this introduction on teambuilding.
Then I go into a humorous story about why they do not like me, but it all is set up by the accolades (relevant ones) in my introduction. Find ways to make your introduction seamlessly feed into your speech. How do you currently tie your speech back into your introduction
5. Take everything about you and turn it into everything for them. If you do this, your audience will be ready and excited to receive your message. For example, instead of stating "Craig Valentine is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking" I could make that actually matter to them by saying, "The process you will pick up today helped our speaker become the 1999 World Champion and you can use it to become a speaker in high-demand." Do you get it? Turn everything about you into something for them. Doing this will get them fired up to hear your message. It tickles me now because when the introducer gets to the end up my introduction, he or she usually says, "Are you ready for the process?" At this point people actually begin yelling out, "Yes!" That is some great energy to walk into for a speech. Are you turning everything about you into everything for them?
Follow the 5 guideposts listed here and watch as your audience leans forward in their seats and anxiously awaits your presentation. That is how you ignite your audience with your introduction.
What's your opinion on Craig's suggestions? Please comment below.
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Weekly VPE Post - Meeting Roles
Fellow Toastmasters, this is my weekly Vice President, Education post.
I think it's great to have a club with such diversity and am happy to see we have continued to bring in new members.
Based on some questions asked about meeting roles at the end of this week's meeting and my observation of how some roles were handled the past few weeks, I offer the following:
Please check the guidelines for the role you are filling in advance so you can do research and prepare properly. Links are included below. If you have questions about your role after reading the guidelines, please call your mentor, the Toastmaster of the Meeting, the General Evaluator, or the Vice President, Education. We will be happy to help you.
When you are giving the Inspiration:
Give an inspirational story, quote, anecdote, or idea that is a maximum of one
minute. It should be directed toward personal growth and, if possible, the
theme of the meeting.
When you are giving the Small Tip:
We seem to have been getting a little lax in both timing and content for the Small Tip in particular. Both the Small Tip and Inspiration are speaking roles that require some planning and rehearsal. Please make sure your topics conform to the guidelines.
Here are links to information on our meeting roles. All can be found at the club website: http://www.bocaratontoastmasters.org/
Sample Meeting Agenda
Meeting Guidelines & Protocol
Inspiration Guidelines
Small Tip Guidelines
Toastmaster Guidelines
Toastmaster Preparation Guidelines
Timer Guidelines
Ah Counter Guidelines
Grammarian Guidelines
Table Topic Guidelines
Speaker Guidelines
General Evaluator Guidelines
Evaluator Guidelines
Meeting Minutes Template
Please offer any comments below. Thanks to all for making our meetings increasingly valuable.
Thank you,
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
I think it's great to have a club with such diversity and am happy to see we have continued to bring in new members.
Based on some questions asked about meeting roles at the end of this week's meeting and my observation of how some roles were handled the past few weeks, I offer the following:
Please check the guidelines for the role you are filling in advance so you can do research and prepare properly. Links are included below. If you have questions about your role after reading the guidelines, please call your mentor, the Toastmaster of the Meeting, the General Evaluator, or the Vice President, Education. We will be happy to help you.
When you are giving the Inspiration:
Give an inspirational story, quote, anecdote, or idea that is a maximum of one
minute. It should be directed toward personal growth and, if possible, the
theme of the meeting.
When you are giving the Small Tip:
The purpose of the Small Tip is to give a brief educational tip on a particular subject related to public speaking or meeting protocol. It can be original material created by the speaker or a restatement of material from another source. If another source is used, the other source should be credited. The Small Tip should be a maximum of three minutes.
We seem to have been getting a little lax in both timing and content for the Small Tip in particular. Both the Small Tip and Inspiration are speaking roles that require some planning and rehearsal. Please make sure your topics conform to the guidelines.
Here are links to information on our meeting roles. All can be found at the club website: http://www.bocaratontoastmasters.org/
Sample Meeting Agenda
Meeting Guidelines & Protocol
Inspiration Guidelines
Small Tip Guidelines
Toastmaster Guidelines
Toastmaster Preparation Guidelines
Timer Guidelines
Ah Counter Guidelines
Grammarian Guidelines
Table Topic Guidelines
Speaker Guidelines
General Evaluator Guidelines
Evaluator Guidelines
Meeting Minutes Template
Please offer any comments below. Thanks to all for making our meetings increasingly valuable.
Thank you,
John Schneyer
Vice President, Education
The Unexpected Benefits of Toastmasters
John Schneyer delivering Speech #5 from the Technical Presentations manual. This video is in 2 parts as it exceeds YouTube's 10 minute time limit.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 1
Part 2
Thursday, March 25, 2010
District 47 Conference and Contests April 16-18
Today is the last day to register at the regular rate! It goes up $15 tomorrow!!
Our district (47) is holding it's Spring Conference & Contests in Fort Lauderdale beginning Friday evening, 4/16 and closing Sunday 4/18.
This is a great opportunity to hear great speakers, attend valuable workshops, and network with fellow Toastmasters.
You will get to hear 2007 World Champion of Speaking, Vikas Jhingran, deliver the keynote address and, drum roll please, our own Nina Potter will compete in the International Speech Contest Saturday evening!!!
Having the conference and contest right in our backyard makes it a convenient and affordable way to get more out of Toastmasters.
Please, follow this link, and register today. You will be pleased.
While registering, also consider taking out an ad for your business or yourself. They are very affordable and will get you into the program read and brought home by every attendee.
John Schneyer
VP, Education
Our district (47) is holding it's Spring Conference & Contests in Fort Lauderdale beginning Friday evening, 4/16 and closing Sunday 4/18.
This is a great opportunity to hear great speakers, attend valuable workshops, and network with fellow Toastmasters.
You will get to hear 2007 World Champion of Speaking, Vikas Jhingran, deliver the keynote address and, drum roll please, our own Nina Potter will compete in the International Speech Contest Saturday evening!!!
Having the conference and contest right in our backyard makes it a convenient and affordable way to get more out of Toastmasters.
Please, follow this link, and register today. You will be pleased.
While registering, also consider taking out an ad for your business or yourself. They are very affordable and will get you into the program read and brought home by every attendee.
John Schneyer
VP, Education
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
10 Tips on Using the CL Program
This is my weekly VP, Education post. What do you think? Please let us all know by commenting below. You can also view this on the Toastmasters International site by clicking here.
John Schneyer, CC, CL
So, what’s the deal with the CL program?
The Competent Leadership (CL) manual gives you an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills by serving in club roles. It will help you gain self-confidence and skills that will help you in many ways: academically, professionally and personally. The CL manual offers training in time management, organization, planning and critical thinking – all of which can be applied to everyday life.
Consider this: If the CL manual can help a club run more efficiently and successfully, and it can also help club members to improve their lives, why wouldn’t your club leaders pursue it? Sometimes, a little promotion from a fellow Toastmaster can help smooth the way. In case you’re finding it a little difficult to get the ball rolling with your VPE or other officers, here are ten quick tips from Toastmasters members that you can use to help promote the Competent Leadership manual:
1. At each club meeting, have one member assigned as the CL evaluator. By having an assigned evaluator, you ensure member progress in the CL manual.
2. Increase member awareness by requiring that members bring their Competent Leadership manuals to every club meeting.
3. Does your club have a sample copy of the Competent Leadership manual on display at every meeting? Keeping an extra copy on hand means you’ll have one available for guests to peruse or for new members to borrow.
4. Make sure that you recognize your members when they participate in the CL manual. Award a member with a ribbon when she’s halfway through and make an announcement when that person completes the manual. Let her know you appreciate the special care and preparation that she took with each meeting role.
5. Encourage the president and VPE of your club to promote the CL manual at each club meeting. Emphasize how the manual functions as a valuable learning tool – training each member on the different roles of the meeting and helping them build beneficial skills for the working world and daily life.
6. Place equal importance on the leadership and communication tracks in your club by including accreditations for both tracks in all correspondence, agendas and programs for your club.
7. Use the Competent Leadership Achievement Chart! Post it on the wall during meetings and keep it up-to-date. Draw attention to the successes listed on the chart.
8. For every speech a member gives, your club can request that he perform and receive evaluations on at least three meeting roles.
9. Does your club have a newsletter or Web site? Post a reminder to members to bring their manuals. Also, your club can post a congratulatory list of those who have completed the manual.
10. Ask each member who achieves the CL award to mentor a new member in the manual.
These tips will help make the CL manual a natural and easy part of your club’s meetings. When the CL manual is second nature to the members of your club, you’ll be pleasantly and easily learning leadership skills that help you everyday.
John Schneyer, CC, CL
So, what’s the deal with the CL program?
The Competent Leadership (CL) manual gives you an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills by serving in club roles. It will help you gain self-confidence and skills that will help you in many ways: academically, professionally and personally. The CL manual offers training in time management, organization, planning and critical thinking – all of which can be applied to everyday life.
Consider this: If the CL manual can help a club run more efficiently and successfully, and it can also help club members to improve their lives, why wouldn’t your club leaders pursue it? Sometimes, a little promotion from a fellow Toastmaster can help smooth the way. In case you’re finding it a little difficult to get the ball rolling with your VPE or other officers, here are ten quick tips from Toastmasters members that you can use to help promote the Competent Leadership manual:
1. At each club meeting, have one member assigned as the CL evaluator. By having an assigned evaluator, you ensure member progress in the CL manual.
2. Increase member awareness by requiring that members bring their Competent Leadership manuals to every club meeting.
3. Does your club have a sample copy of the Competent Leadership manual on display at every meeting? Keeping an extra copy on hand means you’ll have one available for guests to peruse or for new members to borrow.
4. Make sure that you recognize your members when they participate in the CL manual. Award a member with a ribbon when she’s halfway through and make an announcement when that person completes the manual. Let her know you appreciate the special care and preparation that she took with each meeting role.
5. Encourage the president and VPE of your club to promote the CL manual at each club meeting. Emphasize how the manual functions as a valuable learning tool – training each member on the different roles of the meeting and helping them build beneficial skills for the working world and daily life.
6. Place equal importance on the leadership and communication tracks in your club by including accreditations for both tracks in all correspondence, agendas and programs for your club.
7. Use the Competent Leadership Achievement Chart! Post it on the wall during meetings and keep it up-to-date. Draw attention to the successes listed on the chart.
8. For every speech a member gives, your club can request that he perform and receive evaluations on at least three meeting roles.
9. Does your club have a newsletter or Web site? Post a reminder to members to bring their manuals. Also, your club can post a congratulatory list of those who have completed the manual.
10. Ask each member who achieves the CL award to mentor a new member in the manual.
These tips will help make the CL manual a natural and easy part of your club’s meetings. When the CL manual is second nature to the members of your club, you’ll be pleasantly and easily learning leadership skills that help you everyday.
John Schneyer - Figuring Out What to Work On
John Schneyer delivering Speech 3 from the Technical Presentations Advanced Manual, The Nontechnical Audience.
 |
| From Toastmasters |
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Competent Leadership Evaluator
Fellow Toastmasters,
We have decided to create a new meeting role, Competent Leadership Evaluator, to help facilitate progress towards our members achieving Competent Leadership status. I will fill this role at our next meeting and it will be available for you to perform at future meetings.
It will work like this:
Signup to be the Competent Leadership Evaluator
Remind fellow Toastmasters to bring their Competent Leadership Manuals to our meetings
At the meeting, gather CL manuals from the Toastmasters who are filling the roles highlighted in green below who still need those roles to complete CL projects
Observe their performance at the meeting and write your feedback in their manuals
Return the manuals at the end of the meeting
This is a listening and evaluating opportunity that does not require you to deliver an oral report. You will learn more about the positions by performing this role and will provide a valuable service to your fellow Toastmasters.
I encourage you to consider filling this role as you would any other.
Please call me with any questions.
| THEME | GO GREEN |
| | 3/16/2010 |
| Toastmaster * | Kasia Nowak |
| Inspiration | Barry Rinehart |
| TABLE Topic Master * | Carlos Cabrera |
| The Small Tip | Vanessa North |
| | |
| Speaker #1 * | Flavia Finnegan |
| Speaker #2 * | John Schneyer 10-12 minutes |
| Speaker #3 * | Bea Solya |
| Speaker #4 * | Michele Guarino |
| BACK-UP SPEAKER | Jeff Tockman |
| | |
| Gen. Evaluator * | Russell Foster |
| Evaluator #1 * | Stephen Marinaccio |
| Evaluator #2 * | Marshall Isaacson |
| Evaluator #3 * | Bob Geller |
| Evaluator #4 * | Walter Bald |
| Minutes | |
| Supporters | |
| Competent Leadership Evaluator | John Schneyer |
| Timer * | Daniel Escalante |
| Ah Counter * | David Paltanavich |
| Grammarian * | Matt Bloomfield |
| Body Lang. Master | Jeff Tockman |
| Inquisitor | Terrence Bazley |
| Greeter | |
| Camera Coordinator | Roseane Houck |
| Food Master | |
| | |
| Can Not Attend | R Singer |
| (Signed-Out) | M Novek |
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