Page 19 - April 2015 Voices!
P. 19
w Horizons Toastmasters—Continued from page 18)
our speaking and leadership skills at each
meeting. We all know why we attend, as we
all work together to make the time
meaningful.
A glance around the room will show
members with a wide variety of experience,
backgrounds and skill. There are members
new to Toastmasters who are still learning
the difference between “CL” and “CC”. We
have ACBs, ACSs, ACGs and DTMs. Some
members are completing their first CC manual, while others will complete their 20+ CC
manual this year. Our members have come from India, Ireland, Mexico and different parts
of the US. The diversity and international characteristics of our club provides true
enrichment for us all.
Each of us arrive with an understandable nervousness and excitement in anticipation
regarding what this meeting will bring. Looking forward to some new information, a new
speaker, an interesting Word of the Day and how each of us will grow. Some of the more
experienced members check in with new members fulfilling new roles or invite new
members to sit with them as they fulfill a role. We all know that Toastmasters is more
than just public speaking.
Bringing everyone along—Explanation of various roles helps everyone to glean new
learning and know what is planned. Taking time to have these descriptions shared also
helps attendees get more out of the speakers and the meeting. As the different pieces of
the meeting are put together, the full range of how each of us learn and grow while
having fun becomes increasingly apparent. Evaluations are perhaps the best kept secret
of Toastmasters. For me, the reason I truly enjoy making the Saturday morning
commitment is the take-aways I receive through the evaluations. Always great insights
and suggestions. Always a reminder that we are all still learning and growing. We
provide evaluations in different formats as needed. When we have members preparing
for upcoming competitions, we have “round robin” evaluations where any person in
attendance can provide an insight or suggestion of improvement for the speaker. This
allows the speaker to hear perspectives from more than just a single evaluator.
A great place to fail—among friends—We all know the terrifying feeling speaking in
front of groups. Sharing parts of our personal lives is risky. Just speaking in front of a
(Continued on page 20)
19
our speaking and leadership skills at each
meeting. We all know why we attend, as we
all work together to make the time
meaningful.
A glance around the room will show
members with a wide variety of experience,
backgrounds and skill. There are members
new to Toastmasters who are still learning
the difference between “CL” and “CC”. We
have ACBs, ACSs, ACGs and DTMs. Some
members are completing their first CC manual, while others will complete their 20+ CC
manual this year. Our members have come from India, Ireland, Mexico and different parts
of the US. The diversity and international characteristics of our club provides true
enrichment for us all.
Each of us arrive with an understandable nervousness and excitement in anticipation
regarding what this meeting will bring. Looking forward to some new information, a new
speaker, an interesting Word of the Day and how each of us will grow. Some of the more
experienced members check in with new members fulfilling new roles or invite new
members to sit with them as they fulfill a role. We all know that Toastmasters is more
than just public speaking.
Bringing everyone along—Explanation of various roles helps everyone to glean new
learning and know what is planned. Taking time to have these descriptions shared also
helps attendees get more out of the speakers and the meeting. As the different pieces of
the meeting are put together, the full range of how each of us learn and grow while
having fun becomes increasingly apparent. Evaluations are perhaps the best kept secret
of Toastmasters. For me, the reason I truly enjoy making the Saturday morning
commitment is the take-aways I receive through the evaluations. Always great insights
and suggestions. Always a reminder that we are all still learning and growing. We
provide evaluations in different formats as needed. When we have members preparing
for upcoming competitions, we have “round robin” evaluations where any person in
attendance can provide an insight or suggestion of improvement for the speaker. This
allows the speaker to hear perspectives from more than just a single evaluator.
A great place to fail—among friends—We all know the terrifying feeling speaking in
front of groups. Sharing parts of our personal lives is risky. Just speaking in front of a
(Continued on page 20)
19
