Page 5 - Voices! - october 2015

One of the BEST Parts of Toastmasters

By Ryan Avery, DTM

Dear District 7,

What an exciting time for us as contestants, as club members and as spectators.
Confernces and speech contests are one of the best parts of Toastmasters! Three
years ago this month I competed for the first time ever in a speech contest The
Humorous Speech contest) with a speech titled FAIL and fail I did. I lost at the
Area level. A few months later I decided to go for the World Championship
and with the help from Chelsea, Randy Harvey, my family and friends and the
amazing members of District 7, you showed the world that when you put your
mind to something and come together as a team you can accomplish anything!

For all of the contestants in this season’s contest who have made it this far, congratulations. Advice I received
from my mentor, Randy Harvey, 2004 World Champion of Public Speaking, was “Give a speech from the heart
and the world will listen. Lead from the heart and the world will follow!" When you speak from the heart, you
can't loose. Send a message that will make a difference in the lives of the people listening to you today and
everyday you speak.

For those of you who have never competed but thought of it, I would like you to take Nike's advice and just do
it! We now have a Competitve Speakers Club in Portland, Oregon. Check it out. We have many resources and
individuals ready to help you improve your communication and leadership abilities. The tools are out there. It is
up to you to take action!

Conferences and contests are
critical for building confidence. You
expand your comfort zone. You gain
experience you can't learn in a club or
work meeting. You push yourself to be
the best.

District 7 has supported me from day Place Video Here
one. You have listend to my speeches Frame is on the
and given me over 1,000 evaluations, Images Layer
you have given your money to support
our travel to the Championships. You
gave advice to make me the speaker I
am today, and for that I will be forever
grateful!

I can’t wait to see you on November
6th and 7th for the best conference of
the year! Keep making things happen,
keep using your voice to help others
use theirs and above all, always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan Avery

Volume 2 Issue 4 - OCT 2015 5