Page 15 - 2016 february issue
P. 15
From Toastmaster to
Cable Television Host
by B-Lee Coyne, ATMS, CL
The cautious transition from two decades format, and our
as a Toastmaster to hosting five ongoing audience absorbs
cable programs has been a blast. (Not at all the guest's story
like the atom bomb! Thankfully, I have not step by step. We
bombed out.) often ask about childhood dreams and early
clues to their current profession or key activity.
Our station is Capital Community We attempt to pursue stories of overcoming
Television (CCTV) in Salem on channels 21, challenges or setbacks sustained—all of us can
22, and 23. Our audience comes in all shapes identify with life's speed bumps.
and sizes and covers the age spectrum. The
two principal shows are Culturama!, focused Immediate Past District Governor, Phyllis
on the arts, and Grey Matters which is focused Harmon, serves as my monthly co-host and
on the benefits of graceful aging. often brings another Toastmaster to share the
spotlight. We jointly tackle some element of
Each guest helps me grow inwardly. effective communication and leadership skills-
One of my favorite parts of Toastmasters building. Our shows are always entertaining.
was Table Topics. We use the Table Topics You never know when a chance statement will
spark an entirely new topic or lead the conver-
format to ask questions during the show. No sation into different byways than originally
need to sweat and be nervous. We mingle anticipated.
community education with entertainment.
If you want to observe a future show or
Our starting point is the guest's birthplace be a guest, please contact me at luckycoyne@
and early years. What better place than yahoo.com or my co-host, Phyllis Harmon, at
the origin of the species? The guest is an print2pahs@gmail.com.
expert on that topic, and that creates added
comfort. In any interview, climate setting is You have a unique place in our hearts, just
paramount. Lesson learned: begin with what to the right of our left ventricle.
the guest knows. From there, move on to
discovering and discussing the guest’s more Lee Coyne served as the 2006 District 7 Public
recent past, current events, and future goals. Relations Officer and as a club officer in the now
defunct club Mind Openers in Salem. In every
In a sense, this is like a Toastmaster's Culturama segment, Lee recommends that viewers
Ice Breaker. Yet it is not tightly structured, visit the Toastmasters clubs located in the Salem area.
and is done more as natural flow. This
works very well with the show’s interview Perfect 10
Congratulations
to Toastmasters
for Speaking
Professionals. TSP is
the first club to earn all
10 goals. Clubs earning all 10 goals
are encouraging and supporting
their members to grow. How many
more clubs will have a Perfect 10?
Volume 2 Issue 7 - FEBRUARY 2016 15
