Page 6 - Voices November 2016
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H: I grew up on the East Coast. I moved to speaking skills because I thought I wanted to
California for college, and ended up staying get started as a stand-up comedian, except I
another ten years. I never knew how much I wasn’t funny. Didn’t know how to be. Humorous
missed the seasons until I moved to Portland. speaking is a skill. That is when I discovered how
In the summer we go tubing on the river. In fall, much I love the Leadership Track. I’m currently
it’s the pumpkin patch and Hood River. Winter mentoring four members.
is snowshoeing and cutting down our Christmas Q: What is your process for developing a Table
tree. Spring is the flower fields. I love thrift store Topics speech?
shopping because it’s like a mini treasure hunt D: Mark Twain said, “It usually takes more than
every time.
three weeks to prepare a good impromptu
speech.” If you go into a Table Topics contest
unprepared, it’s your own fault if you don’t do
well. I watched every YouTube video I could
Now, let’s turn to our first place Table Topics speech find about preparing for Table Topics, watched
winner, Daniel Flood:
every winning Table Topics presentation on the
Internet, and attended TM workshops on how to
win at TT. Darren LaCroix says, “Be a sponge!”
I was that sponge.
Q: What has helped you most to develop an
award winning Table Topics speech?
D: Learning the G.A.M.E.S. and PIVOT
techniques and employing them where
applicable. Summarizing the question in my
mind, then deciding how to form my response,
taking as much time (silently) in front of the
audience as needed. I can do this in 30 seconds
or so, taking more time if needed. The rules
allow for this.
PIVOT is a time-tested method where you
are given one question and immediately PIVOT
on that question to what YOU want to talk about
instead. These are stories you have made up or
know intimately; they’re already in your head.
The other technique is G.A.M.E.S. Get the
audience’s attention. Acknowledge the audience.
Q: What brought you to Toastmasters? Make an attempt to answer the question, if it is
D: My father was a Toastmaster back in the a question that you can’t PIVOT on. Examples:
1950s. It gave him the confidence and speaking provide three that support your answer.
skills needed to attain his dream job. Because Summarize your thoughts into one cohesive
of Toastmasters, the family finally had a stable statement that reflects your answer to the
financial future, enough so that they were able question. G.A.M.E.S. keeps you from getting off
to have their third and last child. Me. Concisely, track. Watch the clock. When you first see red,
I’m here because of Toastmasters. you safely have only ten seconds left. Wrap it up!
Q: How has it helped your career?
D: I used Toastmasters back in the 80s to obtain a Q: On the day of competition, what’s your
job working in the oil industry in Alaska. Turned favorite way to prepare for your two minutes
out to be one of the worst career moves of my on stage?
entire life. Just awful. D: Remember what I’ve learned, have my tech-
niques ready, and having fun! Before stepping
Q: How has Toastmasters helped you onstage, my pulse nearly doubled. I kept telling
personally? myself, “I’m excited to be here!” Remembering
D: Many years later, I wanted to improve my to use what I know helped me focus when I got
6 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER, 2016 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER, 2016
