Page 33 - Voices Feb 2018
P. 33
COURTSHIP AND
COMMUNICATIONS
Lee Coyne, ATMS
a bomb?” Most of the audience was as shocked Come February it’s Cupid Time
as I had been at hearing that, but I delivered a We celebrate rekindled lavished
message about remaining optimistic through Luv. Yes . . . verily Valentine
trying experiences. Toastmasters helped me
overcome the difficulties that stemmed from What a perfect juncture to better mirror
others attacking my Muslim identity. By that courtship between our speaker and the
becoming a person who is able to change, I feel audience. Outreach gears up.
comfortable when people talk about Islam. The opening line is critical because it
My identity is crucial to the work I do because creates that vital first impression. We are
it fuels my passion for improving myself. It allows simultaneously speaking to both heart and
me to focus on ambitious goals, like becoming mind. Hence our mission is to maximize
an engineer or conveying technical knowledge feelings and not merely cerebral stuff. A
in a team. Productive learning requires a holistic balance—alas.
approach that takes into consideration a variety Sometimes a clever jest or riddle can mark
of motivations. For me, that acquaintance who our starting line. Or possibly a quotation from
shocked me so many years ago was a stepping some person who is relatively well known
stone on a trek towards self-improvement, I look to the audience. Familiarity brings about
forward to continuing this journey in college. comfort.
Hammad is a high school senior at Catlin Gabel We best keep our talk structured rather
School, and has been apart of the youth Gavel club, than convoluted. Akin to Cupid our aim must
Future Stars, for 5 years. be precisely on target.
Future Stars Gavel Club, is a youth communication If we seek to convince, then our data
and leadership club administered by Toastmasters must be coherent and cohesive. If our goal is
International, helping the young people of today entertainment, then our humor or humane
become the great leaders of tomorrow! The club is touch must reach toward the proverbial
open to all middle school and high school aged kids. It funnybone.
gives them the opportunity to become better listeners, Educational level of the audience is
thinkers, speakers and leaders. important to factor in. We cannot afford to
The club meets weekly during the school year talk over their heads or below their navels.
every Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm at 4115 SW Strike out all that seemingly is salacious. No
160th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97007 in the first ‘R’-rated movie terms.
room in the portal. To learn more about Future Stars Courtship is a two-way street. Be alert to
or to visit the club, pleas contact Coach Humaira at assert friendly eye contact and absorb the
futurestarspdx@gmail.com. Visitors are encouraged audience response. Rapport is a romance of
to visit the club and see for themselves why Future communications.
Stars should be part of their educational journey. Let their applause express that love!
VOICES! | FEBRUARY, 2018 35
