Page 9 - June 2020

Not surprisingly, the club is no longer around. We not just the speaker. That might mean explaining
were way too competitive with each other—hyper what the speaker was trying to communicate
critical of any and all perceived flaws. Certain (manual objectives) or a particular rhetorical style
we knew what we were doing. It was a culture they used effectively. I see every evaluation as a

of negativity I am glad to no longer be a part of. learning event for everyone.
I thought I joined Toastmasters to improve Third, what did the speaker do that distracted
my speaking skills. I am an introvert with a me from their message? This covers the bulk of

background in theatre. I love being on stage. an evaluation and includes areas such as vocals,
Toastmasters gave me a platform to perform. pauses, movement, eye contact, technology, and
With the help of my first mentor, I discovered I personal mannerisms.
joined Toastmasters to learn how to be me. Every I like contests because these are my
performance was a character. Every speech was networking events. I meet and learn from new

me channeling someone else—a great orator, a people while getting feedback (in the form of
great actor, or a great performance. I was never the judges choices) of what is effective in an
myself. evaluation.

Now I am in Toastmasters to be me. As much I encourage all Toastmasters to try out a
as I love rehearsing and performing, I feel like contest if you are interested. I agree it is not
it was the way I chose to avoid my issues and a perfect fit for everyone since competition
personal failings. That’s why I prefer evaluation is by definition—competitive. However, it is a
contests over speech contests. Speech is too challenge. If that is your cup of tea, then by all

rehearsed—too much like what I did all those means get ready for next year!
years to avoid being myself. Evaluation is me in Outside of Toastmasters I enjoy collecting
the moment helping someone else become an books and cats. I love science fiction and have a

even better communicator. growing library of author-signed first editions.
I prefer the highwire aspect of evaluating. I I also love cats: I live with 3 and have 2 more at
never know what I am going to say ahead of time. work. Over the years, I’ve trapped over 25 stray
While that is true, I do have three specific areas cats to have them spayed (or neutered) and treated
I focus my evaluation on. for common ailments. I like nothing better than

First, is there an area that the speaker asked to sit in my recliner by a fire with a good book
me to focus on? This is very important. I want to and a cat on my lap—that’s happiness.
offer the speaker the best feedback I can. If I am

commenting about an area of the speech that they
didn’t ask for, then that is a disservice to them.
Second, how can I help the rest of the audience
grow from this evaluation? I am always aware
that there are more people in the room than the

speaker and me. I want to offer information to all,

VOICES! | JUNE 2020 9