Page 26 - Voices-2022.05
P. 26
FIELD NOTES
Step 1 Pay Attention to the evaluators you still, visit new clubs. Show up
admire. Observe, not the content of their 15 mins early and sign up for
evaluations but their approach. How do they those slots, often the last ones to
engage the audience? How do they begin? How be filled.
do they end? How do they handle sensitive 3. Join Feedbackers – But of
topics? When giving recommendations, do course! There is no better
they focus on the weakness of the speaker or place to practice and learn. As
the strengths of the evaluator? you can see, we are nuts about
Step 2 Prepare – There are lots of resources evaluations. Come visit us in June
available if you are ready to become an to experience for yourself.
evaluation student. Advanced Speaking Designing an evaluation signature is
Manuals from the legacy system can help an intermediate skill. If you have a few
us learn the finer points of storytelling, evaluations under your belt and want to
humor, persuasion. This adds depth to our up your game, I invite you to design your
recommendations. YouTube videos of contest own signature. Start paying attention to
winning evaluations can help us shape our the signatures around you. They exist.
composition and delivery. I also find fresh Prepare yourself with resources inside
perspectives on public speaking and feedback and outside Toastmasters. And put this
from books and blogs outside of Toastmasters. to practice by seizing opportunities to
(e.g., TED talks by Chris Anderson). No evaluate frequently.
amount of observation and preparation heeds When it comes to signatures, why limit
benefit if you don’t complement it with. . . us to one when there is room for plenty
Step 3 Practice – under the sun?
1. Evaluate every speech you hear on
paper. Jot down three things you Megha joined Feedbackers in June 2020
like and two areas you would offer and has been honing her evaluation signature
for improvement. Let it become a ever since. She aims to put it to the test at
compulsive disorder. the upcoming District 97 Evaluation Speech
2. Take regular Project Evaluator Contest. She lives in Bangkok.
opportunities at your club. Better
feedbackers.toastmastersclubs.org
26 ONE COMMUNITY
