Peace Speakers Louisville Toastmasters Club

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Eloquent Messages at the Peace Speakers Open House

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

It's exciting being president of a Toastmasters club that works together closely to assure today's Open House is meaningful. Kay announces today's theme: Toastmasters: Find Your Voice, and members of Peace Speakers have been in the throes of this since the onset. We all value the guaranteed practice in communication and leadership at our monthly meetings. Nonetheless, members do have individual goals, some personal and some professional.

All Peace Speakers work to improve their grammar and delivery, to overcome the uhs and ums, and figure out how to add effective pauses. We have fun with short spontaneous talks and practice giving and receiving feedback after prepared speeches. You never know what will unfold in Toastmasters until you personally investigate it!

Today's Toastmaster, Perry, is one of our charter members and a past president. He's held all of the officers' roles, and we are deeply appreciative of his ongoing leadership. His job is to lead the educational segment of our program.

Perry's created an agenda that reflects our theme, with an image of his puppy treading water as he learns to swim. Perry likens that to "finding your voice"...a metaphor for the process of the struggle that ensues when one is trying something new. Perry adds, "With some coaching and a life jackets - which is similar to our club offering support, training, and guidance - our dog was eventually able to swim without the coach guiding him." Then he includes another story about a different dog literally finding her voice. His family howled like wolves with her until she did it herself. After all, if dogs can "find their voice" - so can we - with some help and gentle prodding from Toastmasters.

Perry shares that 3 Toastmasters are giving brief testimonials as to what their involvement has meant to them. We begin with Kay, the current president of Peace Speakers:

Kay admits that a lifetime of dodging every opportunity to speak or lead made her feel curtailed, embarrassed and discouraged. A low self-esteem and high fear-level prevailed until she joined Peace Speakers. Now she speaks regularly as a leader in front of her church's congregation, gave a rousing speech to graduates one year, and communication with her family is more equitable, fun and engaging. Furthermore, she was poised and confident delivering her dad's eulogy, which would have been impossible without her involvement in Peace Speakers.

Visitors reacting to the speeches given.

What made the difference? Consistent participation in monthly meetings, trying out new roles and tasks, and getting support from growth-minded Peace Speakers. Kay knows she'll always be a work in progress, which is why she remains a Toastmaster. This is a safe place to practice and address your concerns or fears. It's also a way to surprise and delight yourself, if you're willing to get out of your comfort zone.

Our 2nd testimonial is from Betsy, who's a charter member of Peace Speakers and currently our VP of Membership.

Betsy was one of the first members of Peace Speakers in 2005 and remembers being nervous for her first speech, the Ice Breaker. However, she admits it was still fun to give. She continued her club involvement after she retired and moved to Lanesville, IN, in 2008.

Becoming active in monthly town council meetings in Lanesville, Betsy vied for a town council seat. This required her to speak publicly to a group of 60, explaining why she'd be a good council member and summarizing her past experiences. That was her first public speech in front of a large group of people. Peace Speakers helped her prepare for that presentation, and it resulted in her appointment as a council member and many more opportunities to speak in front of groups.

Then in July 2014, Betsy was appointed as Clerk-Treasurer for the Town of Lanesville. Again….Peace Speakers helped her prepare to speak professionally in front of multiple-sized groups.

Peace Speakers meetings helped Betsy progress as a better speaker and leader. Getting help with her speech preparation benefited her at the club meetings and town meetings. She thought about her words, choosing them carefully while eliminating her uhs and ums. Impromptu Table Topics sessions helped her “think on her feet” and improved her thinking skills. Taking on different roles and responsibilities in club meetings built speaking skills as well.

Our 3rd testimonial is from Vicki, who's our Club Coach and member of the Legendary Communicators Club. She's a past president and past Area 66 Director, to name a few.

Vicki claims that walking through the door of a Toastmasters club vastly changed her life. However, at first she was reluctant when invited to attend. She went to several meetings until it finally clicked. She got it!

Inspired to become active in her own club, she became an officer, and this opened the door to become the Area 66 Director. Being exposed to multiple clubs gave her the opportunity to meet an individual who eventually bestowed on her the honor of becoming the Lead Event Organizer for a yearly kids’ cancer fundraiser. Asked to emcee an event that might go on for 9 hours, she balked at first. She'd never done anything like that! But the faith someone had in her ability to pull this off was strong. He had witnessed her talents and strengths at a Toastmasters club, and this is what made it unfold.

Vicki noted that it’s been quite humbling to carry on this meaningful charity work. She choked back tears talking about raising $250,000 for the kids' fundraiser. She reminded us that Toastmasters didn’t click with her at first, but she stuck with it nonetheless. Admittedly, the journey she's enjoyed is the path she's glad she's traveled.

The next segment of our educational program involves Table Topics. Octavia shares prompts she created to get people talking spontaneously for 1-2 minutes. Her first volunteer is Effie, who is a visitor today. We love it when our guests dive into the experience!

NOTE: Answers are snippets of what people shared during Table Topics.

If you could not work for a year, what would you do?

Effie knows that she'd travel the world, spending three times a year in another country. She'd take her mom and perhaps her husband (if he's acting right) with her. Assuming money was not an issue, she'd map out the whole year and find herself a beach to enjoy right away.

At what point do you come alive: Before you walk on, when you walk on, or 3 minutes after you start?

Destini notes that being a person who speaks often, she comes alive after the 3 minute mark. She makes decisions that support everyone and gets lots of questions. The more she engages and gets feedback like smiles and affirmations, she comes alive. Admittedly, sometimes she doesn't want to shut up. (And she didn't! She continued her rapid and entertaining discourse while we all listened and laughed, but I failed to get it written down!)

What happened the last few times you had to speak off the top of your head?

Angie admits that she's the quiet one in groups. People scream past her while she waits for a pause. She spoke at a Vegas talk for 10-20 minutes, and when the buzzer went off, she stopped in the middle of her talk. Perhaps that time keeper was out to get her! Was he bored? She added, "Speaking off the top of my head, I lose the topic and start talking about my cats or my kids or whatever."

How do your friends describe you?

Monique says her work friends might say she comes and she's not that late (implying they don't know her very well). However, her non-work friends, many of whom are long distant, describe her as fun, a true homebody, and not into the club action. She sends screen text messages to stay in contact and says that how friends describe her depends on the day. Depending on what part of the journey she's on, she notes, "I'm always a new person!"

Everyone at today's Open House thinks about the Table Topics talk that inspires them the most and votes for their favorite. Names are written on pieces of paper and are passed to the Vote Counter, who later announces that Destini has won their favor. She earns a dark chocolate bar and bragging rights for the best Table Topics speech!

And now let's draw for the 4 door prizes, a Heine Bros. gift card, a Mary Kay gift card, and 2 Texas Roadhouse gift cards! They go to these lucky winners:

Effie

Sharon

Bridgett

Beatrice

Other photos taken by Catherine during our Open House today include:

Peace Speakers enjoy the company and energy of 11 esteemed guests at their Open House!

As our Open House winds down, Eva, our Ah Counter/Grammarian, reports that there were 4 uses of the Word of the Day (eloquent), 30 space fillers (such as ah, um, uh), and 2 sentence shifts (where a sentence was started but wasn't completed). Considering we listened to 3 speeches, ran a full session of Table Topics, and did a whole lot of other talking, that's not too bad! (Thank you also, Eva, for being our Secretary as well today!)

And finally, here stands Catherine, who had the role of Timer today but took on the job of photographer as well. This isn't a current shot because she kept my camera busy the entire Open House and chose not to be included in the group shot. Just want to give her accolades as well.

Kay closes our Open House thanking the 11 guests who visited our club and her team of Peace Speakers who helped plan and carry out the event. She shares that as you explore Toastmasters, you'll discover new insights about yourself and gain the expertise to grow as an eloquent speaker and leader. Find your voice with the support of Peace Speakers, a user-friendly club as well as a fun and safe place to practice. Let us know how we can help you invest in yourself!

OUR NEXT 2018 MEETINGS:

Wed., Dec. 5 - Room 5000

Wed., Dec. 19 - Conference Room B

OUR UPCOMING 2019 MEETINGS:

Wed., Jan. 2 - Conference Room B

Wed., Jan. 16 - Conference Room B

Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club

1st and 3rd Wednesdays (usually)

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

100 Witherspoon Street

Downtown Louisville, KY

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Chambers

President and Blogger for Peace Speakers

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Blogger of Peace Speakers Ends the Hiatus

It's official! I'm now serving as the new president for Peace Speakers. I accepted this officer's role at the urging of encouraging members who recognize my leadership potential. I'm a professed "worker bee" type who works well behind the scenes, and this year I'm be positioned to grow skills I wouldn't otherwise. This is what Toastmasters is all about - stretching you in ways that expand your confidence, communication and leadership skills.

A lot has transpired since my last blog for Peace Speakers. A hiatus from the blog was taken, and this is our meeting's Word of the Day. A hiatus is a pause or gap in a sequence, series or process. Now it's time to get back on the horse! Furthermore, the new Peace Speakers' officers just came on board in July, and they are ready to serve our Toastmasters club and guests to the best of their ability:

President: Kay Chambers
VP for Education: Eva Stimson
VP for Membership: Betsy Blocker
VP for Public Relations: Perry Chang
Secretary: Katie Conkle
Sergeant-at-Arms: Octavia Coleman
Treasurer: Catherine Reuning

I also want to thank our outgoing officers, Megan Sherehiy and Malinda Spencer. We greatly appreciate their service to our club as well!

The theme for our meeting today is vacation and travel, and we happen to have a Distinguished Toastmaster who drove in from Williamson, Virginia. Charles Gates travels often, and wherever he goes, he checks out the local Toastmasters clubs and visits 4 or 5 of them. Even though Toastmasters clubs worldwide are similar in structure, the members and personalities all vary. Charles obviously has fun with it. As a Toastmaster, you always have that option to visit other clubs locally or across the globe. It keeps you on your toes and is a great way to learn. Fortunately, Charles also offered us some tips for our meetings that are most helpful!

It's time to shift gears to the educational portion of our meeting. I introduce Eva, who comes to the lectern to serve as today's Toastmaster. She's an accomplished writer, editor and artist. In keeping with today's theme, Eva reminds us that the journey is more important than the destination. We mustn't miss the joys and surprises along the way to our destinations. Toastmasters clubs understand this as well, offering opportunities couched in fun that keep members growing as they travel along different paths.

Eva introduces Distinguished Toastmaster, Charles, who's volunteered to give a speech today at our club. He moves the lectern to the side, not wanting to use it as a crutch or impede him in any way. In short, his presentation tells his story from the first time he was introduced to Toastmasters (2007) to the present. His speech is an Ice Breaker Speech from Pathways, our new and exciting educational program.

Charles uses his words to draw a picture of his journey. He's on a road trip from New Jersey to Virginia listening to an audio book by Robert Kiyosaki and Zig Ziglar. Charles wanted to become a master communicator like these men, who are acclaimed motivational speakers and authors. Listening to those tapes, Charles heard about Toastmasters, understanding that if you want to go somewhere, it's best to find mentors who've already been there. He soon discovered that there were 46 Toastmasters clubs in his area within a 25-mile-radius! A jackpot for mentors!!!!!

Charles recalls being warmly welcomed at his first Toastmasters meeting. If you wonder how he became a DMT, or a Distinguished Toastmaster, it's because Charles threw himself into the workings of the club whole-heartedly. Encouraged to expand his natural talents, he eventually served in every one of the officers' roles within the club.

Later, an area governor encouraged Charles to join district leadership. Charles jumped right in. He knew there was so much more to discover and experience. Taking on the top district positions gave him a free ticket out of the country to an exotic location for the semi-finals. He's still on a journey in Toastmasters to continue his learning and knows there's great joy in that.

Charles encouraged us to take advantage of every speaking opportunity that's available to us. "Even when you fail, there's a great gift in that," he insisted. "Explore all of the benefits that Toastmasters provides you!" Charles obviously doesn't take a hiatus from Toastmasters just because he's on vacation!!!!

Who knows where in the world he'll end up next, but Charles knows that it's a given that he'll visit some Toastmasters clubs once he lands. He hopes each of us will follow our dreams as well, and Toastmasters can be a vital key for realizing them!

Our Table Topicsmaster, Catherine, has created prompts that relate to the theme of vacation and travel. This is an opportunity for members (and guests, if they choose), to draw a question and answer it spontaneously in 1-2 minutes time. It fosters thinking on one's feet, and the practice is good for us. One of the greatest perks, though, is getting to know each other better. We often are moved by a thoughtful account one shares or end up laughing at the humor that's imparted.

What is a place many people love to visit but you have no desire to visit. Why not?

Betsy shares that she's aware that most people love to travel to Hawaii, but she's not interested in going there. After all, there are molten lava rocks coming out of volcanoes. The travel to get there requires a long plane ride, so she'd much rather go to Florida. She already knows she likes the place, and it's all connected.

What is the most memorable vacation you've taken, and why did you love it so much?

Charles admits that his favorite vacation was to Hawaii, where there are spectacular trees, flowers and indigenous animals that are only found there. His visit was right before Kilauea's eruption. He saw orange fumes rising from it but didn't realize until he left and returned home that the lava bed fell where he and his daughter had been standing.

If affordable space travel was available, would you go?

Eva claims she's not one to venture out to the unknown where she'd get way out of her comfort zone. Outer space just doesn't look like a comfortable place to land. It's bleak, there's no air, and it's rocky. She's pretty happy with being on earth and wants to stay where she is.

What is a place you'd love to visit but haven't yet? What's its appeal?

The place Octavia hasn't been that she'd love to visit is Europe. Her niece just returned from there and the pictures are so interesting and appealing. She wants to go there to experience the different kinds of food, wine and beautiful scenery.

What would your perfect "stacation" look like?

If I (Kay, the blogger) couldn't seek foreign cultures, I'd just enjoy more of what I like here in the area. First of all, I'd see more movies in the big theaters and go on more romantic dinner dates with my husband. This is something we love to do and have enjoyed for 25 years now. I'd also increase the times I do my Bowspring yoga and Nia exercise classes, which are a lot of fun. (Reflecting back on it being PERFECT, I would have added in massages, art museums and concerts! I'd relax during Table Topics and use my imagination more!)

A vote is taken after the Table Topics talks, and the one most favored is by Charles, our visitor. He's awarded a dark chocolate bar for his efforts. His visit was timely and one we greatly appreciated. All visitors to our club are warmly greeted. If you're checking out this blog, I hope you'll join us for a 1-hour meeting some day. The sooner the better!

Eva, today's Toastmaster and the evaluator for Charles' speech, shared the following:

Charle's Ice Breaker speech was excellent - very inspiring and a good model for our club members.

Strengths: Didn't use the lectern, did not use notes; strong opening and conclusion; good use of body language and gestures; strong volume; effective use of repetition; gave us a sense of the many opportunities Toastmasters provides beyond our club; and had lots of positive energy.

Suggestion for improvement: Include a story about a failure or time when fears were overcome so that less confident people can relate.

Before closing the meeting, Kay draws a name from those who've served as either Toastmaster or given a speech in the last quarter. Betsy goes home with a Heine Brothers gift card! This is one way we can thank members for their service to our club. Engagement is key to individual growth and the viability of our Toastmasters club, and we hope everyone stays on this journey!!!

As president, I bring the meeting to a close with a themed quote from Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." May your travels be often and your joys be abundant!

I set my camera down and run to get in this last timed shot of the day. It was a small meeting but a great one. Taking a hiatus from any club meetings means we miss growth opportunities and chances to support one another. I hope to see visitors again at our next meeting along with more of our members. Let's make it a fun and expansive year!

Oh, let's add some more kudos!!!! Thank you, Catherine, for taking 3 shots of us at the lectern with your iPhone. It forced me to learn how to send those images to my Google account so that I could crop them and use them in this blog. And Betsy, thank you for being the secretary today when Katie was out for jury duty while you also were the Ah Counter and Grammarian. Peace Speakers rise to the occasion. I'm proud of our members!