WE'RE SEEKING MEMBERS FOR OUR END-OF-YEAR BLOWOUT!
Toastmasters year ends June 30. Between now and June 30, we would like to add YOU to our ranks. Need to improve your presentation skills for work? Terrified to speak in front of a group (even a small group)? Need help with your leadership skills? We can help! Toastmasters offers a safe and friendly environment to improve your skills at no risk to life, limb, or you job.
Employers, are you looking for a way to improve your employees "soft skills". Toastmasters is the answer!
Want to know more? contact Stacci Thomas at spthomas8192@gmail.com
PATHWAYS NOW IN CHATTANOOGA!
Chattanooga now has access to Pathways, Toastmasters new educational program. Are materials are accessible and online making it easier to track progress and retain records of achievements. To find out more about Pathways, visit the Toastmasters website at https://www.toastmasters.org/ and click on "Pathways".
For more information on Toastmasters visit www.toastmasters.org
CHASING THE FINISH LINE
Monday Mumblers President, Ralston Maloney just completed a half Ironman race in Canada. FOX Chattanooga News highlighted, interviewed and followed Maloney on race day. “There were no "Ah Counters" or clickers during my interview but thanks to you guys (Toastmasters) I am getting better (at speaking),” said Maloney.
Maloney is relatively new to the triathlon scene tackling the 2015 Ironman in Chattanooga for his first big event. As a triathlon athlete, he must swim, bike and run for a total of 53.5K during the race. His team of supporters include his wife Norma and her LoAdebar creation that keeps Maloney fueled up, to his children, grandchildren, coach and fellow participants.
Need a Speaker?
Do you need a speaker for your upcoming event? There are many talented speakers in the Chattanooga area who would love to speak to your organization. Please contact us and we'll be happy to help you find the right speaker for your event!
Have to give a speech, but not sure where to start? We can write a speech for you.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC SPEAKING
Looking to become a better speaker? Here are proven tips on how to give better presentations:
Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use personal stories and conversational language to help you remember what to say.
Practice, Practice, Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary.
Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.
Know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area, and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don’t want you to fail.
Don’t’ apologize for any nervousness or problem – the audience probably never noticed it.
Concentrate on the message, not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.
Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters group can provide the experience you need in a safe and friendly environment.
Here is a link to Maloney’s interview, as well as, the finish of his race (that’s his family cheering in the background).
http://foxchattanooga.com/sports/chasing-the-finish-line
Olivia-Calderin Dazzles
What happens when you let a Downtown Dazzler speak? She dazzles, of course!
Here is a video from this past March of our fellow Toastmaster member, Jessica Oliva-Calderin, speaking at the Chattanooga Lean-In Chapter of Women Ground Breakers’ 2016 Storytelling Series at the Walden Club.
By the way, the MC of the evening was Denise Reed, a member of Wordspinners Toastmasters.
Toastmasters Program Transforms Lives
By Elena Cawley July 22, 2015
The title of my speech was ‘My Uncashed Check.’ It was about my transformation and finding my confidence,” Jyothi said. “It’s easy for us to think we’re not good at certain things, but we just need to try them out first. We are the only ones stopping ourselves, we are our only competitors.”
The Toastmasters program has helped her become a better parent, too, Jyothi says. She teaches her children that there is nothing impossible when you believe in yourself.
One of Jyothi’s favorite memories is seeing her children in the audience during the speech contest.
“My children gave me the greatest feedback. They were 6 and 8 at the time of the competition, and they were sitting quietly, listening to my speech. My son told me that I did a great job, and I couldn’t ask for a happier moment.”
See Jyothi in action. Click HERE.
Learn how one employee benefitted from the program and how you can get involved, too.
Jyothi Anantha with her two children after placing in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest.
“Every time I was placed in a public situation, I was shivering and felt nervous,” said Jyothi Anantha, Business Intelligence Applications Team Lead.
That changed since 2009 when she joined the Toastmasters Club.
“My husband introduced me to the program to help me gain confidence. After I joined the club, I realized I was good at public speaking, I just didn’t have a platform before,” Jyothi said.
Defeating fear and embracing opportunities In March (2015), Jyothi won second place in the Toastmasters International Speech contest for Division C (Chattanooga and the surrounding areas). She used this opportunity to spread the word about the program and help others gain confidence.
Disclaimer
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