Earlier this month (on Mar 15th) I had the honor and opportunity to visit the ICC Toastmasters Club (click HERE for info on them) as the target speaker for their annual Evaluation Contest. My topic was Magic In My Back Yard (club members will probably remember my giving this speech before). It went well, although upon reviewing the video I took I realize my old nemesis, the too-quiet-voice, was back. Anyway, what I want to bring up was the way that they conducted the contest.
I was rather surprised when I saw the agenda for the meeting... they were actually scheduling both the International Speech and Evaluation contests for the same meeting! I was even more surprised when it turned out that they were able to do it in the one hour scheduled. Well, it might have gone over a little bit. But I really don't remember, and the fact that if it did it made so little impression on me indicates that it was indeed insignificant. In our club we've always scheduled these contests on two subsequent meeting days. Of course, the fact that they only had two competitors for each contest helped. I do remember times though, when we only had two for each.
Congratulations to Laura Giller and John Crider for running such a smooth contest that day.
Oh yes, and a hint to Toastmasters everywhere: Remember, it's Stage Time, Stage Time, Stage Time. You've got to keep speaking, and the best way to continue growing is to speak OUTSIDE of your own club. Get out there and visit. Speaking at your own club is good... yes, but in doing that you can get caught up in a same-old same-old routine of a familiar, friendly audience. Go speak in front of strangers. Flex those speaking muscles and continue to grow!
'nuff fer now.
s
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