District Governor Murdered!
Schedule of Events
News & Notes – Toastmasters Facts
703 Gallons
District 26 Marketing Activities
Lance Miller Wows TLIs
Get Guests
Emphasize Strong v. Weak Words
Contests Expand Experience
A Toastmaster's Perspective on an NSA Meeting
Absolutely Articulate Celebrates Five Year Anniversary
Sometimes It’s About Learning …
Another Success Story
Building Enthusiastic Leaders at the D26 Spring Conference
Musings - Club Social Functions
Pass it on!
Let the rest of your club know the March 2014 Dialogue is available.
Well, not exactly. Rather, it was Don “Big Jim” Ravioli, played by Tom Hobbs, who was the unlucky character murdered at a Murder Mystery party and pot luck hosted by Gates to Excellence on the evening of February 1st, 2014. With a Roaring 20‘s theme, “Murder at the Four Deuces” gave the members of Gates to Excellence and their guests an opportunity to dress up as gangsters, molls, flappers, corrupt politicians, and many other interesting characters. There was plenty of bribery and back stabbing going on throughout the evening as members attempted to solve the murder of “Big Jim”, while trying to keep their secrets from other characters. Baroness Ravioli, played by Dianne Sundet, had the unfortunate luck to also be murdered during the evening.
While the evening was fun for everyone, it was also an opportunity to practice many of the skills we have learned while in Toastmasters. Dressing up in character gave us an opportunity to practice vocal variety and to use body language in creative ways. Tuning in to the conversations of other characters allowed us to practice our listening skills, and answering the probing questions from other characters was like answering Table Topic questions.
Awards were given to Niki Konkoly (“Donna Wannabe”) for Best Costume, Tom Hobbs (“Don ‘Big Jim’ Ravioli”) for Best Performer, and Gordon Muschett (“Congressman Toosteal”) for the character who acquired the most money. Super Sleuth certificates were given to Tom Hobbs (reincarnated as “Mayor Bumpkin”) and Area Governor Pam Hertzog (“Vicky Ravioli”), for solving the murder of “Big Jim”, and to Gordon Muschett for solving the murder of Baroness Ravioli.
Interested in hosting your own murder mystery party? Here are some resources to ensure your party is the bees knees:
Googling “murder mystery kits” also brings up an amazing number of resources.
BackMar 1 – District Officer Training and OPEN HOUSE
Mar 1 – District Executive Committee Meeting (following training)
Mar 1 – Remind clubs to submit membership dues renewals online
Mar 3 – 43 Minute District Leadership Conference Call 1st Mondays
Mar 31 – Talk up Toastmasters membership contest ends
See the district calendar for more details
BackThis does not constitute an endorsement by Toastmasters International nor District 26 Toastmasters. It does, however, get my personal endorsement. You might consider using it for recruitment. — GSS
Joe added the following to his article "Another Success Story:"
What can you do? I hope this encourages you to
#1 enroll in How to Speak for Fun and Profit Seminar where you get 400 groups who need speakers every week
#2 Join Toastmasters near your home
#3 Remember you can count your talks in the community towards your CC as long as you bring an evaluator with you.
GO GO!
By enrolling in How to Speak for Fun and Profit www.SabahSpeaks.com and joining Toastmasters www.Toastmasters.org Joe Sabah will pay your Toastmaster dues for 6 months (up to $50).
Please see the D26 website for a complete list.
Mar 15 – S2 International Speech and Table Topics Contests
Mar 15 – E6 & E7 International and Table Topics Speech Contests
Mar 20 – S5 International Speech & Table Topics Contest
Mar 21 – F2 & F4 International and Table Topics Contest
Mar 22 – E4 and 5 International and Table Topics Speech Contests
Mar 22 – F1 International Speech and Table Topics Contests
Mar 22 – S6 International Speech and Table Topics Contest
Mar 23 – S 1, 3 & 4 International Speech and Table Topics Contests
Mar 29 – N3 International Speech and Table Topics Contest
Mar 29 – F5 International and Table Topics Speech Contest
Mar 29 – F6 International and Table Topics Speech Contest
Mar 29 – M3, M4 International Speech and Table Topics Contest
Mar 29 – E1,2, & 3 International and Table Topics Speech Contests
“Uncle Tom, We need More!” My 4 year old niece just kept saying it over and over and over till the whole park knew it. The harder I pushed the higher she went on the swing. She was determined to make it high above the sky. You too can make it high in the sky when you ask for just a little more.
Karen knew how to ask for just a little more of anything. If she reached just a little farther she could get the cookies on the counter. Just stand on her tiptoes and she could reach the light switch. Each time she reached the rewards were clear. All it took was just a little more.
With her big eyes her excitement was easy to see. When she needed just a little more reach she would wiggle and she laughed. And soon someone would come help.
The day we made soap bubbles in the park was awesome. Not the little ones but the really big ones made with a hula hoop. The bubbles were so big you could stand in them. This did take a lot of water and soap in a big tub. The more we made the more people in the park came to watch. The crowd was excited as she got more excited. As we laughed and she squealed more people came. I didn’t know when she would have had enough. More Uncle Tom, more she shouted. She counted how many we made. Well in her own way of counting that is. 100. More. 500. More 600. Finally 700 seemed to satisfy her. The soap was almost out and I used the last I had to fill the tub. We got 1 more big bubble. Then she and the crowd begged for maybe 1 more bubble. We tipped the tub to get the very last of the soap. 1 more bubble was made.
After we left she looked at me and said, “If we had just 1 more we would have had the best day ever.”
She often referred to the time when, “We almost had the best day ever. If we only could have had 703 gallons of soap bubbles.” I knew it was not the soap but the enthusiasm we generated that drew the large crowd into the park. They cheered us both on.
As she is no longer with us, I strive for the Best Day Ever. My desire is to wish everyone 703 gallons of enthusiasm.
Many members of District 26 Toastmasters have wondered why I encourage people to bring 703 gallons of enthusiasm to their meetings and events. Now you know the rest of the story.
BackStudents, students, students were everywhere on a cold Colorado winter day then the Metropolitan State University (MSU) Toastmasters club on the Auraria Campus held their Kickoff meeting. We had a small but dedicated audience with a diverse background attend the meeting on 2/4/14. Their second meeting attracted the attention of our District Governor, Tom Hobbs, who attended to evaluate a fantastic icebreaker. Since MSU Toastmasters meets on the Auraria Campus, they are forming an open community club – which means anyone can attend the meetings. While, they are focusing on attracting MSU students, students from the Community College of Denver, and Colorado University – Denver are welcome to attend the meetings and join the club. MSU Toastmasters meets the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays at 12:30 to 1:45 in the Tivoli student union building. If you would like to visit, or join the club, please contact Tyler Antikainen at MSUDenverToastmasters@gmail.com for the room schedule. The club will charter once they have 20+ members (17 of which must be new Toastmasters). Thus, this club will soon need 2 mentors.
The Department of Energy kickoff meeting is scheduled for 2/26/14 in Golden, CO. Two mentors are needed to help this club which will charter soon after their kickoff meeting.
Send requests to mentor either of these new clubs to Deborah Frauenfelder at LGM1314@D26Toastmasters.org.
Thank you District 26 Toastmasters for continuing to market Toastmasters within your communities!
BackBuilding Champion Members, Club Officers, and Clubs was 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking Lance Miller’s theme at 5 TLI (Toastmaster Leadership Institutes (TLI) January 24 to 28, 2014 in Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Edwards and his visit to Cloud Nine Club officers in Aspen. His Champion message centered on 3 areas: Club Officer Teams, Club Success Strategies and Marketing.
CLUB OFFICER TEAM leading as a TEAM is the key to a successful Club. He explained the way each officer touches the member and how club officer functions work together to build the club success. One suggestion is to complete as much of a new member application as possible in advance including the amount due for the month so it is fast and simple to sign the member up.
CLUB SUCCESS centers on delivering what the members want. His club dropped to 5 members and then grew to 96 and 4th in the world. He said surveys reveal the top 2 reasons members keep coming back is the fun of the meeting and the friendships. His club then began to deliver fun and friendship along with the program of each member completing an educational level each year. They have extra meetings and potlucks to get the members the speeches and camaraderie they want.
MARKETING ideas included Social Media, Special events and Speechcraft. His #1 tip is sending emails about each meeting to the clubs email list comprised of everyone who ever visited or expressed interest. It is remarkable how many members the list brings – even after 2 or 12 years. The list is king. Does you club have one and use it?
Let us know your secrets to club success!
BackIt’s a fact. Your Club can’t grow without guests. To get guests, you have to get the word out about your Club. What is the quickest and easiest way to get word out and guests into your club? Invite them via Facebook. Facebook (FB) is an excellent way to reach out to a large number of people and creating an account is both FREE and EASY.
Here is how easy it can be:
Questions? Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/
CONGRATULATIONS!! YOUR CLUB NOW HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE!
Here is the easy invite part
Count the Guests
Lance Miller pointed out it took 8 invites from his co-worker before he attended a meeting, so while you might not see immediate results, imagine how many guests you could get after 4 months if 15 of you members invite 5 people each, that is 75 invites per meeting!!
Lastly
Please be sure to “LIKE” District 26 Facebook page for other ideas on the types of things to be shared https://www.facebook.com/D26Toastmasters
Also email me pro1314@d26leaders.org an invite to your Facebook page so I can “LIKE” it.
See you on Facebook!
BackFeedback is a great benefit of our Toastmasters experience. We learn from our peers and exchange supporting comments to empower us to grow. While listening to others speak, we discover we share things we do well and identify things that interfere with our message. This allows us to work on improving our presenting style.
As one who loves language and the spoken work, I find that speakers often get in front of a room, and they do a Jekyll & Hyde transformation. They go from 'member' mode to 'presenter' mode. By that, I mean they stop using their natural, conversational voice and put on "the speaker" voice. Their words are noticeably different in tone, rate and pattern.
To sound more official, or maybe because of nerves, speakers fall into this trap. They, place the emphasis on the wrong words, syllables and phrases in their text. Instead of sounding more important, they only sound awkward.
Let me give you an example with this simple sentence: "The man and the woman met another couple at a recent conference."
In normal conversation, we would emphasize the nouns and verbs. In grammar, (you do remember your grammar?) that would be the subject, or the actor; the predicate, or the action; and the object, the thing or person acted upon.
In presenter mode, the emphasize is oddly with helper words; the articles, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs. While these are important parts of speech, they generally should not be stressed when speaking.
Let me highlight words in the above sentence to make this clearer.
Here is the sentence in conversational mode: "The man and the woman met another couple at a recent conference." If you take out all the other words, you can still get the message. who: man-woman; what: met; whom: couple; where: conference. Man-woman met couple conference.
Here it is again in presenter mode: "The man and the woman met another couple at a recent conference."
Take out the other words and you get: the-and-the-another-a-recent.
I know you have heard this, I hear it all too often. Which sounds more artificial to you? Which conveys a better meaning?
If you don't want to sound awkward, formal, pedantic or weird when you speak, just remember that public speaking is just a conversation between you and a room full of people, one person at a time. Please use your conversational voice and chat with each person in the room.
As you make eye contact during your speech, you are communicating with that one person for the moment. As you move your eyes to the next person, you continue your conversation with the new person. By the time you finish, you will have related with everyone. And that is why eye contact is so important for speakers.
If you are speaking in your club, you already know your fellow members. You already have conversations when you meet. Just continue your conversation when you rise to speak.
If you are speaking to a new group, meet with as many people as you can before you speak. That way you will have friends in the room you can make eye contact with and converse with during your talk. We do that with guests to our club, and it works when we are the guest, too.
Make a considered effort to be yourself. Connect with people as a speaker in a natural, conversational speech pattern, just as would on the phone or when sharing a drink with a friend. Do not try to be something else. It is inauthentic.
Your audience will appreciate that you are communicating with them, not at them. Most importantly, your message will be heard and you will be remembered for your ease and warmth. That cannot be emphasized enough.
Mitch Krayton is a Distinguished Toastmaster and member for more the 26 years. He is currently serving as VP PR for Evening Stars Advanced Toastmasters Club 7448. He is in the travel business and has been active in District 26 since moving to Colorado in 2012.
BackEven if you do not want to be a contestant we need you at Area, Division and District Contests. Here is what is in it for you:
Timers get a chance to focus on the speakers from great seats.
Counters get the inside scoop as they count ballots.
Sergeant-at-Arms helps Table Topics Contestants make great entrances.
Judges get a chance to study speeches from a different perspective.
Registration and Refreshment team get to meet & greet soooo many people.
Audience gets to hear amazing speeches.
Contact your Area Governor or Linda Rhea to volunteer for 1 or more contests near you!
I don’t know what your future will be, but I do know those of us who will be happy are those who are serving others, to paraphrase M3 Area Governor Mike Hayden.
BackI attended my first National Speakers Association of Colorado (NSAColorado.org) meeting on Friday, 7 Feb 2014. I saw a few familiar faces, and many new ones. Like Toastmasters meetings and events, everyone was warm and welcoming. Unlike our meetings and gatherings, the focus clearly differed. In this group, speaking means income. To these professionals, stage presence, their message, and their delivery all matter for their livelihoods.
Some Toastmasters may naturally gravitate to the NSA as a next step in their professional development. With the Winter Olympics getting underway on the date of this meeting, an athletic analogy comes to mind. Attending regular toastmasters meetings keeps you in shape for public speaking, i.e., thinking on your feet, preparing presentations, and conducting meetings. If you aspire to more than just fitness, then you will have the ambition train for competition. Not everyone who trains to compete makes the Olympic team, but they definitely play on higher level, and can even make a living as a professional athlete. Which best describes you? Fitness buff or aspiring olympian?
Regardless of your aspirations, you might appreciate a few nuggets of wisdom gleaned from this stimulating meeting. Robert McKee, who wrote the popular book, "Story" attended virtually via Skype. Michael Grinder (rhymes with tinder) gave us an enthralling lesson, including activities, in on-stage body language.
Firstly, I must confess my affinity for data. Even so, I hear from multiple sources, including both of these speakers, that the most effective persuasion comes from stories. This meeting added more data points to push me even more towards stories. See? I can't help it! I think I will compromise by "smuggling data into my speeches," strategically tucking compelling numbers in between emotional stories.
Another point firmly emphasized by both speakers at this meeting has to do with the dichotomy of positive and negative. We all recognize the power of positivity in our lives, our relationships, and our speeches, right? Of course! This doesn't mean you must eschew all negativity. On the contrary, you cannot move an audience with positivity alone. It takes a contrast between utopia and tragic circumstances to move people. You must get your audience to feel the down side of the problem to lift them to the maximum exhilaration of your solution.
One more nugget of wisdom to share from this meeting came from Michael Grinder, who characterized personalities as either cats or dogs. In short, cats thrive on tension & risk whereas dogs prefer routine & tranquility. Each of us identifies more with one or the other; this viewpoint helps us understand our audiences better. The dogs in the audience listen without judgment, magnanimously desiring success for us as speakers. It takes more to impress the cats; our delivery must demonstrate intelligence. We can achieve this through strategic use of pauses coordinated with gestures. This will please the cats, and the dogs won't mind that we've employed a sophisticated skill.
If you consider yourself more of a professional speaker more so than simply one who stays in speaking shape, I highly recommend attending one of the NSA's monthly events.
BackThe Absolutely Articulate Toastmasters Club #1272692 recently celebrated its Year Five Anniversary as a thriving president’s distinguished club at the Garden Plaza of Aurora, 14221 E. Evans. Consistent with their club motto – “Lift As You Climb,” Club President Betty Funderburke stated “Our club is made up of the right people to run a successful, diverse business club.” Guest speaker, JOE SABAH, co-founder of the National Speakers Association-Colorado Chapter and 2009 Toastmasters International District 26 “Communication & Leadership Award Recipient” opened the meeting with a brief walk down memory lane concerning Co-Founders & Sisters BETTY FUNDERBURKE, DTM and ELINORA REYNOLDS, DTM. Notorious for always encouraging others to stand up, speak out and do more, Sabah reminded Toastmasters and guests that we are all children of God and are therefore, powerful beyond measure. Sabah concluded his Speech of Inspiration by using his popular tagline – “You don’t have to be good to start – you have to start to be good!” At the end of this historic meeting, Toastmaster BEATRICE BRUNO dedicated a song and toast to the Absolutely Articulate Club. Beatrice Bruno (also known as “Drill Sergeant Of Life”) is a 15-year Active Duty Army Veteran, author, mentor, counselor and ordained Gospel Minister. As covered in her books, Bruno has found that people from all walks of life have the same need: to get over self and get out of their own way so they can get what they want out of life. Toastmaster MONICA BROWN, CC was commended for coordinating activities for the club’s anniversary program.
BackWhat are your Toastmasters goals? How important is it to you that you reach them? I used to believe working on goals was critical to moving forward and without them you will not learn or grow. Experience taught me that isn’t always true.
Within my first year I had my CC and CL, and by 2 ½ years I had my ACS and ALB… then life happened.
I lived in Colorado working for the US Air Force in June ’09 when I was handpicked for a 6-month assignment in California. When I returned home, I was chosen to deploy to Iraq for a year; Surprise! Soon after coming home I retired from the Air Force and landed a job commuting to Canada weekly as a consultant to an oil company.
Each of these moves halted any progress towards my DTM, but I always kept involved with Toastmasters however I could. In California I found a club on base and visited as often as possible. I gave evaluations and spoke a few times too. And in Baghdad I was shocked to find struggling Toastmasters club on the US Embassy, which was walking distance. I helped that club as I could for a few months until I was reassigned across town. In Canada I hooked up with the oil company’s brand new closed club. I started visiting as a guest, but soon they realized I had much more experience than they did, so they let me join. I informally mentored them for a year-and-a-half.
So in the last 4 ½ years I haven’t moved any closer to my goal of DTM, but so what? I stayed involved with Toastmasters helping clubs and staying active whenever and however I could. Now I can say I have been a part of clubs in several countries, open clubs and closed clubs, and new and old clubs. I may not have the title DTM but I have grown as a speaker, evaluator, club mentor and as a person.
When life changes your plans, sometimes you have to change your goals and turn obstacles into opportunities. I still want that elusive DTM, but my timeline is flexible. I’m back in Colorado now, looking for a local job. If I get one… DTM, here I come. If not, I’ll find a local club, and I’ll help however I can.
Chris Mortenson, ACS, ALB (still)
VP PR, UCCS Toastmasters
www.Christophermortenson.com
mortenson.christopher@gmail.com
719-360-3032
(I am available as a keynote speaker for TLIs, Toastmasters conferences and other events to share my experiences and the lessons I have learned.)
BackOnce upon a time there was a girl name Debra. She came into my life on Mother's Day 2004. (I came home from rehab after a stroke. She has helped me for 10 years.)
When I handed her the telephone, she said, "Not me! I'm afraid of the telephone."
Fast forward to 2005 she overcame the fear because I gave her a telephone script which started with "Could you help me please?"
For the past 8 years Debra makes over 1,000 phone calls a year updating my databases … And can't wait to make her next call.
For over 8 years I have been encouraging Debra to join Toastmasters.
"Yeah, yeah ...one of these days." she would say. Finally in January 2013 she joined Toastmasters South Suburban Club AND the rest in history.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 she gave her 10th talk to receive her Competent Communicator award. HERE'S HOW SHE DID IT! WOW!
Debra gave a talk for the Malley Center, a retirement village in Englewood. She gave not a 7 minute talk. But rather 60 minutes. And Debra spoke to a standing room audience of 45 people. They paid her $100.00.
Of course she invited a Toastmaster evaluator to evaluate her talk and got credit for CC #10.
Joe Sabah
303-722-7200
email Joe@JoeSabah.com
www.JoeSabah.com
Debra Johnson
720-922-3458
debgetsitdone@hotmail.com
District 26 is hard at work planning a fabulous Spring Conference set for May 16 & 17 at the beautiful Embassy Suites Conference Center in Loveland, Colorado. Conferences are a great time to recharge those Toastmaster batteries and connect with friends & Toastmasters you've not seen in a while.
Been there, done that… you say? Ahh, not so fast… I say!
Time honored tradition certainly has its place at the Conference... this year we are infusing special touches to add a bit of Vibrancy. You'll see notices, reminders and "Save The Date" memo's, Please pencil these dates into your calendar, plan ahead... plan early and Plan To Join Us at the D26 Spring Conference.
EVERYTHING you need to know is listed here…
Early Early Bird deadline: *March 20th Early Bird deadline: ENDS May 7th
This year you will have 2 opportunities to SAVE $$$ *plan early & save more!
You will find ALL the registration details at: www.d26toastmasters.org
The Conference Hotel is offering Special room Rates … Stay the night and relax!
*District Officer Candidates and District Contest Contestants should not speak at the conference educational sessions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more conference information or to volunteer contact:
Co-Chair Lori High, F21314@D26Leaders.org
Co-Chair Rhea Thompson, F41314@D26Leaders.org
Linda Rhea, LGET1314@D26Leaders.org
Does your club hold social functions? If not, you’re missing a great opportunity to draw your members together.
It doesn’t have to be a murder mystery. You just need to get together in an informal atmosphere. Two of my clubs combine business with pleasure by having a potluck followed by (or before) a light-weight meeting. Other clubs regularly have a get together that is strictly social. How about an Executive Committee potluck? The whole club should be invited to EC meetings, you know.
Back when the Toastmaster of the Year was tied to a point system, one of my clubs held a six month contest where the speakers were based on the points they had earned for the speeches they had given. The contest winner received a trophy that they got to keep. The get together was held at a restaurant that club didn’t normally meet in, and was consistently well attended.
Another club I belonged to had a regular Christmas get together. It featured awards for accomplishments over the past year. Members were recognized for everything from achieving formal communication awards to bringing in the most guests. In fact everyone got an award of some kind.
Whatever you choose to do, it needs an organizer and a team to set it up. Guess what, the Competent Leadership manual has requirements for club special events chairs and workers: “Organization and Delegation” and “Team Building.” In other words social events can be an opportunity to both learn and pick up CL credit.
Yes, it takes some planning and effort, but it’s worth it. I know, there are any number of excuses for not doing it, but that’s what they are, excuses. Do you want a strong club or not? If you do, stop making excuses and start putting together social functions. You won’t regret it.
BackPublisher / Governor
Tom Hobbs, DTM
Phone: 303-671-0469
Email: dg1314@d26leaders.org
Editor
Gordon S. Savage, DTM
36923 Forest Trail
Elizabeth, CO 80107-8126
Phone: 303-646-0547
Email: gordonsavage@msn.com
Public Relations
Maura Thompson, CC, CL
Email: pro1314@d26leaders.org
Title & Design
Carol A. Harris, ACB
E-mail: thewriteniche@aol.com