Hi,

 

We thank you for your interest in our Chamber Toastmaster Club. We welcome the opportunity to help you not only in becoming a better speaker, but also in helping to improve your leadership and communication skills. These skills are guaranteed to help you succeed in both your personal and professional goals.

 

As I think you will see for yourself, we are a small, friendly, and supportive group, each with our own personal goals for self improvement, yet united in one purpose – to run a good program that provides an opportunity for every member to achieve his/her individual goals. There are no such things as failure or pressure in Toastmasters. Our meetings are formally structured yet relaxed so that members feel comfortable while gaining new skills. Each member proceeds along an educational track at his/her own pace. Members help one another by:

·    Providing constructive feedback to speakers during the evaluation portion of

      meetings.

·    Serving as mentors for new and less experienced members (if mentoring is

      desired).

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

The Officers of

Chamber Toastmasters Club

 

 

 

 

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Click on an area that interests you.

 

Communications	Leadership
Take the Fear Out of Speaking	Building Competent Leadership Skills
Building Communication Competence	High Performance Leadership Skills
Communication Skills Development	Over 65 Leadership Opportunities
Advanced Communication Projects
Over 160 Communication Opportunities

 

 

Better Speaker Series for Communication Development Skills

 

The Better Speaker Series modules are designed as 10-15 minute educational speeches. They give practical tips that can be of benefit to all members. 
The series includes:

 

·         Beginning Your Speech

·         Concluding Your Speech

·         Take The Terror Out Of A Talk

·         Impromptu Speaking

·         Selecting Your Topic

·         Know Your Audience 

·         Organizing Your Speech 

·         Creating An Introduction

 

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Competent Communicator Program

 

Competent Communicator Objectives

 

#	Speech	Speech Objective	Time Mins
1	Ice Breaker	·         To begin speaking before an audience ·         To Discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention	4-6
2	Organize Your Speech	·         Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech ·         Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message ·         Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another ·         Create a strong opening and conclusion	5-7
3	Get To The Point	·         Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purposes ·         Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes ·         Ensure the beginning, body, and conclusion reinforce the purposes ·         Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel ·         Strive not to use notes	5-7
4	How To Say It	·         Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately, and vividly ·         Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas ·         Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use the correct grammar	5-7
5	Your Body Speaks	·         Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose ·         Make your body language smooth and natural	5-7
6	Vocal Variety	·         Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message ·         Use pauses to enhance your message ·         Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally	5-7
7	Research Your Topic	·         Collect information about your topic from numerous sources ·         Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations gathered through research	5-7
8	Get Comfortable with Visual Aids	·         Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience ·         Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence	5-7
9	Persuade with Power	·         Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action ·         Appeal to the audience’s interests ·         Use logic and emotion to support your position ·         Avoid using notes	5-7
10	Inspire Your Audience	·         To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenge the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement ·         Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes, and quotes to add drama ·         Avoid using notes	8-10

 

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The Leadership Excellence Series

 

 

 

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Competent Leader Objectives

 

 

 

#	Project	Project Objective
1	Listening and leadership	·         Determine your current listening skills ·         Identify the seven steps to better listening  ·         Practice listening skills in various club meeting roles
2	Critical Thinking	·         Determine your current thinking skills ·         Practice critical-thinking skills in various club roles
3	Giving Feedback	·         Determine your current skills in giving feedback ·         Identify the steps in giving feedback effectively   ·         Practice giving feedback as you serve in various meeting roles
4	Time Management	·         Determine your current time management skills ·         Identify steps to effectively manage time  o        Practice time management skills in various club roles
5	Planning and Implementation	·         Determine your current planning and implementation skills ·         Identify steps in planning and implementation process  ·         Practice planning and implementation skills in various club roles
6	Organizing and Delegating	·         Determine current skills in organizing and delegating ·         Identify steps in the organizing and delegating process   ·         Practice skills in organizing and delegating during various club roles
7	Developing Your Facilitation Skills	·         Determine your present facilitation abilities  ·         Identify facilitating strategies   ·         Practice facilitating skills in various meeting roles
8	Motivating People	·         Determine your current motivational skills ·         Identify conditions that motivate people  ·         Practice motivational skills while serving in club roles
9	Mentoring	·         Determine your current mentoring skills ·         Identify the steps in being a good mentor  ·         Practice mentoring skills in various club roles
10	Team Building	·         Determine your current team-building skills ·         Identify the steps in building a team  ·         Practice team-building skills while serving in various club roles

 

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Advanced Communications Projects ==> 75 Projects

 

  

Public Relations
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Public Relations Speech	Prepare a talk that will build goodwill for your organization by supplying useful information of interest to the audience.	5-7 minutes
Resources for Goodwill	Research the operation and benefits of an organization or company. Prepare a talk designed to build goodwill toward it by presenting factual information. Analyze the common interests of your audience and focus your presentation on those interests. Effectively use at least one visual aid to enhance the audiences understanding.	8-10 minutes
The Persuasive Approach	Direct a persuasive appeal to the audiences self-interests using a combination of fact and emotion in a speech delivered in such a manner that it appears extemporaneous. Persuade the audience to adopt your viewpoint by the use of standard persuasive techniques.	8-10 minutes
Speaking Under Fire	Prepare a talk to persuade a hostile audience at least to consider your position on a controversial issue. Conduct a question-and-answer period on the speech subject.	6-8 minutes for speech,
		8-10 minutes for question period
The Media Speech	Write a speech script on behalf of a social cause. Using the script, present the speech to persuade a general television audience.	8-10 minutes, plus 30 seconds
Persuasive Speaking
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Effective Salesperson	Learn a technique for selling an inexpensive product in a retail store.	8-12 minutes
	Recognize a buyer’s thought processes in making a purchase.
	Elicit information from a prospective buyer through questions.
	Match a buyer’s situation with the most appropriate product.
Conquering the Cold Call	Learn a technique for “cold call” selling of expensive products or services.	10-14 minutes
	Recognize the risks buyers assume in purchasing. Use questions to help the buyer discover problems with his or her current situation.
	Successfully handle buyer’s objections and concerns.
The Winning Proposal	Prepare a proposal advocating an idea or course of action	Speech time: 5-7 minutes
	Organize the proposal using the six-step method provided.
Addressing the Opposition	Prepare a talk on a controversial subject that persuades an audience to accept or at least consider your viewpoint. Construct the speech to appeal to the audience’s logic and emotions.	Speech 7-9 minutes
		Q & A session 2-3 minutes
The Persuasive Leader	Communicate your vision and mission to an audience.	6-8 minutes
	Convince your audience to work toward achieving your vision and mission.
Special Occasion Speeches
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Mastering the Toast	Recognize the characteristics of a toast. Present a toast honoring an occasion or person.	2-3 minutes
Speaking in Praise	Prepare a speech praising or honoring someone, either living or dead. Address five areas concerning the individual and his/her accomplishments.	5-7 minutes
	Include anecdotes illustrating points within the speech.
The Roast	Poke fun at a particular individual in a good-natured way. Adapt and personalize humorous material from other sources. Deliver jokes and humorous stories effectively.	3-5 minutes
Presenting an Award	Present an award with dignity and grace. Acknowledge the contributions of the recipient.	3-4 minutes
Accepting an Award	Accept an award with dignity, grace and sincerity. Acknowledge the presenting organization.	5-7 minutes
The Entertaining Speaker
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Entertaining Speech	Entertain the audience through use of humor and/or drama drawn from your personal experience. Organize an entertaining speech for maximum audience impact.	5-7 minutes
Resources for Entertainment	Draw humorous and/or dramatic material from sources other than your own personal experience. Adapt your material to suit your topic, your own personality and the audience. Use entertaining material as means of conveying a serious message.	8-10 minutes
Make Them Laugh	Prepare a humorous speech drawn from your own experience. Strengthen the speech by adapting and personalizing humorous material from outside sources. Deliver the speech in a way that makes the humor effective.	8-10 minutes
A Dramatic Talk	Develop an entertaining dramatic talk about an experience or incident, or give a dramatic reading. Include vivid imagery, characters and dialogue.	10-12 minutes
	Deliver the talk in an interpretative manner.
Speaking After Dinner	Prepare an entertaining after-dinner talk on a specific theme. Deliver the talk extemporaneously, using the skills developed in the preceding entertainment projects.	13-15 minutes
Speaking to Inform
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Speech to Inform	Select new and useful information for presentation to the audience. Organize the information for easy understandability and retention. Present the information in a way that will help motivate the audience to learn.	5-7 minutes
Resources for Informing	Analyze the knowledge level of your audience regarding your chosen subject. Focus your presentation at the audiences level of knowledge. Build a supporting case for each major point through use of explanation, examples, and information gathered research. Effectively use at least one visual aid to enhance the audiences understanding.	8-10 minutes
The Demonstration Talk	Prepare a demonstration speech to clearly explain a process, product, or activity. Conduct the demonstration as part of a speech delivered without notes.	10-12 minutes
A Fact-Finding Report	Prepare a report on a situation, event, or problem of interest to the audience. Deliver sufficient factual information in your report so the audience can base valid conclusions or a sound decision on it.	10-12 minutes
The Abstract Concept	Research and organize the thought of experts on an abstract concept, theory, historical force, or social/political issue. Present the ideas in a clear and interesting manner.	10-12 minutes
The Discussion Leader
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Seminar Solution	Present an introductory short talk or brief lecture describing a theory, model, or information about a topic that will be discussed by a group following the presentation. Organize the information so that it is easy to understand and can be remembered. Orient the group to think about the specific goal of the discussion that follows. Use a buzz session discussion technique to promote group participation in deriving information leading to solution to the problem.	20-30 minutes
The Round Robin	Establish the meaning of a question with a discussion group. Using a problem solving pattern, lead the participants in a brainstorming session. Screen the possible solutions and lead the group in deciding what action to take.	20-30 minutes
Pilot A Panel	Select a problem for panel discussion. Select not less than three members in advance to speak on the panel. Define the common goals and the purpose of the panel. Acting as moderator, monitor the panel discussion to inform the audience.	30-40 minutes
Make It Make Believe (Role Play)	Understand what role-playing is and how to use it effectively in group communication. Select a problem involving human relations in which you may use the role-playing method to illustrate and explore the problem. Create a plot and characters relevant to the discussion problem and select a cast from among the group members. Direct the role-play enactment, relate it to the discussion problem, and lead the group in arriving at a solution.	20-30 minutes
The Workshop Leader	Building group unity, guide the workshop participants in an investigative discussion of the problem. Follow a problem solving pattern to arrive at a solution. Bring the group to an agreement before the discussion ends.	30-40 minutes
Specialty Speeches
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Speak Off The Cuff	Develop an awareness of situations in which you might be called upon to deliver an impromptu speech. Understand how to prepare for impromptu speaking. Develop skill as a speaker in the impromptu situation by using one or more patterns to approach a topic under discussion; for example, comparing a past, present, future situation or before and after.	5-7 minutes
Uplift The Spirit	Identify and understand the basic differences and similarities between inspirational speeches and other kind of speeches. Learn how to evaluate audience feeling and establish emotional rapport. Develop a speech style and delivery that effectively expresses inspirational content by moving the audience to adopt your views.	8-10 minutes
Sell A Product	Understand the relationship of sales technique to persuasion. Skillfully use the four steps in a sales presentation: attention, interest, desire, action. Identify and promote a unique selling proposition in a sales presentation. Be able to handle objections and close a prospective buyer.	10-12 minutes
Read Out Loud	Arrive at an understanding of the elements that comprise oral interpretation and how it differs from preparing and giving a speech. Learn the preparation or planning techniques of effective interpretation. Learn the principles of presentation and develop skill in interpretive reading with regard to voice and body as instruments of communication.	12-15 minutes
Introduce The Speaker	Focus on the special occasion talk from the standpoint of the introducer (function chairman, toastmaster, master of ceremonies). Become knowledgeable and skilled in the functions associated with the master of ceremonies. Handle the introduction of other speaker at a club meeting.	Duration of a club meeting
Speeches By Management
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Briefing	Apply the key steps in the preparation of a briefing and the organization of material. Give a briefing according to a specific objective so the audience will have an understanding of the information. Effectively handle a question-and-answer session following the briefing.	8-10 minutes for speech
		5 minutes for question period
The Technical Speech	Convert a technical paper or technical material and information into a technical speech. Organize a technical speech according to the inverted-pyramid approach. Write a technical speech as "spoken language," not as an article. Give the speech by effectively reading out loud.	8-10 minutes
Manage and Motivate	Understand the concept and nature of motivational method in management. Apply a four step motivational method with the objectives to persuade and inspire. Deliver a motivational speech to persuade an audience to agree with your management proposal.	10-12 minutes
The Status Report	Organize and prepare a status report involving the overall condition of a plan or program, or performance of a department or company in relation to goals.	12-15 minutes
	Construct the report according to a four step pattern. Give an effective presentation of the report.
Confrontation: The Adversary Relationship	Understand the definition and nature of the adversary relationship. Prepare for an adversary confrontation on a controversial management issue. Employing appropriate preparation methods, strategy, and techniques, for communicating with an adversary group as the representative of your company or corporation.	5 minutes for speech
		10 minutes for question period
The Professional Speaker
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Keynote Address	Identify the basic differences between keynotes speeches and other kinds of speeches. Learn how to evaluate audience feeling and establish emotional rapport. Learn and use the professional techniques necessary for a successful keynote presentation. Develop a speech style and delivery that effectively inspires and moves the audience to adopt your views as a collective reaffirmation of its own.	15-20 minutes
Speaking to Entertain	Entertain the audience through the use of humor drawn from personal experience and from other material that you have personalized. Deliver the speech in a way that makes the humor effective. Establish personal rapport with your audience for maximum impact.	15-20 minutes
The Sales Training Speech	Tell a sales audience how to sell a product by using a planned presentation. Inform a sales training audience about the human experience of the buyer-seller relationship. Use entertaining stories and dynamic examples of sales situations. Inspire salespeople to want succeed in selling.	15-20 minutes
The Professional Seminar	Plan and present a seminar with specific learning objectives. Relate to the audience by using a seminar presentation style. Use seminar presentation techniques to promote group participation, learning and personal growth.	20-40 minutes
The Motivational Speech	Understand the concept and nature of motivational speaking. Apply a four-step motivational method with the purpose of persuading and inspiring. Deliver a motivational speech to persuade an audience to emotionally commit to an action.	15-20 minutes
Technical Presentations
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Technical Briefing	Using a systematic approach, organize technical material into a concise presentation. Tailor the presentation to the audiences needs, interests and knowledge levels.	8-10 minutes
The Proposal	To prepare a technical presentation advocating a product, service, idea or course of action. To present your viewpoint logically and convincingly, using	8-10 minutes
	an inverted-pyramid approach. To effectively use a flip chart to illustrate your message. To effectively handle a question-and-answer period.
The Non-technical Audience	Understand the principles of communicating complex information to non-technical listeners. Build and deliver an interesting talk based on these principles. Answer audience questions that arise during the presentation. Use overhead transparencies to illustrate your message.	10-12 minutes
Presenting a Technical Paper	Deliver an interesting speech based on a technical paper or article. Effectively use a flip chart, overhead projector or slides to illustrate your message.	10-12 minutes
The Team Technical Presentation	Understand the nature and process of a team technical presentation. Conceptualize a briefing or proposal involving three or more speakers, including yourself. Assemble a team of club members capable of getting the job done. Orchestrate the planning, preparation and delivery of a team technical presentation.	20-30 minutes
Communicating On Television
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Straight Talk	To effectively present an opinion or viewpoint in a short time. To stimulate giving a presentation as part of a television broadcast.	3 minutes plus or minus 30 seconds
The Talk Show	To understand the dynamics of a television interview or "talk" show. To prepare for the questions that may be asked of you during a television interview program. To present a positive image on the television camera. To appear as a guest on a simulated television talk show.	10 minutes plus or minus 30 seconds
When You're the Host	To conduct a successful television interview. To understand the dynamics of a successful television interview or "talk" show. To prepare questions to ask during the interview program. To present a positive, confident image on the television camera.	10 minutes plus minus 30 seconds
The Press Conference	To understand the nature of a television press conference. To prepare for an adversary confrontation on a controversial or sensitive issue. To employ appropriate preparation methods and strategies for communicating your organizations viewpoint. To present and maintain a positive image on television.	4-6 minutes for presentation 8-10
		minutes for question period
Training On Television	To learn how to develop and present an effective training program on television. To receive personal feedback through the videotaping of your presentation.	5-7 minutes for the presentation, plus 5-7 minutes for playback of the videotape
Storytelling
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
The Folk Tale	To tell a folk tale that is entertaining and enjoyable for a specific age group. To use vivid imaginary and voice to enhance the tale.	7-9 minutes
Lets Get Personal	To learn the elements of a good story: To create and tell an original story based on a personal experience.	6-8 minutes
The Moral of the Story	To understand that a story can be entertaining yet display moral values. To create a new story that offers a lesson or moral. To tell the story, using the skills developed in the previous two projects.	4-6 minutes
The Touching Story	To understand the techniques available to arouse emotion. to become skilled in arousing emotions while telling a story.	6-8 minutes
Bringing History to Life	To understand the purpose of stories about historical events or people. To use the storytelling skills developed in the preceding projects to tell a story about a historical event or person.	7-9 minutes
Interpretive Reading
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Read A Story	To understand the elements of interpretive reading. To learn how to analyze a narrative and plan for effective interpretation. To learn and apply vocal techniques that will aid in the effectiveness of the reading.	8-10 minutes
Interpreting Poetry	To understand the differences between poetry and prose. To recognize how poets use imaginary, rhythm, meter, cadence and rhyme to convey the meanings and emotions of their poetry. To apply vocal techniques that will aid in the effectiveness of the reading.	6-8 minutes
The Monodrama	To understand the concept and nature of the monodrama. To assume the identity of a character and to portray the physical and emotional aspects of this character to an audience.	5-7 minutes
The Play	To adapt a play for interpretive reading. To portray several characters in one reading, identifying them to the audience through voice changes and movement.	12-15 minutes
The Oratorical Speech	To understand the structure of an effective speech. To interpret and present a famous speech.	10-12 minutes
Interpersonal Communication
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Conversing with Ease	Identify techniques to use in conversing with strangers. Recognize different levels of conversation. Initiate a conversation with a stranger. Use open-ended questions to solicit information for further conversation.	10-14 minutes
The Successful Negotiator	Employ win/win negotiating strategies to achieve your goals. Enjoy the benefits of win/win negotiating.	10-14 minutes
Diffusing Verbal Criticism	Respond non-defensively to verbal criticism. Employ a five-step method to identify the problem, diffuse the attack and arrive at a solution.	10-14 minutes
The Coach	Determine reasons for someoneís substandard performance. Coach the person to improved performance.	10-14 minutes
Asserting Yourself Effectively	Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of being assertive. Employ the four-step method for addressing a problem and asking for help. Overcome resistance to your requests.	10-14 minutes
Humorously Speaking
SPEECH TITLE	OBJECTIVES	DURATION
Warm Up Your Audience	Prepare a speech that opens with a humorous story.	5-7 minutes
	Personalize the story. Deliver the story smoothly and effectively.
Leave Them with a Smile	Prepare a serious speech that opens and closes with a humorous story.	5-7 minutes
	Prepare a closing story the re-emphasises the speech's main point.
	Deliver the stories smoothly and effectively.
Make Them Laugh	Prepare a speech that opens and closes with humorous stories.	5-7 minutes
	Include jokes in the speech body to illustrate points or maintain audience interest. Deliver the jokes and stories smoothly and effectively.
Keep Them Laughing	Prepare a speech that o0ens with a self-deprecating joke.	5-7 minutes
	String together two or three related jokes in the speech body.
	Close the speech with a humorous story.
The Humorous Speech	Use exaggeration to tell a humorous story. Entertain the audience.	5-7 minutes
	Effectively use body language and voice to enhance the story.

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Dread Giving a Speech?

You are not alone! Here are time-tested tips on how to overcome your fear of public speaking.

Despite actor George Jessel’s assertion that “The human brain starts working the moment you’re born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public,” there are many things you can do to make your presentations less nerve-wracking. In this article from the Toastmaster magazine, Joanne McCabe shares her own story of getting her butterflies to fly in formation. Here are some of her recommendations:

 

The secret is to practice on stage. It is stage time, stage time, and stage time.  Toastmaster provides hundreds of opportunities to speak on stage. The more you take the faster you gain confidence and the dread goes away.

 

 

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#	Communication Opportunities
10	Competence Communicator Projects
75	Advanced Speech Projects
1	Toastmaster – Multiple Times
1	General Evaluator – Multiple Times
1	Speech Evaluator– Multiple Times
1	Word of the Day– Multiple Times
1	Table Topic Master – Multiple Times
1	Timer– Multiple Times
1	AH Counter– Multiple Times
1	Media– Multiple Times
1	Joke Mater – Multiple Times
1	Speech Contests – Multiple Times
1	Conferences and conventions - Multiple Times
65	Speaking for the Leadership Opportunities - Multiple Times
161

 

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#	Leadership  Opportunities
23	Competence Leader Projects
5	High Performance Leadership projects
11	Leadership Excellence Projects
10	Successful Club Series
1	Club President - Multiple Times
1	Club VP of Education- Multiple Times
1	Club VP of Membership  - Multiple Times
1	Club VP of Public Relations- Multiple Times
1	Club Secretary- Multiple Times
1	Club Treasurer - Multiple Times
1	Club Sergeant of Arms - Multiple Times
1	Area Governor- Multiple Times
1	Division Governor- Multiple Times
1	District Governor- Multiple Times
1	District VP of Education- Multiple Times
1	District VP of Marketing  - Multiple Times
1	District VP of Public Relations- Multiple Times
1	District Secretary- Multiple Times
1	District Treasurer - Multiple Times
1	District Immediate Past President - Multiple Times
65

 

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