Cherisse Branch was disappointed being in third place of her division. It seemed an insurmountable deficit with only the interview event remaining. Cherisse had prepared for six months for the South Carolina Plus America Pageant. She started with the Miss Blythewood crown; preparations culminated at a boot camp weekend which prepared participants for the state pageant.

The talent event opened, and since this is a Christian organization, Cherisse opted for a well-rehearsed praise dance. “I felt defeated with my third-place finish; I knew I had lost the contest,” she recalled, “but I still decided to do my best in the question and answer segment.

“When my turn came, I was grateful for Toastmasters because I felt prepared. I began to use the tools that I learned over the past few months. I knew the mistress of ceremonies would ask the question twice as in a table topics competition. When she asked me the question the first time, I listened. When she asked the question the second time, I mentally organized my answer as I learned in Toastmasters. I answered my question with ease and felt that I had done well.”

At this point, Cherisse put the third place talent finish behind her and rekindled her original dream of reaching first runner-up in MS division. Instead the mistress of ceremonies announced the winner in MS category was Cherisse Branch. “I was in total shock. All I could do was look at my family with my eyes full of tears,” Cherisse remembered.

Still, there was more to come. Next the pageant crowned the queen supreme winner, the person with the highest total score during the pageant. Cherisse was crowned yet again. Next the member of Millennium Toastmasters Club will head to Dallas, Texas in July for the final of the National Plus America Pageant.

“I am grateful that I chose to join Toastmasters,” said Cherisse. “I know in my heart they played a vital part in me becoming MS South Carolina Plus America Supreme 2017!!”

Brian Woolf, DTM, witnessed scores of Toastmasters “find their voice” and develop leadership skills. His experiences recently culminated in two related events: a labor of love and an act of generosity.

Woolf joined the Waitemata Club in Auckland, New Zealand shortly after it chartered in Nov 1965. He remained a member until 1974 when he came to business school in the United States. After a two-year hiatus, Woolf joined a club in Indianapolis. Since then he has been active clubs in IN, OH, TN, NC, and SC. He was also an active club member in Ireland for a few years when consulting there. On occasion, extensive international work and travel precluded active membership.

Over the years, he garnered six district speech titles. In 2003, he was one the nine finalists in the International Speech Contest.  Additionally, the Harvard MBA authored four books on marketing. His fifth title, The Speaker’s Toolbox: 47 Tools to Build Better Speeches, published in 2016, took a full year in the making. In the process, he viewed 300 contest videos, analyzing patterns, styles, and techniques.

“I wrote this book as I one I wished I had early in my speaking career,” explained Woolf. “I endeavored to include all that is not covered in the Toastmasters manuals. This the second half of a speaker’s education: things we can learn from world champions and those who compete for the title.”

Woolf explained the purpose of this book is to help speakers speak better. After explaining why audiences’ minds wander, he provides 47 tools used by speakers to attract and maintain interest and attention. Each tool is briefly described, followed by many examples from speeches. The book ends with 11 speeches that illustrate the various tools in use.

It was shortly after the publication date when Woolf encountered officials from Allendale Correctional Institution, home of the first Toastmasters club in a South Carolina correctional facility. They spoke at the D-58 fall conference. “I found their story quite moving,” Woolf recalled. It triggered a memory of a visit to a district conference Oregon. “The Toastmaster who headed that district’s prison program was caring, compelling, and convincing. She spoke of the benefits the prison members had received. Hearing her, and hearing about the program, left a permanent impression on me.”

“My experience with Toastmasters is it gives one hope,” said Woolf.  “Preparing a speech occupies a mind while learning a new skill. All roles in a club meeting teach communication skills. That is why I decided Toastmasters clubs in correctional facilities provide a fabulous way to give inmates skills they need when then come out.  And they get excitement, hope, critical thinking, education–and some fun—while members of the club.”

Yvonne Wilkins-Smith, Associate Warden at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, witnessed the excitement in their club, which is the second in a SC correctional facility. Chartered in September 30, 2016 the club had rapid results. She said already sees “tremendous effects in self-esteem and confidence.”   Other inmates see it too and are requesting permission to visit the club. “The enthusiasm is contagious,” according to the associate warden.

While attending TLI recently, Woolf noted a flyer soliciting donations to support clubs at correctional facilities. That prompted an idea. For any $20.00 donation to the District-58 correctional facilities, the donor received a copy of The Speaker’s Toolbox: 47 Tools to Build Better Speeches. The price of the book is $20.  The offer to attendees proved so successful, he promised to repeat the offer at the D-58 spring conference in April.

His largesse is vital. Some inmate members are unable to pay their membership dues.  According to Toastmasters International, founder Ralph C. Smedley “saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.” Brian Woolf, DTM, took his labor of love—the book he spent a year developing—and used it to continue Smedley’s goals—and to fund hope.

Organizing a great event seems daunting. Learn the tricks and traps from an expert.

If you missed the original webinar, a recording is available.

Whether you are the contest chair or the TMOD, your role is a balancing act: master of ceremonies for the audience yet efficient and fair for contestants.  In this webinar, District 58 Club Growth Director, Bob Swarner, DTM, explains how to do both.  From the club level to the division level, he has organized and run numerous speech contests.   He shares some lessons learned, gives helpful tips, and facilitates a discussion.

Running  Speech Contests| webinar: https://youtu.be/rbfW0S69VGE

If you missed the original webinar, a recording is available.

You can see Lamanda Gaskins DTM, PDG, former judge of the finals of the International Speech contest, at this one-hour webinar. She will walk you through how to be a more effective judge, what to pay attention to, what to ignore, and how to make sure that you’re offering the contestants the most fair and level playing field that you can.

Here is the link: https://youtu.be/YCuurx8PQD4

The Speakers Bureau conference featured speakers:

Sharon Durgin presents Self Publishing, Chandra Cleveland-Jennings presents Move! Get out of your own way!, Lefford Fate presents Your Body Speaks, Vivien Hudson presents 5-Steps to Effective Virtual Training and Schrendria Robinson presents 5-Tips to Starting Your Speaking Business

Register Today

Launched at the Fall Conference, the district ambassador program burst forth in November, in spite of Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and other distractions. Five district-58 Toastmasters amassed 17 visits to 14 clubs.

Ambassador of the Year will be announced at the Spring Conference.  Also, anyone who has completed three visits by then will be awarded his or her certificate on stage; two people have already completed the requisite three visits. However, members will have until June 30th to complete their visits.

Bob Swarner, Club Growth Director, explained: “Our biggest growth is the day we join a Toastmasters club.  Our next biggest growth is the day we start participating outside of our home club.  The goal of the Ambassadors Program is to encourage members to take that second step and experience all that Toastmasters has to offer.”