Division C Table Topics Contestants

1st Place – Vassil Karamanov with D-58 Director Lisa Berry & Div C Director Martha Kirby

2nd Place Candace Thompson

3rd Place – Charles P. Austin Jr.

THE BIGGEST LESSON I HAVE LEARNED IN SPEAKING

By Brian Woolf DTM, Advanced Communicators (#4472)

Introduction

I joined Toastmasters in New Zealand in 1966. Yet the biggest lesson I have learned occurred only recently, here in South Carolina, when writing my latest book, The Speaker’s Blueprint.

The lesson? The most important part of a speech is not what you say—it’s whether you are connecting. Expressed another way: If you don’t connect, you have no effect. When you don’t connect, your words lie cold and comatose because connection always precedes persuasion.

I wish I had known this—and how to correct it—decades ago. I would have been a much better speaker as my focus would have moved from perfecting words to perfecting connecting.

Connection occurs when you are engaging the minds of those in the audience. And the stronger the engagement, the deeper the connection, and the more they are absorbed in what you are saying.

How to Connect

Once you become aware of this reality you will start seeing, finding, and thinking about ways to become a better connector. (The issue is so important, a quarter of my 240-page book is devoted to it.)

Connection has a three-part foundation stone: Mind your U’s and Q’s—and P’s too.   Do this, and you are on your way. Translated, it means we should pepper our speeches with You’s and Questions, and sprinkle in some Participation invitations, too. Let’s discuss them in turn.

Mind Your U’s (You’s)

In other words, Yousify your speech. Let each listener knows you are talking to him or her individually, and not to the audience as a group. When audience members feel you are talking to them individually they take more notice.

The following are examples of Yousification:

As you can see…

I don’t know what you learned growing up but I …

I sense you are extroverted but at times you find yourself quite shy.

You can imagine her response…

You already know this but …

Mind Your Q’s (Questions)

When you ask your audience questions, you are demanding more of their minds than when just making statements; you unobtrusively move them from a passive to an active state of involvement. You have them listening, processing, thinking.

Asking a question is a great way to open a speech, for it immediately grabs their attention and engage their minds. And using U’s and Q’s in the same sentence steps up your connection power as seen in Darren LaCroix’s opening of his winning WCPS: Can you remember a moment when a brilliant idea flashed into your head?

Questions can have a humorous twinge too, as demonstrated by Vikas Jhingran:

The year was 1989 —I was a teenager and my parents were desperate.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Speakers commonly use connecting one-liner Questions, such as:

But sometimes things don’t work out well, do they?

Have you ever noticed that…?

Don’t you hate it when…? (eg, your spouse is right and you are wrong)

May I ask you a very personal question?

What do you think happened next?

Mind Your P’s (Participation invitations)

Participation involves talking directly to your audience like U’s and Q’s but, in addition, invites them to participate. For example, by asking them to raise their hand; asking them to think about something; or shouting out an answer to a question; or inviting them to repeat a key phrase. You don’t just plant a seed; you invite the audience to help you plant it—and when they do there is a sense of co-creation and co-ownership creating a stronger connective thread between them and you. Participation takes audiences from passive listening to active involvement as they become more engaged.

Participation examples include:

• Inviting the audience to repeat a phrase, eg,

Repeat after me—When in trouble, ask questions. (Michael Aun)

• Inviting the audience to repeat a phrase, eg,

It’s my way or— [Wide, one-arm wipe inviting audience to complete] —the highway.

• Invite the audience to do or say something, such as Zig Ziglar’s invitation to put their hands up (creating laughter)

Hands up those who have heard me before—or today are hearing me for the first time! 

Besides U’s, Q’s and P’s, other connecting techniques to consider include:

• Being authentic and credible
• Putting yourself on the same level (not above) as the audience
• Talking about things you have in common with the audience (eg, family, growing up, school, first job)
• Including humor

The Bottom Line

In speaking, to sell our ideas and message we must first connect because audiences must relate to us before they will buy from us. Therefore, when preparing a speech, ensure your connectors are in place. Remember, they are the most important part of your speech for …

If you don’t connect, you have no effect

Are you ready to invest in your personal and professional development?

Join us at the Professional Development & Training Event in Columbia on October 19th!

Purchase Your Tickets Here >> PDTA Tickets   

         Totlyn Oliver, ACB ACL EC1

      Presenting “Stand on Your Speaking Block: Forget Your Anxieties”

 

Totlyn is a communications professional with over 20 years experience in broadcast media, sales, and education. With an Master of Education in Lifelong Learning (Adult Education), Totlyn always seeks to share insights on becoming a more effective speaker in talks, seminars, and coaching sessions through her company Goldspeak LLC.

 

As a member of Toastmasters, Totlyn is the current president of Saturday AM Toastmasters as well as Area 42 Director on the District 58 Executive Council. In addition to winning several Toastmasters District competitions within the past two years, Totlyn has also received awards for Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Leader Bronze, and most recently, Effective Coaching Level 1.

 

Totlyn’s presentation will explain how investing time in certain proven activities can help anyone overcome public speaking anxieties. The right activities can effectively combat lifelong fears, worries, and anxieties that have become speaking blocks. In her interactive workshop session, Totlyn will help attendees transform their individual speaking blocks into a firm foundation for delivering winning speech presentations.

                Martha Kirby, ACS, ALB

             Presenting “Developing A Productive Meeting Using FreeToastHost”

Martha has been a Toastmaster since 2009, belonging to three clubs in that area. She is also a member of the District Leadership Committee as Division C Director. 

Martha’s workshop will describe how meetings are a vital communication tool for producing understanding, eliminating confusion, clarifying goals and objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, solving problems, and disseminating information.

Attendees will learn what a productive club meeting looks like and how FreeToastHost can simplify the process while keeping current members informed and interested.

Chakisse Newton

Presenting “How to Build a Personal Brand That Opens Doors”

What could you achieve if you had a compelling personal brand? Great business brands inspire trust, attract both people and revenue, and shorten the path to success. Your brand can do the same for you both personally and professionally. Learn the keys to building a personal brand that opens doors to opportunity and helps you get noticed, get respect, and get ahead.

 

Chakisse Newton is an award-winning speaker, strategist and consultant, and president of Cardinal Consulting. Since 2006 she has specialized in helping organizations build relationships, brands, and business. She is a dynamic and engaging presenter, known for her communication and influencing skills as well as her ability to teach practical techniques to improve both business and personal performance. She is also a public servant and was elected to Richland County Council in November 2018.

 

Chakisse has experience both in the executive office and in the field. For more than 20 years, Chakisse led a variety of local, national, and global sales and marketing efforts. Her industry experience includes small business management, healthcare, high-technology and software, nonprofits, higher education, franchising, accounting and law. She has seen firsthand how world-class organizations grow, innovate, and interact with clients. Her experience in both sales and marketing allows her to quickly identify problems, tweak strategies, and improve execution to achieve desired business outcomes.

 

Alan Mitchell

Presenting “Sponsor, Mentor, or Coach; Targeting New or Existing Clubs”

Alan’s session will highlight the new roles of the Club Sponsor or Mentor and the existing Club Coach. Not designed to be an in-depth training, Alan’s presentation will provide an overview of these roles in order to help attendees discover which role or roles they would be best suited for you as a new or advanced Toastmaster.

Alan is a seasoned professional in the fields of Architecture, Construction, and Facilities Management. He is currently the owner of Mitchell Construction Systems where he is a management consultant.

As an active member of two Toastmaster clubs, Alan has served in nearly every officer position.

Previously, Alan has worked with District 58 Leaders to produce successful TLI’s, Speech Contests, and other professional development events. He has also served as a successful Club Coach, Area Director, Division Director, and is currently serving as District 58 Club Growth Director.

Robert Luhn

Presenting “Because Order Matters”

Robert’s interactive session will explore the qualities that make up a high-caliber, productive meeting. Learn how to address conflicting interests that can develop during meetings to ensure decisions are made fairly and in an orderly manner.

Robert Luhn, Jr., (ACS, ALB) is a Constable for Charleston County and a multifaceted expert holding several degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Technology Management. His breadth of leadership experience in Toastmasters International includes his present role as the District 58 Parliamentarian and previous roles as Division B Director and Area 22 Director. Robert enjoys challenging himself and continuously looks for ways to learn and grow so that he can help others do the same. 

Toastmasters are taught to run meetings on time, finish speeches on time and make membership goals on time. “Beat the Clock” is about finishing the year on schedule – with a bang! Here’s a wonderful new club goal: Earn the “Beat the Clock” award!

Plan a contest in your club to motivate every member to get involved. Clubs adding five new, dual or reinstated members during these two months receive a “Beat the Clock” ribbon to display on the club’s banner.

Membership applications and payment for members who join between May 1 and June 30 must be received at World Headquarters or online no later than June 30.

Each member’s join date as listed on the application must be no later than June. Transfer and charter members do not count for credit. In addition to the ribbon, qualifying clubs will also earn a special discount code for 10% off their next club order. Discount code expires six months from date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.

DISTRICT 58 CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR LYNN RAGLAND IS CHALLENGING US TO FINISH STRONG! EVERY CLUB THAT EARNS THE BEAT THE CLOCK AWARD WILL GO INTO A DRAWING FOR END OF YEAR SPECIAL PRIZES.

• A COLLAPSIBLE TM LECTERN (value $95.00)
• UP TO $95.00 IN MONIES TO ADVERTISE YOUR CLUB
• A LAVALIERE SET WITH SPEAKER (Value $95.00)

AND IF YOU THOUGHT THAT WASN’T ENOUGH ….. THE CLUB WITH THE MOST NEW MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A GRAND PRIZE VALUED AT OVER $250.00! (DRAWINGS WILL BE LIVE ON D58 WEBSITE JULY 4TH)

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

D-58 is planning to implement Division Hosts for each DEC meeting.

The host Divisions will work together to help plan and provide the refreshments for the meeting.  The district will reimburse up to $50 for food and supplies (which are not available from the store room).

Also, the hosts can choose one or more members to provide an education session during the meeting.

Here are the list of meetings and host Divisions:

• 11/10/18 – Host: Divisions A & D

• 1/19/19 (full day)  – Host: Divisions B & C

• 3/16/19 – Host: Divisions E & F

• 4/13/19 (new) – Host: Division G & Top 7

If you have an education session for your “host date,” reach out to PQD, Lisa Berry to coordinate.

Thanks,

Bob Swarner, DTM

District Director

Toastmasters District 58.

Lowcountry Toastmasters raids Daybreak Toastmasters and captures their Banner! Let the fun begin!

On Friday, October 20th, District 58’s very own, Division B Director, DTM David Premo​ was one of the speakers for TEDx Hilton Head. With the theme of the event being Resilience, presenters shared their experiences and how they overcame obstacles and bounced back.

While many know David as a Toastmaster, he is also a retired publishing executive and associate professor of communication at Kaplan University​. In 2017, he suffered a significant stroke with aphasia. It was through his rigorous rehabilitation regimen, which included being active in his Toastmasters club, that he regained his speech and won election as a Division B Director this past spring. David also resumed teaching at a university.

At the TEDx Hilton Head Island, South Carolina​ event, David’s impactful presentation was the only one to receive a standing ovation; one that was well-deserved. While the video hasn’t been published yet to YouTube, you will see David out and about working with the members of District 58. Kudos David on a job well done!

A Toastmaster prison club encourages inmates to discover their voice while developing leadership skills. This experience gives them the tools they need to be successful when they leave prison. The best part is that studies show that offenders tend not to re-offend after completing the Toastmaster’s educational programs, which contributes to a drastically lower recidivism rate. District 58 has two established prison clubs, Allendale and Ridgeland, as well as two clubs in development.

This is exciting news. Volunteering to mentor a prison club is a responsibility that comes with built-in rewards. Mentors will find that inmates are eager to learn communication and leadership skills, and because of that, they greatly appreciate the time and effort we extend to them. As the district’s prison club coordinator, I put together some information designed to serve anyone who might be interested in, or who

District 58 has two established prison clubs, Allendale and Ridgeland, as well as two clubs in development. This is exciting news. Volunteering to mentor a prison club is a responsibility that comes with built-in rewards. Mentors will find that inmates are eager to learn communication and leadership skills, and because of that, they greatly appreciate the time and effort we extend to them.

As the district’s prison club coordinator, I put together some information designed to serve anyone who might be interested in, or who have already committed to volunteering in a prison club. Keep in mind, besides mentors, a prison club also needs coaches for TLIs, special guest speakers, and judges for their contests.

If you can’t volunteer, please consider making a donation to help sponsor an inmate who cannot afford to pay membership dues.

Trust me. We’re making a difference.

Jodie Randisi, District 58 Prison Club Coordinator
Mentor and Member, Ridgeland Correctional Institute

Presentation slides:

• PDF: Prison Club Training Info
• PowerPoint: Prison Club Training Info

Getting visitors to your club can be a challenge. Extending a personal invitation to others is easier with a flyer.

This handout gives your members talking points when inviting others. Helps them with the invite process.

Print for your club members to use as a visitor invitation tool.

If needed, members can write club meeting time and location details on the back. Helps any time and especially with membership drive promotional campaigns.

Download: ClubVisitHandout.pdf

Handout is in a landscape orientation and a 2-up layout

Area 21 (Beaufort and Jasper counties) is more connected to Savannah than a metropolitan area in South Carolina. So it was logical that WASV  Channel 3 from Savannah ran a story on Ridgeland, the second D-58 club in a South Carolina correctional facility.  From a demographer’s view, both Ridgeland and FastTrackers of Hilton Head Island are both within the Savannah ADI (area dominant influence).

The news segment and website article quotes several club members and “volunteer” Jodie Randisi, ACS, LC. She is one of the club’s two mentors.

The Ladson, SC resident outshined all the divisional-winners to win the district-level competition of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Unks advances to the semifinal rounds of the contest, vying for one of 10 spots in the World Championship of Public Speaking® to be held at the Toastmasters International Convention Friday, Aug. 25 in Vancouver, Canada.

Unks, a member of Greenwave Gabbers Toastmasters Club (Summerville, SC) surpassed fierce competition to win over the judges at the District 58 finals on April 23. When it comes to connecting with an audience, he said, “The key is to have a storyline that is relatable and compelling.”

The speech touched on the theme will be on being yourself. He explained that dramatically changed his life by finding his faith, and since then he has felt called to motivational speaking and writing. The theme is also woven through his books.

Unks will compete with 101 other winners from districts around the world who advanced to the 2017 semifinal round after a six-month process of elimination through club, area, division and district speech competitions. Their five- to seven-minute speeches were judged on content, organization, gestures and style.

“Toastmasters speech contests are another way to build your confidence, sharpen your skills and speak to many different audiences,”says Unks. “I am looking forward to competing on a much larger stage in Vancouver!”  He joined Toastmasters in 2015 to become a better speaker and leader at work and in the community.   His message shares his “struggles with his weight, social anxiety and the feeling of never being good enough. However, he’s made radical changes and wants to share what he learned with others so they can improve their lives, too.”

The Dolphin club was formed in 1967 at the U.S. Navy Fleet Ballistics Training Center. Thomas O’Brien, a charter member of Dolphins, now resides with his wife in Chaplin, SC. He shared the attached memories of how Toastmasters affected his life as a leader both in the Navy and civilian life.Tom O’Brien scrapbook