Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

Toastcaster 56 - Spanish Train: A Journey in Vocal Variety

It's no secret that Vocal Variety can certainly enhance a speech or presentation. In this episode Greg proves that song lyrics can in fact be used to illustrate it. He uses Spanish Train, by Chris de Burgh, one of his favourite artists to do so. In fact this was speech #6 from the Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual. If you wonder why he had to prove it, you'll need to listen to find out. (09:31) [Chris de Burgh is also famous for many other great songs, including: Lady in Red, High on Emotion, Don't Pay the Ferryman & more. I encourage you to check out his website]

Toastcaster 55 - Sheryl Roush, Toastmasters Accredited Speaker Program & Special Event

[18:59] Greg speaks with guest Sheryl Roush, PDG, DTM, AS who tells us all about the Toastmasters Accredited Speaker (AS) program. Sheryl enlightens us as to what it's all about, why you would want to become an Accredited Speaker & how to go about doing it. She also talks about a special pre-convention event in Las Vegas this August dedicated to those who want to take the AS journey and get more paid speaking engagements.

You can reach Sheryl at: SherylRoush.com.

Please note that since this podcast aired, the rules for the AS program have changed. Please contact Sheryl or visit the AS pages at Toastmasters International for more information.

Toastcaster 51 - A Toast and an Educational

I was asked to give a Toast (Special Occasions Speech Manual Project #1) and decided I would combine the honouring of our Sergeant at Arms along with a mini educational for the benefit of new member and guests so not only can they see how a Toast works, they get to know a little about what a Sergeant at Arms does and what they could get from taking on that role. Cheers! (03:32)

Toastcaster 50 - Toastmasters Location Crisis with Rich Hopkins

[17:02] Ever show up for a Toastmasters meeting only to find the doors locked? It recently happened to Rich Hopkins, a fellow Toastmaster, Speaker, Coach and Author.  In Toastcaster 50, Rich and Greg chat about how this can happen and how we sometimes take our locations for granted. Rich returns to Toastcaster and shares with us about a meeting that almost didn't happen and 4 key tips on what we can do to avoid a Toastmasters location crisis.

Toastcaster 45 - Emcee Tips for Charity Fundraisers

As a Toastmaster you might be asked to host or emcee an event. Have you ever been asked to emcee a charity fundraiser? My first time is coming up, so to prepare, I checked in with good friend and Distinguished Toastmaster Jim Ewing, Pro-Vision Solutions, Edmonton who has experience on this area. Have a listen to our chat.

Toastcaster 43 - Toastmasters Videos for Education & Low Member Meetings

Toastmasters DVDs & Videos can make a great in-meeting educational tool. They are also handy when you have low member attendance and or prepared speeches.  It's a great alternative to just extending Table Topics. Until 2011 Official Toastmasters Convention CDs & DVDs were produced by Bill Stephens Productions.  Some videos are now available via streaming, digital download and still some in DVD format via Toastmasters On-Demand.  

Listen to hear what one club did and how amazingly well the results were. 

(PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE SAME PODCAST as Toastcaster 21, which somehow became detached and did not appear on iTunes.)

Toastcaster 41 - Do you Golf with only a putter?

When you play Golf, chances are that you will use more than just a putter. So why is that businesses sometimes have only one message? Same goes for communicators. Some deliver the same speech regardless as to who the audience is. Sadly the results are not always as you think. LIsten to our podcast and if you like, you can also read the article at Troy Media.

Toastcaster 35 - Toastmasters - A Tale for All Seasons

Told by Donna Smith, ACB, CL, it's an entertaining and inspiring tale in the form of a familiar holiday poem, that captures the true spirit of Toastmasters and its founder, Ralph Smedley. It also follows the events that unfold as a Toastmaster prepares for the Icebreaker speech. She did receive credit for the Advanced Manual - Storytelling. Donna also speaks with Greg and shares her thoughts that went in to this presentation and how Toastmasters has helped her catch her second wind. What a nice way to end on year and begin the next. Donna is with Morning Challengers a club from Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada.

Toastcaster 32 - Toastmasters Proxies 911

Chuck LeBlanc D42 LGET Guest. With the Toastmasters International Convention coming up and the deadline looming to get proxies in and with Toastmasters going to their single sign on, clubs who have not submitted their officer lists online for 2010-2011 have no access to any Club Business and equally important and timely the ability to assign their proxies to make their clubs vote count. Chuck and Greg discuss what you can do.

Toastcaster 31 - Make Your Club's Vote Count!

Toastmaster Proxies – Make Your Vote Count in the upcoming elections at the business meeting at 7:30AM  August 14th at Toastmasters International Convention in Palm Desert .

As clubs you have the opportunity to cast your vote for the individuals that you feel would do the best job in representing you on the Toastmasters Board of Directors.

You’ll hear how one ballot can make a difference and how a handful of votes made the difference to one candidate in 2008. As well, you'll hear about how Toastmasters has changed the process and has gone electronic, so no longer will you need to get that blue form in the mail.

You'll hear about three ways you can designate your proxy and submit it through the Club Business section of Toastmasters.org. Here are some instructions if you are in District 42 and for other and all Toastmasters, this is just one take on this. I suggest visiting www.toastmasters.org/proxyquestions

We'll also touch upon what District Governors do with respect to the candidates at the convention.  Visit the convention site to find out more about this exciting annual event which runs August 11-14, In Palm Desert, California.

Toastcaster 13 Striving for the World Championship Pt. 1

  Photo of Martin Presse, From District 42 after Winning the Region IV International Speech Contest in Rapid City South Dakota. Martin Speaks to Karen Tober, Editor Prairie Horizons about his experience as one of the 10 finalists at the International Speech Contest, held in Calgary, Alberta Canada, Aug 2008.   Part 1 of 2.  Produced by Greg Gazin

Toastcaster 12 Avoid the Dues Blues

Toastcaster QuickTip  April/October is not too far away and here's how your club can avoid the dues blues

- Toastmasters Semi Annual Dues Deadline April 1 & Oct 1     - Get Dues in Early    - Offer Annual Payment/ Discounts/ Incentives for early payment - Create Fee Structure list customized or your club - Don’t wait for all payments, submit at least 8.

Toastcaster 11 -Talkshoe Episode

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/12640    

Greg Gazin from Toastcaster.com, District 42 Alberta Canada  Judd Spitzer, Toastcast.org, District 47 in Florida, Team up to talk to you about some of the new things you can find at the Toastmasters International Website.  Live Wed July 16. 7PM MT 9PM ET.  Click on the link. or read on...If you are interested, I'm trying something new and impromptu with the webmaster from D47 in Florida. It's a live broadcast using a service where up to 1000 people can participate by phone, computer or skype. You can listen, talk, textchat or participate. It's nothing fancy or formal, we're just going to be talking about TI web site.. Its more for the experiment with the technology. Regards, Greg. PS. It will be recorded and posted.

Scheduled Time:  Date: Wed, July 16, 2008  Time: 09:00 PM EDT    How to participate:

Call in:  Dial: (724) 444-7444 Enter: 12640 # (Call ID) Enter: 1 # or your PIN

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