Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

Toastcaster 82 Reformation: When Districts Get Too Big - Ken Tanner DTM, PID

 

[31:07] When Toastmasters Districts experience tremendous growth, approaching 300 clubs, they get a little too big to manage, often resulting in reduced quality of service to the members, so around that time, Toastmasters International encourages Districts to consider Reformation, i.e. splitting into two or more Districts.

 

In this episode we speak with Toastmasters Past International Director Ken Tanner, DTM from Edmonton, Canada, a Toastmasters since 1975, who chaired the D42 Reformation committee and oversaw the reformation of D42 into D42 and D99 starting with the idea phase in 2014  to completion July 2016 and beyond.

 

Ken shares with us how the process of this huge undertaking works and why it’s necessary. He illustrates the benefits to members, enlightening us with many of the tasks that need to be done, who is involved, what they need to do and how everyone is affected by them.

 

Of course, as a Toastmaster Ken also shares some of the skills necessary to complete the project, but also what communication and leadership skills can be gained and what he learned from participating and leading this high performance project. Ken can be reached at Ken.Tanner@d99tm.org.

 

Toastcaster 81 Demystifying Top Toastmasters Myths - Mike Raffety DTM, PID

[27:22] Mike Raffety, DTM, PID is very active on both the Official Toastmasters Facebook page and LinkedIn group answering many Toastmasters related questions. So we reached out to Mike in Chicago and asked him to give us his take on the Toastmasters Club Myths in the Toastmasters International April 2017 Leader Letter as well as a few other club, contest and speech myths he covered in a 2015 blog post at MikeRaffety.com. Even experienced Toastmasters may be surprised about some things many thought to be true, are simply not.

Toastcaster 80 The Origin of April Fool's Day

[07:08] In this episode Greg tells the story of the origin of April Fool's Day. Greg was recently the Toastmaster of the Day at his home club, New Entrepreneurs and the theme was April Fool's Day.  After researching the topic, Greg perhaps over-prepared his opening remarks and although a little lengthy, they were well received by the members.

As a result, when Greg went home, he expanded on what he had said and wrote an article that was published at Troy Media. Then he decided to make a podcast of the article which is what you'll hear. Enjoy.

 

 

Toastcaster 79 Traveling Toastmaster-Your International Network Awaits - Naomi Takeuchi, DTM

[29:15] In this episode we speak with Naomi Takeuchi, DTM, PDG, President and CEO 1000 Cranes, LLC. Naomi shares with us some of her Toastmaster travel adventures, visiting and speaking at clubs around the world and offering some insight, tips and encouragement to check out clubs, conferences or even have lunch and connect with other Toastmasters at their travel destinations.

Naomi is a consultant to non-profits and leadership development trainer who recently moved from Charlotte, North Carolina to Santa Rosa, California. She travels extensively for both personal travel and business and over the years visiting places like Australia, Canada, China, India, UK, Qatar and also New Zealand, where she is now also a dual member, creating an international network of colleagues and friends through Toastmasters. In fact, the title of this episode is inspired by her contribution, “Your International Network Awaits!” in the book Heart of a Toastmaster (page 51), an anthology of stories curated by Sheryl Roush.

Toastcaster 78 FixMeStick Self-Propelled Virus Removal System

[08:03] As Toastmasters we often use USB sticks with other people's computers or often they use ours. No surprise, there is always a threat of viruses and other nasties. The truth is some are impossible to detect or eradicate while the conmputer is active.  This is where FixMeStick comes in.  Created in Montreal, Canada, it's a self-propelled virus removal system that runs from a thumb drive independant of your PCs or Mac's OS.  It's a must have for all computer users. Listen to hear more.

 

Toastcaster 77 Greg Gazin: Our 10th Anniversary Podcast - Impromptu Style

[19:26] Toastcaster Podcast is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. In this episode Greg grabs the mic and takes an impromptu journey back a decade to its humble beginnings starting from the pilot episode featuring then District 42 Governor Mona Cooley, DTM.

What started as an idea in 2006 for an HPL (High Performance Leadership) project has blossomed into 77 episodes, almost 200K downloads and 1.5M feed hits and counting.

You'll hear how Toastcaster was conceived and get highlights from a number of the episodes and some of the people Greg has interviewed.

Greg will also share what he's learned from this process and how it's changed him and how he now looks at podcasting.

A huge thanks to all those that helped make it happen and for all the listeners for tuning in.

Happy Birthday Toastcaster Podcast

 

Toastcaster 76 Being a District Social Media Manager - Glenda Sheard

[27:41] In this episode we speak with Glenda Sheard, DTM, Social Media Manager for District 99. While not an official Toastmasters position, her role is a critical component in attracting new members and engaging existing ones as this medium has gained widespread use. Glenda, a newly minted DTM enthusiastically shares how Social Media impacts districts and clubs and all Toastmasters, enlightening us on the importance of her role and how it works; how Districts can benefit from having a Social Media Manager and using Social Media along with some tips, tricks and examples how D99 uses these resources and how others can use them too.

Glenda Sheard DTM is a speaker, facilitator, presenter and fundraiser and lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Toastcaster 75 Doing a Personal Content Audit with Kevin Achtzener

[26:51] We accumulate all kinds of digital stuff but Visual Productivity expert and regular guest Kevin Achtzener tells us once and awhile we need to do a content audit. Even though content is King as some say and drive space is cheap these days, we need to review our digital clutter. Perhaps it's outdated, no longer relevant or represents who we are. And as Toastmasters as we progress, some of the old content no longer reflects our skill level. Kevin shares his experience and gives us tips and tricks as to what you can do with your content for yourself and your Toastmasters Club. You may be amazed that sometimes you can re-purpose it rather than delete it.

Toastcaster 74 Immediate Past International President Jim Kokocki to Kickoff Inaugural District 99 Conference

[19:15] In this episode we speak to Toastmasters International Immediate Past President Jim Kokocki, DTM, from New Brunswick, Canada. We learn a little about his Toastmasters journey including his year as President, an insight on leadership and maybe a sneak peek at his Keynote and Plenary session he'll be presenting at the inaugural Fall Conference for the newly created District 99 to be held in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Oct 21-22, 2016.  If you are interested in attending, check out the D99tm.org Fall 2016 Conference Page.

Toastcaster 73 100 Conversations in the City - Robert Lavigne

[31:05] Robert Lavigne, The Digital Grapevine, Digital Strategist and Podcaster moved from Toronto, Ontario Canada 99 km to Brantford, birthplace of the telephone and legendary #99 Wayne Gretzky.

What started as an exercise in brand building and a series of individual topics in Robert’s new hometown became a humbling learning experience of 100 podcasts, 100 conversations over 2 years that weaved together stories that transformed him and helped bring their community closer together. Robert shares his experience and also how the series concluded with an interview with a man who represents community - Walter Gretzky, affectionately known as "Canada's Hockey Dad," father of #99 and Lord Mayor of Brantford. The City of Brantford recently recognized Robert for all his efforts.

Toastcaster 72 Privacy & What Clubs Should Know - Jean Eaton

[30:05] Privacy is something we may not think about as a concern when it comes to Toastmasters. Our guest is Jean Eaton of Information Managers a practical privacy coach and expert in many disciplines including Privacy Management and Legislation. As a former Toastmaster Jean explains what privacy means and offers up some best practices,valuable tips and shares what Clubs and club leaders can do to prevent a breach. Listeners can also download her 10 Key Steps to Prevent a Privacy Breach.

Toastcaster 71 The Art of Competing with Dantu & Miller

[42:40] This episode we learn about the Art of Competing with Russ Dantu, 6x District  Speech Contest winner & 2015 WCPS Finalist and Lance Miller, 9x District winner and 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking. Lance coached Russ for last year's event. You'll hear them share that experience, competing tips and give us a glimpse of The Art of Competing, their new and already popular CD, which can be found at LanceMillerSpeaks.com or RussDantu.com.

Toastcaster 70 Russ Dantu Road to World Championship Part 2

[27:32] Russ Dantu, District 42, Calgary, Canada continues his journey to the World Championship of Public Speaking semi-final and then on to the finals in Las Vegas. He takes us through his experience after winning at District and on to the finals and all his exciting trials and tribulations along the way. This is a continuation of Episode 57.

Toastcaster 69 How Toastmasters helps Authors w/Rick Lauber

[22:26] Rick Lauber is the Best Selling Author of Caregiver's Guide for Canadians, The Successful Caregiver’s Guide (USA) and a contributor in two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. A former Toastmaster with New Entrepreneurs in Edmonton Canada, Rick shares why he joined Toastmasters, how it helped him and how it can help budding authors. He also offers a few tips on using your Toastmaster skills to help promote your book. Rick can be reached at RickLauber.com.

Toastcaster 68 TmTools - Tools for Toastmasters - George Marshall

[29:22] George Marshall , DTM is the author of TmTools - Tools for Toastmasters, a series of tools to help Toastmasters at any level - Member, Club, Area, Division or District to truly get the information that they need in the sea of Toastmasters data.
TmTools do not replace, but rather extend information and reports we currently use - and they are constantly being improved and expanded. TmTools often give people that "I didn't know I could get that infomation," look on their faces.

George is a member of a member of three clubs: his home club (Star Search), an advanced club, and online club Netizens. He's the Producer, Toastmaster Time, D57’s TV show, District 57’s Statistician and a Revitalized Education Program Ambassador.
 

Toastcaster 67 Ummo App: Your Harvard Developed Personalized Speech Coach

[27:46] Ummo App is your personalized speech coach & crutch-word finder developed at Harvard University. Greg speaks with two of its developers from Dehli, India and the Bay Area in California, Anshul Bhagi and Sam Li who tell us what the app's about; how they developed it and how IBM's Watson plays a role. They also tell us how you can use it to analyze and improve your speaking skills and share how Boston Toastmasters have been involved and what the future has in store for the app.

Toastcaster 66 Whoosh! Wipes Out Your Gadget's Bacteria

[07:13] Smartphones & Tablets have 10x the bacteria of your toilet seat. Whoosh! Dragon's Den approved is a cool product that not only cleans, it disinfects and safe enough to spray in your mouth. In this episode, Greg puts Whoosh! to the test. You can also read the review at CanoeTech Blog. (Photos courtesy Whoosh!)

Toastcaster 65 Taking Advantage of Your Toastmaster Magazine

[07:43]  The Toastmaster Magazine is a valuable resource both in print and tablet versions. In this episode Greg gives us a little reminder as to why it's a good idea to check out either or both on a regular basis and let you in on a secret as to how the Official Toastmasters Podcast and on occasion Toastcaster get subjects for podcast interviews.

Toastcaster 63 iRig Mic Lav Suitable for Speakers & Podcasters

[09:08]  Finding a decent affordable Lavalier Mic is not always the easiest thing. This episode, Greg puts on his Gadget Guy hat and looks at iRig Mic Lav by IK Multimedia and why its a good idea to use one to record all your speeches and presentations. You can read the full review at Canoe Tech Blog.