Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

Toastcaster 42 - Keep your Ahs for your Doctor

Crutch words can hinder our communication and even make us appear unprepared or not confident. Here's a way to recognize them and help keep yourself from using them. Listen to our podcast and if you like, you can also read the Troy Media article..

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 40 - Effective Use of Repetition

Hearing things being repeated can often drive one absolutely crazy, but if used effectively, repetition in presentations, conversations and even recordings can be an effective tool in getting your message across. The original article can be found at Greg Gazin's Digitally Speaking at Troy Media.com. (photo courtesy Troy Media)

Toastcaster 39 - Twist & Charge Gadget for Toastmasters

Listeners thought that as the Gadget Guy it might be a good idea to add gadgets to the Toastcaster Podcast, since gadgets are something we all use. So we did. This episode we look at Twist & Charge by Bracketron. You can also read the review at GadgetGuy.ca

Toastcaster 38 - Time Blocking 101 for Toastmasters

Time is something we just never have enough of. As Toastmasters, we sometimes struggle to find extra time to work through the program in addition to all the things we need to do in every day life. We know its important. Distinguished Toastmaster and productivity expert Kevin Achtzener from YoureMakingMe.com joins us here at Toastcaster to to enlighten us about Time Blocking, very different than just having a todo list or just creating your daily schedule and picking on yours truly as his volunteer guinea pig. Time Blocking is just one element of good Time Management which Kevin covers in his new course, Mega Productivity.

Toastcaster 37 StartUp Canada, Entrepreneurship & Toastmasters

[06:16] After participating in a Town Hall session in Edmonton, Alberta Canada as part of StartUp Canada's cross country tour to empower entrepreneurs across the country, I had an opportunity to be interviewed by the host/moderator, Rick Spense. Of course, whenever a Toastmaster speaks, especially one who is in District Leadership like myself, the topic always seem to somehow turn to  or involve Toastmasters.  In this case it's relevant. especially for business people because communication & leadership are always important - and thus the tie-in to our latest episode. One of the things Rick asks me, is what percentage of entrepreneurs should join Toastmasters?  Listen to find out my answer.

Toastcaster 36 - Mobile Payments for Non-Profits & Small Business

Accepting Credit Card Payments for small businesses and non-profits like Toastmasters  Clubs can be an expensive proposition.  Regina-based Netsecure Technologies have created Kudos - mobile payment system that offers a low-cost, no hassle, easy-to-use solution to this problem and a first of its kind in Canada.(Also available in the US). Listen to my interview with Netsecure's President Dan McCann and find out how you can use Kudos for your club or other business.

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 34 - Event Announcement: Jim Key Live

Have you ever heard a speaker deliver an entertaining and captivating address that you felt was incredibly relevant to you?  Have you ever wanted to be able to have the same effect? If you're wondering how to practically incorporate that to a higher degree of effectiveness, this session is for you!  Join the 2003 World Champion of Public Speaking in examining ways to select, cultivate, and utilize stories that add the maximum impact to your speech. When: Thursday, September 30, 2010.  6 pm sharp, Edmonton Shaw Conference Centre.  Dinner, Speech Contest & Keynote. Listen or click for details.

Toastcaster 33 - Achieving Greatness Together - It's Toastmasters, Baby!

North Carolina's District 37 Trio   LGM Naomi Takeuchi, DG Sharon Anita Hill and LGET Bryan Walsh (far right) share with yours truly their District Theme "It's Toastmasters Baby" to complement this year's International President's theme of "Achieving Greatness Together".   Recorded in Palm Desert at the 79th annual Int'l Convention, you'll hear how this Select Distinguished District, 3 years running, will use this year's  District theme and innovative initiatives that any District can use to engage their members to exceed their potential. You'll also hear how Toastcaster Greg first took notice of this terrific trio from the "First in Flight" State.

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 30 - Chris Molineux Keynotes D42 Spring Convention

Chris Molineux, World Renowned Comedian and Public Speaking coach, who worked with talents like Jerry Seinfeld & Ellen DeGeneres will keynote the Toastmasters District 42 Spring Convention in Edmonton Alberta, April 30 - May 2, 2010. In this podcast we get introduced to Chris; He tells us a little about what he does, including his recent yet somewhat unusual participation in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as well as what we can expect from him during the convention. Chris will also enlighten us today with a few little tips about humor and how to deal with writer's/speaker's block. We hope to see you all at the convention we have quite an extensive program and a lot of great food. We we also be presenting the 2010 Communication and Leadership Award to University of Alberta Chancellor Linda Hughes.   Please visit our District 42 Spring Convention website for more details.

Toastcaster 29 - Built-In Mic? Know & Remember Where It Is!

Recording your presentations is always a good idea, but if you don't know where your mic is, especially on a device like the iPhone, you could be in for a big surprise. Listen to a short lesson that Toastcaster Greg, aka The Gadget Guy took home from this experience. You can also access Greg's Gadget column at Gadgetguy.ca and also Canoe Tech Blogs at Canoe.ca EAVB_DCJGOYLTGC

Toastcaster 28 - Ask a Toastmaster, BlogTalkRadio Live 1

Ask the Toastmaster on Blog Talk Radio Live. With Guests,  Kevin Achtzener & Chuck LeBlanc. This episode looks at a wide variety of questions asked by Toastmasters. Some of these include:  Why Club Officer Training is twice a year? Best ways to practice Table Topics and where Table topics fit within a meeting; Speaking opportunities inside and outside Toastmasters; Being a Test Speaker, Can you fail a speech?  Working with the New Educational system and why follow the program; Does a club need a coach and building a 40 minute speech.

Toastcaster 27 - Live Invite to BlogTalkRadio Nov 16,2009 7:00PM MT

Invite to BlogTalkRadio Pilot Episode: Toastcaster Live November 16, 2009 7PM Mountain, 8PM Saskatchewan/Central. Topic: Ask a Toastmaster, with Special Guests: Chuck LeBlanc, LGM D42 & Kevin Achtzener Past AG.  Click "LISTEN NOW" below to hear all the details. Click Here to Visit Toastcaster's BlogTalkRadio Page

Toastcaster 26 - Toastmasters 85 Year Timeline in 10 minutes

On October 22nd 1924, Dr. Ralph Smedley created Toastmasters. It's been 85 years and the organization has certainly come a long way, helping hundreds of thousands of people help improve their communication and leadership skills. In this episode we take a glimpse of that 85 year timeline in less than 10 minutes.  Did you know when the first Toastmasters Magazine was published or when women were finally allowed to be members of a club? You can see the detailed timeline by visiting Toastmasters.org.  Happy Birthday Toastmasters!

Toastcaster 25 - D42 Conference Features World Champ Lance Miller

One of the benefits of Toastmasters conferences and conventions is the ability to hear incredible speakers. D42 Fall Conference "PitStop in the Peace" is featuring keynote speaker - 2005 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking - Lance Miller. This episode, Lance talks about what he'll presenting Nov 6-8,09 in Grande Prairie, AB Canada.  After you watch the video, check out all the other incredible things you'll be able to see hear do and of course eat the incredible food.  One feature of Toastmasters conferences is that they are affordable.

Toastcaster 24 - Official Toastmasters Podcast - Bo Bennett & Ryan Levesque Live from Mashantucket

Recorded live from the 2009 Toastmasters International Convention. We introduce the Official Toastmasters Podcast by interviewing co-hosts Bo Bennett & Ryan Levesque formerly of Talking Toastmasters. They share with us what to expect from the new podcast and how will it will differ from their previous incarnation. They'll also talk about a couple of episodes they've already done, including their take on SpeakEasy -the forthcoming documentary on Public Speaking and stories emanating from this year's Convention here in Mashantucket, CT.  Be sure to tune in - it'll be loads of fun and quite a few laughs too as Bo & Ryan do their thing and also poke fun at yours truly, Greg Gazin.

Toastcaster 23 - Robert Barnhill Past Int'l Pres Becomes Honorary Canadian, Eh!

Get ready to Laugh!!!  Take off Eh! Jana and Robert (Bob) Barnhill International President and Past Int'l Pres respectively, visited Toastmasters D42 (Saskatoon Saskatchewan) in May 2009. Of course Jana got all the attention so Robert felt a little left out. So District Governor Elect Tim Hubick decided that he would do something about it so he asked LGET Elect Greg Gazin (aka Doug McKenzie, Hoser) - to be the impromptu grammarian (for some free beer, EH!), and help Robert with his Canadiana and in the meantime induct both Jana and Robert as Honorary Canadians. Beauty! Take Off Eh!  It was a great pleasure and honor - not to mention a tremendous blast to have our International President Jana and Past International President Robert with us. A fun time was had by all! A larger version of this video can be seen on YouTube Video Preview Image by Spencer Fawkes