Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

After almost a decade on the District 42 Executive, I decided, ok, maybe shamed, into competing in our District's Humorous Speech Contest. We have almost 290 clubs. After winning at the Club, Area and Division levels, I didn't win, but placed 3rd at District.

I won't give too much away as to what it is about, but it involves Gadgets, Shakespeare and Frustration.

Nevertheless, if you've never competed, I encourage you all to do so. In a future podcast, I will talk about the exercise I went through, but for now, enjoy the next 7 1/2 minutes or so. You can also find this video on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbH_xbhFwSCiPaC7JZ1GS_A

Guest Post: Toastmasters International President Mohammed Murad, DTM visited District 42 (Alberta/Saskatchewan, Canada). Rookie Toastmaster Marta Munoz, CC had an opportunity to sit down with President Murad for a few minutes at the D42 Fall Conference, held in Calgary, Nov 7-9, 2014.

[10:30] Legendary broadcaster Red Robinson introduced The Beatles at their first ever Canadian concert, Aug 22, 1964 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Host Greg Gazin, had an opportunity to recently speak with Red, who recounted the events of that day - and which might be a surprise to some and talked about an upcoming 50th Anniversary concert to commemorate that day. Full article: The Day the Beatles Shook Vancouver at Troy Media.

in 2004, Greg was managing a Beatles Tribute band and approached Red to ask him to emcee the 40th anniversary event in Vancouver. As a newer Toastmaster with knocking knees, he persevered.

Photo is actually a painting of Red holding the concert poster. (They're available as a limited edition. Artist is Glen Green, designer of Canada's Olympic Coins). Visit RedRobinson.com for more details.

Whether you are a Toastmaster or simply a traveler, there's always a need for technology on the road to make the trip so much better. Here are a few Gadgets & Tech Tools and a few things to think about before heading out on the road this summer. You can also read the full article at Canoe Tech Blog.

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.

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Greg Gazin was one of the feature speakers at DEXIO 2014 in Edmonton (DEXIO.biz), along side Dr. John Gray, Arkadi Kuhlmann, Fran Hewitt and Nicole Farley.  Greg shared with the audience his entrepreneurial and Toastmasters journey. Here's a clip from the projection screen feed of Greg talking about how he discovered Toastmasters and how it can transform you.  (NOTE: This is a Projection Screen Capture)

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.)

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..

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.

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)

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

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.