During this Toastmasters meeting, the Word for the Day was auspicious, which describes the time Peace Speakers have together every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. The experience is ripe for learning and favorable for enhancing communication and leadership skills.
I just finished the May 2nd blog and plan to keep this one concise. We'll see how that goes!
THE JOKE MASTER DELIVERS
Betsy shared an anecdote about her 4-year-old grandson, who loves the TV camera in her auto's rear-view mirror. He thrives on the noisy beep-beep-beep! Recently while backing out of the garage, the alarm system was activated by a cooler that had been moved. When quizzed, her grandson admitted he'd scooted the cooler behind her car, knowing that the system would react and noisily entertain him once again.
Our Toastmaster, Ada, smiled broadly as she introduced our speaker for the day. She spoke from her heart when she noted that Bethany has always been quick to step up to the plate when she needs someone to fill a role at our meetings. Bethany clearly brings finesse and a deep loyalty to our club.
PROJECT #5 SPEECH: YOUR BODY TALKS
Bethany titled her 5th speech "Driving Down Stress: Ways to Make Your Commute More Manageable." She confessed that she hates to drive, hates traffic, and she suffers from road rage. So admittedly, she wasn't prepared for the ensuing worries and agitation that came with a 20-mile drive from her home to work each day. So she set out to find ways to calm herself and make the trek bearable.
Bethany shared 5 tips to chill herself out that are useful for others as well:
- Pick a route purposely that is based on what else might impact your drive. Change your timing to avoid traffic and shorten the drive.
- Rent books on tape or learn a foreign language. Choose a musical that is fun and engaging. Select music with a similar heartbeat as yours, and consider downloading podcasts that you enjoy.
- Follow driving laws! To prevent getting a ticket, take your time and slow down.
- Remember to breathe! Open the windows and inhale deeply to reduce panic, stress and anxiety.
- Think of something you're looking forward to so you won't dwell on how you get there.
Whoohoo! These tips are a timely reminder for me, one who gets frustrated with drivers who aren't considerate and others who stop the flow. Since I can only control my own reactions, this will help me maintain my sanity on the road.
IMPROMPTU TABLE TOPICS
Jason, our Toastmasters Area Governor, paid us a visit today. He agreed to lead our Table Topics session, and spewed out 3 questions for Betsy, Kay (moi), and Todd. After hearing her question, Betsy let us know how unpleasant she finds the road construction along the hightways and the ensuing traffic tie-ups. Kay responded to her question in favor of fund-raising benefits, such as the recent one for Henryville students at the YUM Center, because it raises needed funds and brings community together.
I saved Todd for last, as he ended up winning the Table Topics trophy for the best 1-2 minute extemporaneous speech given at this meeting. When asked what his biggest pet peeve was during a business meeting, he shared several. He criticized those who arrive late to meetings and listed several distractions like phones going off and side conversations as other variables that rudely disrupt meetings. (Gee, Todd, I get the impression you think people's time is valuable and individuals should show more respect to one another! That, alone, deserves a trophy!)
Eva was our speech evaluator today, and Bethany's speech hit a positive note with her. She deemed the tips for managing road rage a topic that's very auspicious and practical, with super personal examples and stories. Bethany was animated...using great facial expressions and lots of hand gestures. Using humor well in her opening and closing remarks, she remained poised throughout her entire speech.
I've been in Toastmasters for a little over 2 years now, and the kind of skills that Bethany exemplified don't come overnight. She's been a steady member and has gotten a lot of practice from attending Peace Speakers meetings regularly throughout the years.
Has your experience with public speaking been an oddyessy of sorts? If you're tired of just hoping for the best and want to refine or develop your communication and leadership skills, come to one of our upcoming meetings on June 6 or June 20.
Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club
Presbyterian Center
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
100 Witherspoon Street
Downtown Louisville, KY
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Chambers
VP of Public Relations for Peace Speakers
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