Darren Fleming Humorous Table Topic answer

Darren Flemming answers at a District convention, and shows how a Table topics answer can also be humorous. The answer can be a speech or a short story - but it should, in any case, be as enterrtaining as possible. Here it was about "obeying all the rules or not?" By his answer he demonstrates them.

These videos show different ways of "doing humour" all good to study before our contests.

Second winner at Toastmasters International Contest, Las Vegas

The most humorous also between the three winners, listen carefully a few times where people laugh

Is it a test? Or is it play?

Have some fun on contest day!

You can enjoy speech contests

When Nahid was asked to compete in her club’s humorous speech contest, she was mortified.
“I – I’m not funny!” she exclaimed.

Indeed, her manual speeches had been heartfelt and serious discussions on the meaning of life. But her fellow club members insisted that she was funnier than she realized.

She decided to take up the challenge and try the contest. Much to her amazement, Nahid learned that she is more than funny – she’s hilarious.

She won the club contest and found herself looking forward to the area level competition with a new sense of excitement and pleasure. Her fear of “funny failure” had been banished. Now, when someone asks Nahid what she wants to do with her life, she responds without hesitation, “I want to be a comedian.” And she admits she owes it all to a speech contest, because it made her try something outside her comfort zone.

Speech contests present many opportunities.

Those who benefit in the most obvious way are the competitors. Being a contender gives you a chance to try a new style or type of speech. The result can be amazing, as in Nahid’s case. And even if you stay with a topic that you’ve given before, you know you’ll have to take it to the next level in order to compete. 

On the other hand, it’s not always about winning. The best news is, speech contests benefit everyone who takes part. There are many roles to try, all offering some sort of leadership experience. You can improve skills such as organization, teamwork, written and verbal communication, and event coordination. Of course, a lot of people are merely looking for an enjoyable way to use their Toastmasters skills. And while volunteering as a timer, counter, sergeant at arms, contest chair, or other role affords Toastmasters the opportunity for growth, adventure and a sense of team membership –you must remember that it’s also just plain fun.

And though you might not think it possible right now, there may come a time when you find yourself volunteering for the role of speech contest judge. Don’t be afraid to try it. Experienced speakers can learn so much by participating as speech contest judges. The judging criteria for great speeches is printed on the back of every Judge’s Guide and Ballot. It’s like having your own personal cheat sheet for making a good speech great. And the more experience you gain in using these criteria to judge the participants’ speeches, the better your own speeches will become.

That’s the great thing about Toastmasters speech contests.
The more you put into them, the more you take away. 

(adapted from TMI website)

First price of International contest 2011/2012

Emotion

Third prize international Contest Las Vegas

This is another speech (better than his last one) of the Las Vegas Toastmaster who won in the semifinal contest, the one in which our Malachai from Croydon Speakers spoke so well, and in which Malachai won the third prize.

Your speaking voice

Toastmasters Champion Darren Flemming, from Australia, presents examples of voice variety. He was presenting a Workshop in Las Vegas, and gave me the permission to insert in our blog his teachings and videos, of course, with a link to the original.

Of course, there is more to it, and as our Founder, Ralph Smidley wrote in his book, printed in 1947 about Voice, the most important thing is to have a friendly voice! Clear enunciation, and variety helps a lot to the message, too.

In our manual, Competent Communicator, we have a whole project devoted to Voice Variety, to make us aware of its importance and practice it. Not only then, but every time from then on when we speak in public and also in private.

When you speak with courage and conviction, authenticity and passion, the voice follows without thinking. But even then, it is useful to make pauses and let the audience absorb what you have said, or pause before, let them look at you with suspense, wondering what will come.

New logo and brand

The new Toastmasters logo on a different background

Here is the text about how one arrives to Toastmasters... the new "image" about finding its voice and becoming a leader... after having joined a Toastmasters Club - with Julie, our President at the Las Vegas's International Contest

 

I was not born as a leader

I admired these leaders. They influenced who I was and who I was becoming. Whatever they did professionally or how they became what they were, I aspired to walk in their footsteps.

And, so, I committed myself to becoming one.

Finally, it came to me. It wasn’t just what leaders knew that enabled them to lead. They had a voice. They could tell their story. They could listen and answer. They didn’t just accomplish, they communicated.

So I set out to find my voice. Learn to process information on my toes. I needed to learn to listen. Learn to give feedback – and accept it. I needed to organize, plan, deliver, follow up. I needed a place where all the ingredients were there, and someone would guide me along the way.

I found that place. I found a community of learners and the path to leadership.

I am a leader – and I was made.

Toastmasters
International

17 August Meeting

Here is Zandria's description of our last meeting (Julie was at Las Vegas TMI convention)

"What a really wonderful meeting, great fun and all completed ahead of time.

Michael presented his Icebreaker, excellent work. You are on your way to achieving another one of your personal goals. Stephen in his 2nd speech, shared with us his recent exciting trip to Ghana. Both definitely on their way to becoming confident speakers.

With a night with so many guests prepared to speak at Tabletopics and many for the first time And a special congratulations to our guest Beverley her first tabletopics, and you won the Tabletopics competition, such a natural. Well done.

Chris your timekeeping was impeccable, just what we needed.

A special thank you to Richard, our very competent Toastmaster of the evening. Done with panache and much style. Super.

My time as Sargeant at Arms was short, but very very sweet. I would like to wish Eric very good luck in the new role. I look forward to you making it your very own, as only you can."

Thanks Zandria, in short time as Serg Arms you did a lot!

Chris, added to the description:
"… and there was also a very powerful, thought provoking and emotion packed speech from Zandria.

Zandria held us in suspense and anticipation at what was going to happen next. A personal story of her experience working at a magazine some years ago. A speech which touched all of us, and for which she very deservedly was voted best speaker of the evening! "

 Welcome Eric, from now on, our official Sergeant of Arms!

In plus, at the same evening, three new guests decided to join! Welcome!

______________________________

We had problems with finishing in time, for a while now, and the team of Richard as Toastmaster of the Evening and Chris as Timekeeper and Katy standing for President, proved that one can finish in time! We hope to learn and follow it up,  so time is left at the end for those wanting to discuss more, and those who have to go home faster to do so also. We have the space from 7 to 10 pm but the Meeting is from 7 30 to 9 30 and this time, it was finished by then! Wonderful.

Making meetings go smoothly is a team effort and it proved again team working together - works.

New members from 3rd Aug

Serena joined after our last meeting, as did Flavia and they have by now received a New Member Orientation.  It was a pleasure to meet them again and to have a chance to get to know each other better and see their joy as they begin a new journey.

Flavia just wrote : "Wonderful! My first picture, hopefully, of many with Toastmasters!" We are also happy to have her!

It is such a joy seeing fellow Toastmasters grow and develop and gain confidence through the months!

Toastmaster through the eyes of a guest

Flavia with our VPE Katy near her

I attended my first Toastmaster session last Wednesday 3 August.

I learned about Toastmaster through a friend of mine who attended a few years ago and spoke very highly of the society and the benefits he had received from being a member. That conversation took place a few weeks ago, but I just sat on it, as one does sometimes.

I suppose I needed time for the suggestion to seep into my brain!

I have an interest in public speaking and want to improve my ability to speak, so that I get to the point where I am able to speak confidently without notes.

I contacted Julie to get more details about Toastmasters and after an encouraging conversation, I decided to attend the next event. I was very pleasantly surprised by the welcome and I felt the general atmosphere to be warm.

Cheong, Toastmaster of the Evening, introduced himself and even invited me to speak! However, I sat on the fence and shivered in my seat after each speaker finished their speech, hoping that they would run out of time so that I would not have to say anything - there was insufficient time for me - I breathed again.

I was impressed with everyone who spoke and in particular Sally and Ola and to learn that Sally was only on her 4th speech in the programme - well it definitely made me want to join Toastmasters. My aspiration is to eventually to speak as fluently as Sally and Ola.

Flavia, now member of Toastmasters

Ola, Competent Communicator

"Benefits of joining this club for me"

At our 3rd of August meeting, Ola gave us a very inspirational speech; the story of his road toward Toastmasters, including his ups and downs till he arrived to become Competent Communicator. With his Number 10 Competent Communicator speech for Toastmaster, he inspired guests and all of us.

Ola did make a stunning progress along the way and also demonstrated it to us throughout his very inspiring and also funny speech.

Looking at a vidéo 2nd 3rd 5th time, each time I discover something new.

Not only his story is compleling, his movements are great in accordance with it, his stance sure and grounded. Willing to show himself vulnerable, he made us more dear to all of us, and speaking of some of his old manerism made us laugh and imagine in our mind's eye what he told us.

In all, his speech and delivery gave courage to all, to begin or to continue on our Toastmasters journey.

Steve's "Dull it isn't"

Steve's story about the beginning of his career let us all forget everything, we were all in his story about when he was 20 and 21 years old. His story suddenly become 'today's news' after the bravery of police in last days riots.

He is one of our newest member in Lewisham Speakers, but a very experienced Toastmaster who has been a member of other clubs, and it does show.

He is also telling his stories all over South East  England all from 30 to 60 minutes!

This photo was made when he told the same story at the Canal Cafe Theatre, London. I feel, he already improved even on that!

We can all learn from him. Steve is also co author of his blog.

Steve will be our new Vice President of Membership. He does like people and relating to them, and has lots of Toasmaster experience, we are happy to have him.

Good progress in only one month!

A few instant photos here to remind us of our last meeting on 3rd August. One more step ahead on our Toastmasters journey.

We were in the capable hands of Cheong, Toastmaster of the evening, introducing all with panache.
16 of our club Members attended, 15 with roles and Eric gave us a great Topic Speech.

We had four Visiting Toastmasters: Douglas from Camden was our General Evaluator, Jennifer from Meridian Speakers who likes our meetings and visits us often, Peter, our Area governor, from Purley Speakers, and, even a Toastmaster from China's TM club, Frederic.

Frederic using the Interpretative reading Manual, gave me an example of how I should have performed that task of reading from a play, playing two different parts! Originally from Norvege, he read from Ibsen's play 'People's Enemy' with great skill. Between others, from Ibsen "The Public does not need new ideas!" His example persuaded me to repeat my own Manual speech of the same project, and made me understand how it should be done.

We had the biggest number of Guests so far, and two of them, Flavia and Serena joined at the end of the meeting, wonderful! Welcome! Two others expressed interest in joining and will probably do so at the next meeting. The Table Topics Speeches were won by Serena!

More and more of us understand the Power of Personal Storytelling and humour too.

That was demonstrated by Sally skilfully in her no. 4 persuasive speech, she has already a mastery as if she was a lot farther into the Manual, and was charged emotionally, begining with a compelling story.
Ola's inspirational speech number ten, was also a story of his personal journey in Toastmasters from Icebreaker to becoming Competent Communicator. It was a story we could remember and be inspired.

Our workshop the 6th July brought up the level of our Evaluations, all feedback were masterful, that of Brian, Chris, Dave and Richard. Chris, Toastmaster with long experience won the best Evaluator award, but all three were great, and not only the speakers but everyone present could learn from it. Brian, one of our newest members, had wonderful connection with the audience. All Evaluators were at their peak!

Here are some pictures from that evening to remember it by. Plus, look at Ola's video sniped below. We are only one month from beginning, and on a very good track.