Worth the title

When a new Toastmasters Club is in place, there are usual errs and mistakes. All the  new members are in the same boat - they need to improve their communication skills.

But, the new members might not know the efforts needed to be put in to achieve success. For some of the members, it seems that if they get a CTM (or CC) it is a great successful step. But personally I feel that getting any degree, not only in Toastmasters, but any degree - education-wise, sports, arts, etc, the person should demonstrate that the degree is worth being conferred on the person. Getting a degree  just by passing exams and reading books is not worth a penny. Demonstrate your abilities that you have achieved after obtaining the degree and this is the true worth of the qualification.

Also, on various occasions, people are shy to come forward to know what is really in store for them. To encourage such members to give their speeches and also to show them a roadmap of how the prepared speeches in Toastmasters ought to be, I decided to play on the logisitics used in getting the members come forward and deliver their speeches. This is what I wanted to say to my fellow club members as VP-Education...

Hello all,

 Most of the members have completed their 2nd speech (read project) and some are ready to give their next. In this regard, i'll be going ahead and doing the allotment of project slots on a random basis. I would like to bring to your  attention some of the factors that will be important regarding the projects...

1. Selecting a topic will become difficult if you are going to give your  project at a later time - probably one of the other members would have delivered a project on the same and you have to present it in a better manner to attract the audience attention - So, rush up to book your slots. If you are ready, you can even finish all your remaining projects in consecutive weeks!!!

2. Some members are ready with their next proejct and are waiting to deliver their project - so if you are not ready to give your project at the alloted date, pl. let me know in advance so that I can get in speakers who have their projects ready.

3. Each of the projects should meet the objectives given in the CTM manual. Only some topics will be relevant to some projects. Below are the  objectives of each of the projects and I would suggest that you choose your topic in a manner that it achieves a maximum correlation with the objectives of the project you would be delivering.

Speakers who can be backup speakers, pl. mail me INDIVIDUALLY so that I can suggest your name to the TM of the day, in case of a dropout of a speaker.


Speech number 1 - The ice breaker (timed at 4-6 minutes)
* To begin speaking before an audience
* To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention

Speech number 2- Organize your speech (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* To select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech
* Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message
* Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another
* Create a strong opening and conclusion

Speech number 3 - Get to the point (timed at 5-7minutes)
* Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purposes
* Organise the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes
* Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel
* Strive not to use notes

Speech number 4 - How to say it (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately and vividly
* Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasise ideas
* Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words and use correct grammar

Speech number 5 - Your body speaks (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech's purpose
* Make your body language smooth and natural

Speech number 6 - Vocal variety (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message
* Use pauses to enhance your message
* Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally

Speech number 7 - Research your topic (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Collect information about your topic from numerous sources
* Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrates gathered through research

Speech number 8 - Get comfortable with visual aids (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience
* Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence

Speech number 9 - Persuade with power (timed at 5-7 minutes)
* Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action
* Appeal to the audience's interest
* Use logic and emotion to support your position
* Avoid using notes

Speech number 10 - Inspire your audience (timed at 8 to 10 minutes)
* To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement
* Appeal to the the audience's needs and emotions, using stories,
anecdotes and quotes to add drama