International Speech Contest 2012

Suyang Dong competes in the area level with his speech entitled “Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”

Hans Dalton competes with his speech entitled “Pockets of Low Entropy”

Janae Adames competes

Suyang Dong competes with his speech entitled “Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”

Guest Speaker
James Brown delivers the speech entitled “How to Make a Back Pocket Speech”

Humorous Speech Contest 2010

Table Topics Speech Contest 2010 Winner

Please go to the following link to select your name in the drop-down list besides the corresponding role. If you don’t find your name in the drop-down list, please contact mtoast.education@umich.edu or mtoast.membership@umich.edu
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvOvMdkjZP1NdDZQNi1hLTFiT1g1V3U4elJjZ2w2Z3c

Come network with us as we travel to the meet the Toastaholics. We will meet at Michigan League Monday August 1st at 5:40 pm

The International Speech Contest is an annual Toastmasters contest that runs through all levels of the organization. Starting with club-level contests in the early months of the year, contestants proceed through higher levels until reaching the finals at the Toastmasters annual conference.

Now we have had a wonderful club contest, the winners will continue their journey to the area contest to be held in Washatenaw Toastmasters on March 9th 2012. Come and join us to cheer for them!

Here is the Google Map Link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Washtenaw+Community+College,+4800+East+Huron+River+Drive,+Ann+Arbor,+MI+48105-4800&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.496446,145.195313&oq=was&hq=Washtenaw+Community+College,+4800+East+Huron+River+Drive,+Ann+Arbor,+MI+48105-4800&t=m&z=15

In an article from the April 2006 issue of the Toastmaster magazine, veteran Toastmaster Rajiv Ramaratnam of Quincy, Massachusetts shares these tricks for taking the terror out of TABLE TOPICS™ – or any other impromptu speaking situation:

• Begin by greeting the audience. Smile. This buys you time to think about the topic at hand.
• Avoid apologies or comments like, “I’m not good at this,” or, “Gee, I don’t have a clue.” Don’t say anything that lowers the audience’s expectations.

Read more

• Buy yourself time. Repeat the question or topic. “What do I think of the soccer World Cup?” Take a deep breath and speak slowly and clearly. Or include a comment like, “I never considered that question until now.” Be careful not to overdo this step, however.
• Stay informed. It’s impossible to be knowledgeable about every topic under the sun, but a little preparation goes a long way. Stay on top of current local, national and international news. Be familiar with issues in politics and the economy, new trends, the latest movies, plays and books. To find information, use the Internet, newspapers, the bookstore or library, and listen to TV or radio talk shows.
• Create a repository of topics. Build a list of topics that you are comfortable speaking about, and try to use them whenever possible. Also keep them in mind when it is your turn to be the Topics master.
• Segue from the presented topic to one you can talk about. For example, “I don’t have an opinion on the World Cup in soccer, but let me tell you about my recent mountain climbing experience…” Be careful not to make this one a habit though.
• Use your imagination. During Table Topics, you develop the necessary skills to think on your feet. For this, a fertile imagination is vital. You could use your imagination to create a tall tale, contemplate the future or formulate an opinion on any topic.
• Connect with the audience. Be passionate – don’t come across as a lifeless data spewer. The more alive and original you are, the better your performance will be. Use eye contact and meaningful gestures. Sell your idea to the audience!
• Think of it as a mini-speech. It’s more than an answer to a question. While you may not know the exact answer to the question, you probably have enough information, thoughts, feelings and opinions to develop a two-minute speech. Try to develop an opening, body and conclusion.
• Practice! You have a list of topics and you have an opinion on all of them. Now, practice as if you were asked to speak on one of them. Sooner or later, one of those topics may surface at a Table Topics session near you.
• Have fun! Relax! What’s the worst thing that will happen if your Table Topic doesn’t win an award? Remember, the audience is in the same boat as you!

Use these tips and you will become a more confident communicator – both in Toastmasters and in your career!

You are not alone! Here are time-tested tips on how to overcome your fear of public speaking.

Despite actor George Jessel’s assertion that “The human brain starts working the moment you’re born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public,” there are many things you can do to make your presentations less nerve-wracking. In this article from the Toastmaster magazine, Joanne McCabe shares her own story of getting her butterflies to fly in formation. Here are some of her recommendations:

• Don’t procrastinate!
• Always look for a speech topic
• Choose a topic you care about
• Organize your speech in a logical sequence
• Create an attention-grabbing opening
• Rehearse!
• Visualize success
• Know your equipment needs
• Familiarize yourself with the setting
• Wear comfortable and professional-looking clothes
• Concentrate on the message; not the audience
• No matter how nervous you may feel, don’t tell the audience!
• Use visuals and stories relevant to your topic
• Speak clearly and audibly
• Stay in Toastmasters!

Read the Complete Article in PDF Format

How to find your confidence?

Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and even beneficial, but too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here are some proven tips on how to control your butterflies and give better presentations:

1. Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.
2. Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. (more…)