Big "D" Talk

BIG "D" TALK ~ TOASTMASTERS

Paul Carter, Editor

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Another Speech-a-thon! ...

This entry was posted on 6/26/2010 6:16 PM and is filed under Speech, District, News.

About an hour and a half after the last meeting of District 50's 2009-2010 Executive Committee, Town Norh and Vista Divisions hosted what became more of a "mini"-speech-a-thon, apparently because so many of the clubs and areas in those divisions have already achieved the most goals in the district. Two scheduled speakers didn't show up, but two others of us did. As we got underway, a third speaker arrived.

Jon Ball, a member of Eagles and Metrocrest, gave a speech called “I'm a Bookie,” which at first seemed a curious title for Competent Communication manual Project #9—Persuade With Power. After his rather humorous opening, we realized he wasn't admitting to being a gambling bookmaker but rather is an avid reader of books in any form. Effectively using his trademark humor throughout, he persuasively encouraged us to read as much as we can, also.

I didn't have as much time to organize my thoughts as I did the week before, but I spoke on "Perseverance and Toastmasters” for CC Project #7—Research Your Topic. Metro Division Governor Denise Cothern thought of the title since I couldn't think of one. I spoke on the historical impact of Toastmasters, beginning with the reason Ralph Smedley started his first Toastmasters club in 1905 at age 27. It took 19 years for his concept to catch on because each of the first 3 clubs he started failed less than a year after he was promoted away. The histories of Toastmasters, District 25, and District 50 are fascinating and explain why T.I. is what it is now. In 85 years, the organization has grown from one group of men to more than 250,000 Toastmasters worldwide.

We agreed that the third speaker was the best because her speech inspired us to overcome obstacles in life and was so well-phrased and organized. (I apologize, but I don't remember her name or her speech's title.) I think someone suggested she could improve it and use in next year's International Speech Contest.

Jon and I evaluated each other's speeches; Vista Division Governor Millicent Godfrey hosted the event and evaluated the third speaker. Denise was the timer; and Area 62 Governor Georgia Wargetz evaluated in our CL manuals the speech evaluations by Jon and myself. The Toastmaster of the Speech-a-thon I believe is a member of a club in Vista Division.

This finally made it possible for me to achieve CC by June 30 but still with no guarantee; it also put Jon one speech closer to making Eagles Toastmasters at least a Select Distinguished Club.

Thank you, Denise, Danni, Millicent, and Town North Division Governor Debra Sanford for wanting to wanting give speakers additional chances to help their clubs complete their DCP communication goals! I hope these become annual events!