Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Public Speaking Northwest Prepares for the Area Contest!

Public Speaking Northwest agrees with Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall."  

Our speakers today, Cary and Kate, practiced for the upcoming  Area Contest this Friday. Their words were carved and clear. Stay tuned.


Our President, Barb, welcomed Jan S. Juliet, Prema, Kate, Lynne, Kyle, Casey, Emery, Jan Z., Jean, and, our special guest...

Our Area Governor, Tammy!


Our first speaker, Kate, delivered her Ice Breaker. This was her very first talk in our toastmaster club. Her speech, "My Career in Volunteerism," was dedicated to her late mother, who ran the speech program at her elementary school. Due to her mother's influence Kate wants to become a proficient speaker.

Kate revealed that her volunteer roots began at age 14 when she delivered gifts and flowers at the local hospital. Kate has volunteered at 15 different agencies and believes that when you give you get back tenfold.

Kate shared how she had helped students from Belarus who had suffered from the Chernobyl disaster.

She taught them English, got prescription glasses for one, and an apartment for the other and her grandmother. (The latter girl and her grandmother had lived in a barn.)

Kate also shared how she learned leadership skills by heading an auction for her children's school. She said it was either be the chairman or pay higher tuition. The auction prospered and so did the school. The tuition remained the same for the students too.

Someday Kate hopes to become a hospice volunteer because the dying can profit by those who care.

We felt we got to know better Kate better and feel enriched by Kate's presence in our club. Thanks, Kate, you spoke well as you shared yourself with us. We look forward to knowing you even more.

Jean evaluated Kate's speech with praise for repeatedly using the set of 3 from her mother's advice. They included:

1. Smile
2. Use eye contact with the audience
3. Use effective gestures

Jean also complimented Kate for using stories which immediately caught our attention and drew us in.
 



Cary won our Humorous Speech Contest at our Club level last week and received his trophy today.

Cary also shared a new version of his contest speech. He used pauses to set up his humor, and told 3 fun stories about his cousin. Right now his presentation is a secret because he'll be giving it at the Area Contest for our District this Friday.
 
We gave Cary a round robin evaluation with praise and suggestions for improvement. It was clear that our members are enthused about his talk. We wish him the best.

Lynne was our club's Table Topic winner last week and received her engraved trophy today. Lynne won't be in town for the contest on Friday. Kate, as our first runner-up will replace her.

Lynne was also the table topic master today and had members pick an autumn poem and comment on it. Of course, she picked Kate to respond so that Kate would have more practice for the Area Contest.

Kate picked, "Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in the autumn." ~ Charles Hare. 

Kate did a fine job by talking about the need to prepare for our goals if we want to harvest good results. 

Kyle picked, "Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits." ~ Samuel Butler

He said, "Winter needs the seeds we plant we in the ease of spring and summer to reap the fruits of autumn."

Our Blue Ribbon Winners!

Best Speaker ~ Kate

Best Table Topics ~ Kate

Best Evaluator ~ Jean

News You Can Use!

Our Area Contest will be held this Friday at 5:30 PM. It will include Humorous and Table Topic contestants from our neighboring toastmaster clubs. The contest will be held here at our own Seattle Times Building. Everyone is invited.

*****Today's photographer was Kyle. Thank you Kyle!




If you'd like to join us for polishing your presentations, developing leadership skills, and making friends, we welcome you.

 
We meet every Tuesday from noon to 1:00 PM. You'll find us at the Seattle Times Building in Bothell, Washington ~ 19200 120th Avenue NE. Feel free to bring your lunch.

 
To find out more contact: Emery Jordan at: gejordan9@comcast.net (206) 235-1356

Respectfully submitted,

 
 





     Secretary,

     Jean Tracy, DTM




6 comments:

  1. Wishing Cary and Kate all the best as they participate in the Area Contest on Friday!!

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  2. Let's support Cary and Kate at the contest this Friday. Remember 5:30 is the time and the Seattle Times Building in Bothell is the place.

    There will be tasty snacks too.

    Jean

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  3. My husband and I will both be present at the contest to support Kate and Cary.
    Jean, these minutes are fabulous! A joy to read. Thanks so much. Barb

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  4. Kyle did an amazing job capturing the energy from the meeting! I hope Kate and Cary win this Friday! I won't be back until the 25th so I will miss you guys.

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  5. I wish I had been at our Tuesday gathering and I have another event Friday evening preventing me from attending the contest. Good Luck! I'm consider cloning myself...

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  6. I will see you guys on Tuesday after a two weeks hiatus. Look forward to giving my #4 speech entitled, "Quarters From Heaven."-Jamie

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