Editor: John C Graves   March 23, 2006    Warner Center Toastmasters    guests welcomed
"New Beginnings"


Among the distinguished guests who came out to play at WCTM's birthday event was Lance Miller, DTM, the anointed World Champion of public speaking and president of another prestigious club in our area, Renaissance Speakers. Lance is a guest we have entertained (and who has entertained us) before. It was also the first time in this reporter's memory that WCTM was visited by distinguished toastmaster and Area Governor Emeritus Linea Malette, a most remarkable lady. 

Rose Lane, DTM, as Toastmaster of the evening, conducted the proceedings with just enough pomp and circumstance to make the bubbly go down with little resistance. Donna Stewart did a super job in her table topics session, and Emeritus Prez' Loan Carrison, ATM headed the evaluation segment. 

In one of the most surprising icebreakers in recent memory, new member Tricia Greaves gave considerable evidence of her already hefty experience with presentation.  Working without a script, and boldly placing herself in front of the lectern, Tricia seemed to be very much on top of her game. From triumph to tragedy and back to triumph again, her story encompassed a rich range of emotions. With her drama and therapeutic backgrounds (learn more about Tricia at her website where she focuses on weight control and other issues) we have a feeling she can probably teach us a thing or two of her own about inspirational speaking. 

Don West ventured out on a wild vocal variety experiment for speech #6 by, among other things, singing some jingles from commercials, in a speech entitled "Zee Undit Girl". And Marie Umali returned to the lectern with a well constructed speech #4 about her personal pursuit of happiness. She concludes that there is no magic bullet to being happy, and in her Dad's struggle with cancer she reached the insight that personal happiness is what you make of it. 

The lovely and talented Malena Teves provided a rich palette of musical entertainment. Thanks to the Marriott for supplying the superb champagne, and to Rose Lane, Carolyn, and Erin for their organizational skills in putting this all together. What a team! 

The theme of our next meeting will be "New Beginnings", with table topics to be conducted by our VP of Education- Carolyn Goldman, and John Graves, CTM-CL as Toastmaster. An exceptionally full slate of speakers is on tap, so bring your ears as well as your mouth for an evening of vitamin-enriched and thought-provoking entertainment. 


READ OUR SPEECHES                             MEETING ARCHIVES

President's Message

What is the most underrated and undervalued of the communication skills we develop in Toastmasters? There's no single speech devoted to it in the basic manual. 

You've always heard that the eyes are the windows of the soul and it's true. The starry orbs have an unparalleled ability to hold our attention -- it's instinctive, we can't help it. We not only seek out eye contact from others, we are actually vulnerable to it, seduced by it. The eyes are mirrors of the mind and they are crucial not only in how we speak verbally but in all aspects of the media, too. 

Film editors and directors know that "looks", those characteristic eye gestures used especially in close ups, are crucial to delivering an impactful dramatic story. From Bogart to Bardot, the eyes are the key component of the gestural arsenal. And the cameraman always knows that if ANYTHING in the frame must be in focus, it is the eyes. Actors and actresses are often selected because they inherited big eyes.

The most effective advertising messages always carry a smiling face and a happy, friendly "customer" making eye contact with you. There are billions of dollars in advertising revenue more dependent on that premise than you might suspect. 

The same goes when you get up behind the lectern. Make every effort you can to make eye contact with your audience, and you will connect with them as if by magic. If you have notes, make them as invisible as you can. Have them already set up at the lectern or carry them neatly in your breast pocket, if you require any at all.

The movements of the eye are always the focus of attention when we want to decipher the fears, the joys, doubts, desires, the truthfulness of anyone, from strangers to closest family. Few realize how exquisitely subtle these cues really are: The angle of the eyes, the widening or narrowing of the lids, all will be the focus of the audience's attention. 

Psychologists have long since confirmed that eye contact is essential in establishing trust and intimacy in one on one situations and the same goes for groups. To be a great speaker, this is one essential technique you must master. And when you combine it with vocal variety, good gestures, and solid content, you might just hit a homerun out of the park. Try this idea in your next speech and let us hear AND feel what you have to say. Good luck with your next speaking assignment. 

-John Graves, CTM-CL

 

                                                                     

Program Schedule for March 23, 2006

(program subject to late changes)             

Theme: New Beginnings

Inspiration and Pledge:  Donna Stewart

Toastmaster: John Graves, CTM-CL

Topicmaster: Carolyn Goldman

General Evaluator: Maisie Lee

Timer: Sunit Nangia

Grammarian: Taguhi Grayan

Ah Counter: Arnold Arch

Trophymaster: Bill Anderson

Jokemaster: Marc Cohn, CTM

Speakers

Evaluators
Ann Philippon, Icebreaker Marie Umali
Chad Celi, Icebreaker Tess Asiala, CTM
Shelly Bright, Speech #3 Soraya Deen, CTM
Erin O'Neill, Speech #5 Loan Carrison, ATM-B
Alan Reveles, Speech #5 Don West
Dan Marzec, CTM, Advanced Rose Lane, DTM

Would you like to develop your public speaking skills?

You may find the answers in a book, but how can you take action and put principles into practice? Toastmasters is dedicated to helping you overcome your fear of public speaking, so why fumble around in the dark with your self-image? We can help. Think of your Toastmasters club as a communications laboratory, a forum for experimentation, a place to work on your own, personal style. 

If  this sounds good to you, then come join us for a light buffet and some great speakers at the Warner Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. Among  the most prestigious and popular Toastmasters meeting locations in greater Los Angeles, the Marriott provides a wide variety of superb meeting rooms for one of Los Angeles' finest Toastmasters organizations.

Warner Center Toastmasters has been enhancing careers and enriching interpersonal communications for our members for more than two decades. Why leave great speaking skills to politicians and CEO's? You too can speak like a pro, and we'll show you how. 

It all comes together in a clearly defined and well-supported program of speeches and exercises that help you to sharpen your verbal skills, organize your words and gestures, and make you fast on your feet. Lose your fear of speaking in front of a large group, and you'll feel more relaxed speaking to anyone!

The Warner Marriott is located at 21850 Oxnard Street at the corner of Topanga. From Granada Hills to Calabasas, Santa Monica to Chatsworth, we have active members from all over the area.

We DO meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month without fail (except Xmas). Meeting begins at 630pm, gavel at 7pm. Meeting concludes approximately 9pm. Guest fee: five dollars.  This site is updated twice a month with forthcoming meeting details, so check back often.  For details, please contact:

John Graves, President    818-882-3300

Rose Lane, Founder         805-371-8803

Carolyn Goldman, VP Education    818-996-7483