Businessman Chick Saffell never ceases to amaze our club with the warmth and character of his speeches, and his award winning speech about hair, "1000 haircuts", given at our last meeting, was no exception. Using an uncanny narrative style and funny gestures, Chick overwhelmed us with intimacy and humor to explain how he has managed to keep the stringy stuff well managed and out of the way. 

With the help of statistics and research, Princeton grad and new member Jason  Thompson delivered a totally cogent speech #2 called "Is Talent Overrated?", which examined the proposition that good leaders aren't born, they are made -- and the key to success is practice. As our kids are back in school, Publicity VP John Graves talked about the purpose of education in  "A New Philosophy of Knowledge," which challenged the notion of computers in the classroom. The speech, from the "Speaking to Inform" manual, was followed by a Q&A session.

Congratulations to Bev Rankel for leading one of the finest table topics sessions in recent memory, in which Phil Fisher came, saw, and conquered his topic.
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We'd like you all to be aware of the upcoming Division A speech contest -- Prez Sue Mayberry competing in both Table Topics and Tall Tales -- which takes place Saturday, October 6 near Van Nuys and Ventura. See this contest flyer for more details! Competitions are a great way to see what's happening in the upper echelons of Toast, where speakers from different clubs compete and share their best efforts!

An appreciation to long time member of our club and Division Governor, Soraya Deen, CTM, who recently gave a 5 minute speech in front of 500 people at a political rally in Los Angeles. Soraya is also completing an audio CD, "The Heart of Winning Negotiation". 

If you'd like to turn your speaking adventures into a career, our District 52 Speaker's Bureau is a great place to start exploring speech opportunities that exist outside of the club or competition setting. 

 

 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Speak to Your Success! 

Dear Warner Center Toastmasters: 

The theme of our next meeting is "career opportunities." What perfect timing! You have just renewed your Toastmaster dues. I congratulate you on such a wise investment in yourself! Now, how do you turn that investment into a career opportunity? 

The answer is simple ~

1. Plan for your success. What skills are you looking to develop? Management, networking, leading effective meetings, speaking comfortably in every setting. Specifically identify the skills you wish to develop. Share your goals with a fellow member and encourage each other. 

2. Come to the meeting and be prepared to speak. I've said it before -- improving your speaking skills is like going to the gym. You gotta show up and you gotta use the equipment. At Toastmasters that means, using every speaking opportunity to your greatest benefit. 
• If you are giving a prepared speech, please come prepared. Evaluations and feedback regarding your delivery will be much more helpful to you if you are not still working on content. 
• If you are a monitor, come early, confirm your duties, and know what information you need to relay to the members then take that opportunity to the next level, challenge yourself to use the word of the day, improve a specific skill or deliver the information without a single "um" or "ah." You will be amazed at your success. 
• If you plan to participate in Table Topics, let the Topics Master know you are interested in speaking, sit where you can easily see the timing device, and review the theme of the meeting, think of two personal stories you could share. You might not use them but just in case your mind goes blank… you'll have a topic available on the tip of your tongue. 

3. Get involved. Volunteer for activities that advance your goals. There are many TM activities in addition to our meetings that can benefit you. For example, do you have the management experience you need to move to the next level? Are you in-between jobs and looking for activities will round your resume? If so, you are the perfect candidate to chair a committee or serve as a club officer. Ask me or any member of the board about the many opportunities throughout the Toastmasters organization. 

If you know where you are going, you will have a much better chance of getting there. It really is simple -- career opportunities and your success are just a Warner Center Toastmasters meeting away. See you on Thursday, September 27th. Until then, please… 

Speak to Your Success!  

Susan Mayberry, ATMB, CL President, Club #2966