Speaking at a moment’s notice
The Florida Toastmasters can teach you to speak and speak well at a moment's notice.
On the evening of Tuesday 16 July the members of Florida Toastmasters Club aimed high and searched for the hero within, according to vice president of public relations, Dawn Hemming.
“There are two kinds of heroes. Heroes who shine in the face of the greatest adversity, who perform an amazing feat in a difficult situation and heroes who live among us, who do their work unceremoniously and make a difference in the lives of others.”
As Toastmasters they ensure that throughout their speeches they demonstrate what they refer to as ‘word power’, which is one of the key features of effective communication, according to Hemming.
“A good speech is a conversation.”
Mark van Vuuren became the hero of his own story and was awarded the trophy for the best prepared speech entitled Money is the root of all evil. He applied his communication skills and formed vivid images in members’ minds to create an awareness that money is the barometer of a society’s virtue and that they should enquire, educate and act against corruption to redeem this virtue.
“Organisations and communities are networks of conversations and the quality of our conversation determines our relationship.
“Crackerjack conversationalists are those people with whom others love to converse and that generally have good memories.
“They pay attention to others and take in what they learn about others, and use that information to engage them in conversation.
A Toastmasters club provides a good arena in which to prepare for social moments. Treasure Mushwana, one of the Toastmasters’ local guests is pursuing a degree in music education and was awarded the trophy for the best impromptu speech as he identified some of the characteristics of genuine heroism.
“Impromptu speeches prepare us to think on our feet and to speak on the spot. Unexpected questions from a potential employer or even a business associate can spring up during an interview or an audition. Answering those questions without defensiveness or tactlessness is an important life skill.
“At Toastmasters we are fortunate to have the opportunities to practice this skill within a club whose members support and encourage us.”
As Hemming explains it, there are two parts of effective conversation – speaking and listening. Both parts require thought and skill. She says that feedback is a powerful tool that can be used to change poor speaking habits. This is also true when it comes to conversation skills as distinguished Toastmaster Tim Knights proved when he was awarded the trophy for the best evaluator.
“Adequate information is critical. If we receive honest feedback we must be positive, accept the feedback, learn from the information and move forward.
“We achieve excellence by participating in Toastmasters clubs because we are evaluated on our manual speeches, leadership styles and behaviour.”
The meeting was a successful experience, full of energy, fun and diverse contributions.
Florida Toastmasters Club meets at the Huguenot Restaurant in Flora Centre on Ontdekkers Road every first and third Tuesday of the month at 7.15pm. For further details visit the website at https://florida.tmclub.co.za or contact Cleone Carter-Smith at cleonec@joburg.org.za or on 082 415 2820. Alternately, contact Robert de Kramer (Florida Toastmasters president) at robertk@nfp.nedbank.co.za or on 082 823 1387.
