Public Speaking - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hispassion · #1 06-12-2008, 02:46 PM

Is there anyone here that has been to a Toastmasters meeting or have you ever joined a club or given a speech at a Toastmaster Club?

What was your highest achievement if you were ever a Toastmaster or are currently?

Do you hold or have you ever held an officer position?

Do tell of your Toastmaster experiences. I have given 20 or more prepared speeches and countless extemporaneous speeches and am working on my Advanced TM goals.

Finally, do you like public speaking? Most don't. I was (at one time) scared to death of it. The two biggest fears in life are death and public speaking, in that order. I'm now scared of neither.

Not sure what Toastmasters is? Go here: http://www.toastmasters.org/

Michael B.

raymr · #2 06-12-2008, 03:29 PM

TM is great. I got through speech 7 or 8 when I had to quit due to a job change. I also held a couple of the minor officer positions. It helped me immeasurably, since I can now make group presentations at the job without that feeling of terror. I also spoke at my dad's funeral, which considering the emotion and stress levels, was probably the most amazing thing I ever did.

I was never comfortable with the table topics segment though, but then again it reflects real life where you are suddenly called upon to give an opinion.

Its on my to do list to join another TM club.

Hatterasguy · #3 06-12-2008, 03:55 PM

I don't know what that club is but I have done a fair amount of public speaking, and while no great speaker I don't mind it.

I was an FFA officer back in HS and had to give a bunch of little off my head talks in front of sometimes quite a few people it seemed, no biggie. That knd of cured me.

Most recently I spoke at my grandfathers funeral which was very tough.

dynalow · #4 06-12-2008, 04:12 PM

I have not been involved with Toastmasters, but I was fortunate enough to take the DCC over 25 years ago.
Wonderful skills to have in beginning a professional career.
The three C's. People in the ranks, Act enthusiastic. Sound principles.

I'm not sure I "like public speaking" mainly because I feel that to do it well requires lots of preparation time. And time, as we all know, is the scarce commodity. Maybe as I age, I'm becoming more stingy with my free time.

But I have no fear of public speaking. Shucks, 80% of it is how you look and how you speak. What you say is a minor portion of the effectiveness of a speech.

(Case in point: Obama's great off a teleprompter. Get him one on one or impromptu and it's a whole different ball game. Not nearly as effective or impressive, imo.)

I have been on a couple of my town's Boards for many years, and have been the chairman of one of them for the past three years. My public speaking experience has been a great help in running meetings and in handling difficult applications and people.

A couple of axioms I like:
"If you can't say it in 20 minutes, write a book."
"The mind can't absorb what the seat can't endure"
(If you see them squirmin, time to wrap it up!

)

t walgamuth · #5 06-12-2008, 11:10 PM

I have not done toastmasters but I know folks who did. I imagine its pretty good.

Ever since I attempted a speech with no preparation in high school and simply locked up I have avoided speaking unless its either something I know cold (cars or architecture), or I won't do it unless very well prepared.

I did a lot in front of folks when I was on the school board and didn't mind it much.

Getting interviewed by reporters is ok too as long as I just look at them. Looking right at the big eye of the camera is very intimidating. They'll try to get you to say things controversial if they can. It takes concentration to keep on topic and avoid their little ankle traps.

I spoke at my father's funeral. I spent about two days collecting amusing anecdotes about when he was a kid and actually enjoyed sharing them with his friends and family. Dad was a strong christian who had a good long life and did not fear death. He also had bone cancer and the circumstances of his death allowed him to escape a lot of painful suffering so I did not regret the timing of it.

I do miss him a lot though and I like to share his nuggets of wisdom with my family and friends and I have some of his clothes which I really find comforting to wear.

Tom W

hispassion · #6 06-13-2008, 01:03 AM

There are those that are neither good on or off the Teleprompter.

Was involved in a local chamber of commerce years ago, but knew nothing of public speaking at the time. Sure would have helped then.

Have had a confidence issue most of my life and was reading an online article back in 2002 how to overcome it. The article said one way to help was to join a Toastmaster club. Many speeches later hasn't totally cured my inhibitions, but if I were to meet myself 25 years the younger, I wouldn't recognize me. It has taken a long time to get to this point, and I'm still on the journey. Some get out of the gate running. I didn't. But that's another thread for another time.

Had the opportunity to speak at my mom's funeral last year. Our family was quite broken and mother's dream was to have our family all together in one place. I said, "isn't it ironic that her dream has finally come true, because here we are - all together." Got 'em to think about their salvation and had 'em chuckling a time or two as well. I have Toastmasters (amongst others) to thank for that.

One time was an Emcee at a friends retirement party. That was a bit nerving, but an experience under the belt.

For the company I work for, I do the basic electricity and basic engine training. TM has helped me be extremely comfortable in this position.

I look forward to the time when I can earn money for public speaking. A challenge, yes, but I welcome it.

Michael B.

Pete Geither · #7 06-13-2008, 05:59 AM

Dale Carnegies' class is quite helpful also. Not the continuing experience of the TM's but still very instructive.

dynalow · #8 06-13-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Ever since I attempted a speech with no preparation in high school and simply locked up I have avoided speaking unless its either something I know cold (cars or architecture), or I won't do it unless very well prepared.

I spoke at my father's funeral. I spent about two days collecting amusing anecdotes about when he was a kid and actually enjoyed sharing them with his friends and family. Dad was a strong christian who had a good long life and did not fear death. He also had bone cancer and the circumstances of his death allowed him to escape a lot of painful suffering so I did not regret the timing of it.

I do miss him a lot though and I like to share his nuggets of wisdom with my family and friends and I have some of his clothes which I really find comforting to wear.

Tom W

Ah, that's one of the keys. Know your subject matter better than your audience.

I did not speak at either of my parent's funeral. I just get too emotional to speak at funerals or wakes or even to offer condolences on the passing of friends to their families.
I cry at funerals of people I never met!

I have none of Dad's clothes, but I still bang around in his 83 GMC Sierra S-15. Ain't much to look at. Fallin apart, but it keeps me in touch with the roots.

aklim · #9 06-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Here's to you and here's to me.
Best of friends we'll always be
If by chance we disagree,
The fawk with you and Here's to me

aklim · #10 06-13-2008, 12:06 PM

Sung to the song of "the more we are to gether"

So here's to brother (insert name) or Sister (insert name) whose with us today
So here's to brother (insert name) or Sister (insert name) whose with us today
He/She's happy and jolly
He/She's horny by golly
So here's to brother (insert name) or Sister (insert name) whose with us today

Drink Muthafawker,
Drink Muthafawker,
Drink Muthafawker,