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Washtenaw Toastmasters, Club 3054 , Ann Arbor |
Contents
In the recent years, Washtenaw Toastmasters has enjoyed an increase in the number of members who are either new to Club #3054 or returning to become better Toastmasters, to meet requirements demanded of them, changes in their professional/occupational or personal lives. I am always uplifted by the enthusiasm they have for Toastmasters. It?s infectious! It?s one of the reasons that I love being involved with Washtenaw Toastmasters. However, each of these new members, at some point in conversation, mentions some level of trepidation about an upcoming speech or table topic. In each case the new member wonders how to approach the speaking situation or assignment. Each person expresses doubt in this/ her ability to speak before a group. When anyone is new to something, the situation is full of unknowns. Every new speaking situations in Washtenaw Toastmasters (W.T.) is full of unknowns. Naturally, new members have questions and, perhaps, fears. So for those of you who are new to W.T., I?d like to offer some words of encouragement: Prepare Yourself Prepare yourself to handle any oral communications project by learning the basics (or brushing up on them). Trust your intuition on what the basics are for you. They might consist of learning the structure, transitions, visual aids, direct address, audience-analysis, gestures, and/or simply overcoming that notorious pop machine that drowns out your voice in the meeting room of the 777 building. Study the respective manual carefully, and do as the authors of the manual suggest. Practice. Seek critiques from others. Practice again. Listen to others. Practice more. Fit it into the required time-frame and practice again. Know That You Can Do It Once you have prepared yourself adequately, have confidence in your abilities. You?ll do what you need to do to complete the presentation in an honorable, praiseworthy, and professional fashion. Let you confidence show in your presentations. One More Time The important idea is: When you have a new speech, educational or table topic, whether it is your first or hundredth and first speech, just do it. Analyze and assess the needs of the speaking situation and the audience. Then, have faith in yourself and "pull off" the most amazing feat.
by James Mann "We all know what it is," said the Rev. Spooner, "to have a half-warmed fish inside us."What the Rev. Spooner meant to say, was "half-formed wish." The term for this is metathesis, the accidental transposition of letters or syllables in the words of a sentience, with sometimes humorous results. For example, a well-boiled icicle, for a well oiled bicycle; or a, a scoop of Boy Trouts, for a troop of Boy Scouts. Today this is called a Spoonerism, after the Rev. Spooner.The Rev. William Archibald Spooner, dean and later warden of New College, Oxford, achieved lasting fame from his many metathesis. When he was to announce to the congregation the next hymn was "conquering Kings Their Titles Take," he instead announced it as "Kingering Congs Their Titles Take." He once turned to a woman and said, Mardon me Padom, this pie is occupewed, allow me to sew you to another sheet." He once informed a nervous groom that "it is kisstomery to cuss the bride."The Rev. Spooner is reputed to have made many errors of this type. Metathesis if often the result of mental tiredness, or absent-mindedness. Spooner??s frequent slips were most likely the result of nervousness and poor eyesight, the result of his condition of being an albino.On one occasion he is supposed to have said to a student, "You have hissed all my mystery lectures and tasted a whole worm." To another he is reported to have said, "You have deliberately tasted two worms and can leave Oxford by the town drain."There is a suspicion that many "original Spoonerisms" are the exaggerated inventions of his amused students. This seems likely, because transposed sounds usually have a phonetic resemblance, as slow and sneet for snow and sleet, and cuss and kiddle for kiss and cuddle.Spooner died in 1930, at the age of 86. He would have preferred to be remembered as a well learned scholar, and not for his slips of the tongue. Still, there was the time he was to offer a toast to Victoria "our dear old queen," but instead offered it to "our queer old dean." Each month, with your help,
we will feature some interesting twists on the English language. Let us
know if you have any ideas or, would like to contribute an article.
What
do The Magnificent Mile, 75th Anniversary, Eli?s Cheesecake, Cows on Parade,
Terry Dailey, Flat Sammies, Ed Alonzo?s Fabulous Magic Show, Rollerblading,
Millennium costumes and the Sheraton Hotel & Towers have in common?
They all ( and more) reflect some of the fun, adventure and education of the 1999 International Toastmasters Convention in Chicago, Illinois this past August 18-2. My Toastmaster wannabe daughter, Catherine (11 years old) and I traveled by train to the Windy City for a once in a lifetime trip. We were on a mission -- to enjoy Toastmasters and what the Conference offered, do some mother-daughter bonding before adolescent snit-itis set in and see the sights of the Second City. We were not disappointed. Our room at the Sheraton was lovely, overlooking the Chicago River and served as mother base. There was much to experience at the Convention beginning Wednesday evening with the Opening Ceremonies. The Parade of Flags from so many countries that sponsored Toastmasters clubs was impressive and brought tears to my eyes. Made a person proud to be part of such an organization that brings peacefully together so many tongues (or mouths, as it were!). After three jam-packed days, the Last Hurrah was experienced in the President?s Dinner Dance Saturday night. Highlights: The educational were of high quality. My favorites were Dream High with Conway. His question "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" stirred all of us. His inspirational book is available to borrow. Barbara Glanz spoke on Building a Care-Ing Team; I hope to incorporate in a Successful Club Series speech about Club Climate before Christmas. Her message -- create an atmosphere of welcome & caring -- and her visuals were exemplary -- especially the use of clever cartoons/ pictures that enhanced her presentation. Ralph Hillman, PHD in Communication, exhorted us to talk loud enough to get echo off the back wall. A recent Winner of the International Speech Contest, Mark Brown, ATM, wowed his audience with ATE Ways Leaders Get Things Done: communicate, educate, delegate, participate, motivate, relate, appreciate & dedicate. Not a surprise that he won a few years ago -- he uses humor well and interacts with the audience-- a gentle yet powerful soul man. The World Championship of Public Speaking was professional from the get go: Introductions, Speeches and then follow-up Interviews. So impressive -- the fellow Toastmasters we hang with. So inspiring. Rosemary purchased the video ( should arrive soon) and hopefully we will have a Speakers Party (at Jeff?s with the wide TV screen?) and vote along with the judges. Since the room was packed with hundreds of Toastmasters, you will be transported to the Convention Hall. I, too, saw the speakers on a wide screen. Feel proud! Our District 28 is among the elite group of Distinguished Districts in the world. It was so fun to represent our Club as I ended up on stage joining other District members being honored. Lowlights: Even though I would characterize everything as an excellent and valuable learning experience, not every speaker wowed me. The opening speaker, a former Olympian, closed his speech about 4 times. Great lesson in sticking with the time frame as the audience was visibly restless. I thought. "Somebody should use the hook!" President Terry Dailey was true to Toastmaster graciousness and gave the speaker a participation plaque anyway. Also, the Convention is so HUGE that it didn?t seem as intimate and connecting as the Regional Conference I attended last year. As much as I enjoyed the International Convention, I have to admit that our District and Regional Conferences provide some of the same wonderful educationals, contests and fun times. I would have to say that Debbie Neal?s Showdown in Motown, was my favorite of the two Fun Nights I experienced as it was more interactive. My thought is that we really don?t have to spend lots of money to continue to learn and grow as Toastmasters and as people. We have many opportunities in our own backyard. I am deeply grateful for Club 3054?s scholarship so I could represent our Club (& have a good time). Thank you all. Please remember I have educational info that will be shared in the newsletter, a Zig Ziglar Golden Gavel tape to lend and the Best Speakers video is coming. This way, I hope each of you will be able to enjoy the fruits of Toastmasters Labors as I bring home the Convention. September saw the resignations of the club secretaries Xiaoping Qian and Yansong Lin. "This term, I will be a graduate student Instructor," explained Xiaoping in his statement of resignation. "Added to my already heavy research task is a 16 hour teaching load. So...attending weekly Toastmaster meetings is...a luxury that I cannot afford. I am really sorry that I cannot fulfill the secretary?s duties this term." Xiaoping will continue to maintain and update the club website. "It?s corporate tax season now and I have to work even(sic) every weekend," stated Yansong in her statement of resignation "Also, I?m moving by the end of this month from my current apartment and I don?t know which area I?ll live in because I don?t even have time to find a new apartment yet. There is a 50% chance that I?ll move out of the Ypsi-Ann Arbor area, which means I?ll not be able to attend the TM meeting as regularly as a member will, let along as a Secretary. I just knew that Xiaoping couldn?t continue as secretary, (and) it?s not likely for me to fulfill the duty either. I am terribly sorry that both of us have to resign at the same time and I hope someone else would like to assume the position as soon as possible." At
the September 16 meeting, Club President Rosemary Hampton called for nominations
from the floor, to fill the office of Club Secretary. Pari Tathavadekar
and Ken Liao nominated themselves from the floor, and were elected by unanimous
vote.
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Last modified: April 10, 2000 |
