toastmasters
Carol wins Toastmasters competition
04/20/08 21:26 Filed in: General
Two weeks ago I
competed in a Toastmaster club level competition for
the evaluating of speeches. We had a guest speaker
come in and all of us competitors listened to the
speech and then were escorted out of the room to
write our evaluations of the speaker and of the
speech itself. Then we were brought back in, one at a
time, to give our evaluations. I came in second place
at this competition. I entered this competition
because I felt I needed to improve in this area and
competing would make me focus on it more. I am a
person who tends to look at the good in things and I
am starting to learn the benefit of giving
constructive criticism and better ways to do it. I
have learned in Toastmasters that I am actually
giving a gift and helping people get better when I
offer evaluations and ways that they might improve.
It is never personal, it is always based on their
speeches, however, I find this skill useful in other
areas of my life. In evaluating you offer positive
comments as well as commenting on areas that may need
improvement. Some speeches are so good you will have
a hard time finding room for improvement and visa
versa. There is a right and wrong way to evaluate
people. You don't want to hurt feelings but if you
notice a problem you should tell them.
So I took second place and that meant I was eligible to compete the following week in the area competition. I went, I almost backed out. As I said, this is not my strong area and I was nervous. My fellow Toastmasters would not let me back out and encouraged me to continue. I listened to the speaker and really enjoyed her speech. She was so energetic and entertaining. I was the last to give my evaluation and I guess they saved the best for last because I won first place. I received a trophy and certificate. I am now eligible to go on to district competition in Rochester but I cannot make it. I have plans the day of the competition.
I will continue to compete in future competitions for Toastmasters. This club has helped me so much with my public speaking skills and I am getting to a point where I feel I can help others too. It is a wonderful feeling to finally be getting it. Public speaking can be scary for all of us and one of the best ways to take the fear away is to join a club like Toastmasters. You will get confidence and learn new skills that will be useful in many areas of your life.
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
So I took second place and that meant I was eligible to compete the following week in the area competition. I went, I almost backed out. As I said, this is not my strong area and I was nervous. My fellow Toastmasters would not let me back out and encouraged me to continue. I listened to the speaker and really enjoyed her speech. She was so energetic and entertaining. I was the last to give my evaluation and I guess they saved the best for last because I won first place. I received a trophy and certificate. I am now eligible to go on to district competition in Rochester but I cannot make it. I have plans the day of the competition.
I will continue to compete in future competitions for Toastmasters. This club has helped me so much with my public speaking skills and I am getting to a point where I feel I can help others too. It is a wonderful feeling to finally be getting it. Public speaking can be scary for all of us and one of the best ways to take the fear away is to join a club like Toastmasters. You will get confidence and learn new skills that will be useful in many areas of your life.
Carol Morgan
www.collsound.com
|