Why I Am A Toastmaster

Sometimes when I am overwhelmed with Toastmaster leadership projects, speeches, or other club related projects, I ask myself "Laina, what are you doing? Why are you a Toastmaster anyway?" When I am feeling the pressure, I seem to forget that very important question. After I did my recent speech from the Persuasive Speaking Advanced Manual, I remembered why I chose to be a Toastmaster. 

The Persuasive Speaking manual has been difficult with some of the most challenging projects for me to present. Days before I gave my speeches I was anxious and irritable. This past Monday I gave my final speech in the manual. It was the project that involved the "Cold Call", ugh. This is not one of my specialties. I did too much in too little time. My props were a flop, and my mind got all muddled and confused. I felt like a total mess when I was done! But to you fellow Toasties out there, shout HURRAY!! We are not in Toastmasters because we are already successful leaders or captivating speakers. We are in Toastmasters to better ourselves, make mistakes and get dinged when we do, and we are there to learn and be guided. 

The recent theme in one of our meetings was "Building On the Best". What a wonderful message that theme carries! In Toastmasters we do that very thing. After my flopped presentation on Monday I sat in the car and read my manual evaluation, as well as the club members evaluations. It was then that I realized how amazing my club members, members who have become my friends, are and how supported they make me feel. I was given several suggestions that will help me on my path to success and not once in reading those evaluations did I ever feel offended or mistreated. I felt an overwhelming gratitude for being a member of such an outstanding club.

Thank you fellow Toasties for your guidance and support!

Oh, and one more thing, when you complete those manuals, treat yourself. I do every time and it is delightful! With every bite I celebrate my accomplishments. Success can be delicious!

Cinnamon and pecan gluten free muffin from Jerona Cafe. Oh yeah! 

Laina

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 

201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call

 Laurie Rangel at 928-300-1130 or Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638

Another Fabulous Speech-a-thon!

Hello Fellow Toasties!

We had another fabulous Speech-a-thon in our Cottonwood Toastmasters club. We are having so much fun with these that we will have them monthly from now on. Maybe you can join us at the next one!

Here we have Anne giving her speech about house noises. There are the drip drip drip sounds that come from the faucets, the squeaky  boards and the chirping birds. As Anne remembered her mother who was deaf in one ear, she said "I am thankful to have ears to hear with." Me too Anne, and I do love the chirping birds and even those squeaky boards! 

This is Andy, he is one of our newest Toasties. Getting a little assistance from our Power Point Pro Leo, Andy prepares to share a demonstration with us that he will be giving at work. You did a great job Andy! So glad to have you with us in our club. 

Hi Anne, Sally and Marny! We see you have been snacking and enjoying the moment! We always have delicious foods at our meetings to tempt the palate and satisfy the hunger. Talking about hunger, Sally presented us with a wonderful speech about eating clean for our health. She is a gifted Yoga instructor as well as an informative and educational public speaker. 

Our amazing and talented Marian. She was one of the timers at the event. 

You did a fantastic job Marian! We are lucky to have you in our group. 

Merle and Marny, you two are such devoted club members! Merle is our current Sgt. at Arms and he always does and great job getting things set up and prepared so we can have a smooth running meeting. Marny was our Toastmaster for the day. We are lucky to have both of you hard working Toasties! 

Cottonwood Toastmasters, the place to be where you can learn  public speaking and leadership skills while developing life long friendships!

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laurie Rangel at 928-300-1130 or Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or go to our website at http://cottonwoodtm.toastmastersclubs.org/

Toastmaster Officer Roles

We Toastmasters LOVE doing  leadership and there are ample opportunities to fill leadership roles at a club level. It will soon be time to elect new club officers, and with that in mind, I have chosen to blog a short synopsis of each officers role so that you can see what is involved and perhaps, become a club officer. 

Club Officer Roles

President:

You are the Club Chief Executive Officer and will be who presides at all Club meetings and all regular and special meetings of your Executive Committee. Your responsibility is to see that your Club enables its members to achieve t heir educational goals. It’s your challenge to see that your Club helps Area, Division, District, and Toastmasters International meet their goals.

Vice President Education:

• Take responsibility for your Club’s education
• Plan successful Club meetings so each member has the opportunity to achieve his or her educational goals.
• Schedule all levels of the Communication and Leadership program and all other educational programs.
• Sign Communication and Leadership manuals.
• Maintain member progress charts and report Educational progress to the Executive Committee.

Vice President Membership:

• Take responsibility for your Club’s membership
• Plan, organize and implement continuous marketing efforts which ensure the Club maintains or exceeds a charter membership level of 20.
• Work with groups inside and outside of Toastmasters to promote Club membership and Club retention
• Assist in the preparation of semi-annual membership reports to Toastmasters International. 

Vice President Public Relations:

• Develop, implement, and administer a program that maintains a positive image of Toastmasters for all members, guests, and general public.
• Prepare and distribute news releases regarding Club activities; publicizing Club events to the media and potential members.
• Develop literature about the Club
• Work with the clubs Webmaster to maintain an effective program in Internal Communication.

Secretary: 

• Take responsibility for your Club’s records and correspondences.
• Record and disburse Club and Executive Committee meeting minutes.
• Prepare Executive Committee Agendas
• Work with VP ED to update club membership and Officer lists

Treasurer:

• Take responsibility for your Club’s finances
• Receive and disburse funds in payment of all obligations to and from your Club, including the collection and payment of Club dues.
• Submit timely semiannual membership reports, dues, and membership rosters to Toastmasters International.
• Report on and recommend a budget to the Executive Committee.

Sergeant at Arms:

• Serve as master host and make the proper physical arrangements for all Club meetings.
• Coordinate with Club officers to ensure each member and guest is welcomed at Club meetings.
• Maintain the arranged meeting room layouts, set out materials, control Club property between meetings.

*For a more detailed description of officers functions, go to: http://www.toastmasters.org/CLH

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laurie Rangel at 928-300-1130

 or

 Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638

New Year Speech-A-Thon Highlights

We at Cottonwood Toastmasters started our year off with a BANG!  Having a Speech-A-Thon is a great way to jump start your club's new year with doing more than your normal club speeches. Here is a review of the several excellent speeches we enjoyed tonight:

The first speech was by myself. I started my speech with several stories of precious moments and sayings from a few of my grandchildren. I ended with an embarrassing moment where my bottom end came crashing through a rotted canvas chair. Stuck like a pretzel in between the frame, my grand daughter rescued me and came to my aid.

Our next speech was by Lou Rangel who taught us some valuable information about the Habitat for Humanity organization. We need the Habitat for Humanity  to assist the world with it's global  housing crisis and provide clean and descent housing which provides more than just a roof over someone's head. To learn more about the Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity, visit their website at www.vvhabitat.org.

Merle taught us about dutch oven cooking and the difference in pot sizes, lids, and companies, along with some interesting history. Laurie talked to us about acceptable changes, and Sally taught us five ways to cultivate an authentic and calming stage presence. In a nut shell, the five methods are: 1. Put your awareness in your power center 2. Ground yourself by being "in" your body 3. Bring your heart into it! 4.Feel the energetic space around you 5. Occupy your vocal chords by putting your attention there.

After a short break and some yummy food, we began round two. Allen spoke to us about a humorous moment during a sad time and loss of a loved one, reminding us that there are always funny moments that we can look back on in life. Melody gave an intriguing speech about her travel to Currie Nevada, a small town of maybe seven, and the special lady that she met who influenced her life. Then Laurie shared her feelings on our reasons to grown. Being a member of Toastmasters isn't just about our learning and doing for personal reasons, it's also about the things that you can learn from others.

Lou shared with us some important guidelines for "Taking the Terror out of the Talk". Three things to remember when facing the terror shakes is to first, remember that the more experience you can get in public speaking, the better. Secondly, go through a mental rehearsal before speaking by picturing the beginning and end just as you would like it to be. Lastly, learn some breathing techniques. Deep and focused breathing can calm and relax, easing those feelings of anxiety.

And last but not least was Leo, the brain of the bunch. He loves to read science fiction and has the ability to comprehend it! His speech title was "Cheated by Nature". Mentioning that we are at the bottom of change and experiences, he gave the example of humans only being able to go as fast as our fastest machines can take us. We are a long way from the speed of light, and many other things in nature. But, in the end when we realize that we have the ability to comprehend, maybe we were not cheated by nature after all.

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laurie Rangel at 928-300-1130 or Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638