Three members of the Capital Chatterers Toastmasters spoke to us Trevor, David and Erin. Trevor outlined just what is toastmasters and explained speech craft courses.
Capital Chatterers is like Rotary in that there are roles for members at each meeting to both run the meeting and to create an environment of helping everyone to work together. The main purpose of Toastmasters is to assist members to be leaders, to make good speeches and to think and speak on their feet. The weekly breakfast sessions which coincidently are at the same time as our club meetings include prepared speakers, fun - table topics on a theme and getting members to think on their feet by asking a questions like “Why is Wellington a great place to live” and then talk about this right away. Prepared speakers are evaluated and sometimes the evaluators are peer reviewed as well. Fortunately there is lots of support as each speaker receives a round of applause.
Toastermasters use a lights system for 2min speeches Green for one min gone, orange for 30 seconds to go and you need to have wrapped up on the red light for stop talking! Nice we could do with that! Port Nich members are welcome to attend a toastmasters meeting to give it a go. Another member by the name of David started in 1988 as a toastmaster and has done over 500 public speeches and has started other clubs. He outlined how toastmasters helped him to learn versatility by doing all roles across the club. He has believe it or not enjoyed receiving feedback on speeches and getting used to having large groups of people starring at him! David elected to stay with toastmasters in order to maintain the skill and it has led to developing business skills and social skills. Leadership learning through having to stand up and speak.
Erin was next to speak and her main role in toastmaster is in evaluating speakers and through this enjoys seeing others grow. Erin outlined how speech craft courses are a quick way to learn to speak well and learning how to get to the point! Often speech craft attendees join a toastmasters club. Erin gave us some tips which all speakers should know and use. 1.Know your audience, 2. Know your message, 3.Know your room. And there was a bonus point – 4. know yourself, be yourself, everyone else is taken.
It was a real pleasure to hear from you Erin, David and Trevor thank you.