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The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral

communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Why is attending club officer training an important part of being a Toastmaster?

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Here are some tips and tricks from a fellow Toastmaster on how you can “Ace the Interview!”

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Have you ever had trouble with a long-winded speech? Are you in need of ideas on how to cut your speech short?

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Find out who in District 68 has obtained an educational award this year (and last)!

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IPDGovernors Corner Frances Morrison, DTM 3 Building Clubs…One Toastmaster at a Time

Patricia Fry 19 Why Attend Club Officer Training

Shelia Spencer, DTM 5 How to Choose a Speech Topic www.ehow.com 23

Golden Triangle Toastmasters

Chris Villafano 7 How to Practice for a Presentation www.ehow.com 24

Ace the Interview

Kai Rambow, DTM 8 Fun Table Topics Ideas for Toastmaster Meetings Angela Schnaubelt 24

Fear of Public Speaking

Naomi Rockler-Gladen 10 How to Come Up with Creative Meeting Themes Angela Schnaubelt 26

Confident Allies Toastmasters

Frances Morrison, DTM 12 How to Build a Strong Toastmasters Club Member Angela Schnaubelt 28

Slideware / PowerPoint Tips

http://regainthemagic.com/BPToastmasters 13 Safe Computing Practices www.geeksontour.com 30

From Speechcraft to Charter

Frances Morrison, DTM 15 District 68 Educational Awards 34 Cutting a Long Speech Short

Paula Syptak-Price, ATM 16 Tabl

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What Are YOUR Leadership Plans? Frances Morrison, DTM 18

Corner IPDG Frances Morrison, DTM District Governor, 2008-2009

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IPDG

over

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We Are Already Distinguished!

It seems that no matter what you plan there is going to be something to spoil your great intentions. Sometimes the intrusions are slight and are easily worked around. But what happens when there is a major obstacle between you and your goal? How do you overcome the problems? Perseverance. The dictionary gives the definition as “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” While I am sure that everyone can fill in the blank: I couldn’t achieve what I wanted to because __________. I could write a book about what all I could fill in that sentence with and the experiences are all since June 2008. When I knew that I was going to become the District Governor of District 68 I had mixed emotions. I was elated but scared that I would let the members down. What happens if we aren’t distinguished? What if I can’t do what is expected of me? What happens if something happens? WHAT IF….. ? Well, this year has been filled in with, not “WHAT if’s” but “WHAT NEXT?” I have found that I was so busy trying to figure out how to fix the next issue that came up that I became reactive instead of proactive. I put things on hold to take care of the emergencies. How many of you have done the same thing during your life? As I was talking to a friend recently, I realized that there is little I can do about my father having Alzheimer’s; my son serving in Afghanistan and his convoy running over a land mine; or my husband taking a $9,000 cut in pay. I have no control over the price of gas; rise of inflation; or if people who agreed to do a job doesn’t fulfill their duties. All I can do is my best and encourage others to continue on the positive track in life. I can be enthusiastic enough for everyone but each person is responsible for their own actions. I can want you to achieve a goal, believe that you can achieve it, but until you choose to attempt to reach it, my actions are useless. The same is true for my year as District Governor. I started the year believing we could achieve distinguished status. I made sure that all of my duties were done and encouraged others to achieve theirs. I even bribed the leadership with a steak dinner if we reached the goal! But what I cannot do is want to reach the goals enough to make others want the same thing. When hurricanes hit I worried about our members. When we fell behind in membership payments, I worried. When negative personal issues crowded out time and energy that I could have spent on Toastmasters activities, I worried. I decided in March that I was not going to worry anymore. It did me no good, so why keep doing the same thing and expect different results? I decided I was going to keep encouraging my team members to do the best job they can with what time and energy they have to give. I decided I was going to applaud and give kudos to those who achieve and the same for all who try. I had been so busy wondering how we can achieve my personal goal for us that I had forgotten to enjoy the experience of all the

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Why Attend Club Officer Training? Shelia Spencer, DTM, Toastmaster Magazine, January, 2007

I always look forward to our district’s bi-annual club-officer training sessions, and am surprised if I see any empty chairs. There are so many good reasons to attend these events!

However, when I speak to individual club officers, I sometimes hear indifference or reluctance to take advantage of this wonderful resource. Instead of, “of course, I’ll be there!” I hear, “Oh, I used to go to those when I first joined, but I don’t need training any more.” Or “Why bother? I have the manual, isn’t that enough?” For the benefit of current club officers, their area governors and anyone thinking about serving on their club’s executive board in the future, here are some reasons to attend your next mid-year training:

1. Help your club earn a point in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Don’t think of it as a duty, but as an opportunity for you and your fellow officers to have direct impact on your club’s success for the year. Earning one DCP point – by having at least four current club officers attend both initial and mid-year training – means that you and your club’s leaders have demonstrated a unified commitment to achieve club, district and TI goals. What a great example you are to all your members!

2. Get direct access to your district leaders and the important information they have to share. Area and division governors, as well as other district leaders, attend the training sessions, often as facilitators. They bring news from TI headquarters, announcements of coming district events and a wealth of knowledge about our program. Don’t hesitate to approach them individually for advice. They have relevant personal experience, as well as access to resources that can help you achieve club and personal goals.

Don’t be a passive listener; bring a list of your questions and concerns so you can take advantage of this forum. (Note: Even if you’ve filled this same officer position in the past, some of the guidelines may have changed! Attend and review the current club officer manual to ensure you have timely information.)

3. Share your own ideas and experiences with other officers at your table. Personal growth is subtle; we often aren’t aware of how much knowledge and experience we are gaining while developing new skills and handling new responsibilities. But when we participate in our mid-year training session, we suddenly realize how much we have learned since July! Now, instead of merely receiving information from the trainer, you may find yourself sharing unique, practical insights with the other participants at your table. Appreciate this validation of the skills and wisdom you are acquiring in your role as a club officer!

4. Achieve your goals by networking with members from

other clubs. A training session is the perfect place to connect with experienced, supportive individuals who can offer advice and assistance. Ask vice presidents of education who have scheduled their spring speech contests

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to help find seasoned members to serve as judges or other contest officials. After one club president training session in my district, the participants decided to maintain contact via e-mails and monthly dinner meetings. They continued to advise and support each other during the rest of their term in office. Not surprisingly, their clubs each achieved at least seven DCP points for the year.

"What is the best way to spend the remaining six

months of your year in office?"

5. Build on the personal relationships you formed at the last training. You may not have the same trainer, but you will see familiar faces. Socializing and nurturing relationships outside your club is a wonderful benefit of attending these training sessions. Not only do friendships make the event more enjoyable, they also enrich your experience within our international organization. The members of your extended Toastmasters family are eager and happy to share ideas, activities and growth opportunities that will nurture your development as a Toastmaster, communicator and leader. Some will become very special long-term friends.

6. Expand your network by meeting new club officers.

Every training event is attended by a different mix of district dignitaries, trainers and participants. Your table is likely to include newly elected officers who will begin serving their clubs in January. Take time to introduce yourself, help newcomers feel welcome, and find common ground that will contribute to a friendly, supportive atmosphere for everyone. Don’t feel that you must restrict your conversation to

Toastmasters issues; share your career goals and other information that will allow you to expand your personal and business network.

7. Revisit the goals you set in July, and determine the best

use of your time and energy for the second half of your term. Your year is half over! Think of this meeting not only as training but as a time for reflection, review and reassessment. Share your progress and achievements to date and consider where you need to spend more time and focus. Based on the discussion you have with your trainer and fellow club officers, what is the best way to spend the remaining six months of your year in office?

8. Introduce your mentees to leadership opportunities. In a

few months you’ll be handing over your club officer role to another member, perhaps someone you’ve already been mentoring toward that goal. Who has impressed you with their desire and potential to take on a Toastmasters leadership position? Why not invite that person to attend a training session with you, as a guest observer? While that person’s attendance does not count toward your club’s DCP credit, most sessions can accommodate interested members who would like to observe. With prior approval of your local training coordinator, offer to accompany your interested club members to a session, and introduce them to your friends.

9. Explore other Toastmasters

leadership roles, so you can serve in a different spot next year. Whether you ask at your training table or approach other members during the social time,

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feel free to request input about the duties, benefits and challenges of serving in various Toastmasters leadership positions. If you would like to run for a different club position next year, consider attending a second training session. This way, you can hear more about the role of educational vice president, club treasurer, etc.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask, “What does an area governor do?” or “How does someone become a district parliamentarian?” Who knows? Next year you may not only be looking forward to attending a club officer mid-year training session, you may be leading it!

Shelia Spencer, DTM, has held all club offices and is grateful for the experiences of each. She is an active Toastmaster and freelance writer living in New York. Reach her

at bocki@attglobal.net. Golden Triangle Toastmasters Chris Villafano

On September 28, 2009, Golden Triangle Toastmasters Club met at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Beaumont, TX. Sergeant at Arms (Chris Villafano) began the

meeting by reading the mission statement. He then introduced President, Tasha Smith. After announcements about the upcoming Area and Division Humorous Speech/Table Topics contests and the Fall Conference, Tasha, acting also as Toastmaster, went over the agenda and briefly had everyone explain their roles in the meeting. Tasha also asked the Grammarian, Margaret Boland, for the word of the day, Multifarious, which meant having great variety and diversity.

The meeting differed from the usual Toastmaster’s meeting because there was only one speaker. The speaker, Bruce Boomer, presented a Technical Presentation speech. The purpose of the 20-30 minute speech, titled Speech Development, was to detail the preparation and execution of a speech. Bruce called upon several members at random to answer questions such as Comparing and Contrasting between last meeting and the current meeting, and giving an example of gestures. The participants involved were Randy Conley, Debbie Smith, Dolores Sennette, Tasha Smith, Chris Villafano, Tom Schulte, Ivy Santiago, and Glen Kenney. Due to the length of the speech and the spontaneous audience participation required, table topics were excluded from the meeting. Bruce earned his Advanced Communicator Silver for completing his final speech. Members present were Tori Akachukwu, Margaret Boland, Bruce Boomer, Randy Conley, Ivy Santiago, Tom Schulte, Dolores Sennette, Debbie Smith, Tasha Smith, and Chris Villafano. Guests present were David Maggio, Maggi Carter, Jennifer Lofton, Glen Kenney from the Total Petrochemicals Club, and Sally Conley, Randy’s wife.

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Ace the Interview Kai Rambow, DTM, Accredited Speaker

The author recently surveyed and interviewed over 125 active recruiters for this article. “How did the interview go?” Evelyn Peyton, ATM-B always asks. “Oh, it was great. Everything went perfectly. I know

this job is mine,” is the typical response. And then someone else gets the job. Peyton, a dynamic, funny speaker herself (she placed second at the World Championship of Public Speaking) is a manager with a Fortune 100 company. She explains that the candidates are absolutely qualified for the job, they know it before they go in, so they’re confident and communicate well throughout the interview. “Where they make their mistake,” Peyton notes, “is assuming they are the only perfect one for the job.” How can you stand out from the competition, especially since there are hundreds of applicants for every position in today’s job market? These six areas identified by active recruiters may surprise you. 1. Dress to Impress The expression that you never get a second chance at a first impression is still true today. Dressing appropriately and/or professionally was the number one thing mentioned by the recruiters. “When people dress up,” says Don Ensch, DTM, AS, “they are

showing respect for the audience.” Ensch, who is often referred to as “The Voice of Toastmasters” for his announcement work at the international conventions, admits to being very conservative. So much so, that his Toastmasters club, Sandpiper in Ventura, California has a tradition of proper dress. That means that men are expected to wear a jacket and tie. Ensch states, “People get bent out of shape, yet they are lacking polish and panache. When people are dressed well they feel good about themselves and show greater confidence.” While many workplaces have gone with a business casual dress code, impressions and impact, especially during interviews hasn’t changed. When John Molloy researched his classic book, Dress for Success, he started with the premise that how we dress doesn’t matter. His research showed otherwise. Not sure what to do. You can’t go wrong with classics. Ensch always wears a full suit for any speaking engagement. And Peyton cautions not to relax your dress in second or third interviews. “You need to be consistently professional,” she advises. 2. Mind Your Manners This is a combination of things such as being articulate, confident, polite, respectful and professional. Cheryl Austin, a former Toastmaster and club president, shares wisdom gained from her 13 years of human resources experience and 20 years of management consulting work. Austin observes you use good judgment when you don’t wear a brand new suit, you show respect when you arrive early, and you demonstrate being professional when you prepare anything that

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frees you and makes the interviewer’s job easy. “Anytime you don’t have to think about the little things,” Austin expounds, “you free yourself to forget about yourself and be really good at observing the interviewer and what he or she needs. It’s their agenda that matters.” Ken Wright, whose work over the past 25 years has included executive search, management consulting and executive coaching asks himself these questions, “Is their game on? Are they answering more than just the question? Are they confident enough to amplify or ask their own question?” 3. Do Your Homework Research the company. Judy Hooper, who hired 100 people last year, says it “absolutely is an advantage to know about the company. If you check out the web site, it makes a good impression that you care about the job and the company. I really like it when they are checking us out.” Austin suggests trying to identify how the company wants to be seen, “what words and phrases do they use.” Austin also always digs deeper by talking to people who work there or have worked there before. “Don’t try to be an expert on their business,” Wright warns, however

you can ask some great questions such as, “What do you think is the company’s edge in the marketplace? Who do you see as your biggest competitors? Who are the ones who keep you up at night? What do you think the company needs to do differently?”

Let them tell you, and then you’ll know what skills to highlight to the interviewer. 4. Be Positive Expressing yourself as motivated, enthusiastic with a can do attitude are definite assets during the interview process. Since most of us are too busy trying to fight our nervousness, what can you do to at least come across better than other candidates. Austin recommends a two prong approach by working with and rehearsing with a friend. “We all have entry behaviors when we’re not quite comfortable. Have a good friend help you become self-aware. If you squirm, maybe you need to fold your hands and practice doing so. When you have lunch with a friend, you relax, drop your shoulders and it has nice ripple effect throughout your body. That’s what you want to practice.” If this still doesn’t come easily to you, Wright has a great suggestion. He recommends verbalizing, “Don’t misinterpret my quietness as disinterest. I’m nervous, but I’m very interested in the company.” 5. Sell Yourself Even some of the best salespeople have difficulty selling themselves. Austin has taken advantage of something all of us as Toastmasters are used to doing. She once received a standing ovation at the end of teaching a university course. That’s basically unheard of. When someone paid her a general compliment at the end of a class, Austin would always ask them what was it that specifically triggered that comment. Then she would repeat it every week after. Since we’re used to getting feedback in Toastmasters, be proactive. Austin encourages people to, “ask your previous managers, ‘What

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do I do best? What have you seen me do well? What would you say is not one of my core strengths?’” Once you know, “instead of using I all the time, which is uncomfortable for most of us,” Austin enthuses, “you can say, ‘My previous boss . . .’ Invoking a third party is both easier and more credible.” Wright takes it a step further. “Pick out a need in the interview, a problem you think you can solve. Talk about how you can solve it. At the end of the interview, go back and bring it up again. Assert, ‘I think I can bring that to this company. Those are reasons I want to work for you and why I think I can do the job.” 6. Resume You need to be invited to the interview first. That is what your resume needs to do. Surprisingly many candidates fail to do a good job here. Wright recommends no more than two pages. “I’m not a believer in summary statements such as, ‘experienced executive who can walk on water.’ I’m interested in what your experience says you can do. Most recruiters skip to your experience. They’re looking for the scope, depth and breadth of your responsibility. Concentrate on what you’ve done.” Judy Hooper recruits for a software company. She notices that basics are frequently missing. “I need to know exactly what skills you have learned with your degree in computer science. If you don’t tell me you know Java, I’m not going to know.” Hooper advises to be specific in your cover letter and tweak your resume accordingly. These are suggestions you can take as an individual. It doesn’t

have to end with this article. Here are some activities your club can do to help members.

1. Use the theme of the job interview for Table Topics and then use challenging questions for club members.

2. Have an entire club meeting geared towards club members

answering interview questions on camera. Then give each member his/her own copy so everyone can see how they present themselves in an interview format.

3. Invite a guest speaker, preferably an active recruiter with

experience to present on any number of related topics: how to write a better resume, how to give better answers, and how to develop some great questions.

All of these are great ways to put your Toastmaster skills to work for you. Kai Rambow, DTM, AS, is a past international director and a professional speaker based

in Tampa, Florida. Reach him at www.kairambow.com Fear of Public Speaking Naomi Rockler-Gladen, http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/fear_of_public_speaking

Is this true? Do people fear public speaking more than they fear death? Maybe. I've taught many public speaking classes, and every semester, the vast majority of the students suffer from some level of public speaking anxiety. Student come to class thinking their fear of public speaking is weird, but it isn't! The students who have no fear are the unusual ones. Because of speech anxiety, many students avoid

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taking speech classes, which is unfortunate. Public speaking skills are immensely valuable in the working world, so these courses are important. So how can students get over their fear of public speaking and enjoy their public speaking class (or at least not dread it with every ounce of their soul)? Here are a few tips that have been helpful to my students over the years. First, make sure you are well prepared. No matter how much you prepare, you're going to be nervous standing in front of the class. However, you're going to be a whole lot less nervous if you know you've put a good deal of work into this speech. If you write a speech at the last minute, you're going to be nervous about standing in front of the room and because you're about to bomb an assignment. Here are some important ways to get prepared:

• Make sure you understand the assignment completely. Talk to your instructor if you have any questions.

• Make sure you do plenty of research on your topic and can talk about it comfortably.

• Make sure your note cards (or whatever you use to deliver the speech) are in order and very well organized. Number each card. If you have to fumble around looking for card #4, you're going to be way more nervous than if you know everything is in order.

• If you're using Power Point or other technical equipment, make sure it's working. Talk to your teacher ahead of time about how to set everything up properly. If you're especially nervous about the equipment, consider making your speech more low-tech. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and

other great speakers throughout history did not need Power Point, and neither do you.

• Practice. Practice often, and preferably in front of an audience of sympathetic friends. (If this makes you too nervous, practice in front of a mirror.) If you give your speech for the first time in class, you're going to be way more nervous than if you've practiced.

• When you practice, time yourself and make sure your speech is within the prescribed time limit. If it's not, tweak the speech until it is. If you have no idea how long the speech will be, you're going to make yourself way more nervous than necessary.

Second, when you speak, pretend that you are confident. Pretend that you belong up there in front of the class. You own the class, baby. Trust me. You'll be surprised how much more confident you actually feel when you pretend. Besides, projecting confidence is an important part of public speaking, so these are good things to practice. Here are some ways to project confidence:

• Speak loudly. • Speak slowly. • Stand up straight (but not too rigid, or you'll look like Al

Gore). If you have a podium, don't lean on it. • Make strong eye contact with your audience. This is one of

the more difficult parts of public speaking, but do the best you can.

• Project enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to go a little overboard. Think of how much more credible your enthusiastic professors sound than your bored ones.

• Never giggle. Ever. Well, maybe if you're giving a speech about giggling, but even then, giggle in moderation.

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• Avoid disclaimers. Disclaimers are statements such as, "I know this is a really dumb topic, but..." or "I know this isn't a very good visual aid, but..."

• Dress nicely. A business suit is probably not necessary for a public speaking class, but be sure to dress like you take yourself seriously. No baseball caps, ever. Even if you're giving a speech about baseball.

Finally, relax. This is easier said than done, I know. But here are some ways to psyche yourself out to get rid of some of the anxiety.

• Take deep breaths. You'll be surprised at how well this works. If you know some special breathing techniques, use them, but all you really need to do is breathe deeply in and out for awhile.

• Do some simple stretching exercises before class. • Avoid caffeine or any food or drink that makes you jittery.

Drink something that relaxes you, like decaffeinated tea. • The night before, close your eyes and visualize yourself

giving the speech and everything going well. • Make friends with your classmates, and you'll feel better

about speaking in front of them. Make friends with your teacher too.

• Keep things in perspective. You do much more dangerous things every day, like driving a car or crossing the street. Chances are you've already gone through some stressful or dangerous experiences in your life, and you made it through, right?

• Keep in mind that everybody is nervous. You're not alone. • Keep in mind that you rarely come across as nervous as you

really feel. Unless you're shaking and stammering, the audience probably won't know how nervous you are.

• Just do it. Speak. Speak more. The more experience you have with public speaking, the less nervous you will feel.

Good luck with your public speaking class! Remember, public speaking is an important skill, and this will all be worth it. And all things considered, it sure beats death. Confident Allies, Toastmasters Club 1120819 Frances Morrison, DTM

On August 31, 2009 members and their guests celebrated the chartering of the Confident Allies club which chartered on March 17, 2009. Candy Loyd served as Toastmaster and introduced Treasurer Delia Flynn, ATMB who led the group

in the pledge, mission, and invocation. Everyone had a great time at the meeting. From being entertained by President Jesus Carillo, Jr. with his “Back to School Blues” to VP of Education Scot Loyd’s keynote address “Miracles Come in Cans” no one left the meeting the same as when they arrived. Dustin Carter made sure that all the participants of Table Topics were guests of the evening. Most of the time it is thought taboo to have all participants be guests, but when you have guests who are instructors and members of the college debate team you do not have to worry about it. Frances Morrison, DTM served as General Evaluator. Her team members included evaluators Kimberly

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Body, ACB, ALB and Graham McFerran, ACB. The evaluations were insightful and encouraging. Anthony LaCroix served as Timer, Zach Veuleman as Grammarian, and Butch LeCompte served as Ah Counter. After the meeting everyone enjoyed refreshments and fellowship. Confident Allies has had so many guests attending that they are proud to announce that they have moved to a larger location! The group now meets on Louisiana College campus in the Martin Performing Arts Center in room 206. Everyone is invited to join them on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday at 6:00 p.m. Slideware/ PowerPoint Tips http://regainthemagic.com/BPToastmasters

PowerPoint® is the most well-known slideware program. These programs are wonderful tools to help get a message out to an audience. Presentations can be filled with a multitude of backgrounds and fonts as well as animation, video, charts and graphs. In fact, there are many resources (both on and off line) that

can guide you step by step in creating a dynamic presentation that can overload an audience's senses. As speakers, it is easy to rely on all of the flash, bang and pizzazz to drive a message home but, unfortunately, these very same tools, if not used properly, can quickly become detrimental to a speakers presentation. The overuse of a slideware tool allows the audience

and the speaker to get so caught up in the wonders of the technology that the message is lost. To overcome the potential harm than slideware programs can create for a speaker, it is good to remember the visual aids speakers have used in the past. Blackboards, wipe-off boards, flip charts, slide projectors and overhead projectors have each brought with them their own advantages and disadvantages. Yet, the main reason for their use has been to provide visual cues and reminders to assist an audience in keeping up with the speaker. The use of slideware is not any different. Below I have assembled a few tips that will assist in keeping you, as a presenter, and your audience focused. Slideware Is A Tool - Not A Crutch. Presenters often use slideware as a substitute for themselves, believing that the slides are the presentation - yet, slides should only support the presentation that the speaker must deliver. Remember, if you are giving a presentation, your audience should connect with you. After all, why does an audience need you if they are going to be entertained or educated by a program? Develop Your Content. Before you begin designing a slideware presentation, write out your auditory presentation and decide what points you wish to make - as you normally would. Don't get caught up in designing slides right away. To do otherwise might cause you to overlook the main factors in your presentation - you and your message. Creating The Slides. When creating the slides, use a balanced approach. Text should be used to give assistance for the audience's understanding of what

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you, as the presenter, are speaking about. Graphics and multimedia should be used to aid the message only. A) Making Your Point:

i. Bullet points should show a key word or brief phrase. You, as a presenter, should elaborate/expand upon the points made rather than having the audience read the presentation on the monitor/ screen.

ii. Limit your bullets to no more than 6 per page. Don't be afraid to split your points over a few pages, if needed.

B) Text Size & Color Choice:

i. Use 18 point type or larger to make it easy to read. ii. Don't use more than two type styles on any single slide.

iii. Mix upper-case letters for easy readability.

iv. Due to color, perception deficiencies are common. Certain

color combinations -- including red/green, brown/green, dark blue/black and blue/purple -- should be avoided.

C) Moving / Flying Text or Graphics Just because slideware programs have several fun effects and transitions, they don't all need to be used in your presentation. A simple fade, dissolve or flash appearance is all that many presentations need. Remember, a little goes a long way. D) Diagrams & Charts Since transitions and appearances are possible within slideware programs - having various sections of a chart or graph appear in

layers, to match your points, can ease the audiences understanding of the information presented and should be considered. E) Images The biggest problem with images is the DPI/Resolution. Too large of an image file may slow your presentation or may not even show up. Too small and the image may appear pixilated or fuzzy. So far, the best guideline I've found states the following: "If you want an image to look good on the screen in PowerPoint, scan it at the screen resolution: 72 dpi. Higher does you no good -- it only makes the files bigger. Printed output: 72 dpi images are a bit too low-resolution for printed output, so you want to scan at 150 or 300dpi. 35mm slides: 35 mm slide output devices are very high resolution, and you'll want 300 dpi scans. These will make your file sizes very large, but any lower resolution will look really bad."

image information found at: www.strath.ac.uk/Departments/CAP/slides/trouble.

4. Rehearsal and Equipment Check. Not all presentations will look the same on each computer, projector or screen used - check the presentation with the system you will use, or bring your own equipment. Be sure to do a full rehearsal (speech and slideshow) before giving your presentation, to be sure of your timing, transitions and equipment.

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5. Venue Tips A) Lighting

i. The amount of light, or lack thereof, may affect the presentation - be sure to check this, if at all possible.

ii. Don't turn off all room lights when using a monitor or

projector. B) Placement of Screen / Monitor

i. View your presentation from all angles, especially the sides and back of the room, to ensure they'll be clearly read and understood by everyone.

ii. Never stand or place anything between the screen /

monitor and the audience, as it visually distracts the information.

Additional Notes. It is not entirely uncommon for a speaker to travel with their own laptop projector and screen. If you really want to be sure that your presentation will look its best, you might want to invest in a system that you can bring with you, therefore, you don't have to be entirely dependent on the one available (if one is available). Remember, slideware programs can be powerful tools for presenters. Just don't forget that the main reason you are being asked to speak is to speak and not to display your ability in creating a dazzling slideshow. Keep focused and have fun!

From Speechcraft to Charter Frances Morrison, DTM

What can happen when you hold Speechcraft? You can charter a club! The guys at J. Levy Dabadie began working the Speechcraft program in October 2008. The participants were so enthusiastic

that it continued until August 18, 2009…that is when Robust

Toastmasters became an official

Toastmaster club…club

1376841. However, it actually took more than Speechcraft

to get this club started and chartered. It took a lot of great people from this district, an International Director and a guest at the District 68 Spring Conference from North Carolina to help the members achieve club status. The members of Robust Toastmasters are incarcerated at the J. Levy Dabadie Correctional Center in Pineville, LA. While all of them have the desire to be better citizens and knew that it could happen with the help of Toastmasters, they did not have the funds. The Warden and Deputy Warden of J. Levy Dabadie believed in Toastmasters so much that they even approved the payment of the charter fee for the club.

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The charter celebration will be scheduled soon. Look for details coming soon! Robust Toastmasters would love to have you visit their meeting any Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Ms. Tara Poe at TPoe@corrections.state.la.us to be put on the approved list to visit. For more information, please feel free to contact francestmorrison@yahoo.com  Cutting a Long Speech Short Paula Syptak Price, ATM

Why does any speaker speak too long? Because "they didn't plan and rehearse, " says Tim Bete, director of the University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. "There's no reason to go long unless you ramble and get off topic. "It’s better to keep on schedule and allow time for attendees to ask questions at the end of your speech." he adds. Darren LaCroix, a professional speaker and Toastmasters' 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, says presenters need to know exactly what they want their speeches to accomplish. "I think people are not taking time to edit their speeches for the audience." he says, "If you ask most speakers what their goal is,

they will hem and haw. They can't clearly state what they would like the audience to do, think or feel. " The price of long-windedness What's so bad about exceeding the time limit? If you're speaking at a conference, you can cause a whole host of problems. "You put the meeting planner in a pickle," notes LaCroix. "You mess up the schedule for the rest of the conference. Say the speaker goes overtime by 30 minutes: The planner has to scramble to fix the whole day. Lunch will be late, the hotel is upset. You might think you're doing the audience a favor by giving them extra time, but you have ruined the whole schedule." LaCroix says the meeting industry is a small one, so speakers who abuse their time limits earn a reputation. "[Meeting planner] know other people - their counterparts - at other conferences, and they talk. " Presenters who can't rein in their speeches lose out in other ways too. Talks that are too long rarely impress the audience, and listeners may miss the point of the speech - or worse. "The immediate effect is that the audience is irritated," says Max Dixon, a professional speaking coach and consultant. "They look at their watch. One of my favorite speakers wanted to end [his presentation] on time but waited until the last three or four minutes to wind down. He started talking faster about one of the more important things; everyone knew he wasn't going to make it. "It's like someone running to jump across a 25-foot stream, and everyone is saying, "He's not going to make it! He's going to land in the middle of the stream." The audience doesn't want to hurt the

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speaker's feelings, yet we also don't want to sit there and not listen. We're not learning from it. Dixon says the audience also loses trust, "welcome suspicious. If the speaker doesn't pay attention to the time, we wonder if maybe he didn't do his research, either." How to shorten a long speech

"Edit, edit, edit." say LaCroix, who write out his speeches. After seeing the words on paper, he ask himself, "How can I say the same thing in fewer words?" It's not easy. LaCroix has to force

himself to scale back. On his world championship speech, he did a Herculean job of editing, chopping his presentation from its original length of 1400 words. "I had to get it down to 800," he remembers. "I asked myself, how can I say it in fewer words? I was constantly working on it and struggling. Rather than trying to shorten the whole speech, think about how you can take three sentences and combine them into one. If you do it in smaller pieces, it's a lot easier.” What are you trying to accomplish with the speech? Keep in mind that the audience is thinking. "What's in it for me?" Care enough about your message and your audience to edit your talk and give listeners the best information you have. Next, ask yourself, "What difference can I make in the allotted time I have?"

"Don't just cut the number of words, cut the number of ideas" suggests Bete, the University of Dayton instructor. "If you're trying to make 10 points, cut your speech down to the top five. You can always post the other points on your web sites, and tell attendees to visit it for more great information." It's better to present sufficient information on a few selected topics, and inform your audience, than to touch inadequately on too many points, leaving your audience at a loss to understand what they just witness. Cutting in a pinch Have you ever been in a situation where you were told you'd have 30 minutes to speak - then when you arrived at the event, were asked to do it in 20 instead? It may not happen at a Toastmasters gathering, but "it happens all the time in the "real world," says LaCroix. "Quite often I'm asked to give an hour-long speech, then I get to the place and find I have only 35 minutes." As a profession, you don't get angry. "You con come prepared, knowing it will happen (time limits) will change - that is normal," LaCroix says. "Do the best with the allotted time. Our job as a speaker is to help accomplish something as part of a bigger event. We are not the event." But how do you cut down a speech on the spot? "I need to know what is most important to my audience," LaCroix says. "For example, I give a certain presentation: "Four habits essential to becoming a great speaker, and the four things I learned form the other world champions. If my time is cut, I tell the "Three

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habits and the three things I learned." If my time is cut more, I only talk about the "Four habits." I can't cut down the story that makes the point. I have to know : If this is all the time I have, what is most important for the audience to understand when I leave?" Bete says he always organizes his speeches into separate sections, "so it would be relatively easy to drop a section to shorten a speech." This way he can "cut chunks quickly without sacrificing content." More Shortening tips "Be sure you pare the speech down to what is absolutely essential to make your point and yet retain interest," Dixon says. "You have to ration how many descriptive words you have. If you can cut off 10 or 15 seconds (by eliminating a few descriptive words), that helps." He also says you should be over prepared - yet ready to cut. "Prepare yourself with stories." Dixon advises, "When you get up (to speak) with four or five stories, then knowing you can get by with three helps." And, of course, make sure you practice. "Lack of practice can lead to forgetting parts of the speech, or to long silent pauses that waste time," says Dred Price, Ph.D. who has taught many technical seminars as well as attending his fair share of them. He suggests eliminating examples from a speech that are too complicated, given the time limit. Also, avoid the tendency to sue too many examples to make a single point.

In the end, it's clear that tightening your talk so you can deliver it within the time requested is a vital skill to master. As Price notes, "when a speaker uses time poorly, it shows a lack of respect for the listener's time."

Paula Syptak Price, ATM, is a member of San Antonie's Talk of the Tower club in San Antonio, Texas. Contact her at paulaisright@sbcglobal.net

What Are YOUR Leadership Plans? Frances Morrison, DTM

Or do you have any? Many Toastmasters don't move into district leadership because they haven't given it much thought. Sometimes they are waiting for someone else to think it is a good idea. After all, "who am I to think I can lead better than someone else?" Some leaders are born. You know the type! No matter what they do or where they go, people seem to flock around them. They naturally succeed at getting things done. Is this you? Then there are the "created" leaders. Those are the people who need to be discovered by others. Have someone see that ability in you that you didn't even know was there. They feel a little uncomfortable stepping out of the box to try something new. Yet, when they do... WOW! There is a whole new world out there just waiting for them! We are asking that you THINK about being an Area Governor. It doesn't have to be next year, but at some point consider the challenge. It is fun, rewarding, and you grow so much in ways you can't even imagine. You get the chance to meet people in your area, work with them, encourage them, and watch as clubs grow.

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If this position interests you, please follow the link (http://www.toastmasters.org/AreaGovJob.aspx) which shows the basic duties of an Area Governor. If you would like more information, please feel free to read through the handbook (http://www.toastmasters.org/DLMan.aspx). If you would then like to talk about it more, by all means contact me! Toastmasters needs a few good people to help lead this district forward. YOU can be a part of something that will change your life forever. Building Clubs…One Toastmaster at a Time Patricia Fry, http://www.matilijapress.com/articles/buildingclubs.htm

New Toastmasters Clubs are started at a rate of approximately two per day worldwide. What does it take to successfully charter a new club or to breathe life into an old one? Five top Toastmasters share their secrets for successful club building. The Company Club Charter More and more large corporations are sponsoring clubs for their employees. In Santa Ana, California, for example, Cindy Ragland led the effort to start a Toastmasters Club at Ingram Micro, where she is employed in the public relations department. Having already earned her CTM as a member of a community club, she was anxious to bring toastmasters to her coworkers because, “This is where people can learn to be effective communicators, get leadership opportunities and Toastmasters is a good networking arena,” says Ragland.

As a first step in starting a company club, Ragland suggests, “Gain the support of top level executives in the company to kind of champion the drive to become a Toastmaster.” At Ingram Micro, for example, they had the blessings of their CEO. According to Ragland, “It turns out that our chief executive officer is a world renowned speaker. He places a very high value on public speaking and communicating effectively. He was extremely supportive of our chartering attempts and even gave the keynote speech at our chartering ceremony.” Ragland believes that having full weekly also helped in their recruiting efforts. She says, “People weren’t quite sure what Toastmasters was and they could come and see how it works. We were able to demystify it for them.” Ingram Micro ultimately chartered with 63 members. To give everyone scheduling choices, they formed three clubs, the Breakfast Club, Ingram Microphones (which meets at noon) and MicroMasters (an evening club). Sherri Wood, DTM is the former governor for District 64 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Wood remembers a time when the district averaged only one or two new clubs a year. But things have changed. She says, “Our district chartered seven new clubs last year and it looks like we’re headed for six this year.” Wood talks about the second vital step to forming a new club: getting the word out. “Have posters made up and put them in prominent locations throughout the building. Use in-house email

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with little ‘ticklers.’” She gives an example, “Do you want to be able to think on your feet? Then join us for a Toastmaster demonstration meeting.” She suggests sending these “ticklers” every few days prior to the meeting. And she adds, “Have a

‘spark’ on the inside who will go around and promote Toastmasters.” Ragland agrees that enthusiastic spokespersons are effective recruiters. “Most of the Toastmasters at Ingram Micro are really evangelist in the departments where they work and through their business interactions. For example, someone may give a presentation and a coworker comes up to them and comments, ‘Gosh you’re really a great speaker.’ And they might say, ‘why don’t you come with me to Toastmasters?’” Members also go out and give presentations to attract new prospects. According to Ragland, “A member of one of our clubs went to a managers’ meeting recently and suggested that they encourage their associates to look at Toastmasters.” Another excellent promotional tool is the company newsletter. The last piece to the Toastmaster chartering puzzle is well-operated, lively meetings in an environment where guests feel welcome and members can excel. The Community Club Charter While company clubs are usually for employees only, community clubs are open to the public. To start a community club, solicit the help of your district representative. They will guide you in setting up a demonstration meeting and give you some publicity ideas.

Basically, you will plan the meetings about six weeks in advance. Publicize it through press releases to local newspapers, radio and TV spots, postings on community bulletin boards at libraries and colleges and at community events. Tie the founding of your club into something newsworthy for local media—the fact that you stopped stuttering after joining Toastmasters, for example, or point up a community figure who credits Toastmasters with his or her personal or business success. Target membership clusters or groups of people through large corporations churches, the military and so forth. Request a list of organizations from your local chamber of commerce and send club officers an invitation to attend your demonstration meeting. Choose an appropriate location for your meetings. This might be a corporate conference room, school cafeteria, chapel or restaurant. Some clubs even meet in bookstores. John Latin is Past International President of Toastmasters and currently the Division Marketing Specialist for Founder’s District in San Dimas, California. He tells this story about his first Toastmasters meeting held in very a public place, “A young lady came to me and said, ‘I want to put a Toastmasters club in Borders Books and Music Store.’ I said, ‘Borders? Do they have room for us off to the side?’ She said, ‘No. We’ll be right smack in the middle of Borders.’ I said, ‘How’s that going to work with all of the noise and people buying books and drinking coffee?’ She assured me that it would work and I said, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’” Latin continues, “They set up twenty chairs and a microphone system and all the people in the coffee shop were listening to our speeches. We had people standing around the outer parameter of

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the coffee shop and they were listening to our speakers. We could hear the speakers clearly. It worked, but I didn’t believe it until I saw it.” Latin finds it relatively easy to promote a club that meets in a public place—a restaurant, for example. He says, “We have a little plaque that goes at the entrance of the restaurant that says, ‘Toastmasters meets here Wednesday nights at 5:30.’” Latin appreciates technology, too. He says, “We’re on the Internet. You can pull up Toastmasters International and find every club in the world. We get a lot of people coming in and saying, ‘I saw you on the Internet.’” The best way to promote a club, according to Latin, is through show and tell. “Have members bring guests and show them a good Toastmasters program,” he says. Wood couldn’t agree more. She suggests to club leaders in her district, “If a guest has come on their own, assign a member to sit with them and explain the program as it goes along. Our club makes up a sheet outlining each of the various roles on the program and their purpose.” She also recommends that every member know how to fill out an application for membership and that they know how much dues are. She says, “There’s nothing worse than having a good prospect turned off by, ‘I don’t know how much it is. You’ll need to wait until our treasurer comes back and he/she can let you know.’”

A Formula for Building New Clubs Mary McKee was the 1998-99 president of the Goodbye Jitters Club in Winnipeg. When she started her term in September, there were four members. By the end of June they had 21 on the roster. As a successful recruiter, McKee recommends:

• Keep your meetings professional. Whether there are five or fifty people, always maintain the high standards of the Toastmasters program.

• Choose a slogan that implies building or rebuilding. For McKee’s club it was “The Little Club That Can.”

• Use the slogan on agendas, flyers, brochures and everything else that you produce.

• Stay positive and stay motivated. • Ask the district to assign you a club specialist to help you

revitalize your meetings. • Display posters in your meeting place and advertise

wherever and whenever you can afford to. • Drop informational brochures in mailboxes and deliver them

to businesses in the area. • Build a break into your meetings so members have an

opportunity to get to know one another. Plan social events outside the meetings.

• Follow up on potential members with a phone call, newsletter or personal note.

• Always ask a guest to join. Help him fill out the membership application.

• Assign the new member a mentor. • Go for variety in your meetings to keep them fresh. If it’s a

small club, bring in a guest speaker from time to time.

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• Support and encourage all members in their educational and leadership goals.

Wood adds another component that she feels is vitally important. Recognition. “This is one of the world’s greatest motivators,” she says. Wood is quick to admit, “I didn’t think it applied to me until I received a District Governor’s Citation. “Recognizing members’ accomplishments is a critical tool in Toastmasters. Make a big deal out of each educational/leadership accomplishment. Not only does it make the recipient feel good, it motivates other member to work toward receiving recognition as well.” Reviving a Struggling Club It happens in the best of clubs—attendance dwindles, meetings become dull and enthusiasm wanes. If this describes your club, don’t throw in the towel. Where there’s life, there’s hope. Ernie Limkakeng took over the faltering Sinulog Toastmaster Club #2395-75 in the Philippines in 1997. Attendance in that once flourishing club was down to just five or ten participants when Limkakeng was elected president. “Soon after the election,” says Limkakeng, “the officers held a meeting to look into the situation. We received the membership roster, discussed attendance problems and examined our programming and the financial situation. In the process, we learned

our strengths and our weaknesses. For instance, we found that we were left with past presidents and past officers of the club—seasoned Toastmasters who are very capable but, perhaps, slowly losing interest. We got them involved in our membership drive, mentoring new members and delivering instructional speeches.” According Limkakeng, the poor attendance problem was solved temporarily by inviting members from other clubs to handle parts of our program. “This enabled us to come up with a good crowd while we were still building up our membership,” he says. “We also discovered that the meeting days were not convenient for most of our members and we immediately corrected that.” The officers met often, even when there was little business to discuss. Says Limkakeng, “I figured this could serve as a bonding process for officers to work as a team.”

According to Limkakeng, “Sinulog Toastmaster Club was once a great club. We used to have lively crowded meetings. We were producing national champions in speech contests. Our members were called upon to hold district positions. Reminiscing on past glories and a call for revival may have rekindled the fire to excel in all of us.” Another tactic that helped reconnect the membership was the diligence of the officers in making personal calls to members to remind

them of meetings. Once they started that courtesy, “members were not likely to be absent,” says Limkakeng. And there were additional strategies. Limkakeng explains, “We stayed focused on our targets and considered disappointing moments only temporary setbacks. We gave importance to

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recognition for individual achievements by holding special recognition awards nights. We tried our best to lead by example, conscious of the fact that any lack of enthusiasm would considerably dampen the interest of members.” Limkakeng reflects on his achievement by saying, “I believe that what moved most of us was the sense of pride in our club. An organization is as strong as the number of people who take pride in what it’s doing.” In Latins district, they use Speechcraft programs to revive struggling clubs. He says, “When we see a club that’s kind of going down in membership, we immediately recommend to them that they do a Speechcraft,” he explains. “This is an eight-week mini class where participants pay anywhere from $10 to $25 for the class and materials and they have Toastmaster members as their teachers. They practice giving speeches—they give at least four speeches in that period, they can practice introducing their fellow Speechcrafters, they get to evaluate their Speechcrafters and they also get to experience impromptu speeches.” Whether you’re starting a new community or company club or working to save one that is faltering, Toastmaster International has the resource material to help you do it. From membership flyers to a club troubleshooting guide to membership-building contest ideas to Speechcraft promotional kits and even a Meeting Excellence Video Tape. Contact Toastmasters International at 800-9WE-SPEAK. Web site www.toastmasters.org. Remember it’s to your benefit to maintain a successful club environment where you, along with other members, can excel.

Patricia Fry is the author of A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit (Matilija Press, 2000).

How to Choose a Topic for a Speech www.ehow.com

Choosing a speech topic can be one of the hardest things to do in

public speaking. A winning presentation assignment begins with the right topic. Have you been given an open assignment to pick any speech topic you want? Are you wondering how to choose a topic for a speech?

Taking a personal inventory can do wonders for finding speech topics. Read on for the personal inventory method for choosing a speech topic that will make your presentation an audience pleaser. Step 1: The first step in choosing a speech topic is to make a list of your hobbies, skills, beliefs, and experiences. Jotting down this list of personal inventory will often generate potential speech topics that weren’t obvious to you before. Step 2: The next step is to narrow down the possible speech topics for your presentation assignment. From the personal inventory list in step one, cross out any speech ideas that are too embarrassing or too personal to tell an audience. Comfort while giving a presentation is very important in public speaking. Step 3: Now, look at your personal inventory list for speech topics. Choosing a speech topic is easier now that you’ve gotten rid of some choices. Let’s make it even easier by crossing out any

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speech topics that are too simple to tell for a presentation. Oftentimes, even a seemingly short public speaking presentation requires a speech topic that is complex enough to speak about it from different angles. Make sure your remaining ideas for speech topics can withstand the minimum time requirements required for your presentation assignment. Step 4: The final step on how to choose a topic for a speech using the personal inventory method is to pick that winning idea for your presentation assignment. If it is still too hard to decide, ask your teacher for help. Getting input for the presentation from your teacher works to your advantage in two ways: it shows you are committed to presenting a good speech and you’ll likely present a speech topic that your teacher is interested in. How to Practice for a Presentation www.ehow.com

Practicing for a presentation is a must for all speech givers. Presentation practice will help you feel more confident on the big day of your speech. Use the following steps as you practice before a big presentation to reduce your speech nervousness.

Step 1: Before practicing your presentation, make a set of note cards or a simple outline highlighting key information about your speech. Having note cards or an outline in front of you during the presentation will reduce your chances of drawing a blank and distracting from the message of your speech.

Step 2: Listen to your practice presentation. Practice saying your speech out loud. If possible, record your practice presentation and play it back. Often times, you’ll learn more about your speech presentation weaknesses if you’re able to listen to a recording of it. Step 3: Look at your practice presentation. Say your speech while facing a mirror. Position stuffed animals, dolls, or photos so that they are visible in the background while delivering your practice speech in the mirror. Throughout the practice presentation, establish eye contact with your rehearsal audience. Maintain a confident body image by standing tall, keeping arms uncrossed, and your facial muscles moderately relaxed. Step 4: Believe in yourself. Before and after delivering your practice speech presentation, think optimistically. Fill your mind with encouraging thoughts of how successful your presentation will be. Convince yourself that you will deliver a great speech. Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 several times, until you feel well-prepared for the presentation. Fun Table Topics Ideas for Toastmaster Meetings Angela Schnaubelt, http://continuingeducation.suite101.com/article.cfm

As TableTopics Master, it is challenging to plan for and come up with creative themes and variations. Here are lots of fun themes and ideas for a Toastmasters meeting. Acting as Table Topics Master can be fun, but does require advance preparation.

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These creative ideas on how to handle Table Topics are for experienced and advanced Toastmasters, or for very ambitious beginners. For first time Table Topics Masters, it is a good idea to check with the mentor or coach, as well as read the basic information in the back of the basic communication and speech manual. While Table Topic conversation cards are a good idea for individual questions, this article contains more elaborate ideas on how to develop questions around themes. Practice the Impromptu Speaking Skill of Gracefully Changing the Subject. As a general rule, the Table Topic respondent has this option any time. Using this as the theme, though, the idea is for each Table Topics response to NOT answer the question posed. The participants’ goal is to gracefully change the subject and talk about something else. Interesting Table Topics from Fortune Cookies. If ambitious, make the cookies from scratch. Alternately, if creative, type up fortunes ahead of time, cut them up, and let the Table Topic participants draw from a hat. Or just use real fortune cookies from a restaurant. It's nice to ask the restaurant owner for a stack of cards or promotional coupons and promote the restaurant to the club members. Speaking Topics from Junk Mail. Save up junk mail for a week and bring it in for club members to open it. Invite them to talk about why they are responding to it and how they would benefit from it, or how they would handle a letter of complaint.

Bring in information about how to opt out of junk mail. This is valuable information about how to go green, and edifying to the general membership. Use Pennies for Table Topics Ideas. Ask each Table Topics participant to draw a penny, look at the year, and talk about a memory from that year. To make the exercise more playful and less stressful, remind club members that no one can see the year of the penny they draw, so if they don’t like the year, they can make one up. For that matter, they can make up a story or memory. Newspaper Clippings as Table Topic Starters. Find inspiration for questions and topics from a local newspaper. Here are creative suggestions for how to use any of the following as Table Topics Master:

1. Headlines. Don't bring the story, just bring the headline and ask the Table Topic respondent to tell the story.

2. Comic strips. Have the Table Topic respondent elaborate on the funny story.

3. Ads. Have the person pretend they are the owner of the business who placed the ad and explain the philosophy of the ad, the response off the ad, the cost of the ad, or describe the ad campaign. Or, ask how the consumer is responding to the ad.

Campaign Speeches as a Table Topics Theme. This can be a creative way to make officer elections fun in April, May, or June. Dedicate a whole meeting to the theme of political campaigns, and ask participants to give a mini campaign speech during Table Topics.

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Even if the members are not running for an officer position in the club, they can role play with their answer as if they were running for office. Alternately, have this in October, just before general elections and talk about local politics, role playing campaign speeches of local officials. Planning is less stressful and more productive when there is a theme to work with. Share these ideas with other club members so that the Table Topics portion of the Toastmasters meeting is always exciting, different, creative and fun. How to Come Up With Creative Meeting Themes Angela Schnaubelt

Themes spice up a Toastmasters meeting in several ways. The Toastmaster of the meeting can use fun facts in his/her introductory remarks, and a theme can make it easier for the Table Topics Moderator to prepare for questions. While speakers do not have to abide by the theme of the meeting, it can also help a speaker who is stumped on a speech topic. Here are some tips on how to come up with a good theme: Step 1: Be Specific. When choosing a theme, it's very easy to make up a list of words like Spring, Christmas, Halloween, Philosophy, etc. These themes are too general. Instead of Spring, try the following:

• Flowers

• Seedlings Instead of Christmas, try the following:

• Re-gifting • Christmas Memories • Elves • Decorations

Instead of Death or Halloween, try one of the following:

• Tombstones • Ghosts • Re-incarnation • Haunting

Instead of Philosophies, try the following: • Old Adages • Myths • Proverbs • Famous Philosophers

Step 2: Educate Members. Themes can be educational, as well. Here are some ideas:

• Conduct a Leadership Series of two or three meetings in a row. From the Leadership Excellence modules, choose leadership sub-skills that group together logically. Examples:

• Values and Leadership, The Visionary Leader, and Developing Your Mission

• Delegate to Empower, Giving Effective Feedback, and Motivating People

• Leader as Coach, Service and Leadership, and Values and Leadership

• Building a Team, Resolving Conflict, and Motivating People

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• Conduct a Successful Club Series module to help newer members and refresh and remind more seasoned members of building blocks of a strong club: Evaluate to Motivate, Mentoring, Finding New Members, etc.

Step 3: Be Wacky.

• Juxtapose two unlikely things like "Christmas in July," or "Summer in January."

• Do a farce of a television series. • Role-playing themes can be wacky if members come in

costume, and include: o celebrity impersonation meeting o historical figures meeting o occupation meeting o rock stars, superheroes, celebrities, animals, etc.

Step 4: Use an unusual or important "official day or month" as a theme. Examples include Black History Month, Secretary's Day, Alzheimer's Awareness Month, etc. Step 5: Change Meeting Location. Location changes can add excitement to a theme. Here are some ideas for different meeting locations:

• Pizza party at a pizza parlor • Diner/restaurant • Ice cream parlor • Coffee shop • Supermarket coffee shop • Bookstore • Mall • Park--outside picnic meeting • Member's house • Bar--drinking culture, toasts

Step 6: Parties/Celebrations. Club anniversaries, member birthdays, achievement recognition, and hosting an annual social are all great reasons to throw a party. Potlucks are relatively easy to coordinate, and cost no money for the club. Step 7: Evaluation Variations.

• Spin the bottle evaluator • Panel evaluation • Stop-the-Speaker evaluations • Video tape and evaluate during playback • Interactive evaluations • Self evaluations • Evaluate the evaluators • Table Topics evaluations • Evaluate to Motivate module from the Successful Club

Series • Random evaluators

Step 8: Here are some more ideas for meeting themes:

• All-Icebreaker speeches meeting • Stage a debate on a controversial issue • Hecklers/Hostile audience meeting • Joint Meeting with another club • Area Super Meeting (all clubs in one Area meet together at

one meeting) • Introductions Workshop • Mock Press Conference • Joke-a-thon • Charades • Speech Contests special only to the club or Area (make up

your own speech contest, like Throwing the Bull, Preacher of the Year, Controversial Table Topics Contest, etc.)

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• Poetry meeting • Youth/Teen meeting • Campaign Speech meeting • Book Report meeting • Movie review • Show and Tell • White Elephant Sale • Raffle Prizes • Board games • Host a Murder

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget the traditional standby, "Open House." • Ask other members for input on ideas. • Plan in advance five to eight meetings at a time. • Some clubs ask the Vice President of Education to choose

the themes, some let the Toastmaster of the meeting choose the theme, and some clubs democratically choose the themes together.

• Make sure club members are excited and on board for the theme ideas. If members aren't excited about coming to the meeting in costume, for example, then the theme won't go over very well.

How to Build a Strong Toastmasters Club Member Angela Schnaubelt, www.ehow.com

Read the following steps on how to build value for your present and future Toastmasters club members, based on the concepts found in the Club Mission.

You’ll Need: • Membership in a Toastmasters Club. • Compassion • Patience

Step 1: Memorize the Mission of the Toastmasters Club. Some clubs have the Sergeant at Arms to read the Mission Statement aloud at the beginning of every Toastmaster meeting to remind club members of its purpose and to reveal to guests what values drives the club's existence. The Club Mission can be used as a tool to help continually evaluate whether the club is on the right track for maintaining and growing to best serve its members. The Club Mission focuses on providing members with value. "The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth." The Club Mission is the compass, the standard, and the guidepost to directly measure whether or not the club is providing value to its members. Step 2: Establish a Strong Mentor Program. New members can ask anybody for advice and fellow club members are always willing to help. Mentoring can personalize the learning process and increase member retention. Mentorship pairs a new member with an experienced member to create a more personal relationship with whom that new member can learn from, rely on when in a panic, and trust.

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A mentor is the new member's friend. It can be overwhelming and scary to join a club and have to speak and participate in the meeting with a room full of strangers. No matter how friendly the club members are, they are all still strangers at first. The mentor becomes an instant friend, and can be an emotional anchor to the new member. Step 3: Conduct a "Moments of Truth" Seminar. This seminar guides the club members to make objective, honest evaluations of the club's programs and operations. Members are asked to be honest about every single aspect of the Toastmasters experience that the club provides. Included are 5-7 questions about each of the following subjects: First Impressions; New Member Orientation; Fellowship, Variety, and Communication; Program Planning and Meeting Organization; Membership Strength; and Recognizing Accomplishments. This is a module created by Toastmasters International (TI). The module is found in the Successful Club Series, and can be ordered online at the Toastmasters website, or at a District convention. If the club does not own a set of the modules, then ask more experienced members in the club if they have a copy, as many hold a library of resources acquired from TI throughout the years. Step 4: Educate Members about Leadership Development Opportunities. Toastmasters International has recently fleshed out its leadership skills and training programs. Not every member joins Toastmasters to improve his/her public speaking skills. Some people are looking to develop their leadership skills, hone their leadership style, and work on the sub-skills of leadership in general.

There is an entire "track" devoted to developing leaders skilled in delegating, motivating, fostering teamwork, and more. Step 5: Work the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). The 10 goals of the DCP are not random. They are the same every year. These goals are important mile markers to determine whether or not the club is providing members with value, and is participating in the programs that Toastmasters offers. Do not focus on getting a point for each goal--the points are not the purpose of the Distinguished Club Program, nor is the recognition. The purpose of working the DCP is to fulfill the mission of the club (provide growth opportunities for members). This brings us back to step 1, putting the Mission of the Club as the #1 priority for all the actions of its club officers and members. Step 6: Conduct Productive Meetings. The following are just a few aspects of a productive meeting: a) Start the meeting on time and stick to the printed agenda. This will show respect of club member's time. b) Have all speeches manual speeches. c) Encourage evaluators to give constructive, positive evaluations that will help speakers grow and mature in their speaking skills. Discourage whitewashing and negative evaluations that hurt, rather than build, self-esteem. d) Conduct interesting Table Topics that have fun with themes or role playing. Tips & Warnings

• If you truly care about your fellow members, your compassion will shine through in your decisions as you put forth the effort to grow your club.

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• Remember to recognize club member achievements in a ceremonial, public way (e.g. throw a party to celebrate educational achievements).

• Clubs with 12 or fewer members are considered "struggling" clubs. The good news is these clubs qualify for a Club Coach to be assigned to them by the District. Ask your Area Governor for more information about the Club Coach Program.

• It takes time and perseverance to rebuild a struggling club. Membership growth does not come overnight.

Safe Computing Practices www.geeksontour.com

More and more, we are making use of the Internet and other on-line tools to prepare our speeches. And while we have the best of intentions when searching for information, there are individuals providing us with not only wanted information, but also unwanted

viruses, spyware and malware. Protection. Just like a car needs door locks, seat belts and airbags, there are certain security software choices you need to make for your computer. Check your Security Center for your computer’s status – Control Panel, Security Center. Use one firewall. If you practice BUCS as outlined below, the “one-way” firewall that comes with Windows XP is sufficient. Only use one firewall. If you use a 3rd party firewall such as Norton, Zone

Alarm, or Comodo make sure you understand all its settings. It *can* block you from the Internet completely if not set up correctly. Use one anti-virus program. Three good, free programs are: AVG Free, Avira, and Avast. Find them on www.Download.com. Use at least one anti-spyware/adware program. Windows Defender comes preinstalled with Vista, you can download it for free for XP. SuperAntispyware and Malwarebytes are good, too. Go to www.download.com and search for free anti-spyware. They change all the time. Wi-Fi Are there extra security considerations while connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot?

• There are a couple of minor ones (see below), but generally, it is no less safe to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi than any other method. In a way, it is safer, because it is a private network, inaccessible to the outside Internet. If any bad-guys are going to get to you, they must be connected to the same network. The most important thing is to do your BUCS. Any security problems we have seen with use of a Wi-Fi network were caused by a computer not being up-to-date, or being infected.

• Be sure you are connecting to the correct network. You

need to know the name (ssid) of the hotspot. It may be starbucks, or coach, or tengo. There have been reports of fake networks calling themselves Free Wireless Internet (or something similar) trying to trap you into connecting to them. Known as Evil Twin or Man in the Middle (Google for more information).

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• Turn off File and Printer sharing. Wi-Fi is a network, and the original purpose of networks was to share files and printers. Now, we only want to connect to the Internet and NOT to share our files with anyone else. To turn off File and Printer sharing in Windows XP: Control Panel → Networks → Select your wireless network → right-click and choose properties → find the property for File and Printer sharing → uncheck it.

Note: Windows Vista handles this automatically thru settings for a Public network. Is it safe to do my online banking on a Wi-Fi network?

• Yes – your bank’s website will be secure. You should see a little lock indicator on your browser’s status bar. You should also see the website address starts with https – the s stands for secure. This means that anything you type on your computer will be encrypted (garbled). It remains encrypted thru the Wi-Fi network, thru the public Internet, to your bank, and back. It is completely safe. If you have any doubts, call your bank to discuss.

Never send sensitive information in an email. Emails will NOT be encrypted. It is possible (highly unlikely, but possible) that someone could be sniffing the radio waves and actually read your email. Is Firefox better than Internet Explorer? I have heard that using Netscape or FireFox means less vulnerability to viruses. Should I switch?

• Since Internet Explorer is the most popular web browser available, it is the object of more attacks than other browsers, but the other browsers are not inherently any safer. They are still subject to attacks; it just doesn’t

happen as often. Keeping your software up-to-date is the most effective protection, regardless of which browser you use.

Performance. Sticking with the car analogy, an important safety feature is to keep your car well maintained. Same with a computer. We call it BUCS: Backup, Update, Cleanup, Scan. Backup Imagine that your computer was stolen, or it simply crashed and will not turn on any more. You could buy a new computer, reinstall or replace any software you had, but what would you be missing? Your job is to backup the stuff that you have created and stored on your computer. The accounting files, word processing documents, digital photos and email information. We recommend copying these files to a CD-R using a program such as Nero, or use My Computer → right click on the folder to copy → choose “Send To CD Drive.” If you use Picasa for digital photos (we recommend it) it has a backup command. You can’t normally backup programs and operating systems, you need the original recovery CDs that came with your computer. They will contain the operating system and the software needed to set up your computer. You also need the original CDs of other software you have purchased. All these CDs will be needed if your computer crashes or needs to be reformatted at some time – keep them in a

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safe place. Take them with you on extended travels. Better yet, make copies and take the copies with you. E-mail address books. You should have an extra copy of all your email addresses. If you use an email program on your computer like Outlook, or Eudora – then make a copy to an online account like Gmail. If you use an online email program like Gmail or Hotmail, make a copy of your address book to your computer. Search your email program for help on “Downloading.” Can I use the USB Flash Drive to backup? Not recommended. The little thumb drives are great for temporary storage, but for permanent copies we recommend CD-R’s (or DVD-R’s) and external USB hard drives. DVDs simply store more. What is System Restore? System restore is a different kind of backup. Your system settings reside in a file called the Registry. That gets backed up automatically on a regular basis. When you’ve recently installed something that seems to have broken your system, System Restore can take your system back to the state it was in before the install. Start → All Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Restore → Update Update What do you need to keep updated?

• Windows: Download your Windows Updates regularly. You must install all Critical Updates as soon as they are available. From your browser, select Tools → Windows Updates and follow the instructions. It is best to have automatic updates turned on.

• Virus Definitions: Most anti-virus programs, like AVG, have an automatic update feature. You should know how to

check your software and see the date of the definitions is it using. If you leave your computer on and online, the update can happen in the middle of the night every night.

• Spyware/Adware Definitions: Same as anti-virus programs. • Software Updates: Especially your web browser. Internet

Explorer is usually updated as part of your Windows Update, but, if you use Firefox, it has its own regular security updates. Check it with Help, About Firefox

• Hardware drivers or firmware: Go to the website for your hardware manufacturer and search for updates. You need to know your exact make and model. If you have a Service Tag, that really helps. Do this regularly.

Cleanup Cleanup means to delete stuff.

• Unnecessary software - A brand new computer especially comes with a lot of junk installed.

• Old documents • Old programs: need to uninstall them. • All temp files.

Should I delete Cookies and Temporary Internet files?

• Some Cookies are good. They store things like your username and password for Amazon.com. Sometimes cookies can clog your system and you need to start fresh. In your browser, Tools → Internet Options → Delete Cookies → Delete files. Be sure you have a record of all your usernames and passwords somewhere.

How do I delete temporary files (different from temporary Internet files) that are clogging up my computer?

• My Computer → right-click on C:/ → Properties → Disk Cleanup. In Vista you can click on Start and type cleanup or

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type Performance, choose Performance Information and Tools. Vista will show you several ways to improve performance.

When would I use a Registry Cleaner program?

• If your computer still acts strange after all you have done your updates, scans and cleanups, a Registry Cleaner may help. You need to do your research on which one to use. We recommend going to www.download.com and searching for Registry Cleaner. You can limit search to free programs. Not all registry cleaners are good. You should back up your registry first. (run Regedit.exe and Export or set a System Restore point to go back to). We have had good luck with Eusing, CCleaner, and Windows Live Onecare.

Scan & Defrag What do I use to scan my computer for problems?

• Scan for disk problems with the utility that comes with Windows. Open My Computer → right click on C:/ drive → choose properties → Tools → Check Now.

• Scan regularly (usually every day) for viruses with your virus-checking software.

• Scan for spyware & adware with Defender, Spybot Search & Destroy and AdAware.

• Once in a while, you should use an online scanner for a second opinion! We like Windows Live Onecare free safety scanner.

What is defrag and how often should I use it?

• Defrag is a disk-organizing utility that can be found at My Computer → right click on C:/ → Properties → Tools. How often you need to run it depends on how much you use your computer. Once every month or two should be sufficient for most users. In Vista you can easily schedule defrag to happen automatically on a schedule. Just click Start and type defrag open the Disk Defragmenter and you will see the place to set a schedule.

When do you need a new computer?

• Regardless of your best efforts, if you use your computer a lot and frequently use the Internet, your computer will probably need to be reformatted (empty it out and start over) by the time it is over 2 years old. And, by 4 years, you may need a new computer. Be Prepared. If something is going wrong with a computer over 4 years old – it’s time to get a new one. It’s not advised to put any money into a 4+ year old computer.

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District 68 Educational Awards January 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009

Competent Communicator Award

Alfred Doucette Lake Charles Toastmasters

Regan Gatti Forgotten Voices Toastmasters

Donald R. Dickerson Forgotten Voices Toastmaster

Audrey Bell Women Of Success Toastmasters

Roy Chenier Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Tiffanie Lyon Totally Toastmasters

Carlton Eugene Thornton GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

George Ashanti Witherspoon Miracle Place Toastmasters

Richard J. Jefferson Jefferson Chamber Toastmasters

Joey D. Craddock Turning Point Toastmasters

Mitchel Eugene Chauvin Rabble Rousers Toastmasters

Shane Price Tulane Toastmasters (Students Only)

Derrick Hampton A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Demi J. LeJeune GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Anne Redelfs Big Easy Toasters Toastmasters

Demond Brock Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Graham McFerran Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Leroy Bannister Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Dwayne Coleman Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Magnus Le Compte Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Kerry Allen Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Michael Burnstine Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Curtis Benson Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Richard Paul Roy Downtown Toastmasters

Olubukumola Harthoorn JTalkers Toastmasters

Kent Blumberg GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Terri McDowell Boyer GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Michael Marino New Orleans Toastmasters

Michael Kellup Smith A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Charles Magee Men of Vision Toastmasters

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Paul Rosas Men of Vision Toastmasters

Joshua Hobson Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Darian Pierce Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Solomon Washington Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Kathy A. Steelman Rabble Rousers Toastmasters

Frances T. Morrison Up And At ‘em Toastmasters

Stephanie S. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Charles W. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Patricia Breland Cleco Of Cenla Club

Mary P. Lee Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Toni S. Dorn Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Wade Adams Turning Point Toastmasters

Robin B Bunley Women Of Success Toastmasters

Christi C. Felder Business & Professional Toastmasters

Corey Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Yanada G. Essex New Orleans Toastmasters

Samuel S. Ramirez Big Easy Toasters Toastmasters

Dawn Rabalais Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Darrell Robertson Turning Point Toastmasters

Daniel Harton Turning Point Toastmasters

Duong Cao One Vision-One Voice Toastmasters

James A. Chandler Totally Toastmasters

Martha H. Whelan Lake Charles Toastmasters

Competent Leadership Award

Dean Drewes Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Detra A. Gaulden Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Roy Chenier Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Jamal Kali Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Ricky Fugler A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Jerry Compton A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Thomas Dorsey Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Shanda S. Crain.

Women Of Success Toastmasters Joey D Craddock

Turning Point Toastmasters

Shirley J. Turner Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Aldon Harris Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Magnus Le Compte Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

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James Mack Turning Point Toastmasters

Wilfred Guy One Vision-One Voice Toastmasters

Arthur K. Jones One Vision-One Voice Toastmasters

Charles Magee Men of Vision Toastmasters

Paul Rosas Men of Vision Toastmasters

Patrick Robinson Men of Vision Toastmasters

Tyrone Johnson Men of Vision Toastmasters

Joshua Hobson Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Darian Pierce Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Derrick Hampton A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Donald R. Dickerson Forgotten Voices Toastmasters

Synn-Claire Marie Banks New Orleans Toastmasters

Jennifer McClare GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Wade Adams Turning Point Toastmasters

Brian Matthew St. George GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Stephanie S. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Bronze Award

Marcus Covington A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Jamal Kali Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Anna Clara Gayle Miracle Place Toastmasters

Philip Lawrence Varona GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Shirley J. Turner Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Esther Penns Women Of Success Toastmasters

Kevin Duchane Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Thomas Dorsey Speakers of Valor

Howard Crowder Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Graham McFerran Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

John Thomas Meade New Orleans Toastmasters

Linda H. McKinney Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Cedric Dunbar A Voice for Change Toastmasters

John A. Sheehan One Vision-One Voice Toastmasters

Arthur K. Jones One Vision-One Voice Toastmasters

Charles W. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Stephanie S. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Hollie Domiano Big Easy Toasters Toastmasters

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James A. Chandler Totally Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Silver Award

Kimberly D. Boyd Up & At ‘em Toastmasters

Brian Matthew St. George GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters

Jonathan Wayne Green Turning Point Toastmasters

Shanda S. Crain Women of Success Toastmasters

Angela Denean Stokes Women of Success Toastmasters

Michael Richard Dickerson One Vision – One Voice Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Gold Award

Michael Johnson Men of Vision Toastmasters

Tyrone Johnson Men of Vision Toastmasters

Mustafa H. Muhammad Turning Point Toastmasters

Advanced Leadership Bronze Award

Synn Claire Marie Banks New Orleans Toastmasters

Gerald Rome Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Shanda S. Crain Women of Success Toastmasters

Jamal Kali Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Howard Crowder Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Andrew J Hundley. Up & At ‘em Toastmasters

Advanced Leadership Silver Award

Andrew Hundley Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

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Distinguished Toastmaster Award Andrew Hundley

Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

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District 68 Educational Awards July 30, 2009 – October 31, 2009

Competent Communicator Award Courtney Jackson

Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters Steve Ward Maurer Lake Charles Toastmasters

Tasha N. Smith Golden Triangle Toastmasters

Terri L. Thevenote Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Vicki Tassin Cleco Of Cenla Toastmasters

Doug J. Saylor Northshore Toastmasters

Cynda M. Moss Evangeline Toastmasters

Nathaniel Mallet Men of Vision Toastmasters

Bob Donlon Twice As Significant Toastmasters

Mildred Dunkley Cenla Gift Of Gab Toastmasters

Sherral Kahey Women Of Success Toastmasters

Brandon R Lee A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Susan SG Martin. Miracle Place Toastmasters

George Ashanti Witherspoon Miracle Place Toastmasters

Toby Guthrie Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Lisa Magee JTalkers Toastmasters

Ernest Sheppard Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Competent Leadership Award

John Thomas Meade New Orleans Toastmasters

Matthew Lierman Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Leroy Bannister Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Carlos Arroyave Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Charles W. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Chris Villafano Golden Triangle Toastmasters

Vanda F. Willis Cleco of Cenla Toastmasters

Linda H. McKinney Cleco of Cenla Toastmasters

Nathaniel Mallet Men of Vision Toastmasters

Gerald Watson A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Tony D. Boyd Confident Allies Toastmasters

Frances T. Morrison Confident Allies Toastmasters

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Ernest Sheppard Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Kerry Allen Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Curtis Benson Freedom to Speak Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Bronze Award

Charlene Buras Desplas Up & At ‘em Toastmasters

Bob Donlon Lafayette Toastmasters

Tony D. Boyd Confident Allies Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Silver Award

Alfred McQuarter Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Matthew Pineda Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Howard Crowder Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Bruce Boomer Golden Triangle Toastmasters Toastmasters

Beryl T. Harris National Finance Center Toastmasters

Aaron Arceneaux A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Aundray Moore A Voice for Change Toastmasters

Advanced Communicator Gold Award

Darryl Hall Up & At ‘em Toastmasters

Marjorie G. Donlon Lafayette Toastmasters

Advanced Leadership Bronze Award

Charles W. Potier Business & Professional Toastmasters

Jonathan Wayne Green Turning Point Toastmasters

Alvin Scott Loyd Forgotten Voices Toastmasters

Ricky Fugler A Voice for Change Toastmasters

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Advanced Leadership Silver Award

Matthew Pineda Distinguished Gentlemen Toastmasters

Kimberly D. Boyd Cleco of Cenla Toastmasters

James A. Chandler Naturally N'awlins Toastmasters

Torrance Jefferson Speakers of Valor Toastmasters

Distinguished Toastmaster Award

James A. Chandler Naturally N'awlins Toastmasters Club

Torrance Jefferson Speakers of Valor Toastmasters