My journey from stammer to public speaker

By Tia Atanasova 

Why did I join Toastmasters?

I haTia Atanasovave always had a very lively, energetic, social personality.  I absolutely love being around people!  But as a child growing up with stammer, it was hard for me to find my voice.  Engaging an audience, no matter how big or small, was a deep rooted fear.  On the one hand, it made me a good listener.  But on the other hand, it was holding me back from what I wanted – to be a strong and eloquent speaker.  Not being able to express my thoughts, I spent a sufficient amount of time reading, mostly classic Russian novels, Ancient Greek literature and philosophical essays.  I ended up having so much to say, but at the same time so little confidence to stand up and do it.

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How to do a Club Success Plan..

With Post-It Notes!

Goals Goals Goals.. yes I know the Euros are on but those aren’t the sort of goals I’m talking about…

I’m talking about your educational awards, your progress in the Toastmasters Program.

Now, not everyone wants to set goals and I’m completely fine with that. One of the many wonderful things about the Toastmasters program is the fact that it is entirely self-paced. It’s up to you when you what to do something and there are lots of people who are quite happy attending meetings and just having a good time not concerning themselves with goals and progress and recognition (oh my!)

CSP Poster 2This idea is for members and club committees who do want to set themselves goals and do so in a fun way.

I spotted this idea on the The Official Toastmasters International Members Group on Facebook.  Many thanks to incoming VP Education Kathy Shine, DTM of Cream City Communicators, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Her club completed Moments of Truth two weeks ago. They have already implemented several suggestions from our members and have begun to develop plans for further action that will be included in their 2016-2017 Club Success Plan.

One suggestion was to find a way to display member goals and progress in a non-threatening and non-embarrassing way for all members, and to encourage others who are taking a slower pace as they focus on building self confidence.

Their solution: they invited their members to sign their name and indicate their goal on a super-sticky post-it note, then placed them all on a large poster board marked simply as “2016-2017 GOALS.” They plan to have a second poster labelled “2016-2017 GOALS COMPLETED” and members can move their post-its from one board to the other in a simple recognition ceremony during a club meeting. What a great photo opportunity!

CSP PosterThey have several fun, colorful shapes:

  • crown shaped post-it notes for members who want to work toward their Triple Crown award
  • red apple post-its are for members who want to serve as mentors – they will be paired up with a green apple / mentee
  • dialogue post-its for people who want to attend their first conference or convention
  • other post-its for goals specific to their club, for example Club Ambassador, being part of their traveling “Cream Team” (a Capture the Banner program, which sounds a lot like Thomas the Travelling Gavel in Area 55)
  • stars for Competent Leader and Communicator awards
  • clouds for Advanced Leader and Communicator awards

It’s a Club Success Plan on a poster board! Why not try it in your club? If you do, send photos to dltdistrict91@gmail.com.

D91 Nominations of the Year

District Nominations of the Year

After a busy 2015/2016 Toastmaster’s year, it’s time to reflect, recognise and acknowledge good deeds carried out during the year by handing out awards.  First of all, we need to receive your nominations.  Please complete the Nominations Form and email back to me by 30 June.

Now is your opportunity to nominate someone or a club for one of the following awards: –

  • Toastmaster of the Year
  • Area Director of the Year
  • Division Director of the Year
  • Club of the Year

I look forward to receiving your nominations.

 

Helena Brewer
D91 Administration Manager 2015-16

Monthly Mentions – DCP Progress

District 91 DCP Progress

72% of our clubs within District 91 have achieved Distinguished, with 12 of those being Presidents Distinguished.

Congratulations to the following clubs:

Division B

  • London Victorians
  • Berkeley Square Speakers Toastmasters Club
  • City Limits Speakers
  • Grosvenor Square Club

Division H

  • Wokingham Speakers
  • County Communicators

Division J

  • Thamesdown Speakers Club
  • Malvern Speakers

Division K

  • Bromley Speakers
  • 1st London Toastmasters

Division L

  • Holborn Speakers
  • WIBF Speakers-City Club

D91 International Speech & Evaluation Contests Winners

Following a very successful District 91 Londinium Spring Conference this weekend, congratulations to the inaugural winners of the District 91 International Speech and Evaluation Contests 2016.

International Speech Winners:Winner Speech Contest 3

1st:  Thien Trang Nguyen Phan

2nd:  Andrew Osayemi

3rd:  Donald Mavunduse

Thein, with her speech ‘Cut It Out’, will go on to represent District 91 at the International Speech semi-finals at Washington DC in August.  We wish her every success.

The mystery speaker was Graham Frost with a speech entitled ‘The Jacket That Changed My Life’.

Evaluation Contest Winners:IMG_1723

1st:  Ga Lok Chung

2nd:  Chris Boden

3rd:  Meenakshi Nayar