An Interview on Public Speaking

I thought I'd start out my blog with a recent interview on public speaking that my daughter Abby did with me for her speech class at Colorado Christian University. She used me as her "expert" source in the field. I hope you enjoy it.

[Abby]
How long have you been doing toastmasters?

[Me]
I've been in Toastmasters for 2 years.



[Abby]
What exactly are you the VP of, and could you give a brief description of what that position entails?

[Me]
I'm the VP of Education for our Club, Simply Speaking Toastmasters
The position includes:

• Encourage (and sometimes cajole) members to achieve the next level in Toastmasters Communication and Leadership awards.
• Present communication and leadership awards when members have finished their book(s).
• Submit award applications to the Toastmasters International web site.
• Mentor new and returning members.
• Teach experienced members how to mentor others.
• Assign mentors to new members.
• Promote participation in the Toastmaster Education Program.
• Schedule meetings (although I've delegated this job to someone else).
• Plan Speech Contests (although I usually delegate to another member).
• Attend Club Officer meetings to help manage the club.
• Attend Officer Leadership Training meetings held by our Toastmaster district.
• Fill in for the President when they can't attend a meeting.
• Help the President wherever needed.
• Prepare my successor for office.

[Abby]
How many best speaker/ table topics/ evaluator awards have you gotten?

[Me]
I've won 3 or 4 times. I would win more, but we have about 10 other speakers in the group who are totally amazing. For example, we have Ian Humphrey in our club, and he just went to the final round of Toastmasters International Speech Contest. If he's on the schedule to speak, I just concede - might as well just hand him the best speaker ribbon before we even start. :-)


[Abby]
What do you do in your speeches?

• What hook do you use?
• How/ how long do you prepare?
• What sorts of topics do you speak on?
• How many speeches have you done?

[Me]
What hook do I use? It depends.
At Toastmasters, I try to get the audience's attention at the beginning with vocal variety, having an odd title like "The Elements in Barbecue in Free Verse" , OR wearing a costume related to my talk (e.g., a bathrobe with the Cat-In-The-Hat hat, etc.). I've also used props like duct tape, etc.

At a technical presentation at a conference or user group, I have to reel it back in. But I can still use cool pictures and diagrams.

How do you prepare?
I'm starting a more structured approach:

• Identify the audience - what are their needs?
• Identify the purpose.
• Gather materials.
• Outline with a mind mapping tool.
• Write a first draft.
• Then, I start creating slides (but not before).
• Refine the writing and the slides.
• Practice, practice, practice. I memorize key portions of the speech, but other parts are more impromptu. I try to tell a story.

How long do you prepare?
Hmmm ... In the past, not long enough. Now, I spend about 80 hours creating a 90 minute talk.
For the 5 - 7 minute speeches at Toastmasters, I usually spend about 7 - 8 hours preparing.

What sorts of topics do you speak on?
At Toastmasters, I talk about non-technical topics:

• Past:

1. BBQ
2. Duct Tape
3. Stress in the workplace
4. Over-dependence on technology

• Upcoming:

1. How to mentor a new Toastmaster member
2. The Toastmaster educational program
3. How to Mind Map
4. How to do a slide presentation

At technical conferences, I speak about technical topics:

• Service-Oriented Architecture
• Web Services
• Java development
• jQuery
• JBoss (remember my book?)
• Data Interchange Formats (XML and JSON)

How many speeches have you done?
At Toastmasters, I've done 10 speeches.
At technical user groups, I've done about 10 - 15.
At technical conferences, I've done about 15 - 20.



[Abby]
What is the longest speech you have done?

[Me]
At Toastmasters, my longest speech was about 10 minutes (but average time is 5 - 7 minutes).
At technical conferences, I'm usually doing 90 minute talks.

In November I'll be presenting at two technical user groups, and each talk will be about 60 minutes.

In April 2011, I'll be at GIDS 2011 in Bangalore India. I'll be doing 4 talks that last 45 minutes, and two more that last 180 minutes each.

I'm hoping to be at the "No Fluff Just Stuff" conferences next year, where I'll be back to the normal 90 minute talks.

I'm also thinking about doing some technical training courses next year for architects and developers. This could either be an evening class that goes for 2 hours OR it could be an all-day course on Saturday.

In the past, I've taught technical training courses where I spoke and taught 8 hours per day for 5 days straight (this including answering lots of questions) - this is very tiring.



[Abby]
Do you use visual aids?

[Me]
At Toastmasters, I use some props - Duct Tape, toys, cell phone, costumes, etc. For my upcoming talks I'll be using slides that have pictures.

At technical talks at user groups and conferences, I'll also be using slides with pictures.



[Abby]
Did you learn from others, or were you just born great? :)
If so, how did you decide who (what type of speaker) to learn from, what did you pick up?

[Me]
Very few people are born great, and I'm not one of them.
It's been a long hard process just to become good. Speaking, presenting, and teaching is a LOT of work, but I love it.
I've learned from a lot of people:

• Scott Davis (my co-author on JBoss at Work) - who is one of the most talented technical presenters I've ever seen. He's smooth and glib. He sounds like he's talking to you personally even in a packed conference room.
• Matt McCullough - He's re-defining how to do technical presentations. From looking at his talks, I realized that I had to completely, fundamentally change how I present. Matt's slides have very few words. He uses lots of pictures and images, but he can still convey great technical information.
• Tim Berglund - ditto. He inspires me to try to get into international conferences. Go large or go home.
• Toastmasters (where do I start?):
• Ian Humphrey (Toastmasters International Speech Contest Finalist) - His presentations are powerful and inspiring. After all the things he's overcome in life, I'm reminded that NOTHING is impossible, and that "impossible" is nothing.
  
  1. Elinora Reynolds - She's smooth and glib in any situation.
  2. Betty Funderburke - Joy and inspiration.
  3. Gigi DeGala - She looks so small and innocent, but she is amazing. She is one of the most powerful and inspirational speakers I've ever heard.
  4. Darryle Brown - Totally Dynamic.
• Church:

1. Pastor Robert - Smooth, great messages. One of the best preachers I've ever heard.

[Abby]
Where might you improve still?

[Me]
I need to work on:

• More practice
• Consider the needs of my audience for my technical talks
• Less text on my slides
• More images on my slides
• Don't read from my slides

[Abby]
Anything else useful you can think of for how you have become successful in speechifying?

[Me]
General Tips:

• Be passionate - speak about something that matters to you.
• Go to Toastmasters and see others do it.
• Go through the 1st 10 speeches in Toastmasters Competent Communication manual.
• Do the speeches in the various Advanced Communication manuals.
• Read some of the newer texts on communications and speaking (and then put what you've learned into practice):
  
  1. slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations
  2. Presentation Skills 201: How to Take it to the Next Level as a Confident, Engaging Presenter
  3. Presentation Zen
  4. Business Writing and Communication
  5. the Non-Designer's Presentation Book
• Great Web Sites:

1. Toastmasters.org
2. SpeakingAboutPresenting.com
3. Six Minutes
   

_________________________________________
Simply Speaking Bloggers: Remember to let your group know you created a blog post.

Simply Speaking Google Group

It's a HALLOWEEN party!

Hello Toastmasters!

I know it's super early, but I want to let you know I will be Toastmaster for our meeting on 10/28. And you know what's around the corner from 10/28?

10/31...HALLOWEEN!

Our Halloween Party (meeting) on 10/28 will commence at 6:30pm.  Please come early for treats, goodies, and Halloween party music! 


This year's Halloween Party (meeting) will be a scream! Please, please, please come in a costume...any costume. Here are some examples of easy costumes that can be created in minutes and with items you may already have:

The old stand by a Ghost: Grab a old white sheet, cut out the eyes. Be sure its is short enough not to trip you. Take scrap piece of sheet, and sew up a simple treat bag.

Clown: Sweet clothes that are too large. Decorate by using either fabric paint, or markers. For those who dare try tie-die. Tack on some large pop-poms, add a cheap wig, hat, and make-up. You may also stuff the extra space in clothing with tissue. However this could be messy, if you need to make a "pit-stop".

Scarecrow: Over sized flannel shirt, faded blue jeans with patches, rope for belt and to tie at the cuffs of his jeans and sleeves, stuff the shirt and jeans with plastic grocery, or paper, a little bit of straw to hang out of jeans and shirt. Add a little bit of make-up.

The American tourist: Guys loud Hawaii shirt, shorts (if weather permits), Large straw hat. Gals bright loud dress, flats, big sun hat, straw bag. Don't forget to have a camera, and maps hanging out, and that look of being lost. Guys can use a tourist bag, (like you get from travel agents, and gals can use the straw bag for their treats.

1960s Hippy: This one is hard, after all its all back in style! What is real, and what is costume? ;-) Tie die clothing, long wig (in the old days we called a "fall", sandals, headband, anything with fringe on it (vests, purse...) light colored sun glasses.

Old man: Dark paints (cuffed), and jacket, most any dress shirt, mans flannel hat, walking cane. Gray the hair, with any of the commercial temporary colors, or dust with a little flour.

Old woman: Old style dress, just below knee, knee-hi stockings rolled down a little, oxfords, large black purse.

Your chance to be a real nerd. Slick back the hair, grab some paints that are too short, white shirt, white socks, penny loafers, or lace up oxfords, pocket protector, with lots of pens, dark rim glasses (don't forget to tape the corner, or at least paper clip it) briefcase, or backpack for treat bag.

You might win a prize for the best costume because there may be a contest!  Bring that competitive spirit of yours, along with any other spirits.

I will take care of roles for the meeting during that week.

More details about the meeting to come!

-- Felicia - The Halloween Toastmaster --

Simply Speaking Toastmasters to celebrate its 7th Anniversary!

Simply Speaking Toastmasters marks 7 years of excellence as a club with a special toast during the September 29th meeting. The celebration to honor the past achievements and recognize and honor the future of the club.

Simply Speaking is the home of several award winning toastmasters to include Ian Humphrey, the 2010 toastmasters regional champion and a 2010 World Championship of Public Speaking contestant, 2007 District Evaluation Contest Champion Connie Akins and 2009 District Humorous Speech Contest Champion Gigi DeGala. Chartered in September 2004, Simply Speaking Toastmasters was founded by Dana Morgan as a fun and energetic club that has evolved over the years as one of the most diverse, energetic and talented clubs in Toastmasters District 26. Denver 6 (D6) Area Governor Darryle Brown continues to serve Simply Speaking as one of its charter members.

Many have recognized the Simply Speaking club as an emerging club leading the way toward inspiring other clubs throughout the district. With its slogan "Simply Your Best Speaking Begins Here", it encompasses the present growth and future potential of toastmasters seeking to lead and inspire others to excellence as communicators.

Join us in this glorious celebration as we cheer Simply Speaking's amazing success in continually setting benchmarks and emerging as one of District 26's finest clubs!







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Simply Speaking Bloggers: Remember to let your group know you created a blog post.

Simply Speaking Google Group

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

It is time for all good Toastmasters to come to the aid of their club.

AND

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

DUES  are due ya'll! 

You do NOT want me coming down there with both barrels blazing and Darryle in my posse. 

Help me help you!

$39.00 cash or checks made out to simply the best little speaking club in the world: Simply Speaking

Here's a fun little joke and the first person to bring me their check tonight will get to hear the end of the joke and get an ADDITIONAL PRIZE! WOO HOOO!

Right in the middle of church one sunday morning, there was a terrible clatter and an explosion and smoke and debris everywhere. People were screaming and running amuck. In the middle of all of this mayhem, the Devil himself appears. The congregation goes nuts and clears out of the church in a panicked mass. Except for one elderly woman, who just sits there. The Devil struts up to her and sneers at her, "What's wrong with you??? Aren't you terrified of me like everyone else?"

"No" she says back with a little sneer of her own.

"Well why not?" he fires back at her.

"Because........."

Connie Akins

Chrysalis Touch

www.chrysalistouch.com

303-912-4032

Connie Akins
VP of Membership
303-912-4032
Simply Speaking
TOASTMASTERS

Announcing the new blog! Simply your best Blogging begins here!

Welcome to the new Simply Speaking Toastmasters Blog!


"...a place to discuss, develop, and realize your ideas about public speaking, leadership, and personal growth."


As communicators, we have multiple communication tools at our disposal. The Simply Speaking Toastmasters Blog is a new type of tool that will help us create a central place to converse and broadcast online. Think of it as a bulletin board you might see on a college campus or at a library where you can leave postings and comments.


HOW DO I USE THE BLOG?


Since we have a variety of technology savvy in our group, we will start small and add additional instruction if needed. I have created a short list of things you need to know about the blog before you begin using it. You should have received an email from me containing this list.  You can also find this list in a word document posted in the Simply Speaking Google Group under the "Files" section. Please be sure to read this list before you use the blog.


BLOG FEATURES

Features of our new blog include:


• Ability for anyone to view the blog
• Add blog postings as an author or via email
• Blog archive that allows easy navigation through current and past blog entries
• Picture slideshow from various meetings and events
• List of websites relevant to the club
• A list of blogs related to public speaking
• A link to get help with the blog via simplyspeaking26@gmail.com

If you would like to be added as an author, please send an email to simplyspeaking26@gmail.com or speak to me, Felicia Arambula, at a meeting.


Ready? Set? BLOG!

Simply Your Best Speaking Begins Here

Simply Your Best
Speaking Begins Here

Congratulations to all of the participants and winners of Simply Speaking Toastmaster's 2010 International Speech and Table Topics Contest.

International Speech Contest
Ist Place: Ian Humphrey
2nd Place: Connie Akins
3rd Place: Cindy Thomas


Table Topics Contest
Ist Place: Connie Akins
2nd Place: Darryle Brown
3rd Place: Heidi Williams

Tonight, I felt like a proud mother just watching everybody doing their best. It was very organized and executed smoothly and with enthusiasm and energy. I counted 35 people and felt a special spirit in the room as we watched and listened to members who believed and celebrated their own possibilities.

Can I tell you how it feels to be a president of a Toastmasters club whose members will do their best? Let me tell you.............................it feels great! As I sat back and enjoyed the evening, I recognized the careful planning, follow-up, educating, supporting and working together to make this contest successful.

• I saw the influence of our VP of ED Neisha Balleck in all aspects of tonights contest. I fully trust her to do a great job every single time. She does her tasks with grace and her trademark Balleck smile that warms our hearts.
• I admire how Contest Chairwoman Abigail Smucker executed an organized plan and learned the value of effective delegation. As soon as the contest started, she sat and allowed the others to perform their tasks. As VP of PR, I saw her personally taking our guests to the 2nd floor to show them our meeting room. where did she find the time?
• Madame Toastmaster Marcy Brack looked great and was the charming host and effective leader during the contest. She just took charge and gave us a great contest. We just love her so. Congratulations for a job well done!
• David Bounds was a revelation. He was our awesome Chief Judge. He also served as the Creative Director who came up not just with a great look and feel for the meeting, but a new branding for Simply Speaking. He designed and created the program, composed the rallying cry that was on the back of the program and made me wear a bomber jacket.

The club contest can't simply work without the help of the following members.

• Margaret Sayer, Abigail Marrs and Rachel Davis = Sgt of Arms

• Kumu Kandaswamy and Judd = Counters

• Gigi de Gala, Carol Harris, Cybele Antonow and Michelle Bires = Judges

• Felicia Arambula and Louis Kamga-Ngameni= Timers

• Pete Hazlet = Foodmaster

• Betty and Elinora, Darryle, Paula, Ian, and Neisha, Kumu, Connie and Alan ( famous homemade salsa) who brought drinks and refreshments. Forgive me if I missed anyone.

Contestants always get energy from the audience. I'm very grateful for those of you who were able to make it tonight. Your support is priceless.

Neisha, thank you so much for the birthday cake and for making me 29 years old...again. If you allow me, I'll consider tonight one of the best birthday gift I have ever received.

Movie Night

February 18, 2010

On a cold, snowy day we had a very educational evening. Julia Davis, who is the Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training presented "Movie Night." She showed us different DVDs of some of the winners of the International Speech Contest at the highest level of competition. She provided us with opportunities to discuss what we have seen and heard. She is such a smart lady! We learned not just from listening to her, but also from the discussion. Most of all, we learned from watching the best of the best speak. It became very transparent to us why the winners won. All of the winners shared a very special, but unique quality.... they made us FELT something.

Our VP of ED Neisha Balleck made it all possible. She even arranged the room with chairs facing the huge projector. We had popcorn, soda, vegetables and dip and even comfortable pillows on the floor. Only one brave member attempted to use the pillows and that is Abigail Smucker. Most of us can't get up from sitting on the floor without a lot of pain so we stayed on our chairs. On the "balcony" sections were Cindy Thomas, Cybele Antonow and Neisha.

President Barack Obama was visiting Denver and was causing a traffic jam, but it did not stop our Immediate Past President Darryle Brown from coming to the meeting. It is simply not the same without him in our meetings. We had some technical difficulties, but Tom Marrs made things work. :-) I always admire people who can figure out other people's DVD players. It took me along time to figure out mine. Thank goodness for Abby Marrs who looked very comfortable in her fuzzy slippers. She was the assistant techie for the evening.

Rachel had a smile that can light up a room. Betty Funderburke came looking very chic with her beret. Elinora brought her usual energy and was very generous in sharing the pictures that she took during our "Love Connection" meeting. David Bounds asked really good questions and shared with us unique observations about the winning speakers and speeches. I think, sitting with Marcy Bracks inspired him.

Christin Roberts was paying special attention to the movies and I'm sure she is going to be a winner someday too. The evening inspired Lois Kamga-Ngameni as he prepared for his Ice Breaker speech for the following week. I went home feeling grateful for people like Julia, who drove all the way from the other side of town to help a club and its members be the best they can be. As my head touched my pillow that night, I thought of Simply Speaking Toastmasters club and its members who believe and support each other's potential and possibilities.