Organizing a Club Speech Contest Workshop Recap

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki DTM

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, it is speech contest time.  On August 15th, Edith Baraniecki, DTM facilitated a workshop on "Organizing a Club Speech Contest."  The logistics for planning and conducting contests, in particular tabletopics and humorous speech contests, were reviewed. This included the eligibility rules, the forms needed and the roles of chair vs chief judge, timers, ballot counters, and the most important person in a contest, the contestant.  We were fortunate enough to have a real live contestant, Collin Greene, give two speeches at the workshop in preparation for representing District 99 at the International Convention, where he did the District proud.

The number and qualifications of judges for the various levels of contests was touched on but our next workshop "How to judge a contest" will give you everything you ever needed to know on judging contests.  You won't want to miss this September 5, 2017 workshop facilitated by Rick Lebeuf, DTM a former District 42 and 99 Chief Judge.  This workshop will prepare you for your own club contest either as a contestant or in a judging role.

Note that Lingo Advanced Communicators' speech contest is September 19th 7-8:30 pm at the Riverbend Residence by Revera.

Lingo Meeting (July 18) Recap & Membership Induction

We had one of our regular meetings on July 18, 2017.  I know you are thinking regular meetings? Doesn't Lingo Advanced Communicators do workshops?  We do both.  Workshops are usually the first Tuesday of the month.  Regular and other meetings as well as educational are on the third Tuesday of the month.  That way members get an opportunity to do speeches, often based on earlier workshops, and to practice table topics.

The theme of the meeting this week was "culture."  Culture in the sense of social beliefs and norms. Toastmaster Rick L started the meeting with an explanation of the current culture of our club.  For example, fairly unique to our club is having an ears and eyes speech evaluator along with the objectives speech evaluator.  Rick challenged us to explore our culture and roles and responsibilities further in future gatherings.

We had the privilege of hearing a good will speech (Public Relations Advanced Manual) by President Melanie K.  Her speech about self-confidence gave us six points to guide us in developing self-confidence of which Toastmasters is the perfect place to do that.  Peter K entertained us with an almost mythical speech that left us guessing until the very end.  Well done Melanie and Peter.

Robin C asked some very challenging scenario questions concerning guests and club customs.  Perhaps he could be convinced to publish the questions for everyone to ponder. Bob B won the best table topics invisible award.

One of our newest members and most experienced toastmaster, Dave C, led the evaluation team, in giving meaningful evaluations. Something as simple as telling us to consider what our background looks like.  Now it would have helped if the writer would remember to bring the banner.  

Ellen (L) and Eileen (R) got inducted at our Year End Celebration in June 2017

L to R: Dan, Melanie, Dave, and Von got inducted at our Club meeting by President Melanie

President Melanie took the opportunity to present new member certificates to Dave C, Dan M, and Von Eric T.  Two other new members, Eileen S and Ellen S, received their certificates at our year end celebration when we saluted Canada's 150th birthday and had new club officer installations.

We have an exciting year ahead with several workshops and educational sessions already scheduled. Upcoming workshops are listed on Lingo Website

Lingo Workshop Recap: The Power of Ideas - July 4, 2017

Nine members and five guests took the opportunity to explore expanding their ideas.  Thank you to Peter K in leading this exploration.  We learned the difference between "divergent (broader) and convergent (narrower) thinking." We were asked to "develop our imaginations" with a "what if" situation. Then we were able to use "option thinking" regarding several Toastmasters issues. Next we used "opportunity thinking" discussing the things that bug us and possible marketing opportunities to correct the "bug."  "Creative guesswork" gave us several laughs when determining why we may have received a huge shipment of dog food delivered on our doorstep.  One suggestion was a fatigued drone. Using "mental calisthenics" we suggested several alternate uses for a paper clip or a ball-point pen.  When "creating combinations" such as  ice cream writing or blanket computer, we really stretched our thoughts.  Lastly we used "brainstorming" to discuss ways to enhance membership - some very interesting suggestions - one - we will definitely not go with.  All in all, it was a fun and informative workshop.  Well done Peter.  Thank you guests John, Cherry, June, Julie and Tonya for attending.  Our next meeting is July 18th with Rick L as the Toastmaster for the evening. 

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki

News!!! - Lingo Open House, the Workshop, and upcoming Year End Party!!!

Sorry, it has been a while since I had updated the Blog.. Work has got to me and I am exhausted at the end of the day!! Don't worry, if you do want to know more news, should add us to your Facebook group!!  https://www.facebook.com/LingoAdvancedCommunicators/

So what happened at the Workshop?  Everyone loved it!! Due to large demand... We are having our Part II of this workshop on Tuesday, July 4th!!  So stay tune for more information and how to register this workshop.


The Wedding Open House was a SUCCESS!!!  It was a blast.. Everyone at Lingo Advanced Communicators did an awesome job in acting this whole wedding ceremony and relating it with our Advanced Manual.  They just made doing speeches a fun and enjoyable!!!  Yes, every one of them got credit from their speeches!!


As you can tell that everyone had a big smile on their face.  Many photos were taken!! To see video clips of it, please go to our facebook..   https://www.facebook.com/LingoAdvancedCommunicators/

There are still more clips that I will be uploading!! so come back and watch more!!


So the party will continue with the Year End party that will be happening tomorrow at Edith Baraniecki's house.. its a potluck party with a Canada theme.  If you are interested in attending, please send an email to lingoadvtm@gmail.com to enquire the location.  Please bring a dish related to Canada!!  All I can think of is Poutine and Maple Syrup.. I wonder how the two will taste when mixed together!! :)  Also dress in Canadian attire...

On a serious note, we will be doing a Club Executive Installation by our Area 51 governors (Incoming and Outgoing) - Tolu and Dan respectively!  Last but not least, we will have lots of games and I think prizes as well.. so come and enjoy a night full of fun and laughters again.. let the party continue!!

Upcoming Events you CANNOT miss!!!

We have two events happening that you CANNOT.. I mean you CANNOT miss.. its going to be an awesome one!!

May 16, 2017 - Lingo Workshop 

From Success Communication Series

Building Your Thinking Power, Part 1 - Mental Flexibility

Presented by Peter Kolotyluk, DTM

June 6, 2017 - Lingo Open House

Our Theme is "How do Toastmasters Wed"

You and Yours are invited to this one and only one Wedding in Toastmasters.

Who is getting married, what is happening you may ask... come find out yourself!!

Its going to be spectacular!!  We will ensure you this is going great party that will be talked about for a long time!!

Don't miss out!!

Please Register BOTH Events at https://www.eventbrite.com/d/canada--edmonton/lingo/?mode=search

Results from our Elections!!!! Drum roll.......

With much of battle during the meeting, luckily noone was hurt... 
At last, we have the following combat winners... :)

President: Melanie Kruger
VP Education: Rick Lebeuf
VP Membership: Wendy Lam
VP Public Relations: Rhys Davies
Treasurer: Kerrianne Koehler-Munro
Secretary: Edith Baraniecki
Sgt-at-Arms: Bob Barker

Congrats all!!

We will be holding our Officer Installation at our Year-End party in June!

Lingo Workshop/Meeting Switch Up: May 2 - Regular Meeting and Election for the New Executives!!

With a busy weekend at the Toastmaster Convention and marking the end of first year in District 99.  We thought it would be a good idea to switch up the dates on our Meeting and Workshop.  Therefore, for our meeting tomorrow on May 2nd.  We will be having our Regular meeting and Election on the New Executives for 2017-2018!!  It will be an exciting one!

If you are planning to join us at this meeting, please email us at lingoadvtm@gmail.com.  More information on our workshop will following shortly.  I can just say that our "theme" for this meeting will be a lead to the workshop!!! Hope to see you there.