Workshop Recap: Communication on Video

Submitted by Cherry Cheung

Our Agenda was jam packed as was our room tonight.  The meeting was attended by Edith, Bob,  Dan, Dave, Rhys, Matthew, Von Eric, Ellen, Melanie, Kerrianne, Eileen,  Peter, Rick and Cherry plus 3 guests:  Barry, Estella and Dresdin.    Total attendance:  17   

This special event was co-chaired by Rick Lebeuf and Cherry Cheung 

Video is part of our daily lives.  Some people videotape themselves on facebook daily, yet others cover their faces, say no comment, just laugh, say nothing at all or run away.  It is very likely that we will appear at least once in our life time on television - perhaps in a news interview, a panel discussion, a talk show, a documentary program, a training program or even a televised Toastmasters club meeting.  Whatever the program format, it's important that you are able to communicate effectively on video. 

Some highlight in our agenda:

Project #1: "Straight Talk" in front of 3 cameras and recorded.  Dan McCosh delivered a 3 minute speech on a subject which is dominating society, but which does not get much exposure:          "Male - Female power balance".  His speech was evaluated by Matthew Mercredi, Matthew said Dan used the word: Mansplain in his speech.  Dan must have watched Premier Rachel Notley as she said another MLA was 'mansplaining'.

Project #2  "The Interview Show" and  Project # 3  "When you are the Host" conducted by Melanie, the host who interviewed her guest Kerrianne Koehler-Munro who's listed as an Environmental specialist and Edmonton's 2017 Citizen of the Year for Sustainable Living.  Tonight's show connected the local community to sustainable resources right in their own backyards, The title was "Living green Matters"   Both projects were delivered within the same interview show, Kerrianne was evaluated by Von Eric and Melanie was evaluated by Ellen.  

Project # 5  "Instructing on the Internet" pre-recorded video by our guest speaker Barry Murphy from Downtowner Toastmasters club,  Barry just joined Toastmasters this Sept 2017 this year, He is passionate and focused on mastering the art of speaking and aspires to use his words, energy and passion for life to help inspire others to reach their full potential,  The title of his video was "Harvest Your mind".  Barry said if you can see things in your mind and you should be able to hold it in your hands.   I was so inspired to try to visualize a million dollars in my mind and ...nothing (I guess I  must have miss-applied his theory)   Barry was evaluated by Bob Barker.

Due to the time restraint and technical issues, we were not able to play Kerrianne and Melanie's video at the meeting but it will be on private youtube for everyone's viewing.

Lingo Meeting Recap - Nov 21 2017 - Post Conference

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki

While "Eight is Enough" was a very good TV show, it was a little skimpy for a Toastmasters meeting; however, we pulled off a very informative and entertaining meeting.  Get well soon to those that could not attend due to illness.

Replacing Melanie as Toastmaster, was Eileen, who also attend the "last" Fall Conference in Prince Albert.  Eileen very competently led our meeting and during introductions, she asked our opinions on attending conferences.  Most said they enjoy them for various reasons like meeting new and old friends, the information obtained, the contests and being able to go to interesting places.  There was one "it depends" and one member (Dave) confessed to be a "conference/convention junkie."

With added information from Dan and Dave, Eileen informed us about the interesting things learned at the "last" District 99 Fall Conference, especially from the 2014 World Champion International Speech Contest Winner from Sri Lanka. Some items mentioned were: want it as much as you want to breathe, make small changes, stand on the balls of your feet, and let go of your ego. Congratulations to Humorous Speech Contest Winner Tom with his excellent speech "Lushes Lips of Winter" and Tabletopics Winner Blaine Zuk who very aptly responded to the question about describing winter to someone who has never experienced snow before.  The future District education development training program was touched on as well.

As well as Tabletopics, our meeting consisted of two advanced manual speeches:

1. Peter gave an entertaining speech (project 1 - Entertaining Speaker Manual) entitled "Journey to the Sunless Citadel" about his role-playing adventures based on a Dungeon and Dragons game.  There was a Wizard and Goblin somewhere.

2. Edith gave an impromptu speech (project 1 - Specialty Speeches Manual) entitled "Being Neighbourly" as chosen by Evaluator Cherry. She gave a chronological and a cross country run down of how she has always had wonderful neighbours "her community" (proof her driveway was shovelled this morning before she got up). Edith won best speaker.

Speech evaluators, Dan and Cherry, and the eyes and ears evaluators were noted by General Evaluator Rick to not have just "whitewashed" their evaluations.  Rick also complimented Eileen on threading the theme of the meeting throughout the meeting.

Tabletopics was led by Edith, who had facilitated  the last workshop on the Specialty Speeches Manual.  She asked questions on the five projects from that manual.  Peter won best Tabletopics speaker and Rhys won best Evaluator for his evaluation of Tabletopics.

A lot was jammed into 90 minutes while building on the last workshop.  Now we look forward to our next workshop December 5th on "Speaking on Video" facilitated by Cherry, assisted by Rick and of course the Spring District 99 Convention in Edmonton May 4-6/18.

Workshop: Specialty Speeches Nov 7 2017

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki DTM

On November 7th, Lingo Advanced Toastmasters, surrounded by poppies, used their last workshop to "remember," not only our fallen heroes but why we joined an advanced club, and in particular, Lingo Advanced Club.  We heard comments such as to get opportunities to learn about the advanced manuals, to give more advanced speeches, to learn from and be evaluated by DTMs (over 50% of members are DTMs), to be supportive to others, to have the opportunity to be creative especially in putting on workshops and because the members are darn nice.  Thus, Lingo has become an advanced manual workshop club. 

Toastmaster/Facilitator Edith B engaged speakers, through lures of winning a million dollars, into presenting the projects in the Specialty Speeches manual. For project #1, Impromptu Speaking, Cherry C explained how touched she was by Robert Munsch's book "Love you Forever" and its meaning to her.  For project #2, Inspirational Speaking, Dan M inspired us with his insights for a successful club with his speech entitled "What is Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal." For project #4, Reading Out Loud, Eileen S read "Danceland" from the late Stuart McLean's 2015 book “Vinyl Café Turns the Page."  It had an interesting and humorous storyline with a surprising twist about a husband and wife voting for opposing candidates.  Just before the break, for project #3, Sell a Product/Service, Wendy L tried to convince the unconverted about the value of a Costco membership by luring them with the evening snacks and telling us about her love of poutine.  Not sure Melanie K was convinced as she gave valid reasons not to have a membership but she enjoyed the snacks anyway. Project #5 Introducing a Speaker was demonstrated throughout the entire workshop and previously during our Open House. All members contributed to the oral evaluations and we all learned by doing and observing.

Our next meeting is November 21st where Melanie K, Toastmaster for the evening, will tell us about the happenings at the last District Fall Conference being held November 17-19 in Prince Albert, Sask.  We will also have opportunities to give speeches.  Our next workshop December 5th is on Communicating on Video facilitated by Cherry C assisted by Rick L.  Stay tuned for details of this exciting workshop.  

Lingo Workshop: Specialty Speeches

Lingo Workshop: Specialty Speeches (Tuesday, Nov 7 at 7pm)
Facilitator: Edith Baraniecki DTM

Speakers are often called upon to give different kinds of talks. This manual contains information about giving the most common ones, and it covers impromptu talks, inspirational speeches, selling a product, reading out loud and introducing a speaker. Edith Baraniecki will be presenting the workshop on the Specialty Speeches Manual, one of 15 Advanced Toastmasters speaking manuals.

Please RSVP at EventBrite

Halloween at Lingo! All Ghosts and Globins!

Submitted by Rhys Davies

The Lingo Advanced Communicators welcomed 9 ghosts and goblins, and one Area Director (Tolu Adelowokan) to the Halloween edition of the Lingo Meeting.

Club President Melanie Kruger led our business meeting, ensuring our budget was on track.

Dan McCosh gave a wonderful story of his latest adventure when he forgot his passport and had it couriered to him in Regina en route to Toronto through the United States.  Despite the chaos, Dan managed to get back on track.

Kerrianne Koehler-Munro cooked up a wonderful serving of Table Topics (even if it was Wendy Lam’s recipe).  Bob Barker was very colourful in is costume, being the resident proctologist.

Edith Baraniecki couldn’t make the club meeting, but she did thrill at the Area C1 Contest!   She won second place at the Area C1 Humorous Speech Contest and will advance to the Division C Table Topics contest, winning first place.  Congratulations Edith!

On November 7, Lingo Advanced Communicators hosts another workshop, Specialty Speeches, hosted by Edith Baraniecki.

Area B51 Humorous Speech and Table Topic Contest Recap

What a fantastic contest!!  Area B51 Contest was held on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00pm.  We had a full house of contestants, assistants, and guests.  All four clubs had representatives for the contest!  This is what I call a perfect contest!! :)

Golden Mountain - Trudy Boyer      

Lingo Advanced Communicators - Eileen Szakacs

Riverbend Toastmaster - Rizwan Kanji

ToastMapsters - David Reid and Maribel Goshko

LtoR: Edith, Trudy, Eileen, Daniel, and Maribel

LtoR: Edith, Rizwan, Trudy, Daniel, and Eileen

It was an awesome facility that ToastMapsters hosted, it was at their office location, Alberta Pension Services (APS).  The contest started with the Humorous Speech which brought lots of laughters to the room.  Our table topics would be the most nerve-wracking contest!!  The one question that all contestants had to answer was “If you could take anyone on a bucket list adventure with you, who would it be and what would you both do?”  It was great to see the places that contestants come up with and the person they would bring along to the journey!  

Most Importantly,  the winners of the contests are… drum roll please… 

Humorous Speech Contest - Daniel Reid (1st) and Maribel Goshko (2nd) 

Table Topic Contest - Rizwan Kanji (1st) and Daniel Reid (2nd)

Congratulations to all the winners and especially the contestants for putting their effort into this contest.  A contest will not be successful without you guys and a group of assistants helping out:

Contest Toastmaster - Edith Baraniecki (Lingo)

Sgt-at-Arms & Contest Chair - Wendy Lam (Lingo)

Ballot Counters: Nadim Kalim (Riverbend) and Maggie Sun (Golden Mountain)

Timers: Kate Wan (Golden Mountain) and Sylvia Periera (ToastMapsters)

Thank you for all your hard work!

Last but not least, our list of judges, our Chief Judge, Wang Yip, did a tremendous job in guiding our judges and assistants!  Also to the rest of the judges who needs to be remain anonymous.  Thanks again for taking time off your busy schedule to come, your help is greatly appreciated!  

We even finished on time!  The Division B contest will be held at Devon on October 28, 2017.  More information will follow.  I would like to wish all contestants the best of luck as they advance to Division and hopefully District level at the Fall Conference!!! Please cheer on them!!

Speaking to Inform Workshop – Oct. 3 & New Member: Matthew!!

Submitted by Melanie Kruger

Dave Cartledge, DTM (or rather Golfer John Daly) facilitated the Speaking to Inform Workshop, noting that we are already daily do speaking to inform. Dave mentioned there are four reasons for speaking: about objects, processes, events. He had groups break into small groups to discuss and share ideas with the larger group about examples they have seen at Toastmaster meetings they had attended. Dave also provided the audience with a handout on THINKING. Thirteen attended, including guests: Estella, Karen, Kim, Margaret, and Matthew. Congratulations to Matthew Mercredi for joining Lingo and becoming our newest member!

Melanie Kruger, ACB ALB or rather Morticia Addams (too bad we didn’t get a picture) took us through Project 3 – The Demonstration with a visual process complete with some common household items and tips for how we can get rid of too many things cluttering up our physical living spaces and how clutter can negatively impact both our mental well-being and even our weight! Start with not only the intention to declutter, but also take action. Have three bins available to sort your stuff into:  Keep, Toss/Donate and Unsure. Once you’ve identified the items to keep, put them away right away. For Toss/Donate box up and remove from your home right away. For Unsure items, box for 30 days, revisit after 30 days and give away whatever was not taken out of the box. Repeat this whole process again after 30 days. If clearing out your entire house is too much, start in 15-30 minute spurts. Tackle the junk drawer, then a closet one day. Next day, pick another small project. People in generally have a hard time parting with stuff either due to sentimental reasons (guilt) or ‘someday’ the stuff will be useful. Realize that ‘someday’ never comes and you don’t need to feel guilty for parting with items that are no longer useful to you or your family. This speech was based and inspired by Adam Dachis’ weblog De-crapify Your Life! For further details review Dachis’ weblog: https://lifehacker.com/5804927/how-to-de-crapify-your-home.

Rick Lebeuf, DTM provided a verbal evaluation of Melanie’s speech. Edith Baraniecki, DTM promoted her workshop on Specialty Speeches (Item 226E) taking place on November 7^th and successfully recruited three speakers/participants – Cherry, Dan and Eileen.

Rhys Davies, DTM is the next Toastmaster for our October 17 meeting. Area Director Tolu Adelowkan will be in attendance. The theme is Halloween. Please come dressed in your best Halloween costume! Booriffic decorations and Spooktacular treats will be provided once again! All Toastmasters and guests are welcome to attend.