Toastmasters Pathways Program

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki, DTM

Cheryl Persson, ACS ALB, Pathways Ambassador

Lingo Advanced Communicators Toastmasters are now enlightened on the new Toastmasters Pathways program thanks to Cheryl Persson ACS ALB Ambassador, who did a presentation at our January 16/18 meeting. Toastmaster/President Melanie K set the stage for us to embrace the future. Tabletopics master Eileen S asked questions to further stimulate our thinking about the new program. Peter K tried to sell us on the program by saying Toastmasters is moving through the decades to bring Toastmasters to present day where members want flexibility and the ability to follow paths on-line (of course he was very descriptive and animated in doing so). Ellen S thought the new program would challenge her and be a great opportunity. Rhys D without the help of the cat explained the difference between guide and ambassador.

Speaker Rick L took us through his Toastmasters Journey by dividing his journey into sections thanking those that accompanied him along the way. He strives to please most of the people most of the time. He said he took the giant step to DTM as he did not want to be “All by myself.” We were all mesmerized by his singing. Well done Rick.

General Evaluator Dave and team gave meaningful evaluations, which we were happy to hear will also be part of the new pathways program.

We were reminded about the upcoming TLI on January 27/18 and other COT sessions. Lingo’s next meeting is February 6/18, a workshop on Being Chief Judge by Rick L. With that lead in, Cherry C began soliciting members to be contestants for our speech contest February 20/18.

First Workshop of 2018 on Parliamentary Procedures!

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki, DTM

You probably “Wonder …” what excites a retired/distinguished toastmaster? Well, it is no ”… Secret”, it is meetings!!!  Bob Barker DTM presented an excellent workshop on "Parliamentary Procedure 101 - the basics" at the first Lingo Advanced Communicators Toastmasters Meeting for 2018.

Bob succinctly went over the chart of motions dividing the list in to Privileged (1-5), Subsidiary (6-12), the original main motion (13), Incidental (14-21) and Bring Back to the Assembly motions (22 - rescind and 23 - reconsider).  He reviewed a few definitions like by-laws, motion, parliamentary authority, presiding officer, quorum and standing rules and went over the common order of business and a few principles of parliamentary law.  Bob explained the six steps to handling a main motion and when to vote or not to vote.  

Thank you to Bob for presenting, his assistant, Patricia aka Vanna or yummy carrot cake/cinnamon bun server and guest Carol for attending as well as the nine members, who many of us need to hear this subject over and over again to get it. 

Our next meeting is January 16/18 at Riverbend Retirement Living by Revera at 103 Rabbit Hill Court (Road) at 7 - 8:30 pm President Melanie Kruger is Toastmaster and we look forward to hearing from Cheryl Persson about the new Toastmasters Pathways Program.  

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.