Bradley Toastmasters Club Meeting May 23, 2013

CLUB MEETING:

Bradley chapter of Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping its members develop confidence and leadership strengths; overcome the fear of public speaking while enhancing their communication skills.

We meet at the Peoria Public Library, Downtown on the 4th Thursday of the Month for networking at 4:00pm club meeting at 4:30pm

For more information call or email Martie Ogborn, President at 309-359-8753 or http://bradley.toastmastersclubs.org/

Hope to see you soon!

Toastmasters Speech Contest Judging Criteria for the Spring Competition

INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST
CONTENT (50%)
Speech Development - Structure, organization, support material - 20%
Speech development is a way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body, and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audience's attention and then moves forward toward a significant conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples, illustrations, facts, and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.
Effectiveness - Achievement of purpose, interest, reception - 15%
Effectiveness is measured in part by the audience's reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgment of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as "Was I able to determine the speaker's purpose?" "Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?" "Was the audience's interest held by the speaker?" "Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?"
Speech Value - Ideas, logic, original thought - 15%
Speech Value justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the speaker has made a contribution to their thinking. The ideas should be important ones, although this does not preclude a humorous presentation of them.
DELIVERY (30%)
Physical - Appearance, body language - 10%
Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speaker's appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous, or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions, and body positioning.
Voice - Flexibility, volume - 10%
Voice is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. Good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood.
Manner - Directness, assurance, enthusiasm - 10%
Manner is the indirect revelation of the speaker's real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.
LANGUAGE (20%)
Appropriateness - to speech purpose and audience - 10%
Appropriateness of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely.
Correctness - grammar, pronunciation, word selection - 10%
Correctness of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used.

EVALUATION CONTEST
ANALYTICAL QUALITY (40%) clear, focused
Analytical quality refers to the effectiveness of the evaluation. Every evaluation should carefully analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the speaker's presentation. Were the evaluator's comments clear and logical? Did the evaluator identify specific strengths and weaknesses of the presentation?
RECOMMENDATIONS (30%) positive, specific, helpful
Recommendations are an important part of an evaluation. An evaluator not only points out the strengths and weaknesses of the speech, he/she also offers specific recommendations for improvement. Recommendations should be practical, helpful and positive, and they should enable the speaker to improve his or her next presentation.
TECHNIQUE (15%) sympathetic, sensitive, motivational
Technique refers to the manner in which the evaluator presents his/her comments and recommendations. An evaluator should be sensitive to the feelings and needs of the speaker, yet inspire and encourage the speaker in his/her future speaking efforts.
SUMMATION (15%) concise, encouraging
Summation is how the evaluator concludes the evaluation. The conclusion should briefly summarize the evaluator's comments and suggestions, and be positive and encouraging.

Aloysia Mitchell, District Governor

July 1, 2009 marks the beginning of a new Toastmasters year. I hope you found 2008-2009 to be rewarding and filled with happy memories. By Endurance we Conquered under the leadership of Bob Grenier, DTM, and this year we will Empower People to Prosper!

Toastmasters International is an organization that will help you develop your communication and leadership skills but did you realize it can help you Empower People to Prosper? As you develop your communication and leadership skills you develop the ability to prosper in your workplace, home and community. Many of us join Toastmasters to learn how to become effective communicators. As we join a club and learn more about the organization we discover there is a leadership track. It is in the leadership track that we develop new skills. I encourage you to use these skills not only help yourself but to help others. As we expand the network of Toastmasters Clubs we offer more people the opportunity to gain the benefits of the Toastmasters organization.

In 2009-2010 our District Goal is to charter 10 new clubs this year, have each club be Distinguished and achieve the rank of President's Distinguished District! Sound easy, right? The truth of the matter is that there are several variables that have to be reached for this to be achieved but it is possible. President's Distinguished District is a B.A.G - Big Audacious Goal - but it is one that is within our reach.

In order to achieve this goal, we need to surpass previous educational goals. Historically, the District surpasses the goals set by Toastmasters International. Let us blow it out of the water this year! I am asking all District 54 Toastmasters to achieve at least one Educational or Leadership goal this year even if you have already achieved the status of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). I have committed to achieving a Competent Leader and Advanced Communicator-Bronze this year. What is your goal? Send me an e-mail with “TM goal” in the subject line and tell me your goal. I want to celebrate with you when you achieve your goal.

In addition to achieving educational goals, we need the entire District Team to work on building new Toastmasters clubs and adding new members to existing low member clubs. We don't want to lose any clubs this year. Let us empower all clubs so they know they play an important role in our District Success.

I look forward to working with each one of you so we can have a fun, successful year.

Aloysia Mitchell, DTM
District 54 Governor