Capital City Toastmasters

Last Saturday, when it was over 100 degrees again, was the kind of day you like to spend indoors – in an air conditioned room, perhaps sitting on a block of ice.  Well Louis, Taline, and I all took a road trip down to San Marcos to do just that: attend Toastmasters officer traning in a cool building near Texas State campus.

We were blasted with millions of tips and tricks, but I wanted to share just a couple with everyone:

• Three-C Evaluation method – Compliment, Critique, Challenge.   I like this method because it encourages the evaluator to think beyond the current speech, and to how the speaker can improve in future speeches (the challenge).  Avoid whitewashing at all costs – there’s always something that can be improved (even for Albert).  Just another option to add to the ‘compliment sandwich’, and Amy’s famous “3 things ya like, 3 areas to improve” approaches.
• Speech topics - to always have one ready:
  • Create a mind map of possible topics starting with any word
  • Brainstorm several ideas ahead of time so when the time comes, you can pick one

I also got lots of advice and info for running club contests so if you want to get involved in the next club contest coming up soon, to be chairman or just help out, email me or catch me at the meeting next week (July 23rd)!