Buffalo TM,
We had a wonderful June 15, 2010 meeting! Larry Brummond lead the charge with the theme of Family. Specifically I liked how he kept it light and mentioned a few jokes even before the jokemaster showed up to the podium. What was that Larry, Family Reunions a great form of birth control...
Walter gallivanted to the stage and gave us our word of the day: "gallivant" which many used quite well throughout the meeting. Jokemaster Paul added levity and Larry gave a nice intro to the various roles for our guest, Ryan Ronnebaum!
Speaker 1 (Caroline Armstrong), discussed "HIV: A complex and efficient virus" and masterfully used various visual aids to enhance the speech. She spoke with confidence and poise throuhout.
Speaker 2 (Paul Murphy), gave us "Sweet Success...or...Agony of Defeat" and bedazzled our ears with a wonderful array of vocal variety and visual imagery. Nice job Paul!
After more than 2 years with the club I took on Table Topics for the first time in my tenure as a Buffalo TM and provided some tough questions as well as easy. What's more our guest, Ryan Ronnebaum, showed his previous prowess and spoke well for a little TT.
Walter and Linda provided great evaluations and spoke with eloquence.
Big Shout to the Ah Counter and Grammarian (Brian V), the Timer (D. Browne), and myself again as GE.
Cheers,
Ray
VP of Ed.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Toastmasters at Work....A Successful Presentation
I missed today's regular Buffalo meeting.....but I spent the same time doing a 30-minute presentation followed by questions. As some of you know I work for the U.S. Geological Survey -- specifically with a group focused on a national water database. It's okay if you just said to yourself "BORING!!" To say the least, the presentations are typically just information sharing...this one was a status update on a long-term IT project.
I had put powerpoint slides together (simple yet informative) and asked management to review them for the last couple of weeks. I had to get the headset and microphone set up because I would be talking to ~20 people in the room and an equal number on the phone. At the same time the presentation was being done over the internet.
You can almost imagine me looking like I was from outer space with all the technical devices hooked to me!
The presentation went well and I got to address a few questions afterwards.
The best part was at the end when folks in the room actually started clapping. Did you read the part about "BORING" above? I was stunned and pleasantly surprised.
To top it off, my boss caught me in the hallway on the way out and said, "I need to make sure you know how professional you just looked. If other employees of the USGS attended Toastmasters we would be in such a better place as an organization."
On the one hand, scientists and engineers are not known as being great presenters.....I think Walter said that recently too?.....so the bar to exceed that expectation is not very high. On the other hand, to be recognized for something that I think is important, but not supported widely within my agency was really great.
Thanks to all my fellow Buffaloes for helping me to become someone who is noticed for her presentation skills!! Without such great examples to learn from and to push me, I would not be the presenter I am.
I had put powerpoint slides together (simple yet informative) and asked management to review them for the last couple of weeks. I had to get the headset and microphone set up because I would be talking to ~20 people in the room and an equal number on the phone. At the same time the presentation was being done over the internet.
You can almost imagine me looking like I was from outer space with all the technical devices hooked to me!
The presentation went well and I got to address a few questions afterwards.
The best part was at the end when folks in the room actually started clapping. Did you read the part about "BORING" above? I was stunned and pleasantly surprised.
To top it off, my boss caught me in the hallway on the way out and said, "I need to make sure you know how professional you just looked. If other employees of the USGS attended Toastmasters we would be in such a better place as an organization."
On the one hand, scientists and engineers are not known as being great presenters.....I think Walter said that recently too?.....so the bar to exceed that expectation is not very high. On the other hand, to be recognized for something that I think is important, but not supported widely within my agency was really great.
Thanks to all my fellow Buffaloes for helping me to become someone who is noticed for her presentation skills!! Without such great examples to learn from and to push me, I would not be the presenter I am.
Monday, June 13, 2011
5 Things I Learned from Toastmasters - Compliments of R.J Kern
Buffalo TMers,
I ask you to follow the link below for a quick view of R.J. Kern's latest blog entry. In addition to his 5 most important things learned from TM; he also has some great group photos of the Buffalo TMers!
http://www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/06/five-things-learned-from-toastmasters/
Thanks again R.J. for the wonderful photos and energy you bring to the club!
Regards,
Ray
VP of Ed.
I ask you to follow the link below for a quick view of R.J. Kern's latest blog entry. In addition to his 5 most important things learned from TM; he also has some great group photos of the Buffalo TMers!
http://www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/06/five-things-learned-from-toastmasters/
Thanks again R.J. for the wonderful photos and energy you bring to the club!
Regards,
Ray
VP of Ed.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Vacationing with Buffalo TM
To the Buffalo TMers,
Your New Officers:
President - Ray HebertII
VP of Education - Shannon Lucio
VP of Membership - Taya Sweeden
VP of PR - Paul Murphy
Treasurer - Brian Vankeuren
Secretary - Linda Knudson
Sgt. At Arms - Walter Weinigh
Past President - Pamela Gould
Nice job new officers! Looking forward to a great year ahead!
Caroline Armstrong peregrinated her way through the meeting and lead us through a Vacation themed meeting! She stepped in the week prior and despite some last minute substitutions remained flexible and easy going throughout!
Peregrinate - to travel from place to place served as the word of the day. The lovely Sierra (Roger Surdahl's daughter) had us laughing with a joke in no time! Now we know how to keep a goat from charging. Take away it's credit card silly!
BIG CONGRATS to Walter Weinig for achieving his CC award with his inspirational speech: "Support your Local Artist."
Taya Sweeden came in as Speaker 2 to practice vocal variety with her speech: "Hope on the Road". Nice job!
Dorrie G. brought us a creative Table Topics and ensured that most club members spoke extemporaneously. Nothing like vacationing on a boat with $10 or taking a plane with $5,000 or taking a car with no money! Great job Linda, Darryle, and Roger and Sierra.
Roger & Sierra sang to us and provided wonderful humour to the meeting. Shannon L. and Roger S. provided great evaluations with great detail and positivity! Brian V. served as our timer while Ray Hebert wrapped up the meeting with a solid General Evaluation.
See you next meeting!
Regards,
Ray Hebert
President Elect
Your New Officers:
President - Ray HebertII
VP of Education - Shannon Lucio
VP of Membership - Taya Sweeden
VP of PR - Paul Murphy
Treasurer - Brian Vankeuren
Secretary - Linda Knudson
Sgt. At Arms - Walter Weinigh
Past President - Pamela Gould
Nice job new officers! Looking forward to a great year ahead!
Caroline Armstrong peregrinated her way through the meeting and lead us through a Vacation themed meeting! She stepped in the week prior and despite some last minute substitutions remained flexible and easy going throughout!
Peregrinate - to travel from place to place served as the word of the day. The lovely Sierra (Roger Surdahl's daughter) had us laughing with a joke in no time! Now we know how to keep a goat from charging. Take away it's credit card silly!
BIG CONGRATS to Walter Weinig for achieving his CC award with his inspirational speech: "Support your Local Artist."
Taya Sweeden came in as Speaker 2 to practice vocal variety with her speech: "Hope on the Road". Nice job!
Dorrie G. brought us a creative Table Topics and ensured that most club members spoke extemporaneously. Nothing like vacationing on a boat with $10 or taking a plane with $5,000 or taking a car with no money! Great job Linda, Darryle, and Roger and Sierra.
Roger & Sierra sang to us and provided wonderful humour to the meeting. Shannon L. and Roger S. provided great evaluations with great detail and positivity! Brian V. served as our timer while Ray Hebert wrapped up the meeting with a solid General Evaluation.
See you next meeting!
Regards,
Ray Hebert
President Elect
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