Technical Presentations

Posted by rebecca

Dec 28

life-begins

Looking ahead to 2012, I see a few comfort zones that I would like to “escape” from – momentarily at least. Technical Presentations. I am rather shocked that I managed a decade working in IT without ever having to do such a presentation. Now? I am considering it out of the sphere of work – as something (almost) bordering on fun. My challenge is to learn how to present technical material in a way that doesn’t incite snoring in the audience or leave them scratching their heads.

xposted to http://www.technicalblather.com/

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Filed under: Speaking

Choice, Chance, Change

Posted by rebecca

Dec 21

This is a perfect descriptor of what Toastmasters means to me! I am constantly challenged to step beyond my comfort zone; it has been a choice that continues to change my life.

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Filed under: Inspirational, Leadership

4 Agreements and Toastmasters

Posted by rebecca

Dec 14

If you agree to take on a role:

  1. Follow through with it or find a replacement
  2. Don’t assume you CAN’T do it if it’s something new
  3. Accept constructive criticism with grace and gratitude
  4. Put YOUR best into it – and your best may change from time to time depending on circumstance
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Filed under: Leadership, Speaking

Persuasive Speaking

Posted by rebecca

Dec 7

After refraining from speaking (in terms of actual speeches) for some time, I suspect I will be up to my “old tricks” in 2012.
Persuasive. Convincing. Motivating.
Following my dreams…
I have finally purchased my niche manual!

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Filed under: Speaking

A Dynamic Team

Posted by rebecca

Nov 30

How inspiring it is for me to share my Toastmasters experience with my husband! As of today, we will be dual members of two clubs together, and I will be a member of 4. Having common (dream) goals with one’s partner keeps both focused on the big, beautiful (and hopefully scenic) picture. Perfect gait, cane, walker, or even wheelchair… I will be an inspirational speaker and author, as I *know* he will be as well. We’re both headed that way. Having approached it from rather different directions, we’re on branches of the same tree. I know a number of couples who support each other through their speaking and leadership journeys; to be a member of a dynamic team pushes me harder to pursue my own personal goals. At the very least, I will always have someone to fill in my CL (Competent Leadership) manual when/if I forget to bring it to a meeting!

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Filed under: Miscellaneous

Distinguishing a Club

Posted by rebecca

Nov 23

Brain Food

After a year serving as a Club Coach, it finally appears that the club I am working with stands a shot of becoming distinguished this year. This means something amazing for me – distinguishing a club is my final achievement needed to obtain my ALS (Advanced Leader Silver) award. Combining this with my ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold) = DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster). Although this will be an incredible achievement for myself, I want it for them just as equally (possibly even more). Toastmasters International is SO much more than giving speeches: we communicate, we lead, we network, and we develop incredible friendships. My 3.5 years as a member of Toastmasters have been some of the most rewarding of my life.

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Filed under: Achievements

Selecting Your Topic

Posted by rebecca

Nov 9

Successful Club Series – Selecting Your Topic

This presentation, part of Toastmasters International’s Successful Club Series, will provide creative brainstorming advice on selecting a topic. It’s easier than you think – just open your eyes and ears and pay attention! Don’t pull an Einstein: When speaking once at Harvard, he walked to the lectern, paused and then declared “I really have nothing to say” and sat down! He then informed them that he would get up when he had something of use to say.

Personal Experiences

  • The time dad shaved pigtails in the sink with a pink razor
  • When mom and her brother papered my uncle’s ceiling with pinup girls
  • Losing my teeth after falling out of a tree
  • When the wash tub was filled with skinned rabbits
  • First experience stuffing a turkey

The Outside World

  • Radio
  • Television
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines
  • Encounters with Strangers
  1. Audience
  2. Occasion
  3. Own Abilities
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Filed under: Education, Tips | Tagged as:

Communicating on Video: Project #3: When You’re the Host

Posted by rebecca

Nov 2

Communicating on Video: Project #3: When You’re the Host

Tips for Improvement:

- Watch THE VOICE[tm][*]
- Pay attention to exaggerated or overly enthusiastic vocal expression
- Work on more of a serious and professional demeanor
- Use simple words rather than attempting to be “wordy” (doesn’t fit in)
- Less rambling; stick with the facts
- Wear more makeup

[*] – Having started vocal lessons, it is apparent to me that the lower tones are more challenging for me to hit and maintain while keeping a “full-bodied” sound. My inability to sustain a presentation without switching into a higher and rather irritating voice has been observed a number of times and my goal is to have my next evaluation focus on something else! I don’t want to hear anything about THE VOICE[tm].

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Filed under: Speaking, Tips

Lost in Translation

Posted by rebecca

Oct 24

A new blog theme sadly(?) means that my old calendar events had been lost in the upgrade, or, as I would rather put it, lost in translation. At first, I strove to locate them. Then I simply gave up on it – it was just attachment anyways… then I realized that as a computer programmer, doing SQL dumps and imports are second nature for me. A Buddhist mentality goes far, but a certain amount of programming know-how goes the rest of the way!


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Filed under: Organization

Communicating on Video: The Interview

Posted by rebecca

Oct 17

Communicating on Video: Project #2: The Interview

Tips for Improvement:

- Be mindful of time
- Do not cross legs
- Keep tone of voice conversational instead of “speech style”
- Use a consistent persona – switching between genuine self and “speech” persona
- More vocal variety when pertinent to conversational style
- Avoid leading into answers with “well…”
- Do not fit in the word of the day if it detracts from the presentation

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Filed under: Speaking, Tips
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