read speak explore A note, a thought and a recipe.. from our President Mansion Toastmasters Paletta Mansion Burlington, Ontario

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY 2011 VOL. # ONE ISSUE # 1 read speak explore A note, a thought and a recipe.. from our President The other day I came across a box containing all of my Grandmother s old recipes. I remember quite fondly visiting her in Nova Scotia and her kitchen always smelling so inviting and thick with the wonderful aroma of baking. As I was looking through the recipes it made me think of the similarities between baking and Toastmasters. Now before you say, what? hear me out! We all start with raw ingredients in our character and make up, much like the ingredients used in baking. Then we follow a recipe, much like the Toastmasters manuals and voila, before you know it you have created something new and wonderful, an accomplished and competent speaker! When I think back to when I first started my Toastmasters journey, in the basement of a local Church in Oak Park, Illinois. I realize that every speech, every evaluation, every role and every experience I had has shaped and molded me into the speaker I am today, and I am still learning and growing! I thought I would share one of my favourite recipes with you. I hope that you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do! Jeanne A., President Chocolate Chip Dream Bars 2 tbsp. of flour Base: 1 tsp. baking powder 1/3 cup butter ½ tsp. salt ½ cup brown sugar Mix these dry ingredients together and 1 cup flour add to above wet ingredients. Mix well and press evenly into an 8 or 9 inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees 1 cup coconut for about 10 minutes. 1 cup chocolate chipits Topping: Spread over baked base then pour 2 eggs well beaten above wet mixture over to complete. 1 cup brown sugar Bake for minutes at 350 degrees 1 tsp. vanilla extract and let cool completely. Interesting books to read Who Has Seen The Wind, W.O. Mitchell The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams Bianco How to live on 24 Hours a Day, Arnold Bennett Chocolate Butter Icing: 1 square unsweetened chocolate 1 tsp. butter 1 cup icing sugar Dash of vanilla 2 tbsp. boiling water Melt the butter and chocolate until smooth in a double boiler and then add other ingredients. Beat and spread in thin layer on top of cooled bars. Enjoy but remember to share! Mansion Toastmasters Paletta Mansion Burlington, Ontario

2 SPEAK BREATHING & PUBLIC SPEAKING. BREATHING & PUBLIC SPEAKING. Oxygen gives life. Without oxygen, our bodily functions stop because oxygen is our life support. When one is out of oxygen, one can hardly speak; that is a practical example of how essential oxygen is while presenting a speech. Our voice changes when we are short of air. It is no wonder that breath is so vital for a clear mind and relaxation. Take yoga as an example. Have you ever noticed how people who practice yoga are just so calm and peaceful? That is what good rhythmic breathing does for our minds. When it comes to inhaling and exhaling, we adults can learn a lot from babies. Have you ever watched a baby breathe? Have you discovered how their little bellies visibly expand when they breathe? Babies breathe the correct way; they simply know how to do it. As adults, we tend to take short, shallow breaths. Oxygen or a lack thereof can affect one s speech. When we take deep breaths prior to a presentation, not only do we allow our hearts to beat better and nicely, but we also tend to feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. We feel calmer and in to speak a: to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice - talk b: to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally c: to express oneself before a group d; to address one s remarks to the issue Webster s Dictionary SPEAK CONTINUED. CONTINUED. CONTINUED. CONTINUED. better control of ourselves, as if we have inhaled some motivation and exhaled all our tension, stress and fears. Lack of air during a speech can cause negative changes to one s voice. The voice can make wheezing sounds and/or become squeaky. If one learns how to control their breath, then one can learn how to control their feelings and emotions during a public speech. Proper breathing can also help one react with calm during any difficult moment in their life. So JUST BREATHE! Jim G., Club Elect Sergeant At Arms

3 My perspective I ve always had fears of public speaking. It s definitely true what Jerry Seinfeld said that public speaking ranks number one of most people s fears -- higher than death. That means that most people would rather be the guy in the coffin than make a speech. But since I ve been a Mansion Toastmaster now for about two and half years, I can tell you that it s not all that bad. In fact, since joining I feel that I ve grown substantially. I see myself more willing to take chances at work and in my personal life. The main thing to delivering a good speech is to just be you. There are a lot of books out there that tell you what and what not to do but being yourself is number one. Recently, I had to chair a meeting for the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers. A couple of years ago there was no way that I could have done it. The training I received through Toastmasters definitely helped me to do it. I m not saying that I didn t have any fears. In fact, before doing it I had some anxieties but then a friend of EXPLORE MY PERSPECTIVE. MY PERSPECTIVE. MY PERSPECTIVE. MY PERSPECTIVE. mine said - Mario you re among friends. That somehow lowered the anxiety. I think that s the way you have to think of it. Just think you re among friends and the people you don t know will become friends soon enough. Initially, I thought I should have done Toastmasters a long time ago but perhaps I was waiting for my time. In reality, I couldn t have done it any sooner. I think you really have to be willing, ready and able to do this kind of thing. Now, I ve tackled this major fear of mine, I feel that I can go on to lead a better, more enjoyable and hopefully more profitable life. Thank you, Toastmasters. Mario C., Sergeant At Arms Listen to music.. Mozart for Meditation - Ana Belen. Mirame - Gyuto Monks of Tibet. Pure Sounds - Tina Turner. Beyond relax and catch up with yourself. listen to music Mozart for Meditation - Ana Belen. Mirame - Gyuto Monks of Tibet. Pure Sounds - Tina Turner. Beyond re-

4 Life works in mysterious ways. Recently, when my son mentioned improving his speaking skills, I searched my book shelves for something helpful. My eye fell upon The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking, Dorothy Carnegie's 1962 revision of her famous husband's highly popular text from With its faded grey dust jacket and dated design, it had little appeal for him. When I told him it was written in 1962 he rolled his eyes and said, "Gee Mom, did they even have books back then?" Needless to say, he passed on my suggestion but that's how the book found its way to my bedside table. It could not have come at a better time. My public speaking career at Toastmasters had just begun and the challenges of writing and presenting an effective speech was daunting. I had no previous writing experience and had avoided public speaking. The book lay there for months. One evening, faced by fear of a writing project and my mind a total blank, I cracked it open expecting some dry, academic drivel. Instead, the first words jumped off the page "Pictures. Pictures. Pictures. They are as free as the air you breathe. Sprinkle them through your talks, your conversation, and you will be more entertaining, more influential." "Free as the air", "breathe", "sprinkle". My creative being burst out on to the paper and my first project was a success. Dale Carnegie believed that public speaking was a "skill" not a "fine art." Dorothy rewrote the famous book breaking down the skill into five easy steps: "Fundamentals of Effective Speaking;" "Speech, Speaker, and Audience;" "The Purpose of Prepared and Impromptu Talks:" "The Art of Communicating;" and "The Challenge of Effective Speaking." Each step is divided into the essential components necessary to success and highlights Dale Carnegie's three basic principles: know what to say, say it with feeling, say it vividly and clearly. EXPLORE SOME MORE BOOK REPORT. BOOK REPORT. BOOK REPORT. BOOK REPORT Her initial chapters give practical tips on shedding selfconsciousness and gaining self-confidence. She then focuses on the art of winning one s audience, large or small and discusses short talks to get action, talks to inform, talks to convince, impromptu talks and entertaining talks. Who could resist a surprise chapter called the "Magic Formula". I had my eureka moment! The Formula is a creative and concise 3- minute talk composed of "The Example", "The Point", and "The Reason". The Example is an intense, dramatic 2-minute story which holds the audience in suspense. Then, with force and conviction and within 20 seconds, the speaker hammers home the critical "Point". Finally with 40 seconds left the speaker reveals "The Reason" why the audience should do what you ask. Surprisingly, the book helped me to write this review. The book covers the rudiments of effective speaking in much the same way as a Toastmaster manual. It is pragmatic, to the point, and aimed at success, Moreover, the steps to that success are explained clearly and effectively. It is good to know that, from the 1913 until now, not much has changed in terms of the essentials of good speaking and this book is as useful to readers today as it was almost 100 years ago. That said, the book has its own particular enchantment and I puzzled initially as to what comprised it. Not only is it a useful manual of interest to the Toastmasters audience but also it is a work of history set in its own particular time and place. It is American in its references and its examples but, more than that, it is an America of a world now lost, a rural world with the farm at its centre and the age of technology nothing more than a far off and unknown horizon. As such, it has a quality that transports the reader to another time and place and therein lies its charm and its enchantment. And the lesson to be learned is - never judge a book by its cover! Lorraine D., Club Member take a daytrip.pick grapes for ice wine in Niagara - see a movie at the theatre - try a new restaurant in Toronto - bake some bread from scratch - eat some almonds - g o i c e s k a t i n g b y t h e l a k e i n B u r l i n g t o n - listen to a new radio station.

5 EXPLORE a little more MUSINGS. MUSINGS. MUSINGS. Our world is full of rush rush here, rush there. This little publication is just a little breather to let you stop enjoy your coffee and let your mind catch up with your body. Think of it as capturing a few moments to maybe get a few ideas and have a chance to learn about your fellow Toastmasters club members a little better. It is a little unconventional but I hope fun. Now - get back to work! Cheryl C., VP Public Relations and Editor Male red winged black birds will return at the end of February the females return a month later. They like to eat millet. You will probably hear their song before you see them.. Contributors 555 Any Address, Burlington Ontario, SPE ECH Mansion Toastmasters Paletta Mansion Burlington, Ontario, Canada