Acing Your Manual Speeches
25th Feb 2005
The sky turned dark with ominous rain clouds assembling over the early morning sky. Then it started to pour "cats and dogs" on the "early birds" who came to ensure front seats.
Acing Your Manual Speeches
But the rain did not deter 120 participants from turning up for the morning session of the District 80 Education & Training Workshop entitled "Acing Your Manual Speeches" held at AIA Changi Toastmasters Club on Saturday, 25th February 2005.
After the Toastmaster of the Day, Abuayubul Ansari, presented the morning program, District 80 LGET Dr Khong Chooi Peng took the floor and gave the Opening Address.
It's all in the language
She congratulated the participants in setting aside a Saturday morning to attend the training workshop. Immediately after, Dr Khong launched into her subject "It's All in the Language" and walked the participants through an analysis of Mrs. Barbara Bush's speech at Wellesley College in 1990.
Her choice of speech was a practical consideration that it contained all the essential features of the Basic Communication & Leadership Manual for aspiring Toastmasters to attain the Competent Toastmaster designation. The feedback given was that Dr Khong gave "a lot of good tips on the use of the language."
Going Beyond Words
Following the tea break, Dr Anil Pathak presented a practical hands-on demonstration talk on non-verbal communication entitled "Going Beyond Words". He humorously taught the participants the rudiments of crafting a speech and using body language in their delivery. Feedback given was "Practical tips, intellectual, high quality, marvelous and humorous speaker."
At midday, a buffet lunch was served to the participants, including another 80, who turned up for the afternoon session. The charged atmosphere was like that of an Annual Toastmaster Convention on a smaller scale.
Did you come for the other Fab Four?
After a satisfying lunch, Toastmaster of the Day, Peter Soh presented the afternoon's program, and Area Gov. Lawrence Quek gave the second Opening address.
Secrets of a Great Storyteller
Thereafter, Ms Denise Bertrand conducted the Plenary Session "Secrets of a Great Storyteller". She immediately identified and related with the participants by giving tips on incorporating storytelling in speeches, in serious corporate setups as well as in teaching and training situations.
After breaking up the participants into groups, she imparted story-telling skills through practical examples. She received rave reviews - "Excellent storytelling techniques, a fantastic workshop, she was superb."
Technical Presentation
The participants who attended the afternoon session had to choose one of four Advanced Manual workshops. Veteran Toastmaster Kan Kin Fung took the Technical Presentations Manual and gave tips on use of visual aids for technical presentations. Participants found his "wide experience enriching and invaluable."
Speeches by Magagement
A favorite workshop leader, Lynn Desker presented tips for Speeches By Management Manual. Participants found her presentation "Good, relevant and enlightening." She was able to make a boring subject like management both practical and interesting.
Speaking To Inform
John Tan conducted the session on Speaking To Inform Manual and participants found his workshop useful and wanted more time for practice.
Interpersonal Communication
Participants found Albert Lim's workshop on Interpersonal Communication "very good, able to relate to my real life situation." Participants role-played negotiations between parties to achieve win-win results.
Overall, the feedback was positive, as many participants found the Workshop "excellent, the music and singing session at the end very thoughtful". Many Toastmasters walked home with "lucky draw" books generously donated by Pearson Education, authors William Goh and Katherine Tan, and many well-wishers and sponsors.
It was another feather in the cap for District 80 Education & Training Task Force!
By Albert Lim, ATMG/CL
July 2005
Albert Lim ATMG, CL
Albert Lim achieved his Gold Status after conducting a talk at this event. He became the first Toastmaster of TPCTMC to become the" Advanced Toastmasters Gold"
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