Saturday 27 December 2008

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENT OF GOOD PRESENTATION?

Start with a large helping of well organized content. Throw in a healthy dose of vocal variety. Stirr in direct audience eye contact, and sprinkle with meaningful gestures. Top it off with a pinch of humor.

Need some practise at cooking up a gourmet presentation?

Visit our next toastmaster meeting and discover how over 4 million men and women have become "verbal chefs" with the help of toastmaster.


Club Name : British Toastmasters Club
Meeting Dates : Jan 8, 2009
Time : 6.30 pm
Place : Merchantile Athletic Club, WTC Sudirman 18th Floor.
Contact Person : Mike (0855 100 6453) / Indri (0813 143 96352)/ Lola (0818 767 616)

Wednesday 12 November 2008

Speech Analysis #5: Toastmasters Evaluation Contests

Many of the techniques described in this series of articles were honed during several years of attending and competing in Toastmasters Evaluation Contests. In both 2006 and 2007, I reached the District 21 finals, taking 2nd place in 2007. [Update: I won the District 21 Evaluation Contest in 2008.]

This article, the fifth in the Speech Analysis Series, inspects Toastmasters evaluation contests from several angles:

* How does the contest work?
* Why should you attend?
* Why should you be a test speaker?
* Why should you compete?
* How can you win?

The Speech Analysis Series

1. How to Study and Critique a Speech

2. The Art of Delivering Evaluations

3. Modified Sandwich Technique for Evaluations

4. Evaluation Forms, Tools, and Resources

5. Toastmasters Evaluation Contests

Why have Toastmasters Evaluation Contests?

The official contest rules state the following motivation for annual evaluation contests:

1. To encourage development of evaluation skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to
all.
2. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient evaluators who have
benefited from their Toastmasters training.

How a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest Works

Each evaluation contest follows a simple, standard agenda:

1. The contest begins with a short speech given by a test speaker.
2. Contestants watch and listen to the test speaker. Most critique the speech with the help of an
evaluation template.
3. At the conclusion of the speech, contestants are ushered out of the room.
4. They are given five minutes to review notes. At the end of this period, their notes are
gathered.
5. One at a time, contestants are brought back to the room to deliver a two- to three-minute
evaluation, with their notes (if desired).
6. Judges score each contestant. Scores are tallied to determine the winners.

The contest cycle begins each year at the local club level. Winners then proceed to area, division, and district level contests.

Why You Should Attend a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest

If you are truly interested in improving your speech evaluation skills, I encourage you to attend one or more contests, even if you are not a Toastmasters member (generally speaking, contests are open to the public).

* Contests are entertaining.
* Contests are inexpensive. Generally, a nominal fee is charged to cover the cost of
refreshments.
* You can learn from the test speaker (often quite experienced).
* Contestants are generally quite proficient in the art of evaluation. This is particularly true at
higher levels of the contest.
* The variety of approaches and analytical observations will surely complement your existing
evaluation skills. My eyes were opened the first time I attended a contest outside of my club;
the observations made by the contestants were very different from the status quo for me.

Why You Should be a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest Test Speaker

A few years ago, I was invited to be the test speaker for a nearby club contest. Prior to this, I had never visited that club. After delivering the test speech, I then listened with fascination as the five contestants evaluated my speech. I learned a great deal from this process.

* The breadth of comments was much wider than you can get from a single evaluation (or even
from a self-evaluation).
* Receiving multiple evaluations really puts a spotlight on any glaring areas needing
improvement. When four of five evaluators suggest you have a weakness in a certain area,
then you really need to listen with open ears.
* As with areas needing improvement, multiple evaluations will also highlight your strongest
skills and techniques.

One word of caution - I don’t recommend being a test speaker if you are a very inexperienced speaker. While some people crave as much feedback as possible, others are not yet ready to be reminded that there are so many things for them to improve. It can be a very humbling experience.
Why You Should Compete in a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest

I recommend that you compete the next time you have the opportunity to do so.

* You will have fun!
* The added pressure of a contest (and perhaps a new venue) forces you to step outside your
speaking comfort zone. By doing so, you will grow, not just as an evaluator, but as a speaker as
well.
* You might win!
* Whether you win or not, you will learn new techniques from the other contestants.
* Generally, each level that you advance brings a larger audience.
* Stage time, stage time, stage time.

How to Win a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest

If you have dreams of winning, then you must familiarize yourself with the judging criteria:

* 40 points: Analytical Quality
* 30 points: Recommendations
* 15 points: Technique
* 15 points: Summation

Based on my own experience and from conversations with other contestants, judges, and spectators, I think the most common reasons for not winning are:

1. Contestant delivers great “praise” and “areas for improvement”, but neglects specific
suggestions to improve. This contestant will score well on Analytical Quality (40 points), but
poorly on Recommendations (30 points).

* Tip: Remember the meat, vegetables, and cheese from the sandwich technique.

2. Contestant fails to watch the clock and does not have time to summarize — a potential loss of
15 points.

* Tip: Don’t try to cover everything. Use the five minutes with your notes wisely to pick out only
your best points. With my speech evaluation form, I typically capture about twice as many
things as I can describe in a 3-minute evaluation.

3. Contestant covers only the points mentioned by other contestants. It is possible
to deliver a good (or even great) evaluation, but still score poorly because you
will invariably be compared to other contestants.

* Tip: Hone your speech critique skills. Try to avoid the obvious elements of
the speech which all other contestants will notice. Instead, aim to analyze
elements many will miss.

4. Contestant has marvelous analysis, but poor evaluation delivery. They score low
on the 15 points for Technique.

* Tip: Based on my personal experience, I think delivery tends to be weighted even higher by
most judges. Particularly at higher levels when many contestants are very strong, the
contestant with the most dynamic delivery often wins.

The Speech Analysis Series

1. How to Study and Critique a Speech

2. The Art of Delivering Evaluations

3. Modified Sandwich Technique for Evaluations

4. Evaluation Forms, Tools, and Resources

5. Toastmasters Evaluation Contests

How about you? Are you an evaluation contest champion? A veteran competitor? A first-time contestant?

Share your evaluation contest experiences and tips in the comments below.

Good luck, and happy evaluating!

This is one of many public speaking articles featured on Six Minutes.
Subscribe to Six Minutes for free to receive future articles.

Source:
http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/2008/01/25/speech-evaluation-5-toastmasters-contests/

DTM Laura Rotinsulu
Metropolitan Toastmasters Club

Monday 3 November 2008

Division I Humorous Speech Contest & Evaluation Contest

Division I-51 are please to announce the Winners of 2008 Semi Annual Evaluation & Humorous Speech Contests which took place on 25th October 2008 from 10am to 1pm at INTI College Toastmasters Club.

Humorous Speech Contest:

Winner : Munmun Gupta (Inti College TMC-1060749, Area I-2) - Forfeit

1st Runner-Up : Aarti Mulani (British TMC-763429, Jakarta, Area I-1) - District Contestant

2nd Runner-Up : Dewi Oni (Jakarta Lions TMC-4204, Area I-5)


Evaluation Contest:

Winner : Vanessa Hendriadi (Jakarta TMC-4067, Area I-1) - District 51 Contestant

1st Runner-Up : Martin Hendriadi (Surabaya TMC-692744, Area I-4)

2nd Runner-Up : Risti Brophy (Metropolitan TMC-9747, Area I-2)


Mandarin Evaluation Contest:

Winner : Yendy M. Widjaja (Jakarta Lions TMC-4204, Area I-5) - Forfeit



Faithfully,

Johan Setiawan

Contest Chair

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Area I-1 Humorous Speech & Evaluation contests

On Monday, 15 September 2008, representative of 4 Toastmasters Clubs in Area I-1 participated in the 2008 Humourous Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest which took place at the Jakarta Toastmasters Club, PB&CO, Menara Imperium 29th Floor, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan Jakarta Selatan. The details are as follows :

Humorous Speech Contestants:
1. Matthew Price (JTC)
2. Felix Nadapdap (ConocoPhillips TC)
3. Khristina (British TC)
4. Aarti Mulani (British TC)
5. Yenny Febrianti (JTC)

Evaluation Contestants:
1. Warndo Adiprana (Borneo TC)
2. Henny F Thomas (Borneo TC)
3. Felix Nadapdap (ConocoPhillips TC)
4. Robert Purnamabagya (JTC)
5. Indriati Permanasari (British TC)
6. Vanessa Hendriadi (JTC)

And the winners are:

Humorous Speech Contestants:

  • Winner : Aarti Mulani (British TC)
  • First Runner-Up : Matthew Price (JTC)
  • Second Runner-Up : Khristina (British TC)

Evaluation Contestants:

  • Winner : Vanessa Hendriadi (JTC)
  • First Runner-Up : Robert Purnamabagya (JTC)
  • Second Runner-Up : Indriati Permanasari (British TC)
The above winners shall compete against the winners from other Area in the Division I Humorous Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest, time and place shall be informed later.

Best regards,
Harry Nizam
Immediate Past Governor Area I-1

Thursday 11 September 2008

Minutes of Meeting: 11 September 2008


The British Toastmasters Club
Minutes of the Meeting
The Athletic Mercantile Club
18th Floor World Trade Center
11 September, 2008
19:00 – 21:00
Present: 17 people
Members:
Indriati Permanasari, Aarti Mulani, Aliva Sholihat, Dameria Hutabarat, Hani F. Hongo, Harina Indra, Harry Nizam, Johan Setiawan, Kristina, Lola Delfin, Rina Suci Handayani, Roma Berliana, and Susanni.
Guests:
Aditya Gana, Meita Haryani, Yani Siskartika, and Susana.
The meeting was opened by acting Chairman Indriati Permanasari, CC at 19:00. She announced the week’s agenda: Humorous Speech Contest.

The Contestants
1. Susanni, TM - Title "A Practical Joke"
2. Aarti Mulani, TM - Title "Big, Beautiful Me"
3. Kristina, TM - Title "O, My Flag"

Toastmaster of the Contest: Hani F. Hongo, ACG

Chief Judge : Harina Indra, DTM

Judges:
1.Harry Nizam, ATM
2.Johan Setiawan, ACB / ALB
3.Thomas Alfiandes, CC
4. Dameria Hutabarat, TM

Time Keepers: Lola Delfin, TM & Roma Berliana, TM

Tally Counters: Aliva Sholihat, TM & Rina Suci, TM

Contest Rules
The Chief Judge explained the rules for the Contest as follows:
1. Each contestant must be in good standing which means all dues to Toastmasters World Head Quarter are paid;
2.The speaker area – the speaker must stay within the designated speaker’s area all throughout the delivery of her speech
3.The time allocation to qualify
•Minimum 4'30"
•Maximum 7'30"
Content
Being a humorous speech the topic should invite laughter. The Chief Judge asked the audience to give a big laugh whenever appropriate.
Contest Proper
• Susanni talked about the First April event during her High School years where the students
kidded one of their teachers.
• Aarti Mulani in her “Big, Beautiful Me” told us how she tried to convince her mother that there
is nothing wrong with having a big body and thighs. It is how she accepts herself to be happy.
• Kristina explained how hoisting the flag during the school flag ceremony turned into an
embarrassment for the whole education year. In her great desire to get the attention of her
crush for a boy, she totally lost concentration and raised the flag too quickly to the top while
the music of the national anthem was still playing.

Evaluation
To allow the Judges evaluate the speeches, a One Minute of Silence was observed after each speaker finished delivering her speech.
Contestants’ Post-contest Comments

The Toastmaster of the Contest asked each of the contestants to say a few words about how they felt about their speeches.

The Winners:
The First Place: AARTI MULANI, TM
The Runner Up: KRISTINA, TM
Awarding & Photo Session
The Chief Judge gave the Award Certificate to the two winners.
Comments from other members and guests
Most members gave very positive comments about how the contest was conducted. Some also commented on their experiences and expectations as members.
Announcement
It was announced that the two winners will represent The British Toastmasters Club at the Area I-1 District 51 contest to be held on Monday, September 15, 2008 at Menara Imperium 29th Floor, Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. 1, Jakarta. Dinner as well as briefing for the contestants will start at 6 p.m. and the Humorous Speech Contest will start at 7 p.m.
The Area Governor Johan Setiawan, ACB/ALB invited all members and guests to attend the contest and give support to the two club representatives.
Guests who wished to join Toastmasters can fill up the membership form, and the Vice President Membership will assist them in the registration. Membership dues for October 2008 – April 2009 should be paid in September 2008.
The next meeting will be on 25 September, 2008.
The meeting adjourned at 21:00.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lola Delfin
VP Membership

Friday 29 August 2008

Meeting: 29 August 2008

Fellow Toastmasters and Friends,

Last night's meeting was opened by Club President Mike and attended by 15 persons including 4 guests.

Because of the unfriendly weather which caused bad traffic jam, the meeting started a little bit late at 7.30 pm.

The Club President also took the role as the Toastmaster of the Meeting (TOM). However, there are some changes of the role:

- General Evaluator (GE): Ghani Kunto

- Wordmaster/Grammarian: Rajesh Daswani

- Umms & Errs Counter: Indriati Permanasari

- Time Keeper: Lola Delfin

- Ballot Counter: Thomas Alfiandes

Table Topics session :

Kristina, as TTM, came up with such a brilliant idea of "Happy September". In her explanation about the topic, she pointed some interesting facts about the month of September from several points of view.

1. The first "Happy September" was about the month of Ramadhan which will start on Monday. Mike shared his views about this Holy month.

2. The second one was about Indonesian Education, because this it the time when Indonesian parents have to spend more money for their children's education. And Rajesh shared his opinion about this compare to his own childhood experience.

3. The last one was about the so-called 'best chosen time'. For the Chinese people, the month of September is a good time to get married, have baby, etc. Ghani came up with some fun examples.

Prepared Speech session :

Before it started, Mike informed that after each speaker delivered their speech, there would be a one minute silence for all attendees to write their comments about the speaker.

There are 3 speakers, 2 speeches Basic Manual(BM), and one based on Advance Manual (AM), as follows

1. Kristina : BM#2 (Organize your speech) with subject "Comfort Zone" and evaluated by Thomas

2. Jo : BM#2 (Organize your speech) with subject "Effective Communication" evaluated by Indri

3. Harry : AM#1 (Interpersonal communication: Conversing with Ease) with subject "Talking to a stranger" and evaluated by Hani

General Evaluation session :

Individual evaluators of the prepared speakers gave their reports and followed by GE who gave general report on the whole meeting.

It then followed by the reports by his team member.

Hall of Fame :

Thomas as the Ballot counter announce the result of votes casts by the audience

Best Table Topics speaker : Ghani

Best Prepared speaker : Kristina

Best Evaluator : Hani

Before Closing, the President asked all of our guests to give their comments about the meeting.

Closing :

The President announced the following :

- The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 11 September 2008, which also will be Club contest

- Club's Humorous speech and Evaluation contests shall be held on Thursday, 11 September 2008

- The Area Contest will be on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 10.00 am to 01.00 pm (as per majority votes)

- During Ramadhan, the meeting schedule will remain the same

- The 6-months payment is due on October 1st

The meeting is officially closed at 09.00 pm.

Yours truly,

Melany Jo

Club Secretary