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"Setting the stage" for your speech can be almost as important as the words that you choose. How your audience perceives you can be as powerful, or in some instances as relaxing, as the vocal part of your speech. Here are a few ideas as to how to make a statement before you open your mouth.
1. A relaxed and informal body posture tends to put your audience at ease. Sitting on a desk, leaning, using a "pondering" expression, loose or flippant arm and hand motions, etc. creates an "attitude" of the speaker that the speech is more of a "chat" and is in essence creating a "conversational tone." Using this kind of body language, while often drawing the audience "into" the speech at first, will often lose them later and may tend to lose the credibility of important points that you wish to make. It is important to vary the tension of your body movement throughout the speech. A super-rigid body posture, one with little movement and strong forceful arm and hand motions, for example from behind a lectern , gives the audience the message that the speech is important, serious and demanding of their attention. This also only works for a short time. Putting a strong emphasis on parts of the speech is more effective than running the risk of "scolding" your audience. Try to get out at times from behind the lectern, vary the tone of the body language and you will be more effective.
2. You are what you wear. Every speaker should attempt to dress for the occasion and to have the best effect possible on the audience. A clown suit is perfect for a 3rd grade birthday party but not for the boardroom. Common sense is usually the best guide. A three-piece suit might be a tad overdressed for a lecture to a high school class but being to informal, jeans and a sweat shirt... might tend to lose your credibility. A nice suit, in good taste is perfect for any important speech. Look at yourself in a mirror before you arrive and ask "Is this the image I want my audience to have of me?"
3. "Working the room" splitting up the room into parts or "zones" and then changing positions during the speech to address each zone, creates the perception of inclusiveness. Be aware of how much you are moving, speak from one position for a time then move to the next zone. This can add an air of enthusiasm! Avoid "pacing" because that can distract from your speech.
4. Create the environment you want you audience to experience beforehand. This is not always possible but moving and manipulating the physical surrounding of the speech area can have a powerful effect on your speech. Lighting for example can often add an "extra effect". Also have props handy, have projector or any other visual aids at the ready so that when you need these items their operation does not distract from your speech.
The use of the face and the eyes are also a very important element of non-verbal communication as well how the seating arrangements are organized and ability to create a "aura" of confidence as you approach the lectern. Weaving these with the spoken word creates the total speaker. The most effective speech has a balanced use of the verbal and non verbal.
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The new slate of Club #28 officers were inducted at the December 15th meeting at the Herndon Branch Library. These officers will serve the January through June 2012 term. Please congratulate these courageous Toastmasters when you see them:
Many of our new officers for this term are taking on their first ever club officer role, some are returning to their positions and one has served in his leadership position in previous administrations.
Our new Club #28 President is Malita Clarke CC. Known for her positive, upbeat and enthusiastic attitude, Malita has been with the club a little over a year and has already served as the Club Secretary. She is a Business Insight and Intelligence Analyst for Attractions and Resorts. Malita is also an accomplished Watercolor Artist as well. Her vision as President is to help the club enable its members to not only reach goals within the Toastmasters organization but also to achieve aspirations beyond the meeting room doors. She looks forward to the start of the "brightest future that any Toastmaster Club could even dare to dream of!" Malita hopes to continue the work of the immediate past Presidents Ryan Dick and Steve Wood and lead our club to its 10th President's Distinguished Award.
Having the great courage to take on the Vice President of Education position as a first time officer will be Laval Brown. Laval, will be replacing Ken Walley ACG, CL who served as VPE officially or as a replacement in that role for most of the last two years. Laval joined the club in July and since then he has impressed everyone with his inspirational and informative speeches, his sharp Table Topics answers and Evaluations that are far beyond the skills of so new a toastmaster. He is racing towards his Competent Communicator Award, giving 8 speeches in six months and is expecting to earn his CC in February of 2012! Laval has envisioned a career as a professional public speaker and joined Toastmasters as a start of that journey. He loves "Great food, racquetball, reading and relationships." While Laval might be looking for great things from Toastmasters, it is Toastmasters International that might be looking for great things from him.
Our new Vice President of Membership is Adam Heltemes who is also serving as a Club #28 officer for his first time. Adam joined Club #28 on June 23rd 2011 and made an immediate impact by being fearless in signing up for meeting roles, speaking assignments and leadership positions. Adam took part in the Club #28's 2011 Humorous Speech Contest, only a little over a month after joining Toastmasters. Adam has been studying as an engineer and is working on his FEMA certification for emergency planning. With his natural skill of putting people at ease, Adam seems to be the perfect fit for Vice President of Membership!
Ryan Dick volunteered to be our new Vice President of Public Relations. Ryan served as our Immediate Past President of Club #28 and was the perfect choice for VPPR as his career is in Public Relations. He has a Bachelors of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida and sells television advertising for WKMG, Local 6. Ryan did a remarkable job as a first time club officer as Club #28's President. Indeed, he has been one of the most impressive new members that has ever come through the Club #28 meeting room doors at the Herndon Branch Library. He has seemed to have conquered any and all challenges put before him with an amazing ease and grace. Ryan has obvious impressive communication skills that will help him to "get the word out" about Club #28! He plays the mandolin, guitar and bass guitar and is a big bluegrass music fan. Ryan will be filling the shoes of past Vice President of Public Relations Patti Stuart.
Janet Madden, who has taken on the role of Treasurer is serving in her first club leadership role after joining the club in June 2011. Janet is another Toastmaster who has been making steady progress towards her goals in Toastmasters and is expected to earn her CC in the first half of 2012! Janet has a Masters Degree in Personal Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology and works as a Human Resource Manager for the Orange County Library System. She loves Ham Radio, Reading, Traveling and spending time with friends. Patti will be taking over the Treasurer position from Frank Adams CC, CL. We truly thank Janet for stepping "up to the plate" to fill this very important role!
Jennifer Hensley, our new Club #28 secretary is a mother of two young children who lives in Orlando and works as a Substitute teacher who is hoping to be a full time teacher in the future. She also works for the library system for ITT Tech College in Orlando. Jennifer joined Club #28 in March of 2011. She has already served as the Club #28 Vice President of Membership and, in such a short time; is only a few speeches from earning her CC award! Jennifer is also a member of the Uptown Toastmasters Club #6304 as well as being a member of a "Toastmasters family" as her mother is also a Toastmaster. Jennifer is taking over from Secretary Mike King.
Our new Sgt. at Arms is Ken Walley ACG, CL who joined the club 12 years ago in 1999. He has served in every officer position at one time or other in Club #28 including three times as Club #28's President. Ken will be serving in the SAA capacity for his seventh time at Club #28! Ken knows that this is one of the most important officer roles because without a Sgt. at Arms it is almost impossible to even have a meeting! Ken hopes to apply for his Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM) later in this term. He is a graduate of Florida State University and works for the Walt Disney World Company where he has been employed for the last 33 years. He has also is a past Area 33 Governor. Ken will be replacing the past Sgt. at Arms Heather Russell.
Club #28's Immediate Past President is Ryan Dick who has led the challenged to earn the club's 10th President's Distinguished Club Award. The club is within reach of this goal and grew to over 30 members during his term as President. He looks forward to helping new President Malita Clarke CC achieve success for herself and the club.
Besides our new Vice President of Education Laval Brown, two other Toastmasters are serving in officer positions for the first time! They are Vice President of Membership Adam Heltemes and Treasurer Janet Madden! Three cabinet members are returning as officers and learning a new officer role: President Malita Clarke CC, Secretary Jennifer Hensley and Vice President of Public Relations Ryan Dick. Only Sergeant at Arms Ken Walley ACG, CL will be returning with past experience in his role.
These are all talented leaders with a great vision for our club. We applaud Laval Brown, Janet Madden and Adam Heltemes for having the courage to serve as brand new officers in Club #28 Leadership positions. Also thanks to returning Club #28 officers Malita, Ken, Jennifer and Ryan.
With such a capable and hard-working staff, Club #28 is looking forward to the most successful Toastmaster term in it's long history!
Ryan Dick CC Ryan made a profound impression upon Club #28 from the first time that he spoke at a Club #28 meeting. His natural speaking abilities and his passion for excellence were quickly noticed. Ryan was elected President of Club #28 only a few months later and his speeches became well attended events. Ryan has earned the respect and admiration of every member in the club and has served as a great example for our newer members to follow. On January 12th 2012 his 10th speech "The Walls are Crumbling!" earned him his Competent Communicator Award. Congratulations Ryan!
Wilner Luders CL Many Club #28 were surprised that Wilner had not earned his CL award sooner. After all, Wilner has served as the club's Vice President of Membership and then led the club to it's 10th President's Distinguished Award as Club #28's President in 2010. Wilner has competed in the Club #28 International Speech, Humorous Speech, Table Topics and Evaluation Contests and has been a true leader during his entire Toastmaster's journey. Indeed Wilner is one of Club #28 greatest success stories. Congratulations Wilner!
Barbara Cusack ACB Barbara has a rugged determination to accomplish anything she sets out to do. Long an inspiration to Club #28, Barbara finished her Advanced Communicator Bronze Award with an inspiring speech titled "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" on August 8th, 2011. Keeping her eyes on her ACB prize, she earned her CC award in 2008 but in-between that time she has won numerous speaking awards in speech contests as well as serving as the club President and Treasurer. Congratulations Barbara!
Ruble Nedumkunnel CL Ruble earned his Competent Leadership Award on July 2, 2011 thus giving the club it's first award goal towards the Club's 10th President Distinguished Club honor. Just last month, in June of 2011 he earned his ACB and gave the club the last piece of the puzzle to earn it's 9th President's Distinguished Award! Ruble is endlessly important to this club serving in the past as our Vice President of Public Relations and inspiring the Club with uplifting and energetic speeches. He is marching quickly towards his DTM!
Ruble Nedumkunnel ACB When Ruble moved to Melbourne, Florida in 2010, we thought that we had lost one of the most dynamic speakers that has ever been associated with Orlando Toastmasters Club #28. Ruble however wrote the club and asked to remain a member and has since traveled the two hour journey to give speeches at Club #28 (He called the club "The best Toastmasters Club that I have ever found!") including his Advanced Communicator Bronze graduation speech which he gave on June 9, 2011. Congratulations Ruble!
Malita Clarke CC Malita has been a godsend to Orlando Club #28 since she first visited the club on May 6th 2010. Since that time she has worked consistently to make our club a brighter and better place to be. Malita's speeches have also been consistently some of the brightest and best parts of our meetings! On June 2, 2011 Malita gave her CC graduation speech titled "Toastmasters = Success" about how Toastmasters helped her to achieve success on her new job. The real success story however has been Malita herself. Congratulations Malita!
Monica Walley CC Monica earned her Competent Communicator Award at the young age of 21 on May 19, 2011 with a speech titled "At 21!" Monica is the fourth member of her family to earn a CC award joining her step-brother Robin, her mother Diana and father Ken, all in Club #28! Throughout her Toastmasters journey, she has served as a club officer, earned her CL award, competed in Club and Area contests as well as giving some wonderful speeches along the way. The good news is that she is just getting started! Congratulations Monica!
Walk Jones CL joined our club in February and has had an immediate impact. A minister by trade, Walk has shown an ability to cover almost any meeting role when called upon to do so. His upbeat and positive attitude has given the club an energy that makes every meeting better. He earned his CL award mostly with his past club in Pensacola Florida, where he also earned his ACS. Since he is now here in Orlando we are delighted to have him as part of our club! Congratulations Walk!
Frank Adams CC earned his CC Award as the featured speaker during the December 16th 2010 Club #28 Christmas party and Installation of Officers event. His speech titled "Living A Life of Integrity" also said a lot about the speaker. Frank has been inspiring club members both from behind the lectern and by leading by example. Frank helps keep families together working with a local organization to heal families in trouble as well as going on mission trips for the less fortunate. Later that evening Frank was also inducted as our newest VP of Membership! Congratulations Frank!
Mark Gumula CC on October 14th 2010 Mark Gumula showed how his dedication to the Toastmasters program and Club #28 had paid off with a dramatic speech titled "To Succeed in Club #28!" Mark did not have convince his fellow toastmasters. The entire club saw for themselves his progress that he had made during his first part of the toastmaster's journey. Mark, the club's current Vice President of Public Relations, has inspired many in the club with his willingness to learn and unflinching commitment to succeed. Congratulations Mark!
Monica Walley CL earned her Competent Leader award in the month of August 2010 but she has been involved in Club #28 for many years, even though she is still the youngest member of the club. A part of a toastmaster family that has boasted a father, mother and step-brother as Club #28 members, Monica joined herself in 2008 and has since served as club Secretary as well as being the current Sgt. at Arms. In recent years Monica has played a large role in the success of the club! Congratulations Monica!
Wilner Luders, CC on May 13th 2010 Wilner Luders gave a speech titled "The Secret!" that was entertaining, inspirational, uplifting and educational, all at the same time! That however, is nothing new for Wilner who has been dazzling Club #28 members since last October when he joined the club. Wilner has earned his well-deserved Competent Communicator Award and he is just getting started. Congratulations Wilner!
Deepti Dhiman, CL Deepti Dhiman finished the last section of her Basic Leadership manual by writing her first article for this website as our new Club #28 President! Deepti has shown a natural talent of leadership as she has served as club Vice President of Membership and Education before stepping up to be our club President. It is no surprise to any of her fellow members the fast pace of her success in Toastmasters. Congratulations, again, Deepti!
Ruble Nedumkunnel, CC Ruble Nedumkunnel set Toastmaster records in earning his Competent Communicator Award. In less than three months, Ruble completed his first ten speeches, giving his 10th on January 19th, 2010 at the Casselberry Orator Club #8945, Ruble's dual club. His graduation speech was titled "Magic Formula" and he has shown the incredible ability to find an inspiring magic in a number of great speeches that he has given at Club #28! Congratulations Ruble!
Ken Blake, ACG, Ken Blake has been chasing this dream for over 10 years as a Club #28 member! Along with Dennis Gola in December of 2009, he completed the last requirement to reach the highest communication level as he works his way towards his DTM. Ken gave a mini-seminar on effective evaluations at the Orlando Public Library. Ken is the anchor of Club #28 and one of the club's most important guiding members. Congratulations Ken Blake!
Ed Dimayuga, CC Ed Dimayuga earned his CC award by doing what he does best: Leading and inspiring. On November 18th, 2009 Ed gave his 10th speech "Be a Club #28 Officer!" and added to an impressive number of great speeches that included International and Humorous contest speeches. Ed took over as the club president early in the term and has led the club through a number of challenges over the past six months to achieve a number of club triumphs. Congratulations Ed!
Deepti Dhiman, CC Deepti gave a great Competent Communicator Graduation speech titled "Fear No More!" on October 29th 2009. She has shown impressive courage throughout her year- long journey as a Toastmaster. During that time, Deepti has also given some of the most entertaining, enlightening and inspiring speeches ever given from the basic manual to Club #28. We see only great accomplishments ahead for Deepti! Congratulations!
Ed Dimayuga, CL earned his Competent Leader Award in October of 2009 but Club #28 had known for a long time that we had a great leader in Ed! Ed had served as our Vice President of Membership before taking on the role of Vice President of Education. Soon afterwards he was called upon to take over as President of the club for the entire July through December 2009 term. Ed has excelled in every challenge given to him and the club is deeply thankful for his leadership! Congratulations Ed!
Dennis Gola, ACG Club #28 is pleased to announce that Dennis Gola earned his Advance Communicator Gold award by giving a mini-seminar on Effective Evaluations at the Orlando Public Library on June 20, 2009! Dennis has been a mainstay in Club #28's success since 2001 when he first joined the club. With this award, Club #28 earned it's 7th Presidential Distinguished Award, its first since 2005! Dennis has been a past President of the club as well as the club Vice President of Membership and Public Relations. Congratulations Dennis!
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