BM Bigfoot Humourous Speech and Evaluation Contest

Yet another excitement waiting at bm bigfoot club...come and join us...:)

 

EVENT: BM Bigfoot Humourous Speech and Evaluation Contest

 

Date     : 8th September 2010

Time    : 7.30pm

Venue  : Jit Sin Alumni, Bukit Mertajam

Toastmasters Contest Season Updates

            With contest season just around the corner, there is buzz and excitement throughout the Toastmasters community. In the next couple of weeks, clubs will be having their contests to pick the speakers who will represent them at the area level contest.

Seberang Jaya Toastmasters Club and Bagan Ajam Toastmasters Club are both having their club-level contests this week and they could use a helping hand from us Bigfooters. By taking up roles at their club contests, we not only have the opportunity to be a part of a larger Toastmasters circle, we also spark valuable friendships. Apart from that, we also get to learn first hand by observing these clubs' contests and speakers before our BM Bigfoot Contest next week. 

For those interested, please do not hesitate to let our VPE know as soon as possible. He is available at mohan_pinkpanther@yahoo.com or 0129249420. Here are the details:

Seberang Jaya Toastmasters Club Humourous Speaking & Evaluation Contest

Date: Thursday, 2nd September 2010

Time: 8pm

Venue: Chempaka Room @ Safira Country Club, Seberang Jaya

Roles that need to be filled: Test Speaker

Bagan Ajam Toastmasters Club Humourous Speaking & Evaluation Contest

Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010

Time: 8pm

Venue: 2nd Floor, 7068, Jalan Ong Yi How, 13400 Butterworth, Penang

Roles that need to be filled: Timers, tally counters, SAA

BM Bigfoot excos are encouraged to attend the SJTMC and BATMC contests (if possible lets have at least one exco attend each club's contest). And members are also welcome to be a part of these club contests.

Our own club-level contest will be held during next week's meeting:

BM Bigfoot Toastmasters Club Humourous Speaking & Evaluation Contest

Date: Wednesday, 8th September 2010

Time: 8pm

Venue: Jit Sin Alumni, Bukit Mertajam (please click the contacts tab above for the map)

*If you'd like to participate or help out, feel free to get in touch with the organising chair, Chang Yi at changyi@live.com.my or 0125603347.

That's all from us. Let's have an eventful and productive week ahead. Thanks a bunch!

Evaluation Seminar

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Congratulations...:)

Goh Yee Wei

           

               Heartiest congratulations to toastmaster GOH YEE WEI for successfully passing the ACCA examination...thumbs up...!

...NEXT MEETING...

DATE     : 25 / 08 / 2010
VENUE  : PLEASE CLICK ON THE CONTACT TAB ABOVE IN OUR BLOG
TIME     : 8.00pm to 10.00pm

The art of public speaking =>exploring english By KEITH W. WRIGHT

            This week, we will look at the issues of body language and gesture, and canvass some other language delivery considerations.

A speaker’s understanding of the influence of his or her body language on listeners can be advantageous in an everyday conversation or a teaching-training situation.

Body language can also be a useful measure to gauge the interest of one’s audience.

Speakers need to be aware of the significance of possible negative “signals” that may be exhibited by the body language of their listeners or themselves.

Typical negative listener body language signals include: not looking directly at the speaker; crossed, horizontal arms; excessive fidgeting, looking uncomfortable, shifting one’s stance or seating position and so on.

In contrast, an astute speaker takes advantage of positive signals, such as nodding, smiling, and leaning forward and focuses additional attention on the “exhibitor” to create an atmosphere of greater interest in and acceptance of what is being imparted.

Another skill that is useful in developing public speaking skills is gesture.

While gesticulating with one’s hands can give additional emphasis and impact to what is being spoken, the use of gesture can often be unnecessary, inappropriate, repetitive and meaningless, thus being annoying and distractive from a listener’s or viewer’s aspect.

Gesturing is the ultimate form of non-verbal communication, but it requires practice and modification to suit particular communicating roles.

Gesture should be practiced and practiced – perhaps in front of a mirror or even with supportive friends and colleagues.

This speaking “tool” should be used to highlight or give special emphasis to a particular point being made.

Delivery techniques

Successful communication and superior speaking depend very much on the application by a speaker of the DTs – that is, the Delivery Techniques, Tools and Tactics – used to impart ideas, concepts, principles and general information.

The basic prerequisite is that the DTs applied must be suitable for the vast majority of the audience, in terms of their interest, age and language-skill level.

The delivery approach used should engender immediate interest and expectation in the subject under discussion. Much is gained by explaining to listeners how they can expect to benefit and also what is expected of them.

Many presentations get bogged down with unnecessary and irrelevant detail.

Others fail through the absence of “linkage” and “bridging” of the concepts being argued or presented, while time can be squandered through erroneous questioning and diversions caused by participants who forget that there are others in the audience.

Keeping a speech “on track” requires discipline on the part of both the speaker and listeners alike.

Retention and understanding can be maximised by “visual presentation”, i.e. using demonstrative examples that are written and easily seen – not just spoken and heard – by using graphics, animation, power-point presentations, and videos.

Listener correctness

Another important delivery consideration is the political, cultural, religious and educational correctness of examples and concepts used in a speech.

A speaker’s objective can be totally lost if listeners are offended.

It is important to remember that words can have different meanings and significance in different cultures and among different groups. Words commonly used in one society can be offensive in another. Again, words can be religiously “negative” in a particular culture just as a certain type of gesture can be.

A superior speaker is constantly aware of the importance of being “listener-conscious” when preparing a presentation.

■ Keith Wright is the author and creator of the 4S Approach To Literacy and Language (4S) — a modern, innovative and proven method of accelerating the learning of English.

The 4S methodology and the associated Accelerated English Program (AEP) mentioned are now being used internationally to enhance the English language proficiency of people from a diverse range of cultures and with different competency levels.

Divisions S & H Joint Installation Dinner 2010

We talked,
We walked,
for a Moment in Time.

You passed through my life that day and left your mark.
You may never pass my way again,
Or you may stay for a lifetime.

No matter what,
I want to say thank you for the impression you made
that will stay with me for eternity.

I enjoyed the walk,
I enjoyed the talk.
I am blessed for that moment in time.

                                         

                                       (extracted from)

Moment in Time

by Cynthia Kepp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Networking . friendship . fun

Dear friends,

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet someone special in your life.

Every now and then we find a special friend, who never lets us down, who understands it all, reaches out each time you fall, you're the best friend that I've found."
-Jordan Hill - "Remember Me This Way"

See you this Saturday (21/08/2010) !!
at Eastin Hotel, Queensbay, Penang :)

...NEXT MEETING...

BM BIGFOOT's next meeting:

DATE     : 11 / 08 / 2010
VENUE  : PLEASE CLICK ON THE CONTACT TAB ABOVE IN OUR BLOG
TIME     : 8.00pm to 10.00pm

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN TIME, MEET YOU THERE!!!  :)

7 habits of highly effective evaluators

          Stephen Covey said that highly effective people have seven habits in common. Interestingly, over a period of twenty years of receiving and giving speech evaluations, I have noticed that great evaluators also have seven “habits” in common. These “habits” are constituted of knowledge, communication, demonstration, and insight. When you put these seven habits into practice, you too can become a highly effective evaluator. 

#1. Understand Why

Great evaluators understand why they are evaluating a speech. This understanding tells them what they should not do. They know that they should not upstage the speaker, make the speaker feel inadequate, give the speech, give a summary of the speech, overly praise the speaker without giving pointers for improvement, criticize the speaker and the speech, or otherwise create no value for the speaker.

The first “habit” is one of applied knowledge. This knowledge is that the evaluator has three objectives: (1) reinforce the strengths of the speaker; (2) suggest ways that the speech could be improved; (3) encourage the speaker. The measure of the evaluator’s skill is the value the speaker receives from the evaluation. Great evaluators are never self-centered; they focus their energy, on achieving the above three goals for the benefit of the speaker.

#2. Reassure

Just like good doctors have a good bedside manner, effective evaluators have a manner that reassures the speaker that he or she need not feel threatened by the evaluation. If you’ve ever had one of your speeches evaluated, you know the apprehensive feeling just before the evaluator begins his evaluation of your speech. Great evaluators are sensitive to this apprehension and try to reassure the speaker that there is nothing to fear.

Evaluators who do not understand the need for reassurance may undermine the relationship of trust they want to build between themselves and the speaker by doing something as simple as taking a large pad of paper or a clipboard with them to the lectern. That large pad of paper or clipboard may suggest to the speaker that you are going to elaborate on a large number of problems regarding the speech. I take only one piece of paper, sometimes folded in half, the smaller the better. Some evaluators eschew any notes and try to do the evaluation by memory. I think that is unnecessary and borders on showmanship. Effective evaluators use key words and phrases written in an orderly manner that allows them to keep on track while speaking conversationally.

Facial expressions that are reassuring (especially smiling), fluid body movements and gestures, open body positions (arms open, not crossed), well modulated voice volume and tone all create an atmosphere that makes it easy for the speaker to listen to the evaluator.

#3. Follow a Sequence for Psychological Receptivity

How do you make someone want to listen to you when they are afraid that you will criticize them? Here’s a secret that highly effective evaluators know. Make the person feel appreciated before you suggest ways that he or she might improve! 

A speaker feels appreciated by an evaluator when the evaluator notices and mentions the things that the speaker did well. Be specific in your praise. Don’t just praise the speaker for doing a “great job.” Tell the speaker what he or she specifically did and said that you thought was noteworthy. This recognition creates psychological receptivity, a mental state that accepts what you say. This is the reason why great evaluators always start off by recognizing what the speaker did well.

The sequence that you, the effective evaluator will follow is: recognize what the speaker did well; make suggestions for improving the speech; encourage the speaker and leave him wanting to return to the lectern. Like the meat in a sandwich, the suggestions for improvement are sandwiched between recognizing the speaker’s strengths and encouraging the speaker. 

#4. It’s Just Your Opinion

Highly effective evaluators are humble enough to know that what they are sharing is just their individual opinion and is not necessarily the voice of the majority of the audience. So they sprinkle their comments with “I” statements. Examples are: “I thought that your opening was perfect for what you were trying to accomplish with your speech.” “It seemed to me that your pauses were a little too short.” I felt a little disconnected with your speech because you didn’t look at me.” 

One reason that you make it clear to the speaker that you are only giving your opinion is that the speaker will then feel free to accept or reject your comments without worrying whether every person in the audience felt the way you did. This eases the pressure and let’s the speaker know that you are honestly sharing the way you felt about the speech.

Sometimes inexperienced speakers shy away from evaluating the speech of an experienced speaker. This is understandable if evaluations are supposed to reflect the mood of the audience. The truth is that evaluations can only reflect the response of the individual evaluator. Once new Toastmasters understand that, it is much easier for them to gather the courage to give a good evaluation. 

#5. It’s Just a Suggestion

“Where the rubber meets the road” in an evaluation is how well the evaluator’s recommendations are received by the speaker. If the evaluator is too pushy, the speaker may mentally reject the evaluator’s analysis of the speech. So, effective evaluators always qualify their remarks by softening the tone of their recommendations. Note the italicized words in the following examples: 

“You may want to consider this method in order to establish good eye contact.”

“When I was a beginning speaker, I too had a problem uttering too many uhms. Over the past few years, I’ve learned a way to overcome that. This approach may be helpful to you too; this is how it works.”

“Perhaps writing out your manuscript in outline form may help you get away from dependence on the text.”

When you phrase the recommendation like a suggestion, it will become easier for the speaker to be open minded about your suggestion.

#6. Don’t Just Talk, Demonstrate!

Highly effective evaluators believe that showing is more powerful than telling. This is why they demonstrate, as far as possible, the improvements that they recommend to the speaker. For example, instead of saying, “Jenny, consider trying harder to establish good eye contact,” you could say, “I have found that I can establish good eye contact with the members of my audience when I think that they are not a mass, but a collection of individuals. I’m speaking to one person at a time! My experience is that if I hold my gaze with each person’s eyes for three to five seconds, (demonstrate this as you speak) audience members feel as if I’m directly taking with them. Try that and see if it works for you.”

Demonstrating is not always possible. But as far as possible, demonstrate the improvements you suggest. You will increase clarity, understanding, and receptiveness.

#7. Evaluate with Your Whole Self 

Great evaluators use their eyes, ears, mind, and heart when evaluating a speech. The eyes observe the speaker’s body language, dress, movement, posture, facial expressions, gestures, and command of the speaking area. The ears listen for vocal quality and vocal variety, for diction and articulation, rate of speech, pitch, and volume modulation. The mind analyzes the speech structure, clarity, logic, transitions, and achievement of purpose. The heart analyzes the connection of the speaker and the message to the audience, the speaker’s presence and self-confidence, the flow and feeling OF the message.

The above is why an effective evaluation never sounds wooden or dull. A great evaluation has a life of its own because it is delivered from the whole self of the evaluator.

The Final Question

Sometimes you will hear a presentation that is so excellent that you find it difficult to come up with any suggestion for improvement. Ah! That is a test of your evaluation skills. In such a case, I have found this to be very helpful: ask yourself “What is the one thing, that when properly done, would have the greatest positive effect on this speech?”

The answer to the above question can take many forms. Applying it to an excellent speech a few months ago, I realized that although excellent in many ways, the speaker did not relate the value of the talk to the interests of the audience. Another time, I felt that the speaker was so intent in delivering a “speech,” that he forgot to simply and conversationally talk with us. Having competed in as well as judged evaluation contests for many years, I find that all other things being equal, the person who wins a District level evaluation speech contest is one who is able to articulate the most significant way that the speaker could improve.

So there you have it. As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, the seven habits of highly effective evaluators are an amalgamation of knowledge, communication, demonstration, and insight. The only way to learn them is to purposely put them in to practice every time you evaluate a speaker. After a while, these skills will become part of you. What that means is that every speaker you evaluate will get great value from your evaluation. Even more important, you would have learned a skill that will help you in every form of human interaction. You will have in your grasp, the power to help another person grow.

First posting...

This is the new blogspot for bm bigfoot toastmasters club.


From now on...all the clubs activities,announcements, and tips for assignments and contest will be displayed here...have a nice time...;)