Four Area Contests

Sometimes I feel like I am in a Sesame Street episode... as the Count.  One...  Two....  Three...  Four,  Four Toastmasters Contests!  Ha Ha Ha! Yes, I attended four of my Area's contests this past week, acting as judge in each of them, and as chief judge in two.  This Wednesday, I'll be attending the fifth Area contest.

At the club level, many of the speeches are humdrum.  For the most part, the same as true at the Area level, although I'd say as many as 50% are really pretty good.  I'm looking forward to my Division contest in a week and a half, since at that level you really start to get a concentration of speaking talent.  As far as the District Conference...  it's rare to get a mediocre speech at the conference.

Contest Season

It is once again Toastmaster Contest season.  We are up against the Fall Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests.  Last night, I attended the club contest of Carylina Toastmasters.  Next week, four of my five Areas will be holding their contests.  The following week is the fifth Area contest.  Finally, three weeks from tomorrow (October 10), is the scheduled date for the Division H contest.

Yes yes, yell at me.  I haven't been posting on this blog with any regularity.  It's been a stressful 6 months while I was looking for work.  Well, that is coming to an end, since it look's like I'll be getting the contract with GeoMagic up in RTP/Durham.  Tentative start date is the day after labor day.

Well, I'm the Division H Governor now.  I've spent a good chunk of my time in the last two months helping to organize and run both the TLI (East) and the TLI-Lite (East).  Now we're getting into the fall Contest season.  Clubs are beginning their Humorous Speech and Evaluation contests (BCP's contest is next Thursday, for instance), with Area and Division contests spread over the next couple of months.

I will be attending BCP's contest as a judge.  It will also have to be the last meeting of BCP that I attend as a member, since my new job is going to make BCP's 4:30pm meeting time impossible.  Well, I knew it was coming.

Moving forward, I hope to post to this blog on a more regular basis... probably weekly.

Division Governor and TLI Co-Chair

Long time no post.

Yes, there have been things going on in my life... Toastmaster things.  I've been going through some of the process of being invested as the new Division H Governor here in District 37.  The official start of my time is July 1, but I'm having to attend various teleconferences, etc. before that time.  One of the latest dues has been to call my Area Governor candidates and tell them what they're in form.  I think I'll have a full slate... which is a lot better than some of the other Division Governors, some of whom have few or none already proposed.

Also going on is my activities as the TLI-East co-chair.  I had hoped to get a double header with this one, making it count as my HPL project, but after looking at the HPL manual, I figure there's no way I can do the HPL justice while doing the job as co-chair.  I'll figure out something else to finish that task off.

Currently a member of two clubs:  BCP and Carylina.  BCP was invited to present a lunchtime DEMO meeting at ABB down the street, and we are planning to do a second special meeting at the ABB site next week (our off week) at the regular time slot.  The demo meeting went well, and I'm hoping that the second meeting will as well.  BCP is struggling to reach the 20 member goal so we can get a DCP award, and it is possible we could get a lot more than the 2-3 additional members needed to reach 20 from the ABB deal.

(Two) Week(s) In Review

I really need to keep these blogs up to date when something happens.

Yes, I did go to the District 37 Spring Conference.  Had a great time, although I started the weekend with an intestinal bug that made me feel lousy for the first day and a half.  Yes, I did win the election to become the Division H Governor elect (really hard...  uncontested race).  Next week, I expect to attend a meeting with the District Governor and the other local Division Governors to talk about direction, etc.

Last night, attended the Carylina TM meeting, acting as the Table Topics master.  I really have to watch the use of some stock phrases...

It's Official!

No, not anything serious... I have officially (re)joined Carylina Toastmasters.  The reason, of course, is that Pam is also getting back to Toastmasters, and Carylina happens to be a club that is convenient for both of us.  Of course, at the end of the current year (July), I'll be dropping the BCP membership.  It's just not going to be convenient anymore.

One of THOSE days...

Today was the day for the Area 84 Spring Speech contests.  That's my area, and I was the organizer.  I spent an hour or so today producing some spiffy agendas.  So later, when its time to go to the contest, I dress up in my suit, grab the agendas and go... completely forgetting the contest packages full of forms and the box with the first place trophies.

Yes, one of the DTMs at the contest had some contest forms, so we were able to muddle through... but it was a little embarassing.  We got a late start, but since only half of the contestants (possible) attended, we were able to make up the lot time.

Tomorrow, it's onward to Area 83, where I'm only responsible for being a judge, not the whole contest.

Contest Season

Yes, it's once again contest season.  Last night, I stood as chief judge for the spring International Speech and Table Topics contests for Heart of Cary Toastmasters club.  I'll be judging at several Area contests, starting tomorrow, and continuing through next week.  The Division contests will be later in the month, and of course the District 37 Conference is May 3 - 6, although I don't know if I'll need to judge at the district level.

Last night's contest was held at the Cary Art Center, which used to be the Cary Elementary School, and before that the original Cary High School.  Not a bad location, but the air conditioning wasn't working that well in the room we were in...  It was 85 when I arrived, and never did get below 82.  As chief judge, I had to describe the rules and announce the winners, and I can honestly say that I had a reason to sweat other than nervousness.

Characteristics of Effective Leaders

Last night, I presented a workshop titled as above to a small group of Toastmasters at one of the local libraries.  I wish I'd had a larger group, but it was an interesting program none the less.  The workshop content suggests some interesting things about how I can improve my own leadership abilities (and there is a lot to improve).

With this presentation out of the way, I've got everything finished to earn my Advanced Communicator Gold.  Next step:  AL Silver, and then DTM.  Should finish that by August or September.

Also, we held the winter District Executive Committee in Greensboro over the weekend.  The list of nominees for the various district officer positions came out, and so far, your truly is the sole contender the the position of District H Governor.  Of course, there's always nominations from the floor at the convention, but it bodes well for my aspirations in the District hierarchy.

Spring Club Visits

Yes, its that time again... time for my spring club visits.

One of the duties of a Toastmasters Area Governor is that I make at least two "official" visits to each club in my area, and then report my findings to Toastmasters.org.  Last night, I visited Techtalk Toastmasters, the second largest, and arguably the strongest club in Area 84 this year.  I try to make it over to Techtalk, located at NetApp in the Triangle, at least once a month.  Even though I've been in Toastmasters for nearly five years now, there is still a lot I can learn, and these guys are the kind of club who can do the teaching.

Of course I have already submitted my report for Techtalk.  Now I get to look forward to next week when I have my remaining four club visits planned:  Carylina Toastmasters, PowerNAAAPsters, Talkers@Cisco, and my home club, BCP Toastmasters.

TLI-East

Yesterday, I spent pretty much the entire day at the District 37 TLI-East in Raliegh.  There were a couple of VERY GOOD sessions, including a Moments of Truth presentation, and a session on Advanced Clubs, pressented by immediate past District Governor Sharon Anita Hill.  In addition, there was a lot of good information regarding this year's realignment, as well as a wealth of information regarding upcoming dates for various toastmasters events.  Glad I was able to attend.

Moving Right Along...

Coming back from the Fall Conference is a bit of a let down.  Of course there have been a few Toastmasters club meetings, including the BCP meeting last night.  Of course, moving into the Holiday season means that there aren't as many members or guests coming to the meetings, but that's too be expected.

One thing to note was the Area Governors call last night.  For all that they've been going on all along, this is the first time I've actually made the call.  Woo Hoo for me.  Ear Piece ran out of juice half way through, and had to finish the call holding the phone up to my ear.

I did get some good information to pass along to my clubs.  Train the Trainer will be offered in a couple of weeks, and the TLI will happen at the beginning of January.  Of course the Spring Conference is already planned.  We've made reservations at the resort (Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC), and I'm waiting for the conference registration to go up on the District 37 web site.

Fall Conference

Wow.  Busy weekend.

Drive to Fayetteville Friday afternoon.  Evening filled with evaluation contest, buffet dinner, and a Roast of former District Governor Sharon Hill.  I volunteered to be a judge, and I'm happy to state that my votes as a judge were spot on with the eventual 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

After the Roast, I drove back to Cary, arriving about 11:40pm.  6 hours of sleep would have been enough, but the dog decided that she needed to wake me up at about 3:30am.   I wasn't able to immediately get back to sleep, and by the time the alarm woke me at 6:00am, I had only gotten about 4 hours of sleep.  This made Saturday interesting.  In spite of a big cup of coffee, and repeated cups during the day, I was dragging by the time I made it home.

Saturday morning started with the Parade of Banners, followed by a series of classes, Lunch, the District Business Meeting, the Humorous Speech Contest, Dinner, and presentation of Awards.  The only other thing of significance was the Silent Auction of gift baskets created by some of the clubs.  I bid on two baskets:  the first, a basket with assorted bath lotions and stuff, quickly exceeded my cost range.  The second, full of assorted goodies, I bid on a few minutes before the close of bidding.  $55 I ended up purchasing this basket for, with a posted retail price of about $190.  Fortunately, Pam wasn't too pissed off, since I gave it to here when I finally got home at 11:00pm

Meet the President

Last night, I attended the TechTalk Toastmasters club meeting.  In attendance was Toastmasters International President Michael Notaro.

I had a chance to speak with Mr. Notaro before the meeting, and I observed his interactions with other Toastmasters through the evening.  What struck me was the ease with which he displayed an interest in as many of the Toastmasters that he was able to, asking pertinent questions, and interacting appropriately.  I guess that if what enables one to become a leader.

Division I Contest

OK, I know that its an entirely different Division from mine, but last Saturday morning I swung over to NC State to attend another Toastmasters Contest.  This time it was Division I.  Very well attended, with no fewer than 37 attendees, with four each of Speaker and Evaluator contestants.  I did get to judge again (seems that Division I is even shorter of qualified Judges than H is).  Looking forward to the District 37 Conference

Division H Contest

Last night I participated in the Division H Humorous Speech and Evaluation contests.  The quality of speeches seems to be going up (as expected).  I had seen two of the three speeches before of course, but in both cases the speakers had polished their presentations.  I most enjoyed the third speaker, who I had not seen before.

The funny thing about the result is that in both contests, the eventual order of winners was just the opposite of what I had voted.  I.E.:  my first place prediction came in 3rd, and 3rd came in first.  Admittedly, my scoring from top to bottom was fairly tight, but it was amusing.

Now That Was A Contest!

Last night, we held the Area 84 Humorous Speech and Evaluation contest (Toastmaster District 37) at BCP Toastmasters. Great turnout!  We had four speakers and three evaluators (out a possible 5/5), and a total attendance of about 30.  The room was comfortably filled.  There were enough volunteers to take all the rolls so that I didn't need to do anything (except worry that all the paperwork was done, and make sure that everything got done).  We had FIVE great speeches (including the Target Speaker for the Evaluation contest).  Congratulation to all the contestants, and looking forward to the next level at Division H next week.

Area 83 Contest

Last night I attended the Area 83 contest.  If anything, it was even less well attended than Area 81.  Only 3 humorous speakers and one evaluator.  I do have to admit that the facilities were first rate (NetApp's cafeteria).

I'm hoping that the Area 84 contest next week is well attended.

Moderately Disappointing

This evening, I attended the Area 81 fall contest.  This area is one of the struggling areas in the area.  Although attendance was normal for an Area contest, there was no Humorous Speech contest, and only two Evaluators for the Evaluation contest.  I know that my wife's old club, PPD is one of the clubs belonging to this Area, and hasn't been meeting for the last year.  Not sure of the other Area 81 clubs.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tonight, I attended the Techtalk Toastmasters Evaluation Contest, where I was the target speaker for the second time this week.  Same speech (Paint the Wall) as before... fine tuned based on the comments I received at Power NAAAPsters.  Tonight, I learned more.  I begin to realize why professional speakers are so smooth.