They should have gone to Toastmasters Cora Gunter

‘They should have gone to Toastmasters…’ Cora Gunter Executive Librarian Westside Library

What is Toastmasters? �Toastmasters International is an organisation that specialises in communication and leadership development. �It has a membership of 313, 000. �Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14, 650 clubs in 126 countries that make up the global network of meeting locations.

Mission Statement The goal of the organisation is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. Toastmasters comprises of two programmes �Competent Communicator �Competent Leader

History of Toastmasters � Toastmasters originated in the USA. � It began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them. � Smedley decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment, and the men responded well to the concept. He named the group the Toastmasters Club; "toastmaster" was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions. � Admitted first woman in 1970 � Spread worldwide

Why Toastmasters for me? �Always loved talking �Public speaking through school and college �Working life – teaching, IT trainer, librarian �My dad �Lifelong learning � 6 Ps of public speaking

Competent Communicator �Passion ~ �Preparation ~ �Practice ~ �Positive Projection ~ �Presentation ~ �Patience ~

Competent Communicator � � � Communications skills necessary in all walks of life Make speeches Listen to other peoples speeches Table topics – thinking on your feet 10 speech projects � Ice-breaker – talk on yourself � Organise your speech � Get to the point � How to say it � Your body speaks � Vocal variety � Reseach speech � Use visial aids � Persuade with power � Inspire your audience

A Toastmaster Meeting � Format of an evening � Toastmaster Roles � President � Toastmaster � Topics Master � Guest Greeter � Ah & em counter � Timekeeper � Grammarian � Prepared speeches � Evaluations – receive feedback in a supportive environment

A Toastmaster Meeting cont. �Time-keeping �Speeches are timed �Topics are timed �Meeting is timed �Topics & add-ons – �Allows everyone the chance to speak �Think on your feet �Meetings are fortnightly & run between September to May �Membership fee

Meetings �Meeting roles – different name same job �Chairperson �Secretary �Treasurer �Prepared agenda �Time-keeping �Wrap-up and next meeting date

Competent Leader �Listening – acquire information, identify issues, make decisions & resolve conflict. For example speech evaluator �Critical thinking – analayse, interpret and understand the information �Giving feedback – constructive performance feedback not criticism �Time management – invaluable skill – allows you to do your job and plan into the future �Planning & implementation – lists, goals, direction �Organisising & delegation – allows a team to achieve its goal and gives an individual an opportunity to flourish �Facilitation – manage the team structure �Motivation – to encourage a colleague to perform to the best of their abilities is so rewarding �Mentoring – encourage less experienced colleagues and help them on their path �Team building – a group of people who work together

Toastmasters for librarians �Librarian as a Communicator �Presentations �Introductions �Meetings �Internal meetings �Local authority meetings �Professional bodies, such as the LAI �Community �Leadership skills

Local Toastmaster meetings �Galway Toastmaster Meetings �Ennis Toastmaster Meeting