Area A3 Contests... set for April 4th

From Dave Wheeler, Division A Governor:

Since I have not gotten any responses the email I sent out last week, I made an "executive decision" and scheduled the Area A3 contest in conjunction with the Area A1 / A5 Contest on April 4th. (I have already discussed the subject with Area A1 & A5).

We want to make sure we give all the clubs in Area A3 the opportunity to participate in the Spring contests ! They should also be aware that each area will have their own trophies so while the contests are being run together, the competitions will only be within each Area!

On 2/27/07, Roger Brown <rogerbrown@mac.com > wrote:

Good Morning Dave.

The Area Contests should start real soon now. And it

looks like Division A is nearly ready for the march to the

final 6 speakers in D53.

Area A1 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,

3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Area A2 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Area A3 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,
3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Area A4 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Area A5 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Dyson Bldg, Ulrich Conf Rm Marist College,

3399 North Rd (Rte 9), Poughkeepsie, NY

Division A Tall Tales and International Speech Contests

Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

at Wooster School Library, 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT

Adding Power to Your Point

Forwarded by: Roger Brown, District 53 Webmaster;

Adding Power to Your Point By Jennifer Openshaw
TheStreet.com Contributor, 12/15/2006 12:29 PM EST
URL: http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/smallbiz/10327484.html

They don't seem to be listening. ...
... electronic communication has become so routine, so automated, so abundant, that once again we miss the important message. Moreover, it's so easy to create electronic communication we don't think enough about its content.

That's what I believe is encumbering today's typical PowerPoint presentation. Same stuff over and over. Same clichés, buzzwords, phrases, bullets and lead-ins, with different animations, backgrounds, shapes and graphics. It all runs together, and the audience is tired. We dutifully applaud each pitch, but the messages pile up in our mental "in tray," never to be fully absorbed.

Now, the point of any presentation is to get a point across and have it retained. But PowerPoint is too easy. We create slide after slide, all with some form of "creeping elegance" designed to "wow" and be remembered. But it doesn't work. What was the main point of that 20-slide pitch?

We rely too much on PowerPoint features, not enough on content. Some complain that PowerPoint really makes it easier for the presenter, not the audience. It becomes a crutch, if not a substitute for crisp, meaningful communication.

[ ... ]

So I ( Jennifer Openshaw) advocate trying a few proven speaking elements of the ancient (business) world. A few favorites:

• One word at a time. Single words stimulate thinking. "Think" "Plan" "Do" "Act," are easy to remember and leave the audience hungry for more. Even a PowerPoint slide with single words -- instead of clichéd phrases -- can be effective. Of course, these words are tied to main points.
• Handcrafted visual aids. Now, I know flip charts are hard to take on an airplane. But how about single words on single sheets of paper taped around a room? Or your own portable "cube" of cardboard, one word on each side, flipped into position at the right time?
• Town meeting format. No PowerPoint, in fact, no visual aids at all! Just arrange the room in a semicircle, set a chair in the center, and talk! People will focus on you, not the slides. Tom Peters did it so well in the mid-80s in In Search of Excellence days, but I've hardly seen it since.

These "old-fashioned" techniques are different, and that's the point. Put them to work and your presentation will also make a difference.

What words do you use ALOT...

Many of us think, with good reason, that Steve Jobs of Apple Computer is a pretty good speaker....

... but this video (click here) shows that even the best of us have certain phrases that we "lean on" quite a bit.

For your next speech, ask your evaluator if you are using a phrase unconsciously that should be eliminated such as "ya know" or "...Anyways..." [for transitions between subjects].

Or, can you work a catchphrase into your speech to build on a central theme? Sort of like... "You must be a Redneck ..." [Comedian Jeff Foxworthy] or "Git R Done" [Comedian, Larry the Cable Guy].

What words are you using?

Div A Tall Tales & Intl. Speech Contests

From: Roger Brown, District 53 Webmaster
Date: Feb 7, 2007 10:51 PM
Subject: Div A Tall Tales & International Speech Contests

Toastmasters Division A * District 53 Tall Tales and International Speech Contests
When: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Agenda: 7:00 PM Doors open. 7:15 PM Contestants & Judges briefing 7:30 PM International and Tall Tales Speech Contests Where: Wooster School Library , 91 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, CT Map Registration Fee: FREE Directions: Refer to WestConn Toastmasters Web Site www.westconntoastmasters.org 1. Take I-84 to Exit 3 (Danbury Mall) 2. Take left at end of ramp (Backus Ave). 3. Go through 3 traffic lights (Exxon station on left) 4. Go straight through light to triangle stop sign (pass the Post Office on right, Federal Express on left) 5. Bear right at stop sign. 6. Turn right into Wooster School, approx 200 ft. 7. Go up hill and take a right. 8. We meet in the building on the left (Library). Parking is FREE.	Questions: Contact Dave Wheeler, ATMS/CL Division A Governor Phone: 203-740-9333x3076(w) 203-354-9386(h) Email: theshot92@gmail.com Rob Ferrucci CTM, Host Club President Phone: 203-730-8567 (w) Email: ferruccir@comcast.net The Division A Speech Contests are hosted by the West-Conn Toastmasters, Club 599. See, hear, and enjoy the winners from the Area level speeches. The very best speakers from Division A. Guests and prospective members are always welcomed.
Attend the District 53 Conference and Speech Contests on Saturday, May 19th http://www.district53toastmasters.org/conferences.html

Div. A Spring Contests Set

The following dates have been added to the Div.A calendar on the District53 website ...

Area A2 / A4 Contest, March 21
Hosted by WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT (same location and details as in the Fall)

Area A1 / A5 Contest, April 4th

Hosted by Marist Toastmasters at Marist college, Poughkeepsie, NY (same location and details as in the Fall).

There is the possibility that the Area A3 Contest may be combined with Area A1/A5, but I still need to confirm that with the clubs in that area.

Division A Contest, April 11th

Hosted by WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT (same location and details as in the Fall)

District 53 Contest (and Spring Conference / Leadership Summit),

May 19th, E.Hartford, CT

Mark your Calendar !

Beyond Bullet Points ... Powerpoint tips!

I came across the following PDF from Cliff Atkinson's Beyond Bullet Points after reading a comment on another blog. (Which reminds me... your comments are welcome and encouraged for this blog too!)

Click here:
http://sociablemedia.com/PDF/atkinson_nov3_05_PDF.pdf

This web site also offers some free tools including a template for laying out a story... which might come in handy when you are developing your Tall Tale contest speech!

The resources page is located at:
http://www.sociablemedia.com/thebook_resources.php4

ADDED BONUS....
Click here to read the first chapter of Beyond Bullet Points !

Please let us know what you think by adding a comment below !