OC Toastmasters

Toastmasters is dedicated to excellence in communication + leadership skills. Join our friendly group to release your inner speaker.

We meet every Monday from 12-1 as well as online. Please call 250-869-5183 to join us!

07/03/2024

Table Topics Survival Tips:

The following are the most popular tips submitted by members at the 2015 International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Did your favorite make the list?

• Relate the question to your personal experiences.

• If you don’t like the question, change it.

• Start with an inspirational quote.

• Keep up to date with books, technology, news & TV shows.

• Go with the first thing that comes to your mind.

• Walk slowly to the podium; it will give you more time to prepare.

• Be ridiculous. Anything funny works.

• PREP (state your position, provide a reason, give examples, restate your position.)

04/29/2024

Toastmasters! 100 years... so far...

Photos from OC Toastmasters's post 03/11/2024

Congratulations Monte Barwick for competing in his first International Speech and Table Topics Competition. Way to go!
💯 Effort ~ extremely enjoyable and entertaining.

03/06/2024

Take your turn as the lead dog... otherwise, the view never changes.

OC Toastmasters teaches leadership skills and public speaking in a fun, learning environment. Monday 12 pm to 1pm @ the Kelowna Community Theatre or on Zoom.

Guests are always welcome! Please share...

03/04/2024
02/03/2024

Contact us for more info...

02/02/2024

"Speech is power..."

01/26/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

Correctness

27. Were words pronounced correctly by the speaker?
28. Were the words used correct in their meaning/definition?
29. Was the speaker master of the words? How effective was the use of words?
30. How did I feel about this speaker and speech?

01/25/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (Continued...)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

LANGUAGE

Appropriateness

24. Was the language used appropriate to the audience?
25. Did the language support the purpose of the speaker?
26. Were the words chosen vivid, clear, evocative?

01/24/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (Continued...)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

Manner

21. Was the speaker enthusiastic about their subject?
22. Did the speaker exhibit confidence and assurance?
23. Did the speaker show interest in the audience?

01/23/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (continued...)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

Voice

17. Was vocal variety exhibited?
18. Did the speaker’s voice support their purpose (angry, sad, uplifting, energetic)?
19. Could the speaker be heard by everyone?
20. Was the voice used for emphasis (loud, demanding, soft, whispering)?

01/22/2024

Here are a few alternatives to "put your hands together" when introducing a speaker:

"Let's give a warm welcome to..."
"Please join me in welcoming..."
"I'd like you all to welcome..."
"How about a big round of applause for..."
"I'm excited to introduce, let's hear it for..."
"Let's show some love for..."
"Give a hearty welcome to..."
"I'm thrilled to bring up, let's clap for..."
"Join me in greeting..."
"It's time to welcome, let's cheer for..."

These phrases keep the mood light and inviting, perfect for setting the stage for the speaker.

01/22/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (Continued)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

DELIVERY

Physical Delivery

15. Did the speaker’s overall appearance support their purpose?
16. Did the body language exhibited match the words of the speaker?

01/21/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (Continued)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

Speech Value

11. Did the speaker say something meaningful and valuable to the audience?
12. Has the speaker made a contribution to the audience’s thinking?
13. Humourous: was the speech enjoyed?
14. Was original material presented? (New or different thoughts)

01/20/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation (continued)

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

Effectiveness

6. Was I able to determine the speaker’s purpose?
7. Did the speech relate directly to the purpose?
8. Was the speech subject appropriate to the audience?
9. Was the audience’s attention held?
10.What was the audience’s reception to this speech?

01/19/2024

This month reflects my being a Toastmaster member for 30 years.

I first visited Kelowna Toastmasters when they were meeting in the "Plywood" room at the Ramada Lodge. As I had a commitment for Monday evenings, being a Boy Scout Leader, I joined the Westside Toastmasters on Wednesdays, for five years.

Getting tired of crossing the bridge, I joined the newly formed Kelowna Flying Solo Toastmasters.

I spent over twenty years with Flying Solo, being a backbone of the club for many years. Sadly, Flying Solo was a victim of Covid 19 and had an untimely death.

For the past few years I have been a member of OC Toastmasters and currently serving as Club President.

I wonder what the next thirty years will bring and if I'll still be around to celebrate...

Rae A. Stonehouse

01/19/2024

30 Questions For Speech Evaluation

For a speaker to improve they need feedback from objective observers. If you are evaluating
a speaker here are some topics you can consider in planning your feedback:

CONTENT

Speech Development

1. Was the speech organized (i.e. opening, body, conclusion)?
2. Did the structure and organization support the purpose of the speaker?
3. Was there a structure that held the audience’s attention?
4. Were examples, illustrations, facts and figures used to support the speech?
5. Did the speech flow logically and smoothly?

01/18/2024

Speech Evaluation Overview

There are many different styles for evaluating a speech. However, most effective evaluations have some common elements:

1. They are encouraging and supportive. Even if there are a number of suggestions, a helpful tone is more effective than a critical one.

2. They have specific feedback. The more specific the evaluator can be about what was done well and what could be improved, the more it helps the speaker.

3. It’s from a personal perspective. Unless an evaluator has been hired as a trainer, or is part of a class, the evaluator is merely giving their personal opinion on what they say. Avoiding phrases like, “you need to” or “you have to”, and instead using phrases like, “I like when you” and “I would liked to have seen more of”, makes the evaluation a personal reflection. There is no one “right” way to give a speech, and unless one is a professional speaking coach, one’s opinion is just that - an opinion.

4. There is at least one suggestion for improvement. Evaluations aren’t helpful if there is nothing for the speaker to challenge themselves on.

5. There is a good amount of positive feedback. The human brain tends to give more attention on negative information. A general rule is that for each suggestion for improvement, give three pieces of positive feedback. It creates a psychologically balanced evaluation, and doesn’t pile on.

6. End on a high note. A good “atta boy!” is a nice way to end an evaluation, and adds a connective touch to the end.

Some people use the sandwich approach. Some go from beginning to end of the speech. Some go from most important to least important or vice versa. Structure isn’t too crucial so long as the information is clear and keeps its focus on the speech itself.

01/17/2024

Give SAFE evaluations - Specific Advice Focused on Encouragement

Specific - Be specific as possible with both praise and suggestions.

Advice - Provide feedback that will allow them to take their speech to the next level. Give at least one suggestion to improve their speaking skills.

Focused - Focus on the speech presentation and content organization. Avoid talking about yourself unless it helps the speaker. And maximum two suggestions for improvement.

Encouragement - We’re here to help them grow, not to put them down. Be encouraging and supportive throughout the evaluation.

Source: Unknown

01/16/2024

As the Evaluator, you are responsible for giving encouraging and helpful feedback so that your fellow Toastmaster can improve and achieve his or her goals.

Basic anatomy of an evaluation (2 min.)

• Opening (Name, Title, Project #, Purpose)
• 1 - overview encouraging comment
• 2-3 specific comments about what you liked
• 1-2 specific suggestions to take it to next level
• 1 more thing you liked about the speech
• Conclusion (general encouraging comment and call for future speeches)

01/15/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:
Two Birds with One Stone

Have a special occasion coming up? An important presentation for work? Running for office? Teaching a scout troop a new skill? Your Toastmasters club is a great venue to practice your presentation or speech with a supportive, helpful audience. Let the Toastmaster know in advance who you’d like your audience to “be” for the day -- and tell your evaluator a bit about the purpose of your speech.

01/14/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:
Keep a List, Make a Note

Speech ideas tend to crop up at the most unexpected times. Review the objectives for the next few speeches you will give, and as ideas pop up, jot them down on a list of possible ideas. Sometimes you find new ideas appearing as you research and prepare a speech. Add these to your list. Then, when you are starting preparation for your next speech, you’ll have a ready-made list of possible topics.

01/13/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:

Passion = Enthusiasm

What are the subjects and issues that you feel strongly about? These make great subjects for speeches, especially those that have a persuasive component. What are your hobbies, interests, passions? These make great informative speeches.

01/12/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:

More than a Sound Bite

We are all bombarded with news and current events, though it is typically only provided in 30 second sound-bites. Many of these items would make a great speech – and an opportunity to delve into the details and multiple points of view.

01/11/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:

Table Topics Redux;

Table Topics can be a great starting point for a speech. Was there a question that you really wished you had gotten? A great story that a response reminded you of? A topic that you wished you’d had more time to really develop?

01/10/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:

Learn More About an Unfamiliar Topic:

All of us have read or heard of something and said I wonder why… This is a great opportunity to dust off some of those curiosities you have and develop them into researched speeches.

01/09/2024

Many members find choosing a topic for their speeches to be challenging. Here are some ideas to get our creative juices flowing:

There’s More to You Than Six Minutes:

While developing your Icebreaker speech, there was probably a lot of things that left on the cutting room floor to get the speech within the time limits. Those “leftovers” would make excellent starting places for speeches.

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Toastmasters! 100 years... so far...

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Kelowna, BC
V1Y0B4

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