John Andrews is the Canadian World Speaking Finalist 2017

Recently, Goodyear Toastmasters hit an all time landmark, when the club's former President for the 2016-2017 year, John Andrews, was the Canadian World Speaking finalist for 2017. Every year, Toastmasters hosts its International Speaking Contest. This contest begins locally at a club level and goes all the way up to the international championships (this year hosted in Vancouver).

This contest started with over 352,000 members in 16,400 clubs in 141 countries around the world. Of the 100 semifinalists from around the world who came to Vancouver to compete, John was one of the ten who advanced to the final round and the only Canadian.

Hear John Speak at an Open House

Goodyear Toastmasters (ie. John's home club) will be hosting an open house at the Etobicoke Civic Centre on October 12, 2017. For a single evening, you will have the opportunity to come and hear John Andrews deliver the speech that took him up to this level. In addition, you will also discover how Toastmasters can benefit you, by giving you practical public speaking and leadership opportunities. At the end of the meeting you will have an opportunity to become a member yourself.

Click here to download a printable flyer for the open house.

Who knows, maybe one day you will be participating at the highest levels - it's certainly possible.



Open House Details:

When:
Thursday, October 12, 2017
6:30 pm - 9:00pm

Where:
The Etobicoke Civic Centre
399 The West Mall Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Y2
We will be in the main boardroom which is right in front of the main entrance.

The Agenda:

6:30 - 6:45: Setting up and networking
6:45 - 7:00: The meeting begins, introductions
7:00 - 7:30: Table Topics
7:30 - 7:45: Business session
7:45 - 8:00 - A lesson
8:00 - 8:10 - Break
8:10 - 8:45 - Prepared speeches by members (including John Andrews)

Cost:
Free to attend and refreshments will be provided!

There is an annual fee if you wish to become a member of Toastmasters. Bring a check or cash with you if you would like to consider joining (you don't have to decide at this meeting, feel free to come back as a guest).

RSVP:
You can RSVP either on Facebook or on Meetup (or both). Click here to download a printable flyer.

Want to know more about Toastmasters? Check out this video from our club.

Directions to the GYTM Potluck Picnic

Every summer, Goodyear Toastmasters hosts a potluck picnic at the Etobicoke Yacht Club. Here is all of the information you need to get there, plus what you should bring.

On Humber Bay Park Road W, travel to the club situated near the end of the road. You will pass the Mimico Yacht club on your right. Don't go into this one. Continue on the road until you get to the main gates of the Etobicoke Yacht club. It will be on your right also.

If the gate is closed, buzz the attendant with the intercom. Indicate you are there for Dave Danbrook's party.

When you enter the gate, parking is on immediately on your left. The BBQ area is to the left of the club house building.

If the parking area is full, you can also park in the area in front of the main gate.

Note that the picnic will go as planned rain or shine. There is a large covered area in case it is raining.

Notes about the potluck:

a. Bring a sweater or a jacket for later in the evening as it sometimes gets chilly along the water.
b. Family, pets are more than welcome. There is a small play structure for kids at the picnic area
c. Wine/Beer is allowed.
d. Start time is 6:30. Please arrive early around 6:00 if you are bringing BBQ items.
e. Washrooms are located in the clubhouse near to the picnic area.
f. Picnic runs rain or shine.
g. If you bug Dave enough, he will show you his Boat.
h. Guests are welcome - please bring a potluck item as well.

In case you need further directions, here is the link on how to get there directly from the Etobicoke Yacht Club's website.

GYTM Annual Potluck Picnic of 2015

Attention Goodyear Toastmasters!

The annual potluck picnic of 2015 is approaching and scheduled for June 11, 2015, hosted at the Etobicoke Yacht Club.

For help and directions getting there please check out this link.



Notes about the potluck:

a. Bring a sweater or a jacket for later in the evening as it sometimes gets chilly along the water.
b. Family, pets are more than welcome. There is a small play structure for kids at the picnic area
c. Wine/Beer is allowed.
d. Start time is 6:30. Please arrive early around 6:00 if you are bringing BBQ items.
e. Washrooms are located in the clubhouse near to the picnic area.
f. Picnic runs rain or shine.
g. If you bug Dave enough, he will show you his Boat.
h. Gulzar will take a group photo after dinner.

On Humber Bay Park Road W, travel to the club situated near the end of the road. You will pass the Mimico Yacht club on your right. Don't go into this one.

Continue on the road until you get to the main gates of the Etobicoke Yacht club. It will be on your right also.

If the gate is closed, buzz the attendant with the intercom. Indicate you are there for Dave Danbrook's party.

When you enter the gate, parking is on immediately on your left. The BBQ area is to the left of the club house building.

If the parking area is full, you can also park in the area in front of the main gate.

Note that the picnic will go as planned rain or shine. There is a large covered area in case it is raining.

This picnic is always a lot of fun. There will be photo opportunities, speeches from our outgoing and incoming president, plus lots of good food and drinks.

Come check out and enjoy the GYTM annual potluck picnic of 2015.

How to Use the FreeToastHost File Manager

The FreeToastHost File Manager for Toastmasters websites can be a little bit confusing the first time you use it, so here are some easy step-by-step instructions on how to upload and manage your files. If you have any confusion, please leave a comment below and we will do our best to help you.

Please note, this guide is written by Goodyear Toastmasters, a local club in Toronto. We did not design the FreeToastHost system or have any affiliation with it, other than being users ourselves.

1. Login to the website as a site admin.

If you do not have your club's login information, you will need to obtain it from your club's webmaster. Once you are logged in, enter the 'File Manager,' located within the drop down menu at the top.

2. Upload your files.

Press the "Select File to Upload" button and choose whichever files you want to add to the club website.

3. Organize your uploaded files with folders.

This is not straightforward, so here's how folders work on FreeToastHost. Folders are created via the uploaded file name. Whatever comes before the colon will become the folder. Take for example, the following:

a) Guest Kit: Welcome Letter
b) Guest Kit Welcome Letter

In the above, version (a) will be placed in a folder called 'Guest Kit.' The file name will simply be 'Welcome Letter.' In version (b), you will create a file called 'Guest Kit Welcome Letter' that is not contained within a folder.

Do you want to have multiple files within the same folder? Then give them the same name before the colon.

4. Make your uploads public or private.

Public means that anyone who visits your FreeToastHost website can download the file. Private means you need to be logged in as a member to download. Public downloads can be accessed via the main menu on your club website and private downloads are accessed under a separate link on the "Members Only" menu.

To choose whether you want your upload to be public or private, simply click the lock icon to toggle it as one or the other. It's that easy.

We hope all of this helps. As mentioned at the beginning, please let us know if you have any questions.

If you looking to join a great Toronto Toastmasters club, then come check out Goodyear Toastmasters, located on the west end of the city near Mississauga.

- Jonathan Holowka

TOASTMASTERS YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Posted by Leila Bates, GYTM Sponsored Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program Coordinator and Facilitator; Fall 2012, Spring 2013.

Every young person has the potential to become a good communicator and leader, but this potential needs to be developed. - Toastmasters International

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Youth Leadership Program

Purpose of the Youth Leadership

The Youth Leadership Participants

The Youth Leadership Sponsors

How Youth Leadership Works

How to Start a Youth Leadership Program

The Youth Leadership Program is an 8 week program designed for youth to develop the skills they require to give presentations within school and the community.  

The program develops is designed for youth between the ages of 10 - 17 years old.  It is through the Youth Leadership Program that the youth are able to develop confidence to speak in front of their peers, they develop social relationship skills, debate skills, impromptu speaking skills, how to relate and communicate with others within a team atmosphere, and many skills that each person needs to communicate effectively in today's world.

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Think of the successful leaders you know.

They probably have one trait in common – the ability to communicate effectively. Kids need the Youth Leadership program so they can grow to meet the challenges of adulthood and leadership successfully. Sponsored and conducted by Toastmasters International and its local clubs, Youth Leadership helps young people build their communication and leadership skills so they may become tomorrow's leaders in business, industry and the community.

GYTMs Youth Leaders at Graduation Day; Spring 2013 (missing from the photo is Aidan, Ashley, Christopher and Arshad.)

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Purpose of the Program

Every young person has the potential to become a good communicator and leader, but this potential needs to be developed. The program's unique eight-session, workshop-style design enables participants to develop this potential through practical experience.

The program is not in competition with school programs or courses, or other established youth projects. Instead, it's a supplement to these programs, providing emphasis on specialized speaking and leadership skills, and individual needs. Participants learn to:

1. Overcome nervousness when speaking before an audience.
2. Organize and present ideas logically and convincingly.
3. Listen carefully to others' ideas.
4. Offer advice to help others improve their speaking and leadership skills.
5. Participate in - and even lead - group discussion or meetings.

Participants increase their self-confidence as they learn. They also make new friends and have fun. Toastmasters is an enjoyable learning experience!

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The Participants

Each Youth Leadership program group is limited to 15 to 20 people, with a maximum of 25. That way, each person receives individual attention and has the opportunity to get practical experience. Participants for the program are selected by the sponsoring Toastmasters club or by a cooperating organization (such as their school). The program is not an award to honor those who already have become leaders. It’s designed for the  much larger group who are still working on communication skills. Participants are selected for what they can become, not for what they already have done. Often teenagers want the course as a supplement to their high school education, or to prepare for college.

GYTM YLP Spring 2013 -Youth Leaders photo above: (from left to right): Arshad (bottom left), Aistis, Sophia, Hanaan, Aanchal, Ashley (middle left), Aidan, Christopher, Joris, David, Daniel, Yoan, Jordan, Alisha

The Youth chose their own program motto: " The Speakers of  The Future."

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How it Works

The program is presented in eight sessions during or after school, or on weekends. Each session usually lasts one to two hours. Activities taking place in the sessions include the following:

1. Evaluation of present speaking ability
2. Discussion of chairmanship principles
3. Presentation of speeches
4. Impromptu talks
5. Group evaluation
6. Discussion of speech organization
7. Discussion and practice in listening
8. Discussion of gestures in speaking
9. Discussion of voice and vocabulary
10. Exercise in chairmanship

There is usually no cost to participants for tuition or materials. The materials used in the program are produced by Toastmasters International and are provided by the sponsoring Toastmasters club, which orders them from Toastmasters World Headquarters for a small fee.

Generally, meetings follow a format similar to that of a Toastmasters club meeting. There is an announced agenda and participants learn and practice parliamentary procedure during each meeting. Lecturing is minimal, but discussion is held during each session. Participants, working from a handbook, select officers who preside over the meetings. The remaining class members are assigned other duties on a rotating basis, so everyone is actively involved. Participants also deliver short impromptu and prepared speeches. In every meeting, participants learn to apply the principles of listening, thinking and speaking.

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How to Start a Program

Youth Leadership may be conducted for scout troops, 4-H clubs, church youth groups and many other organizations, and for young people in the community. However, all programs must be presented by a Toastmasters club, following the guidelines in the Youth Leadership Coordinator's Guide(Item 802). Clubs may order coordinator's guides and Youth Leadership Participant’s Notebooks (Item 805) from World Headquarters.

Clubs conduct the program on a voluntary basis. Find a nearby club that may want to conduct a program for your organization.

For more info: Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program, Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program Continuing Education

If you need to order materials, contact the Member Services Department at 949-858-8255 or visit the online store.

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program Continuing Education

*** Contact Leila Bates, GYTM Youth Leadership Program Coordinator (2012, 2013)  at Leila.Toastmasters@gmail.com

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The Goodyear Toastmasters Sponsored Youth Leadership Program Activists

Fall 2012 

Leila Bates: YLP Coordinator & Facilitator

Sharmila Sharma: YLP Assistant

Salpy Kevrakian: YLP Assistant

Spring 2013

Leila Bates: YLP Coordinator & Facilitator

Naomi Reid: YLP Assistant

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The Goodyear Toastmasters Sponsored Youth Leadership Program Testimonial from a parent

New Club Projector: Epson EX5210

Goodyear Toastmasters has recently purchased a brand new Epson EX5210 projector which can be used by any club member to assist them with their speech, lesson, viewpoint, debate or other presentation when using visual aids.

This incredible new projector has some great features which give it a competitive edge over the old one.

• 1024 x 748 screen resolution.
• An HDMI connection port for advanced technical presentations.
• Easy to use plug & play setup requiring little to no preparation when hooking up to your laptop.
• Built in LOUD speakers ensuring your audio presentations are heard throughout the room.
• Can present with a USB stick only (no need to bring your laptop!)
• The projector can ONLY play image files such as .jpg off of a USB stick. It will be unable to play your PowerPoint or video presentation unless you bring a laptop. To do a USB presentation ensure all of your slides are in .jpg format in a folder that is easy to access on your USB stick.
• Two remotes which allow you to control your presentation from a distance.
• A built in laser pointer on one of the remotes.

To use the projector in your presentation please arrange with your Sergeant at Arms and meeting Chair and/or Toastmaster prior to the meeting.

If you have any questions please leave them in a comment on this post and we will gladly answer them for you.

A Message From Your Election Chair: The GYTM 2013 - 2014 Officer Team!

The Results Are In!!! After an EXCITING election night this Thursday, Goodyear Toastmasters is proud to announce the 2013/2014 incoming Executive Officers!!!

President - Barbara B
VP of Education - Ian D
VP of Membership - Naomi R
VP of Public Relations - Cathy K
Treasurer - Sharmila S
Secretary - Poornima M & Lorraine B
Sergeant At Arms - Eric P & Gulzar K

A SINCERE and HEARTFELT "THANK YOU" to the outgoing Executive Officers (2012/2013) for your leadership, vision and dedication to Goodyear Toastmasters over the past year:

President - Jonathan H
VP of Education - Andrew L
VP of Membership - Diana K
VP of Public Relations - Nigel M
Treasurer - Chris C
Secretary - Graham G & Gulzar K
Sergeant At Arms - John W & Jason K

Your contributions over the last year have made an incredible impact on our club, and we thank you for your efforts!

YES, I DID IT!

posted by Leila Bates

I thought this was so appropriate for Speakers. We all know the self inflicted barriers we have to overcome to become the "YES, I DID IT" person.  The fact is we need to adapt, keep moving and invariably, we will all reach the top.

GOODYEAR TOASTMASTERS CLUB: MEETING ROLES, PURPOSE AND BENEFITS.

Posted by Leila Bates, CC, ALB, Area Governor 2012-2013

For a guest visiting a Toastmasters club for the first time, the meeting might appear too complex. 
The list below helps to clarify the standard Toastmasters roles including the benefits that one may gain with consistent practice. -Enjoy.

New Year. New You.

Posted by Leila Bates, Area 63 Governor; CC, ACB

Happy 2013.
Look at every morning as a time of Re-birth; Tabula Rasa. Reach high for whatever it is you want.

!!!HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

posted by Leila Bates; CC, ALB. Area 63 Governor

Nothing is Impossible!

posted by Leila Bates, CC, ALB, Area 63 Governor 2012-2013

QUESTIONS TO ASK AS A MENTOR TO A PROTÉGÉ

 By Chris Carnduff

In my line of work people often assume that a Management Consultant has all the answers at the outset to the problems faced by a client. This is not necessarily true although having some subject matter expertise or industry experience is often useful. One of the real tools that a Consultant uses which I am going to share with you here in this article is the ability to ask quality questions from their clients which result in a meaningful dialogue and discovery process that in turn lead to the root cause or underlying issue being identified which then can be resolved by other means. The questions listed below I believe are helpful in discerning how to help a Mentee improve and by design are very general. If you find them useful, please feel free to adapt them to your purposes.

1. How can I be of greatest help to you in our relationship?
2. What was the best mentoring or coaching experience you have ever had? Why was it so effective for you?
3. What are your most important goals right now?
4. What questions can I help you answer?
5. What is your time frame for achieving these goals?
6. What are the most important obstacles you are facing?
7. What have you tried so far? How has it worked?
8. What are your greatest abilities or strengths?
9. What has been most helpful for you in this conversation?
10. What are your aspirations?

Posted on behalf of Chris Carnduff

Using the Website Meeting Agenda as Chair

This is a guide on how to use the meeting website agenda as the Chair of Goodyear Toastmasters.

Step #1: Select Meeting Agenda

The very first thing you want to do is log in as a member. After that, select "Meeting Agendas" from the side column on the left of the page.

Step #2: Edit Meeting Agenda

You will see a set of buttons on the Meeting Agenda page. As Chair, the two you want to pay attention to are "edit this meeting agenda" and "email this meeting agenda". I have circled them in red in the above screenshot.

Click on "Edit This Meeting Agenda".

A new screen will open up. You don't need to worry about any of the stuff under "Meeting Agenda Items" unless you need to manually change who is selected for a specific role or edit any of the text. Members can manually add and remove themselves from roles so this should be up to them. However it's good to know you can do this too. For now, click on "Meeting Agenda Setup" which I have circled in red.

Step 3: Enter your Theme

Scroll down on the next window until you see this box. Type the theme of the meeting in the area I have circled in red as well as any other details that you would like to be sent out in all of the following emails. Whatever you type in here will be sent out in every email for this specific meeting agenda. Click Save and Close.

The theme of the week and whatever else you typed in there will also be displayed in the area I have circled on the meeting agenda on the website for everyone to see.

Step #4: Email Meeting Agenda

Now that you are satisfied with the meeting agenda, click "Email this meeting agenda" to send it out to members. Clicking on this button will not automatically send it out. You still have one more step.

This is the final step. You can type in a custom message here that will only go out with this email if you so desire. For instance, this would be a good place to announce that you are still looking for people to fill in for missing roles. What you type here will not be displayed on the meeting agenda description.

It is also VERY important to make sure that the "Send to all club members" box is checked or else nobody will receive your email.

Social Media Explained or rather, Justified.

posted by Leila Bates, Area 63 Governor 2012-2013

Chunking information into bite sized pieces is more memorable. Phew!...there is a reason to our madness.

Communicating On Video: Two Toastmasters Chat

by Promod Sharma, CC

Do you want to learn how to talk on camera? There is an advanced manual called Communicating On Video. Now that I’m a Competent Communicator, that’s one of the two manuals I’m completing to become an Advanced Communicator Bronze.

I haven’t started but have been on camera several times. This time, I was interviewed by  Toastmaster Jason Heath on the Objective Financial Hour. He’s one of the rare true fee-only financial planners. There’s more background in a “financial doctor” interviews an “insurance doctor”.

The Experience

The experience was quite pleasant. I met Jason once before and we had lunch just before the interview. That familiarity helped me feel comfortable.

Also, the studio was inviting and quiet (like a real room). The background was genuine. I’m not a fan of using a green screen to insert a fake background. How does fooling the audience build trust?

Because the program was almost an hour, we had plenty of time to talk. However, there was no editing. The recording was live.

I’m getting more comfortable with studios and interviews. As Toastmasters, we know that practice helps.

The Surprise

Jason didn't use any notes but was prepared. Perhaps his technique leads to a more conversational style than using pre-planned questions. He's very good at impromptu speaking.

I would not be comfortable without notes. I'd probably use a mind map on my iPad. Maybe that's a crutch. I see it as a form of preparation.

Overall

Overall, we both spoke clearly, with some crutch words (“ah”, “so”, “and so”). I didn’t make eye contact throughout. Sometimes my eyes darted to the left on occasion. There are a couple of times when I didn’t feel coherent. Unfortunately there was no editing. That’s a consequence of a life recording.

The Interview

Here is the full interview (no editing).


Here is the podcast. I edited with Audacity, primarily to remove some crutchwords. some duplicated words and the commercial breaks.

direct download | Internet Archive page | iTunes

If you’d like to get better on camera. consider Communicating On Video.

Links

• Exercise: critique this interview
• Jason Heath interviews Promod Sharma
• You’re a Competent Communicator. Now what?
• Speak better by looking at your voice with Audacity

Promod Sharma is committed to building trust in a transparent world. He blogs at Riscario Insider and works at Taxevity.

Three Lessons For Speakers From TEDxToronto

by Promod Sharma, CC

TEDx events are an opportunity to see great local speakers.

TEDxToronto took place this week. Over 1,000 attended. Imagine speaking to an audience that size. This polished event provided lessons for Toastmasters and other speakers. We’ll look at the importance of mentors, timing and delivery.

Get A Mentor

Speakers vary in skill. They have different issues in their heads. To help them and maintain the standards of TEDxToronto, each speaker got coaching.

The bigger issue may be honing the content. Speakers know much more than they have time to tell. If they’re used to presenting for an hour, trimming down to 18 minutes (or less) may be daunting. How can any of your golden words be omitted?

A mentor gives a valuable outside perspective and a reminder that the speaker is there for the audience. The problem is that a mentor is still one person and opinions vary.

“Only say what you think is funny. Only keep what they think is funny.”
— BJ Kovak, Crafting a Joke: The Arc of an Act (Wired, May 2010)

Another approach is to field test content in front of live audiences to gauge reactions. You want to get feedback from the right group. A Toastmasters club is ideal since members know how to give useful feedback. I sometimes use a printed form (preserves anonymity) or have a group discussion (for interaction and elaboration).

Nail The Timing

In Toastmasters, we learn the importance of every second. We also learn that a second varies in length. A typical speech is 5-7 minutes. We may aim for six minutes during practice only to find that when we're live we speak faster, speak slower or add impromptu segments.

To keep on track, we use lights at Toastmasters

• green at 5 minutes: you met the minimum requirements
• amber at 6 minutes: start winding down, even if you're behind
• red at 7 minutes: you've gone too long (you never want to see red)

TEDx might have a countdown timer or other system.

If you’re speaking somewhere on your own, looking at your watch isn’t a good idea. An organizer can signal you. There are also timing apps for smartphones and tablets. Some clickers have timers and buzzers.

Be Flexible During The Delivery

“There’s a point where we must just open our mouths and let our voice come out. We let it mix in the air and accept that we can’t put it back.”
— Steven Page

You can practice and practice but the live experience is unpredictable.

At TEDxToronto, the speeches were generally delivered well. A child spoke but was hard to hear (was her headset microphone too far away?). When the hosts (MCs) started speaking between talks, they were sometimes hard to hear (seemed that their handheld mics were off or not amplified enough). Luckily audiences are forgiving and compensate for us.

There are bound to be TEDx events near you. If not, you can watch the videos on TED.com or a TEDx site like TEDxToronto.

Links

• How TEDxToronto speakers prepare for their big moment (Toronto Star, Oct 24, 2012)
• How TEDxToronto has changed (Riscario Insider, Oct 27, 2012)
• TED vs TEDx vs TEDxToronto (Riscario Insider, Oct 2010)
• Make your presentation better than a TED Talk (Marketing Actuary, Feb 2012)
• Do you stay up late the night before your presentation?
• Always use a wireless clicker for presentations
• What goes wrong when presenting outside your club
• Why a Master of Ceremonies (MC) matters?
• Get feedback from the right group
• How to prepare a speech on your iPad

Promod Sharma was President of Goodyear Toastmasters during the 2011-2012 year. He speaks primarily about building trust today.