Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 12:15:12 AM
Title: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 12:15:12 AM
I joined Toastmasters this past fall, mostly because I am scared spitless when it comes to making speeches which are needed on occasion at the library where I am the board chair.
I am doing surprisingly good at it and have won one mini-speech contest and four table topics contest all of which are off the cuff. I do much better saying what is on my mind than I do with my written out first speeches.
Anyway the Town phoned me and asked me to emcee our towns pep rally for the Olympics this Friday – there will be five schools in attendance, a country music singer singing “O Canada”, the Mayor, and hopefully an MP of some sort to award a kid in our area his tickets to the Olympics for winning a writing contest. They are building a stage and there will be a balloon release – all in all - a pretty big gig for a newbe Toastmaster.
I get to hob-nob with the dignitaries afterwards at a luncheon.
My Aunty Mary is very proud.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Jack on February 09, 2010, 12:18:01 AM
That's amazing!
I have an Aunty Mary too!
Also, well done with the new career as an after-dinner speaker. Though I admit, I thought Toastmasters were a company that made toasters.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Joan on February 09, 2010, 12:18:55 AM
Wow, Diane! Congrats! We have a celebrity in our midst. Good on you - I'm hopeless at that sort of thing.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 12:24:45 AM
My fellow Toasmasters are helping me out tomorrow night at our usual meeting which instead has been made into a Pep Rally Headquarters as they don't wan't me to let the team down. They are already planning "seeding" the audience and laughing and clapping at the right places - bless their hearts.
Joan - I too am not much good at this type of thing - but will never get any better unless I "challenge the edge of my boundries".
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 09, 2010, 12:28:15 AM
I reckon more than Aunty Mary is proud. And you can count us all in as well. Do you still have an English accent, Diane?
Maybe we could all record a little clip of our voices and post them here?
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: The Peepmaster on February 09, 2010, 12:30:40 AM
I'm impressed, Diane. I thought your new job at the library meant tidying the chairs and maybe putting books away. Making speeches is a whole new ball-game.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 12:39:29 AM
Thanks Tarqs ;D
Peeps - I don't work at the library - I have just volunteered on the board for the past five years: doing programming, chess club, art show and workshops, Amnesty International events, community surveys, policy committee, staff safety, board workshops, working in book sales, writing club, Nanowrimos, assembling new shelving, hired librarians, goodbye parties, begging for money parties (thus the need for public speaking skills) etc. Good grief - it does sound like work!
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: The Peepmaster on February 09, 2010, 01:17:00 AM
Peeps - I don't work at the library - I have just volunteered on the board for the past five years: doing programming, chess club, art show and workshops, Amnesty International events, community surveys, policy committee, staff safety, board workshops, working in book sales, writing club, Nanowrimos, assembling new shelving, hired librarians, goodbye parties, begging for money parties (thus the need for public speaking skills) etc. Good grief - it does sound like work!
Don't you tidy the chairs at all?
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Calvin on February 09, 2010, 03:18:22 AM
Can't commend this enough, I think it was a Seinfeld bit where he noticed that the #1 phobia was the fear of public speaking #2...#2 mind you, was death. So if you're at a funeral, more people would prefer to be in the casket than giving the eulogy. Formally speaking in front of a group of people has paralyzed me my whole life, I know it held me back at school. I can hold my own in a group discussion, or contribute to a group brain storming (for want of a better phrase) session at work, but put me up front and centre and I'm a basket case. I've always envied but admired those who could do it effortlessly. Even more so, those who couldn't, but strove to overcome it.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 04:50:59 AM
Peeps - I don't work at the library - I have just volunteered on the board for the past five years: doing programming, chess club, art show and workshops, Amnesty International events, community surveys, policy committee, staff safety, board workshops, working in book sales, writing club, Nanowrimos, assembling new shelving, hired librarians, goodbye parties, begging for money parties (thus the need for public speaking skills) etc. Good grief - it does sound like work!
Don't you tidy the chairs at all?
Sometimes I give them a little wiggle.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 05:04:04 AM
Can't commend this enough, I think it was a Seinfeld bit where he noticed that the #1 phobia was the fear of public speaking #2...#2 mind you, was death. So if you're at a funeral, more people would prefer to be in the casket than giving the eulogy. Formally speaking in front of a group of people has paralyzed me my whole life, I know it held me back at school. I can hold my own in a group discussion, or contribute to a group brain storming (for want of a better phrase) session at work, but put me up front and centre and I'm a basket case. I've always envied but admired those who could do it effortlessly. Even more so, those who couldn't, but strove to overcome it.
Do you have access to a Toastmasters club Calvin? They don't push you before you are ready and the tips and support are great. It is good to see other people progress, it gives you confidence to think you can too. There are many smaller steps you can take before giving your first speech to get you used to be up at the podium - such as being the table topics master - sure you are there speaking, asking your questions, but it is the group that is on edge waiting to see who you will direct your question to. So you get a chance to stand there center stage so to speak while 3 or 4 other members do an impromtu speech.
If I were you I would give it a try. Its nice to know you can if you want to.
The way I look at it is I have everything I need to be able to stand up and speak and it is only the little voice in my head says that I can't that is stopping me.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diamond Lil on February 09, 2010, 07:08:06 AM
Diane I've said this before but you never cease to amaze me (smiley with a thumbs up)
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Malc on February 09, 2010, 11:10:38 AM
Diane, I really admire people who overcome a natural shyness to get out there and speak in public, I know some people are genuinely terrified but somehow feel it's a lion to be tamed or a mountain to be climbed.
Well done!!
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 09, 2010, 11:26:52 AM
'Ere, 'ere! Well said!
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 09, 2010, 11:37:46 AM
See what I did there? Actually, Diane, and I mean this most sincerely (as a Canadian import was wont to say), from where I'm standing, you have all the attributes to be a truly excellent public speaker, in particular your wonderful sense of humour. In a forum with a disproportionate glut of professional humourists, alongside some very witty 'amateurs', you're the most consistently funny member in the ranks in my opinion. And what's more, it's all intentional, which is more than I can say for some of these bozos.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Bilthehut on February 09, 2010, 11:40:10 AM
Dianne,
You are amazing. I don't like having to speak in front of an audience, but I do try to remember that generally the audience want you to do well. You just have to be confident in your abilities (and the subject - always a good idea). (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/aktion/action-smiley-035.gif)
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Mince on February 09, 2010, 02:18:56 PM
In a forum with a disproportionate glut of professional humourists, alongside some very witty 'amateurs', you're the most consistently funny member in the ranks in my opinion.
And then you have Peepmaster, whom even the amateurs look down on.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 03:25:09 PM
See what I did there? Actually, Diane, and I mean this most sincerely (as a Canadian import was wont to say), from where I'm standing, you have all the attributes to be a truly excellent public speaker, in particular your wonderful sense of humour. In a forum with a disproportionate glut of professional humourists, alongside some very witty 'amateurs', you're the most consistently funny member in the ranks in my opinion. And what's more, it's all intentional, which is more than I can say for some of these bozos.
That was a very nice thing to say to boost my ego Tarqs - I will hold on to that, along with my pride in achieving an A+ in blood group and I shall be brimming with confidence come Friday.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 09, 2010, 03:28:06 PM
Thank you Bilthenut ;D
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Joan on February 09, 2010, 10:35:40 PM
I'm A+ too! ;D
I'll second what TT said, missing out the bozos bit. ;)
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: The Peepmaster on February 09, 2010, 10:50:42 PM
if you need any elocution lessons, Diane, I know of a Professor who could have helped.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 10, 2010, 12:20:16 AM
Ah, deep joy in nostalgiwold!
And Sylvia Syms looking ever so pert and pretty. Last time I was in her company she was stripping off down to her undergarments. But you don't want to hear about my luvvy connections... do you?! :-*
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 10, 2010, 04:24:14 AM
I did a dry run at Toastmasters tonight and ended up speaking for 9.5 minutes. I got some good tips and lots of support.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 10, 2010, 04:52:47 AM
I watched the first third on my dial up peeps - sometimes people speaking in mikes sound just like that. :o
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: The Peepmaster on February 10, 2010, 06:24:26 AM
And Sylvia Syms looking ever so pert and pretty. Last time I was in her company she was stripping off down to her undergarments. But you don't want to hear about my luvvy connections... do you?! :-*
Oh yes please
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 12, 2010, 12:45:15 AM
Oh, very well, Lil - since you ask...
It was during the recording of my now infamous appearance (singular) on Countdown. Sylvia was the celeb in Dictionary Corner, and there was a problem with her clip-on microphone, which was wired discreetly through her clothing. She initially tried to equally discreetly remove it in order to facilitate a replacement, but this was proving difficult, and being the true trouper that she is, aware of the tight schedule for recording a week's worth of shows in one day, she suddenly abandoned all modesty and stripped off her top, revealing her infamous charms, covered only by one of Marks & Spencers finest over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.
All the more impressive an act, given that she was no longer in the first flush of youth, and she was obviously totally unfazed by the display. Which is more than can be said for several male members of the studio audience, comprising of a handful of bus loads from various senior citizens' organisations around Leeds, and for whom this bold act obviously stirred considerable memories of Carry On days of old - and smelling salts were called for.
Here's a piccy from that day...
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Joan on February 12, 2010, 01:01:17 AM
Aw, you look so wise and full of knowledge, TT! As if you would only raise your eyebrows slightly when Sylvia stripped off.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Malc on February 12, 2010, 02:50:08 AM
So why the Photoshop job? In that pic you haven't aged facially since you were five, or was it that in the original you simply looked too geeky?
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 12, 2010, 11:52:53 AM
Malcolm, I'm not a vain person when it comes to my looks, but the unaltered version of that photo has to be the worst picture of me ever taken, without exception. "Geeky" barely covers it. I haven't been beardless since that day for a very good reason, and I'm sporting a pair of spectacles with even larger lenses than Richard Whitely's. You really don't want to see it.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Jack on February 12, 2010, 02:06:56 PM
I haven't been beardless since that day for a very good reason, and I'm sporting a pair of spectacles with even larger lenses than Richard Whitely's. You really don't want to see it.
I think I found it through Google:
(http://i49.tinypic.com/10iaw02.jpg)
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on February 12, 2010, 02:19:12 PM
;D ;D ;D
Jack, that is so much closer to the reality than you could ever realise.
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: lucy on February 12, 2010, 04:54:29 PM
Is that Elton John formerly known as TT?
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Diane CBPFC on February 12, 2010, 11:47:40 PM
The pep rally was really good. There were around 600 people - 400 or so would be the kids from the five schools. It went really well and I felt fine on the stage. Joan, Lucy, Peeps, Malc and Bill can see the photos on Facebook.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Jack on February 12, 2010, 11:58:35 PM
I didn't want to see the photos anyway.
...
Even though it might have meant I finally discovered what a "pep rally" is.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Joan on February 13, 2010, 06:25:29 AM
Looking good, Diane. Well done! Thimbs up.
Title: Re: Public speaking engagement
Post by: Bilthehut on February 13, 2010, 12:39:38 PM
Great pics, Diane. You nust have been proud. What's with thay funny shaped leaf? Just watching the highlights of the opening ceremony on BBC2. Sad about the Luge competitor.