“Research shows that a significant factor in people being promoted at work is the ability to express one’s self in public or at a meeting, concisely and effectively, no matter how large the gathering.”

I can say from my experience, this is absolutely true. As soon as I completed my year-end recap to the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Team, I quickly received a significant raise and bonus, in full.

I was surprised; this year I didn’t have to ask for what I wanted, they just gave it to me.

My work-product was as good as always, but my ability to command the room, navigate the bar graphs and explain tons of statistical slides without the aid of notes, made me look like a rock star, apparently.

As a natural born introvert, I have always worked with great dedication. However, now I could easily handle impromptu questions and explain my analysis easily, without losing my train of thought. This not only impressed them it  gave me the edge I had been looking for. My presentation was thought out, smooth, polished; what was originally slated to a daunting 45 minutes of content went swimmingly well and lasted for 90, without me doing much other than being myself.

A huge win for me (and my fellow introverts out there). My work was as solid as ever and now upper management could articulate my results easily, complimenting me on my presentation for several weeks after.

Things were looking up. It’s not like I practiced my work PowerPoint at our weekly meetings. But I learned what it feels like when the speaker gives too much detail (and information) which overwhelms audience, rather than engaging them fully.

Regular feedback on my speeches and other roles, highlighted compassionately what I was doing well along with ways to improve.

It’s been 6 months or so and I am still unpacking what happens in club 5553. It’s a team effort where all the players meet up to share and engage compelling content which helps each member reach their own Toastmaster goal.

I encourage you to drop in and join us for an engaging hour of professionals honing their craft. Come one, come all: seasoned speakers, quiet types, introverts, extroverts, ambiverts – you will certain gain wisdom and confidence in your delivery and tips to refine your message.

Join us on every Monday from 6-7. Please be prompt. The doors open at 5:45-5:50 and we begin and end on time. See you soon!

I had the honor of representing HPTM at the Area 10 Contest with a Spring
Training Theme in the HP Cafeteria last Saturday.  It was super nice.  The
Toastmaster was hilarious with lots of baseball factoids.  The other
competitor was for International Speech.  He gave a wonderful speech about
marriage.  It was funny and moving.  I gave my speech about TV.  I am really
thrilled that May was able to come, but once again she was outside the
window during my speech.  The interesting thing was that this speech, I
decided to not memorize it, but rather memorize general themes and ideas in
the speech.  The result was that the Area rendition actually sounded as
natural as at the club.  This is my big learning from competing at Area and
led to great improvement from the Humorous Contest in the Fall.

The Table Topics was very strange since I was the only competitor.  The
question was “Do you believe in manned space flight?”  It was like the
question was written for me!!!  The only trouble I had was that we in HPTM
are very accustomed to 0:30-1 minute answers instead of 1-2 minutes
answers.

Thanks to May for coming and all the Toastmaster Volunteers for helping out
last Saturday.  I was very happy and humbled by my  “Double Header”.

I hope we can get lots of folks to volunteer for and attend the Central
Division Contest on 4/21/12 at the MOC, 9192 Topaz Way, San Diego, CA.

Kirstin wins the District 5, Area 10 evaluation contest!

Kirstin, our talented and distinguished toastmaster, won the Area 10, District 5 evaluation contest on Saturday September 10th, 2011! She also placed 2nd for the speech contest. HP Toastmasters is very proud of her. Great job Kirstin!

A special thanks to May, and Sujata for their support and attendance to the event.

Yesterday, I have the privilege of representing HP Toastmasters
accepting recognition for 10 of 10 President’s Distinguished Club for
the 2010-2011 year. I also sat at a table with David McNulla, our new
Area Governor. He was quite impressed with our 10 of 10 performance
and said that he had bragged to his own club, the Toastraptors about
our 10 or 10 to cultivate a little competition.

I have every confidence in our club in the new year to have a repeat
performance in the Distinguished Club Program. I can’t wait for our
officer meeting where we discuss the Club Success Plan for the
2011-2012 year.

Monday’s meeting was full of fun information! Flavio’s theme was
American Music.

We heard a great true story from Jay’s past where he escaped the
Pittsburgh mafia.   I realized that I might actually be related to
these guys.  Remember if someone waves a gun at you, it’s probably a
real gun.

We also heard a funny and informative speech from Rod about how not to
travel through Europe.  Hint: Avoid the bus, especially small Italian
ones.  There are a couple funny movies about this topic, “If it’s Tuesday, It Must Be
Belgium” and “My
Life in Ruins”.

Gary led a funny Table Topics where we learned that Susan hates the
banjo, Victor hates heavy medal, Kirstin would love to go to Woodstock
if they stocked more toilet paper.

Over all a successful meeting:
In announcements: Officer training is coming.
Flavio and Kirstin will be giving training at Toastmasters Leadership
Institute.

There will be an officer meeting next week after the meeting.