TM Magazine-November 2023

TOASTMASTER
THE MAGAZINE FOR COMMUNICATORS & LEADERS | NOVEMBER 2023
2023 World Championship

of Public Speaking
Meet the three women who brought home trophies.
ALSO INSIDE:
Learn the Secret to Grow Your

Effective Meetings Dynamic Voice
Happy Hearts
Will Multiply!
Did you know your Smedley Fund donation
goes directly to help fellow Toastmasters?
Save the Giving Tuesday date:

November 28, 2023
TOASTMASTER
®
VIEWPOINT
Publisher 2023–2024 OFFICERS

Daniel Rex
International President
Managing Editor Morag Mathieson, DTM
Laura Amann
International
Senior Editor, Executive President-Elect
& Editorial Content Radhi Spear, DTM
Paul Sterman
First Vice President
Associate Editor Aletta Rochat, DTM
Laura Mishkind
Second Vice President
Digital Strategy and Stefano McGhee, DTM
Speech
Engagement Editor
Immediate Past
Shannon Dewey
International President
Editorial Coordinator Matt Kinsey, DTM
Contests
Mackenzie Eldred
Chief Executive Officer
Graphic Designer Daniel Rex
Susan Campbell
2023–2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Unlock

Possibilities
Sondra Nunez, DTM Anwesha Banerjee, DTM
Region 1 Region 8
Jesse Oakley III, DTM Kimberly Dueck, DTM

Region 2 Region 9
S
Violetta Rios, DTM Jean Gamester, DTM
Region 3 Region 10 peech contests are ramping up. If you have ever wondered about the experience, or considered
Kimberly Lynne Myers, DTM Frank Tsuro, DTM participating, I encourage you to sign up. A speech contest is one of the best ways to grow
Region 4 Region 11
Farzana Chohan, DTM Benjamin James

your speaking skills, gain confidence, and even understand the bigger world of Toastmasters.
Region 5 McCormick, DTM My home club, Erlangen Toastmasters in Bavaria, Germany, does a Table Topics® speech
Region 12
Dawn Frail, DTM
Region 6 Pawas Chandra, DTM
contest every year, and the organizers encourage every member who isn’t involved as a contest
Dana Richard, DTM Region 13 official to participate. Not only does it give everyone the experience of speech contests, but it’s
Helen He, DTM
Region 7
Region 14
also a fun activity to do together.
When I joined Toastmasters, I wasn’t interested in participating in a speech contest—that
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL® wasn’t why I joined. But when contest season came around, and I saw my club’s lovely tradition,
9127 S. Jamaica St. #400, Englewood, CO, USA 80112
+1 720-439-5050
I took part and to my surprise, I won! This meant I got to compete at the Area contest. I man-
toastmasters.org aged to win the Area Tables Topics contest and the Division one, which then took me to the
District conference.
CONTACTING WORLD HEADQUARTERS And that was the moment that opened my eyes. It was my first District conference, and it
For information on joining or building a club, visit:
gave me the chance to see my District doing business together. I was able to meet people from
toastmasters.org/membership
around the District, people I never would have met before.
Article submission:
[email protected]
Letters to the Editor:
[email protected]
For general magazine questions: A speech contest is one of the best ways to
[email protected]
grow your speaking skills, gain confidence, and even
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL MISSION: understand the bigger world of Toastmasters.
We empower individuals to become more
effective communicators and leaders.
My speech contest journey meant I also made a journey outside my club. I had the opportu-
nity to meet many new people, and I got to understand what the Area and Division structure
meant, and who those leaders were, those people stepping up to leadership.
Speech contests challenge us. They challenge us to put our best foot forward in a way we
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
might not have thought about before. They give us the opportunity to connect with people who
can give us feedback, feedback that we might never have asked for before, from a group of people
The Toastmaster magazine (ISSN 00408263) is published monthly by
Toastmasters International, Inc., 9127 S. Jamaica St. #400, Englewood, who might not know us. And they also give us a chance to see and understand the wider world
Colorado, United States 80112.
Published to promote the ideas and goals of Toastmasters Inter and bigger picture of Toastmasters.
national, a nonprofit educational organization of clubs throughout the
world dedicated to teaching skills in public speaking and leadership.
I encourage everyone to consider competing in their club contest. It’s a different experience
The official publication of Toastmasters International carries autho from giving a club speech. I also encourage you to attend the speech contests at your Area,
rized notices and articles regarding the activities and interests of the
organization, but responsibility is not assumed for the opinions of the Division, or District level. You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and experience
authors of other articles. The Toastmaster magazine does not endorse or
guarantee the products it advertises.
their speeches. And you may discover depths in yourself that you might otherwise never have
Copyright 2023 Toastmasters International, Inc. All rights reserved. known existed.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is pro
hibited. Not responsible for unsolicited material.
Toastmasters International, the Toastmaster and the Toastmaster
International Emblem are trademarks of Toastmasters International
registered in the United States, Canada and many other countries. Morag Mathieson, DTM
Marca registrada en Mexico. 2023–2024 International President
TOASTMASTERS.ORG/MAGAZINE 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2023 VOL. 89, NO. 11
Features Articles
14
6
CLUB PROFILE:
Club Helps Members Amplify Their Voices

Members with speech disabilities have a place
to sharpen their communication skills.
By Kate McClare, DTM
7
PROFILE:
Leading Others to Success

Empowerment speaker inspires individuals to reach their goals.
By Mackenzie Eldred
10 The Ins and Outs of Dynamic Speaking

PRESENTATION SKILLS:

Vocal foundation is the cake and vocal variety is the icing.
By Jillian Mitchell
TOASTMASTERS NEWS:
14 M 12
TOASTMASTERS NEWS:
eet the Winners of the Explore What’s in Store for Pathways
2023 World Championship Positive changes are coming to the program’s online functionality.
By Paul Sterman
of Public Speaking
Three women secure their place in
Toastmasters history. 7 23
By Laura Mishkind
CLUB EXPERIENCE:
20 GParliamentary
et Down to Business With
Procedure
System of rules ensures structure and fair
participation in club meetings.
By Diane Windingland, DTM
Columns 13
TOASTMASTERS NEWS:
Toastmasters at a Glance
3
VIEWPOINT: Discover the demographics of this social group of members.
Speech Contests Unlock Possibilities
By Morag Mathieson, DTM
International President 23 COMMUNICATION :
Making the Most of Chat and Text

Four tips for communicating electronically.
8
MY TURN:
Mastering Fluency in a Foreign Language By Joel Schwartzberg
By Marika Dubiel
9 Listen to Language
TOASTMASTER TOOLBOX:

By Bill Brown, DTM
Departments
24
FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT:
Your Book
5
SEEN AND HEARD:
By John Cadley Snapshot / Traveling Toastmaster
4 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

SEEN AND HEARD
Snapshot
TOASTMASTERS OF PARIS, located in Paris, France, host an Oscar-style presentation of awards during a club meeting. Each
ember received a trophy as a mark of recognition for something they had contributed to the club. Awards included the Protocol
m
Master Award for knowing all the Toastmaster procedures, the Swiss Army Knife Award for helping in a variety of roles, and more.
Visitors at the meeting received a Guest of Honor Award.
Traveling Toastmaster
AFTON LE GENDRE of Cergy, France, visits the Monteverde Cloud CHRISTOPHER ALMEIDA, DTM, of Doha, Qatar, holds the digital
Forest Biological Preserve in Costa Rica. Toastmaster while visiting Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
CLUB PROFILE
Club Helps Members

Amplify Their Voices PRC-Saltillo Toastmasters
Members with
speech disabilities
have a place to
T oastmasters is designed to be a safe, judgment-free
space for anyone—whether held back by shyness or,
like the members of PRC-Saltillo Toastmasters, a
disability that impacts their ability to speak.
The club was founded for people who can only speak
One year later, the club is indeed going strong, with 16
active members. They’re split about evenly between
members who need AAC devices and those who don’t.
The meeting format has been slightly adjusted to
accommodate the members. Some Table Topics®
sharpen their using augmentative and alternative communication questions are sent out in advance to account for the extra
(AAC) devices, which supplement or replace spoken and time it takes to formulate a response. Answers must still
communication sometimes written language. Ultimately, the club’s goal is be delivered within one to two minutes.
to educate people about AAC technology and how it can “I know it has taken time for some of our members to
skills. help those who need it to be heard. learn different roles,” Arnold says, “but I feel we are
PRC-Saltillo, an AAC technology company headquar- finally grasping things. For a lot of us, this is our first time
tered in Wooster, Ohio, chartered the club. AAC users being a member of something. Let’s say there’s been a
By Kate McClare, DTM have a wide variety of disabilities that require assistive learning curve, but most of us would join again. The
technology. They may be physically unable to control beauty with Toastmasters is everyone is learning together.”
their tongue, lips, and vocal cords, or were born with Although PRC-Saltillo’s AAC users are physically
autism, cerebral palsy, or another developmental different from many other Toastmasters, their learning
disability. Others lose their ability to speak because of an goals are much the same as anyone else’s.
illness or accident. “Most of us have wonderful ideas, but at times, I feel
“A lot of our members use speech-generating devices we don’t know how to express them effectively,” Arnold
which are similar to computer tablets,” explains charter says. “Through the Toastmasters program, I feel we are
member Anthony Arnold. The devices store vocabulary— improving our communication skills we can use in all
words, phrases, or sentences—that is activated by striking environments and have greater opportunities.
a computer key or combination of keys, which turns the “I would love to see some of us build up to having roles
typed words into audible speech. at the District and international levels,” he continues. “As
“The beauty with Arnold has cerebral palsy and uses an AAC device to a consumer of AAC, I think that would be powerful in
write and speak. He is a prolific writer and often consults multiple aspects. A lot of people don’t even know this
Toastmasters is on disability issues for film and television productions. kind of technology exists. We need to do more public
everyone is The club’s formation began when two of the compa- awareness. It wouldn’t only simplify our work in the field,
ny’s training and implementation specialists began we could also help a greater number.”
learning talking: Jane Odom and Cortney Maholtz. They began And the club’s speaking members are learning, too.
together.” reaching out to potential mentors. “The reason why I stay in the club is because they’re
“I was intrigued when Jane first came to me with the great people and they have a lot to teach us about their
–ANTHONY ARNOLD
idea of starting a Toastmasters club for this special group circumstances,” Zalecki says.
of people,” recalls Sandy Zalecki, DTM, the club’s sponsor “A lot of our members have developmental disabilities,
and mentor. “How would we make it work?” meaning our disabilities were noticeable before age 3,”
It wasn’t easy. The club was formed at the height of the Arnold says. “Unfortunately, sometimes when people hear
COVID pandemic, and devastatingly, Odom’s sudden this term, they think of ‘mentally delayed’ as well. I know
death occurred as the club was getting off the ground. I sometimes struggle with this as well. As we progress in
That meant the loss of a leader, supporter, and friend. Toastmasters, hopefully, attitudes change and people see
“We had only met a couple of times before her death,” our abilities, not our disabilities.”
Arnold says. “I remember there were several emails saying,
‘What are we going to do?’ I remember someone finally Kate McClare, DTM, is a copywriter who has contributed
saying, ‘What would Jane say?’ A lot of us knew her for several features to the Toastmaster magazine. She has been a
years, and she was always up for a challenge. We remain member since 2011 and is Club President of Miami Advanced
strong like Jane would have wanted.” Toastmasters Club in Miami, Florida.

PROFILE
Leading Others to Success

Empowerment
speaker inspires
individuals to
A s a leader in both her professional and personal
life, Kesha Kent, DTM, inspires others to reach
their full potential and build lasting relationships.
With over 25 years of experience in human resources,
training, and development, Kent has helped countless
center for Allstate Insurance Company in 1998. This
position sparked her interest in finding talented people
and building relationships. While volunteering at Dress
for Success, she continued working in human resources
for different companies by managing their recruitment
reach their individuals reach their goals by connecting them to jobs processes, identifying job opportunities, developing train-
and resources. She credits finding her passion and devel- ing strategies, and establishing relationships with local
goals. oping her skills to Toastmasters and other organizations. and global organizations. Kent’s true passion was helping
Kent has always had a strong interest in leadership. individuals find the right position.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in leadership and Her interest in helping others inspired her to start her
management in 2005 and earned her master’s degree in own business, MrsKeshSpeaks, LLC, launched in 2012. She
organizational leadership nine years later. In 2012, Kent motivates others by offering workshops, trainings, and
By Mackenzie Eldred
attended her first Toastmasters meeting with Speakers presentations to help individuals grow and connect with
of Success, a Gavel Club created by Dress for Success, a each other. She also works remotely as a diversity talent
not-for-profit organization that provides professional strategist for the Husch Blackwell law firm, and has been in
attire and resources to women. She wanted to develop her the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion for seven years.
leadership skills, build her speaking presence, and learn Dress for Success helped Kent gain the experience
how to tailor her stories to an audience. needed to build her career, while Toastmasters helped her
“I wanted more confidence as a speaker,” Kent says. become a confident speaker. “Toastmasters helped me own
“I wanted to be able to lead an audience. I wanted to be my voice,” Kent says. In her role with Husch Blackwell,
able to get up in front of people and make sure that my Kent speaks with many teams and assists with recruiting
message was heard.” lateral and new attorneys who have been underrepre-
Kent first learned about Toastmasters while using sented. “It’s my dream job and Toastmasters helped me
“Toastmasters Dress for Success as a client after being laid off from a land this opportunity. It was crafted perfectly for me!”
helped me job. She received professional development, coaching, Today, Kent is a global ambassador for Dress for Suc-
own my voice.” and media training, and soon started volunteering for the
organization.
cess, the Division Director for District 8, the President
and Vice President Public Relations of the online-only
—KESHA KENT, DTM “Dress for Success has really been a pillar in my career Ascension Health Toastmasters club based in Missouri,
and my professional and personal life because Dress for and a member of the online-only Leaders Worldwide
Success has been a resource,” Kent says. “When I started club. In September 2023, Kent received the Distin-
volunteering, it allowed me to really rebuild myself, but guished Toastmaster award. Since rejoining Toastmas-
also rebuild other women, too.” ters in 2019, Kent has been Club President and Club
Through the organization, Kent also joined the Vice President Membership three times each.
Professional Women’s Group (PWG), a job retention Through Table Topics® and various club meeting roles,
program that provides Kent learned how to evaluate and understand the club
support to hired Dress environments and people she meets. Toastmasters has also
for Success clients. helped her network and continue to build relationships.
PWG offers seminars, “It’s such a gift and what I’ve learned is it’s relationships
workshops, mentoring, that really keep me thriving and keep my family thriving
and career coaching. The and also keep our clubs growing,” Kent says.
program also provides As President, Kent promotes Toastmasters as a
networking opportuni- resource and an opportunity to grow. She is looking at
ties for women. During ways to help clubs and Districts become more inclusive
the program, Kent was by bringing in the younger generation. Her advice to
trained to lead the group, Toastmasters is to always be connecting. “People connect
a position she held for to people, and they’ll come [to your club] because you
several years. invited them.”
Kent started her
career working in the Mackenzie Eldred is editorial coordinator for the
Kesha Kent, DTM human resources call Toastmaster magazine.
MY TURN
Mastering Fluency
in a Foreign Language
How Toastmasters elevated my language and leadership skills. By Marika Dubiel
I n 2017, I moved across Austria, from the state

of Upper Austria to the western state of
Tyrol, for an e-learning development
internship at Swarovski. Although my team
communicated in English, some instructions
people in person rather than creating online
courses, I applied for a corporate trainer
position. Despite my progress in public speaking,
the team lead thought I lacked the skills to
manage demanding groups. Determined to grow,
from human resources were in German, and I I turned to Toastmasters’ leadership roles.
soon realized that knowing German would be Each year, I took on a new position, which
crucial for building connections and settling in. provided me with fresh opportunities to
I had passed a language exam and was able improve my German speaking. As Vice
to read and write some German; however, President Membership (VPM), I collaborated
speaking posed a challenge. with the team and connected with newcomers.
Formulating thoughts felt endless and As Vice President Education (VPE), I stopped
resulted in filler words and grammatically worrying about speaking “perfect German” and
incorrect sentences. My strategy was to speak instead focused on motivating and delegating.
quickly so my conversation partners didn’t have Marika Dubiel
As Club President, I found myself able to
a chance to catch my mistakes. They always communicate my vision, lead meetings, and
asked me to repeat myself, and I did, but this resolve conflicts in German.
gave me extra time to reformulate my original
I realized that Toastmasters One specific day highlights my transforma-
answer and correct myself. could offer the speaking, tion: our club contest. As President, I moder-
I knew I had to conquer this hurdle, so I ated the key event alongside the VPE before a
turned to Toastmasters. I decided to visit a local
listening, and role-modeling hybrid audience of around 100 native German
club, Toastmasters Rhetorikclub Innsbruck. opportunities I needed to speakers. The progress of our club and my
The elegant room in Innsbruck’s Old Town was personal growth filled me with pride. That day
full of welcoming native speakers. I realized that
improve my language skills. was a magical milestone in my development as a
Toastmasters could offer the speaking, listening, speaker and leader.
and role-modeling opportunities I needed to I began the Evaluation and Feedback After the year ended, I became an Area
improve my language skills. project. My evaluation was far from perfect Director, this time without self-doubt.
I joined the club and prepared my first because I couldn’t understand everything in the Interestingly, in this role, I mainly used English
speech on the foundations of learning. I sought speaker’s Tyrolean dialect. However, she instead of German, but I was delighted to now
feedback from my Austrian colleague, whom I appreciated learning about expressions that effortlessly switch between the two languages.
spoke to in English, and my Toastmasters might challenge international audiences. This ability has also boosted my career. I have
mentor Markus, who provided input in German. Surprisingly, admitting confusion became changed jobs twice in the past few years and am
I then took the stage and delivered my speech to valuable feedback, not an embarrassment. now an e-learning developer at MED-EL, a global
over 20 people. My voice and knees trembling, As Table Topicsmaster, the Active Listening hearing implant company. Building relationships
and speaking German even faster than usual, I project in Level 3 requires you to listen to with both English and German speaking
endured an eternity of five minutes. spontaneous answers and summarize them. If stakeholders is such an asset. Toastmasters has
As expected, the feedback urged me to slow you have ever tried to communicate in a consistently shown me that I can overcome my
down, but surprisingly, people understood and non-native language, you will know paraphras- fears and gain confidence in my abilities.
appreciated my message, speech structure, and ing what you just heard is harder than speaking
stage presence. A founding club member even freely. But with encouragement from my club Marika Dubiel designs online and offline
praised my speech, having learned something members, I somehow managed, and to my joy, learning experiences for professionals, and currently
new about the key elements of learning. the Ah-Counter revealed that I had already works as an e-learning developer at MED-EL. She
Thrilled by the positive response, I volunteered reduced my use of filler words. holds a master’s degree in organizational learning
for other meeting roles and signed up for more Those experiences boosted my confidence, and development. Learn more on her YouTube chan-
speeches. and after realizing that I wanted to work with nel, Mastery Muse.

TOASTMASTER TOOLBOX
Listen to Language
Get curious about context and implications. By Bill Brown, DTM
L anguage is a form of communication. But

do we use it to communicate? Far too
often, we use the time that someone else
is talking to plan our next comment. Far too
often, we fail to listen to what is being said, or
not capture the full and true meaning of the
original statement.
Second, explore what they are thinking.
Let yourself be curious about implications, the
extra meaning that comes along with the stated
meaning, the one that we expect to hear. This is
called bias confirmation.
The key is that, if we are to be a good lis-
tener, we need to be able to recognize ambigu-
ity or wiggle room in someone else’s statement.
we jump to a conclusion about what someone is words. In other words, if this is true, what else Sometimes it involves the differences in word
communicating. is true? A mother of two boys told me once meanings. Frequently it comes in the form of
The situation is further complicated when that she told one of them, “Stop hitting your a vague pronoun. If someone says “he” when
a translation is involved. After all, the phrase there are two men in the discussion, which one
“lost in translation” is common for a reason. is meant?
There are frequently significant differences in Another form is where the person’s
languages. statement doesn’t make sense with what they
So what can we do to alleviate communica- have said before or what you know to be their
tion problems? attitude toward a subject.
One solution is to improve our listening skills. To adequately understand what the other per-
Listening goes way beyond letting the sound son said, you need to resolve any ambiguities and
waves from someone else’s mouth hit our ear- that involves asking questions. Even if you think
drums. It involves seeking to understand what you know what they mean, test it to be sure.
someone else is truly saying and thinking. I usually like to start with open questions,
I believe that the key to effective listening those that don’t lead the person in a particular
is curiosity. In other words, wanting to know direction. One of my favorite ones is “in what
what the other person meant by what they said sense?” That is a request for a person to elabo-
or wrote. rate on what they just said, being more specific.
Curiosity centers your thoughts on the other But it allows them to answer it in any way that
person, rather than yourself. That is where com- they want. And you will frequently be surprised
munication must start. The key question to ask
[Listening] involves at what you learn.
yourself is “Curiosity about what?” And there seeking to understand At times you need some specific informa-
are two different aspects to consider to ensure tion, or you want to tie someone down who is
you’re exploring that curiosity effectively.
what someone else is truly trying to be vague. Asking a closed question
First, truly hear what the person said. That saying and thinking. would be appropriate in this instance. “Senator,
seems straightforward, right? Or is it? are you voting for the resolution or not?” A yes
As you have no doubt noticed in dictionaries, or no answer is what you are looking for.
many, if not most, words have multiple meanings, brother.” So he started kicking him. I suspect Language is an attempt to communicate,
and frequently the meanings are quite different. that this boy is destined to become a lawyer. or at least it should be. But frequently it takes
How is the speaker or writer using a particular Attitudes are also a part of the meaning. My work to make that communication happen.
word? And what if they are using slang? If some- wife loves asparagus. I don’t. If she offers me People may think that they are being specific,
one refers to something being “really hot,” are some, is she thinking “I will give you another after all, they know what they mean. It’s your
they saying that you will get burned if you touch chance to enjoy this great tasting food.” Or is job to make sure that you truly understand that
it, or that it is really popular? she teasing me, knowing that I will not find meaning as well.
Communicating in different languages can that opportunity enticing?
also make it difficult to understand the original One reason that we might jump to a wrong Bill Brown, DTM, is a speech delivery coach
message. Many words do not have an exact cor- understanding is that we approach the con- in Gillette, Wyoming. He is a member of Energy
responding word when translated in our own versation with our own assumptions. And that Capital Toastmasters in Gillette. Learn more at
language. When that happens, a translation may can cause us to only hear or see one possible billbrownspeechcoach.com .
PRESENTATION SKILLS
The Ins and Outs of

Dynamic Speaking
Vocal foundation
is the cake and
vocal variety is
W hat does the term “dynamic speaking”
really mean? There’s more to it than you
might think.
In the most simplistic form, a dynamic speaker is
someone whose vocal quality captivates an audience and
to impress your audience, or are you simply sharing or
telling a story? (We want the latter.)
Next, are you connected to your topic? Do you feel
safe enough to access and express your emotions or does
it feel forced, put on, or awkward? It all comes down to
the icing. makes a presentation shine. If vocal variety is the icing, vulnerability—the idea of uncertainty, risk, and emotional
then vocal foundation is the cake. Together, they embody exposure as a form of courage. When you’re connected to
dynamic speaking. As a vocal coach of over 20 years, I your topic, and you feel safe being vulnerable about it, the
always ensure that my clients set up a proper vocal foun- emotions come naturally. Take a stance that it’s not about
dation (cake) before adding variety (icing). you, it’s about the message. This often better regulates
Whether you receive tough feedback, do a self- breath, and amps up confidence, too.
evaluation, or are merely curious about dynamic speaking,
Try this: Transition from thinking about the story to
it is important to note that nothing is wrong with your
feeling the story in your body. Instead of thinking “I want
voice. There are only habits to break.
By Jillian Mitchell to convey anger in this part,” try to access anger in your
Get started building your vocal foundation with the
body, notice how it feels, and allow the feeling to guide
following tips and techniques:
the lines. Turn on a voice recorder to capture the magic.
Breath and Posture Pro tip: Bring vulnerability to your presentation.

Our voice is nothing without breath—quite literally.
And oftentimes most vocal issues can be resolved by Volume
addressing our breathing. Plus, harnessing the breath This is the Goldilocks of voice—either we have too much,
will bring musicality to your speech and afford you more or not enough, or we can’t seem to get it “just right.”
resonance/power. Establish your base resonance and then mix it up. Softer
speech encourages an audience to lean in and listen.
Try this: Inhale low and slow (360-degree expansion of
Louder speech emulates excitement or passion. Your base
the ribcage), exhale smoothly and consistently through
“narrative” volume will help distinguish between and
to each sentence end (belly should contract the entire
bridge the loud and soft moments.
time you speak). If the exhale feels sticky or sputtery, try
holding an “oooh” sound for five counts and notice how Try this: To find your base volume, aim your voice at the
your belly contracts. roof of your mouth, under your nose. This visualization
will help you access your internal resonance chambers
Pro tip: Inhaling through the nose is preferred as it
(head, chest, mouth, face). You’ll know you’re “there” when
brings in filtered air and doesn’t dehydrate. And posture
you feel a buzz and/or the sound gets louder.
matters—you can’t get a good breath if you’re slumped
down on your ribcage. Remember to keep your body loose Pro tip: Think like a singer. Where can you be bolder
and fluid. (louder) in your speech? Softer? Look for the excited or
angry moments and add volume and pull back for vul-
Emotional Intensity nerable moments. Connect to your topic and you’ll know
Often when we connect to our breath, and then to the what to do.
meaning behind what we say, the delivery sorts itself out
in a natural, authentic, and dynamic way. Pitch
Emotional intensity can be summed up in two words: Pitch refers to the notes you speak in. Likely you speak
intention and vulnerability. What is the intention or low-mid in your vocal range; think of this as your base
motivation behind what you’re saying? Are you trying voice. Are you also using mid-range and high notes?

uestions often demand higher pitches,
Q
whereas points of reflection often demand
lower pitches. When you’re delivering your
speech, practice varying the pitches. And
remember, adopting a vocal warm-up will
afford you more variety with your voice.
Try this: Celebrity vocal coach Roger Love
recommends the stair-step method. Start at
your vocal base and walk up a few stairs of
pitch (or notes) to the sentence end, and over
the next sentence, walk back down the stairs.
Pro tip: Try out some character voices—

they add to the story! Plus, we already
do it naturally in our daily
conversations. To illustrate the
power of character voices, think
back to childhood bedtime sto-
ries. Just refrain from adopting a
persona or “stage voice” for the entire
performance; your conversational voice (i.e.,
how you would tell the story to your friend) is
just fine.
Tempo Often when we connect to our breath, and then to the

When we’re nervous, we rush. Keep yourself on meaning behind what we say, the delivery sorts
track by focusing on the words you are saying—
are they clear? Can people understand you? Are itself out in a natural, authentic, and dynamic way.
you mumbling or fumbling? Take a breath. The
space between your message is just as important
as the message itself; it allows the meaning to
what we say, it’s actually our body that has the Pro tip: Opt for an expanded definition
sink in. Connect to the meaning or intention
greatest influence.” Awkward or forced poses, of voice. Imagine your voice fills your entire
behind the words and let that guide you. Pause
gestures, or expressions can undermine your body, not just throat and mouth, from the
often. Again, don’t be afraid to vary your speed.
message. To keep things natural, embody your top of your head to the tips of your toes.
Excited? Speed up. Reflective? Slow down.
message and act as it comes naturally. Bonus: Seriously, it works! And it’s a great volume
Try this: If you find yourself rushing, speak to Moving your body helps to calm nerves. booster, too.
the tempo of your heartbeat.
Try this: Start in the middle of the stage, and Dynamic speaking comes down to connec-
Pro tip: Remember to enunciate, naturally stay there for the presentation’s introduction. tion—of your breath and to your emotions.
not forcefully. Think: tip of the tongue, the Then walk to one side of the stage and pause Once you have this foundation set, often the
teeth, the lips—not only a great tongue twister for a story, walk to the other side of the stage dynamism takes care of itself. So have your
but essential for communication. (Fumbling is a and pause for another story, and then walk back cake and your icing–and sure, eat it, too.
key sign that you need to slow down.) to the middle. Repeat. You’ll want to spend the
majority of your presentation in the middle of Jillian Mitchell is a vocal coach, recording
Gestures and Movement the stage and end there, too. Use your face and artist, podcast host, and all-around voice advo-
Your body is your instrument. Ensure it’s work- arms for emphasis. Move your arms from your cate. She is the founder of Voxsana, an online
ing for you, and not against you. elbows, not your shoulders; it appears more platform dedicated to voice empowerment. Mitch-
In the words of body language expert Louise natural. Again, embody your message and this ell lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada,
Hahler, Ph.D., “Whilst most think words drive will come naturally. with her husband and two children.
TOASTMASTERS NEWS
Explore What’s in
Store for Pathways
Positive changes
are coming to
the program’s
T he transition of Base Camp to a new learning
management system (LMS) next year will spark a
host of improvements in the Pathways learning
experience. The LMS is the online portal (Base Camp)
where members access and engage with the Pathways
the following six paths featuring the new look and feel of
Pathways:

Dynamic Leadership
Engaging Humor
content; the enhancements will include easier platform

Motivational Strategies
online Presentation Mastery
navigation, streamlined and more frequently updated
Persuasive Influence
functionality. educational content, and a future mobile application for
Visionary Communication
Pathways users.
While the current content is widely applauded by The new LMS will launch with each path available in
members, there have long been difficulties with navigat- six languages.
ing the platform, and the Toastmasters World
Headquarters Education Team has worked steadily to
Arabic
By Paul Sterman English
enhance the user experience with the help of member
feedback. To that end, Toastmasters will shift Base Camp
French
to a new LMS in the first half of 2024. The new LMS will
German
offer much more functionality; among other things, it will

Simplified Chinese
be easier to launch paths and work through projects. In

Spanish
fact, projects will have a completely new look and feel. If members start a different path than the six listed
Other benefits: here or are working in a language different than those
listed here, prior to the new LMS launch, they can still
Member access to Pathways content on mobile devices work in their chosen path and language and will receive
will be fully supported, with a mobile app to follow in
credit for path and level completions. Such paths simply
the future.
won’t feature the new look and the content updates after
Pathways will be accessible to members who are
the transition to the new LMS.
visually impaired.
World Headquarters will also work to ensure that
Completed level and path approvals will be automati-
Districts that want to translate new content into other
The move to cally submitted for recognition in Club Central.
languages are supported in forming District
Members will be able to share learning accomplish-
an improved ments directly to social media.
Translation Teams.
The new LMS will also make it easier for the
LMS is the The move to an improved LMS is the foundation for Education Team to implement necessary changes to
foundation further steps that members have asked for. In an email to Pathways over time. In addition, the team will be able to
all members in July, Matt Kinsey, DTM, International plan and develop “new, relevant educational content,”
for further President 2022–2023, and Morag Mathieson, DTM, said Mathieson and Kinsey.
steps that International President 2023–2024, addressed the Along those lines, a new Pathways offering, called
upcoming changes, which are based on member feedback “explorations,” will be added in 2024 to give members more
members have to World Headquarters and data from member and flexibility. Each exploration will consist of a small collection
asked for. nonmember surveys. of projects related to a specific topic—it will be a more
“Transitioning to a new LMS has been an ideal time for narrow and specialized focus than a path. That way, members
the Board of Directors to consider Pathways as a whole. can focus more deeply on a specific topic but with a shorter
Based on our deliberations, we can now make adjustments time commitment. They can take a quick detour into an
that better align with our members’ preferences, as exploration without having to start an entirely new path.
evidenced by data and member feedback,” they wrote. You can find more information about the Pathways
The LMS launch will come with minor content changes on the Education Programs FAQ page.
updates, and the Pathways program will be streamlined to
the paths and languages that have been shown to have the Paul Sterman is senior editor, executive and editorial
most member engagement. The new LMS will launch with content, for Toastmasters International.

TOASTMASTERS NEWS
Toastmasters at a Glance
The numbers are in! Discover the demographics of this social group of members in this report, covering July
2022–June 2023.
4.9%
5.4%
MEMBERS 8.2%
86.1%
Where
They Live: have built social
>266,000 Americas
connections and
networked with
MEMBERS1 others3
50.5% Asia
31.0% Europe
Oceania
>102,200 Africa
NEW MEMBERS2
Female
55.1%
Age: Education: Language: Gender: Male
44.4%
49.4 8.3% 80.5% 39.6%
Average are Bachelor’s are
Age Students Degree or Multilingual
Higher Nonbinary 0.5%
CLUBS Total Clubs:

1 to 9
>14,200 10 to 99
CLUBS 100 to 199
>810 200 to 499
NEW CLUBS 500 to 999
1,000 or more
148 None
COUNTRIES
43.5%
ACHIEVED
Recognition: DISTINGUISHED
President’s >3,600
Club Type: 23.4%
Select >1,200
Community
Company 3.1% Distinguished >1,500
Other 3.1%
Government
67.5%
2.9%
1 Total membership for the October 2022 renewal period (includes dual memberships).
2 New member totals denote members whose original join date is during the 2022 to
College 2023 program year.
3 86.09% of surveyed members met their primary goal of building social connections or
networking with others.
Source: World Headquarters Research and Analysis Department
TOASTMASTERS NEWS
Meet the
Winners
of the
2023 World Championship
of Public Speaking
Three women secure their place in Toastmasters history.
By Laura Mishkind
F
or the second time in Toastmasters Jocelyn Tyson, Nisha Shivram, DTM, and Maryam Ganni, placed first,
second, and third, respectively, and the three women drew speech
International history, three women earned all inspiration from their everyday lives. From chronicling a triathlon race to
dissecting an airport encounter to reflecting on a vision diagnosis, the
three World Championship of Public Speaking® speeches were captivating, and all had a message to share about the good
in humanity and the confidence we can find in ourselves.
trophies. They were among the eight contestants in the
Learn about your 2023 World Champions, how they reached the final
final round of the International Speech Contest, which stage, and the lessons their stories can teach audiences around the world.
begins at the club level with 30,000 speakers vying to

advance to the international stage at convention. This Jocelyn Tyson
On August 3, 2023, Jocelyn Tyson started a new job. She also began
year, the semifinals and World Championship were held packing her belongings to move from New Jersey to Maryland. Then, on
August 19, she won the 2023 World Championship of Public Speaking. A
online and in person in Nassau, Bahamas. whirlwind of events, to say the least.

Tyson explains that all of these events, people who may not know the ins and outs of
especially becoming World Champion, have public speaking.
been surreal. “I haven’t had the chance to Through it all, her club mentor, Young,
really nest into this space,” she says, while who is also the current District 38
living out of suitcases two weeks after Director, was a constant anchor and
returning from The Bahamas. “It has been helped her stay true to her original
difficult. I will not say that it hasn’t been a message. Tyson respected that Young
bit stressful.” always said, “This is yours. Take my
Despite a few sleepless nights, Tyson is feedback as yours to decide on.” She never
eager to take on opportunities to promote said that Tyson must do a certain gesture or
Toastmasters, meet with clubs, and share her change a word—it was always a suggestion that
experiences and message. “This is a great she could incorporate or not.
opportunity. No one really gets this,” she says of With her authenticity and dramatic flair, Tyson
earning first place. “The heart is willing.” captured the audience’s attention on the international
Fortunately, Tyson has lots of support. District 38 Public stage with her championship speech, “Have You Been There?” In
Relations Manager Hannah Merschen is helping her schedule it, she takes listeners through her experience competing in her first
Toastmasters engagements. Tyson’s club, Voorhees Toastmasters, a hybrid triathlon after hitting a milestone birthday.
club in Voorhees, New Jersey, is also a constant in her life and has helped
her since she first joined in 2021.
From the start, her fellow members told her she had a knack for Battling the Inner Critic
speaking and encouraged her to embrace her authentic self. She explains While actively speaking onstage, Tyson’s confidence came through with her
they told her: “Stick with who you are, allow yourself to shine, and people dramatic storytelling style and large movements and gestures. However,
get to see that energy.” It was valuable advice that benefited her early in just before stepping on the stage, it was a different story.
Toastmasters and throughout the speech contest. The inner critic she introduced to the audience was out in full force, and
she was a ball of nerves. Her stomach was completely in knots, and she was
Contest Inspiration “sick nervous.” From backstage, she could hear the competitors performing
Tyson’s path to the international stage didn’t take long. A Pathways ahead of her, including Maryam Ganni, the third-place winner. “I have to go
project led her to attend the 2022 District 38 Annual Conference, where on after that?” she shares of her thoughts at the time. “I’m in the back
she watched the District speech contest. She was amazed by listening to this greatness.”
the talent she saw, but also had the thought, Maybe next Part of her nerves came from the realization that she
year I can get here. made it all the way to the championship without a
She voiced that idea to her club members and
“Toastmasters coach. Many of the individuals she met through this
mentor Rhonda Young, DTM, and all encouraged opens your world process had been through the speech contests
her to try. Her 2023 speech contest goal was to before and sought professional coaching to
reach the District level of the International
to so many different enhance their abilities. Tyson had decided to see
Speech Contest. Then she surpassed that, kinds of people, how far she could get on her own for this first
advancing from the District contest to the region contest season.
quarterfinals and then to the semifinals, and
backgrounds, jobs, “My inner critic was saying, ‘These people are
ultimately becoming the World Champion of everything.” amazing. You’re not even coached by the greatness!
Public Speaking the first year she ever competed. How are you back here?’”
(This despite suffering a severe bout of nerves just —JOCELYN TYSON With all this going on, she paused and took a deep
before going onstage in the championship round. More breath. She reminded herself how well she knew her
on that later.) speech. She was speaking from an experience she had—one
Her goal in delivering her championship speech? “I wanted to she had wanted to share since she joined Toastmasters. This is
make my message relatable,” Tyson says, adding that she wanted people to authentically you. You were there. Visualize being at that race and tell these
think, “That was a great story. I related, I found it funny, or I found it people how it was. Breathe and tell your story. And then she stepped onstage.
captivating.”
Of course, she drew on her club to get feedback on her delivery. She Cultivating Confidence and Connection
also attended other Toastmasters clubs to get their thoughts on how she After finally silencing her inner critic, Tyson realized she had been
could adjust her gestures and inflections. Tyson even gained insights from battling the very lesson she was emphasizing in the speech: “Truly push
non-Toastmasters, because she wanted the speech to engage everyday yourself. Try new things. Don’t listen to that inner critic, because truly
TOASTMASTERS NEWS
you don’t know what could happen.” She laughs as she explains that may not
doubted herself all the way to the World happen this year with everything else
Championship of Public Speaking and she’s juggling. Tyson also wants to earn
almost let her inner critic stifle her the Distinguished Toastmaster
opportunity to win. designation.
So what is Tyson’s inner go-getter Her overall goal as a Toastmaster and
telling her now? “Let’s get out there and the newest World Champion of Public
let’s start sharing that message!” Speaking is simple: “I want to encourage
Now that Tyson has affirmed her abilities, more people to get out there and do the
she’s ready to settle in her new home, new job, contest. Just make it happen.”
and new Toastmasters title, so she can figure out Her goal with both the triathlon and
how to share more messages with the world, competing in the World Championship was to
including the benefits to be gained from joining this “push myself past what I felt comfortable with, and I
organization. think that is where you get the most growth.”
“Toastmasters opens your world to so many different kinds of people, Growth continues to be a key focus of Tyson’s. In the World
backgrounds, jobs, everything,” Tyson says. In fact, her new job came Champions Showcase—where the three top finishers are interviewed—
about because of a Toastmasters connection. She joined her club to she told moderator and former World Champion Mark Brown that her
begin to navigate the public speaking space, because she knew the word for what she is looking for next is “grow.” She later explains that
organization could give her the platform to begin talking to larger this win is a sprout in her garden. She plans to continue to cultivate her
audiences and finesse her speeches. connections, work hard in her new job, and share positive messages. “I
Now, she’s learning Spanish, with the goal of fluency. She ultimately want to see how this garden will grow,” she says. “I can take my flowers
wants to give a speech in Spanish to a Spanish-speaking club, though she and share them with other people.”
Nisha Shivram, DTM

“It still feels like a dream,” Nisha Shivram, DTM, says of placing second in “But if you have a dream that is really close to your heart, do not give up.
the World Championship of Public Speaking. “A result of years of hard It will take time, but it will happen.”
work, grit, and determination.”
A Toastmaster since 2007 and lifelong public speaker, Shivram had An Experience to Share
made an earlier appearance on the international stage. In 2022, she This year’s speech, “Swipe,” was inspired by an event that happened last
reached the finals of the International Speech Contest and learned some year when Shivram traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, from her home in
lessons that helped her place this year. Doha, Qatar, for the 2022 Toastmasters International Convention. A
“Last year during my semifinals presentation, I observed how the audience woman named Felly approached her in the London airport asking for
encourages the speaker with their responses, especially with their laughter. help, as this was her first time traveling to America. It was also Shivram’s
That made me work on the humor in my speech this year and I am glad that I first solo voyage to the country, but she ended up assisting Felly, who did
succeeded,” she says. This year, she began her speech asking if the audience not have a credit card.
was excited to be there and continued to engage with them throughout. The experience reminded the second-place winner of an important
She also said she learned to remain calm and composed on the lesson: “The sole purpose of our existence is to help each other. We all
international stage. need each other to strive, thrive, and survive, so keep offering a helping
Shivram began competing in speech contests when she was 31 years hand and let everyone finish their journeys beautifully,” she explains to
old. At 43, she earned the second-place spot—a valuable reminder to the Toastmaster.
people everywhere that dreams take time to reach. “When you have a She continued her speech to explain how we all have cards—not the
dream, there will be obstacles. There will be responsibilities,” she says. plastic ones in our wallets, but ones of experience and expertise, contacts

and connections, and time and kind words. mentor, guide, and coach,” she says of her
Her message: Be sure to swipe those cards fellow Talking Matters Toastmasters Club
regularly to assist those around you. member. She encourages all future speech
contest contestants to find an experienced
Strong Support Systems coach to help them see the things they
As Shivram was crafting her story and the need to improve upon.
reminder to help others, she gained help
herself. Learning Cultural Lessons
Led by Immediate Past Division Director From strong club support to excellent
Pradeep Menon, DTM, her club formed a mentors and coaches, Shivram is grateful for all
“transformation council,” dedicated to the growth her Toastmasters experiences and how they have
of speech contest contestants in District 116. This shaped her. “[Toastmasters] is one place where we
group of club members arranged special speech sessions interact with people from different backgrounds,” she
for Shivram and shared feedback throughout her contest journey. explains. “Something that is fine in my culture may be inappropri-
“I had a session where the speech was evaluated based on the International ate in other cultures. So as a Toastmaster I have learned to respect other’s
Speech Contest judging criteria and critical feedback was cultures, their viewpoints, pay attention to others, and this has
provided,” she notes. eventually improved my social skills, making me a better
Ultimately, Shivram feels this group led her to win “If you have a human being.”
at the District level and succeed in the World Of course, her family was also a large part of her
Championship. Menon even traveled to The dream that is really support system. Though not a Toastmaster, her
Bahamas to support her. close to your heart, husband fully backs her on her speech contest
Lance Miller, 2005 World Champion of journey. As she practiced this year, her son, 8,
Public Speaking, also supported Shivram and do not give up. It will and daughter, 6, served as her timer and contest
coached her through the process, helping her take time, but it chair, respectively. “When all these people are
tweak her speech to ensure she would connect involved, it becomes easy for me to practice,” she
with a global audience. She credits Miller for will happen.” explains of her family’s support.
making her message worth remembering and —NISHA SHIVRAM, DTM She has great respect for other speakers,
bringing more clarity into her speech. including those she competed against throughout the
During the World Champions Showcase after the final International Speech Contest. She shares this advice with
round, Shivram said, “When we stand on a global stage, we are future competitors, “Never ever underestimate your fellow
addressing a lot of people from different parts of the world and it is very contestants just because you have competed and won many times.
important that our stories, even the minute details, they should be able to Support each other and help them grow.”
connect with that.” She mentioned adjusting her speech and using the Shivram also says she’ll be back competing in 2024. “The stubborn side
more familiar “dollar” rather than the Qatari riyal. of me will not let me stop without achieving my goal. So, I will be
Shivram had one mentor who has been helping her with contest competing again as my race is still unfinished.”
preparation since 2011—Vinodh K Pisharom, DTM. “He has been a great
Maryam Ganni
Maryam Ganni of Laval, Quebec, Canada, earned third place in the 2023 Wherever you place, it is not the end. The only question there is to ask is
World Championship of Public Speaking, and she doesn’t plan on ‘now what?’”
stopping there. She says the most important lesson she learned during the Ganni has retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic condition that affects a
contest process is “to appreciate the commitment and preparation needed person’s retina and causes gradual vision loss. Over time the disease can
to compete at that level: it was an eye-opener—no pun intended! cause the visual field to degenerate and narrow until it reaches the size of
TI NEWS
a small hole similar to a straw hole and for An Army of Support

some, completely disappears. Ganni While her father was a great guide
explains that she has blind spots in throughout her life, she found mentors
different places which cause her to see within Toastmasters as well.
straw-sized spots, therefore, limiting the Ganni met Scott McLaughlin when she
amount she can actually see. “I describe it joined Tunney’s Toastmasters in 2021.
like constantly seeing flashes, fireworks, Within a week of becoming a member, he
and special effects! This is constantly encouraged her to compete in the speech
changing and subject to worsening as time contest. Of course, she hadn’t completed the
goes by, as it is progressive.” Those with RP Pathways requirements to officially compete,
experience it differently depending on their but the club allowed Ganni to share a speech at
specific gene. the club level, and she won! She didn’t advance that
In her World Championship speech, Ganni talks about year, but it lit a fire in her and convinced McLaughlin
her life before and after her diagnosis, but the goal was to remind that his instincts were correct—Ganni had the potential to
the audience that we can all respect and love one another even with all compete on the world stage.
the differences between us. Her speech titled “You Have No Idea” The next year, the duo banded together to ensure Ganni completed
chronicles her relationship with her father and how his love for her Pathways Levels 1 and 2 and practiced consistently. McLaughlin said, “It’s
narrowed their communication gap. She jokes that her dad speaks Arabic 20% tactics, strategies, and techniques, and 80% psychology.” He also
while she speaks millennial, but that never stopped her father from introduced her to some world class coaches and former World
expressing his love. Championship of Public Speaking finalists: Verity Price, DTM, AS;
“We might have different views, might have lived different experi- Darren LaCroix, AS; Alexandre Matte, DTM; and Mark Brown.
ences, have different opinions and ways to see the world, and might not In addition, Ganni received the support of her home club, other
see eye to eye—pun intended,” Ganni notes. “But there is hope to make Toastmasters clubs, and District 61 members. She also formed a friendship
different choices, and create inner peace by sharing three words univer- and mentorship with Patricia Calixte, who Ganni says “supported me all
sally understood: I love you.” along but especially during the contest days in The Bahamas.”
Her other goal? To honor her father. In fact, Ganni called Calixte about a month before the World
Championship at a loss. She shared the pile of options she had for
speeches, and with her friend’s urging and Matte and Price’s support,
A Permanent Reminder scrapped it all and wrote up “You Have No Idea” on August 2—just over
After returning home from The Bahamas, she showed her father, two weeks before the competition.
Sami, the video of her speech. She says he laughed at her Ganni learned the value of strong mentors and coaches.
impersonation of him and agreed that she nailed some of LaCroix, 2001 World Champion, told her just hours
his key phrases. Then he said, “You have no idea how before stepping on the championship stage, “You have
much I love you and am proud of you.” “Create inner an army of people who are supporting you.” She
While his unwavering love has been a constant in peace by sharing says, “He couldn’t be more right. This is exactly
Ganni’s life, Mr. Ganni has surprised his daughter
before. In 2017, she asked her father to write out three words universally howUltimately, I felt.”
with the support of so many, Ganni
the words “I love you” in Arabic. At the time, she understood: finished the contest with the notion that the only
told him it was because she needed to brush up on thing that could stand in her way was herself.
her Arabic writing, however, she was really planning I love you.” As she said in her semifinal speech, “Losing my
to have the phrase tattooed on her wrist. —MARYAM GANNI sight was not the worst thing that could’ve happened
When she returned to see her father later that day, to me. The worst thing that could’ve happened to me
Ganni still had the protective plastic covering on the fresh was to lose myself, was to lose my dreams, was to lose my
tattoo. He told her to take it off and she explained it was a real vision of the future.” Her key takeaway for others?
tattoo and would be on her wrist forever. Ganni recalls the exact moment: “No matter what, never lose yourself. No matter what, be
“This is when he did something that surprised me and warmed my heart. unstoppable.”
He put his hand on it and kissed his hand. It meant everything even
though there were no more words exchanged. I guess it meant I got his
blessings for it!” Laura Mishkind is associate editor for the Toastmaster magazine.

CLUB EXPERIENCE
Get Down to Business With

Parliamentary Procedure
System of rules ensures structure and fair participation in club meetings. By Diane Windingland, DTM
H
ave any of these frustrating situations procedure. Parliamentary procedure, particularly Robert’s Rules of Order,
can keep meetings on track, shorten them, and create an atmosphere of
occurred in your club meetings? An issue is fairness and equality.
However, some think parliamentary procedure is too formal,
debated and discussed but never decided. old-fashioned, and complicated. Others feel that the lack of knowledge is
the problem. As Accredited Speaker and 1992 World Champion of Public
Rules aren’t being followed, and nobody says anything
Speaking Dana LaMon, DTM, said in a speech to the Virtual
about it. One member dominates a discussion, and Parliamentarians Toastmasters club, “There are people who think that
parliamentary law is what complicates meetings. They’re wrong. … It’s the
other members aren’t heard. The discussion drags on lack of knowledge of parliamentary law and what it’s intended to
accomplish that complicates meetings.”
and on and on … The basic tenets of parliamentary procedure never go out of style and
are still undeniably relevant today: majority rule and minority rights. The
Navigating group discussions and facilitating effective meetings can be wishes of the majority are enacted, while the views of the minority are
an art. And one of the essential tools of this art is parliamentary heard and respected.

Benefits for Clubs
A widely accepted standard for parliamentary proce-
dure—though not the only form of it used—is Robert’s
Rules of Order, based on the manual of the same name.
A United States Army General named Henry Robert
created the book, first publishing it in 1876. It has since
been updated many times.
The main reason for using parliamentary procedure is
to maintain structure and order, which can be valuable in
Toastmasters meetings and other kinds as well. In club
meetings, members use it during the business portion of the meeting,
when club-related items are discussed. Under parliamentary rules,
members can make a motion (a proposal to do something), such as take a “A member who understands
vote on an issue or ask that the meeting be stopped for a recess, or
adjourned. Someone could also raise a “point of information,” which is a parliamentary procedure can proficiently
request for more information on a specific question, or a “point of order,” structure an agenda, table and dispense
a clarification that the rules are not being followed properly.
A “chair” oversees and guides parliamentary discussion. In the context of reports, and navigate other business
of Toastmasters club meetings, the chair refers to the presiding officer, elements with ease and order.”
typically the Club President.
Past International Director Anthony Longley, DTM, is a longtime —ANTHONY LONGLEY, DTM
member of the First Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters club, in Nassau,
Bahamas, which practices parliamentary procedure. He says seven
fundamental principles of parliamentary law are key to the procedures. the motion by saying, “I second the motion” or “Second,” the chair will
usually ask, “Is there a second?” If no second is obtained within a few
1. Ensure an equal count of all voting members’ votes. moments, then the group does not consider the motion (i.e., it “dies for
2. Protect the rights of the minority to be heard. lack of a second”).
3. Uphold the rights of all members to express their views through fair In recent years at the Annual Business Meeting held at the
debate. Toastmasters International Convention, a Professional Registered
4. Respect the rights of the majority to decide. Parliamentarian has advised the chair (the International President) on
5. Facilitate smooth business transactions in a spirit of cooperation and parliamentary procedures.
harmony.
6. Establish a quorum for the group to conduct business. (A quorum is Benefits for Individual Members
the minimum number of voting members who must be present to Toastmasters is like a laboratory for communication and leadership
conduct business. For club officer elections, a quorum is a simple training. It provides a platform for members to acquire transferable skills,
majority of club members.) such as practicing parliamentary procedure, to apply in the club and their
7. Ensure that the chair remains impartial. If the chair intends to careers. Longley, who served as host District co-chair for Toastmasters’
advocate for or against a motion, they should cede the chair to the next 2023 International Convention, points out that most business school
member in line of succession. graduates are not taught how to conduct a meeting effectively—a gap that
Toastmasters aims to fill.
Using parliamentary procedure in club meetings helps the presiding “A member who understands parliamentary procedure can proficiently
officers and members conduct the session smoothly, fairly, and transpar- structure an agenda, table and dispense of reports, and navigate other
ently. For example, if a member makes a motion that seems irrelevant, and business elements with ease and order,” he says.
no one seconds the motion, the group does not consider the motion. The It might not be easy at first. “Learning parliamentary procedure is like
purpose of seconding a motion is to show that at least two members want learning a second language. It’s not intuitive,” says Margaret Hope, DTM,
the motion considered. It doesn’t mean that the person who seconded the a Past International Director from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. “It
motion agrees with it, just that they see value in the group considering it. feels backward to most people because they want to talk about something
A member might say, “I move that we change the location of the and then decide what to do, rather than make a tentative decision and
meeting from our current location to the public library.” If no one seconds then go to discussion.”
CLUB EXPERIENCE
Knowing how to use parliamentary procedure is a skill that can help not all use the same system of rules. People in the United States, for
you get your voice heard. Years ago, as a new Toastmaster, Hope practiced example, mostly rely on Robert’s Rules of Order, while Canadians draw
parliamentary procedure in her club, the Advanced Speakers Club in on Bourinot’s Rules of Order, and Australians use the Guide for Meetings
Vancouver. She says she learned a lot from longtime fellow club member and Organisations, by N.E. Renton.
John Noonan, DTM, Toastmasters’ 1989–1990 International President The most commonly used guide is Robert’s Rules of Order In Brief, a
and a Professional Registered Parliamentarian. She recalls Noonan (who concise guide with handy tables at the back of the book that tell you how
passed away in April) saying, “Learn parliamentary procedure because it to state things. You can also purchase a pack of 10 “Chart of Motions”
gives you power.” from the Toastmasters Online Store.
Hope wielded that power in meetings when she was a teacher and her Toastmasters founder Ralph Smedley was a staunch supporter of
school district was forming a union. “I had to use Robert’s Rules to be Robert’s Rules, even authoring two books about General Robert,
heard when they didn’t want to hear me.” including The Great Peacemaker (available from the online store). Smedley
You might even use parliamentary procedure if you are summoned to saw Robert’s Rules as a tool to foster clear, democratic communication, a
jury duty. Bob Palmer, DTM, a member of Prime Time Toastmasters in sentiment still valuable to Toastmasters clubs worldwide.
Riverside, California, was chosen as the jury foreman for a trial, during
which he set the following rules for deliberations based on parliamen- Parliamentary procedure, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, is instrumental
tary procedure: in promoting fair decision-making and encouraging each member’s active
participation. As you participate in future Toastmasters meetings,
Jurors will be given permission to speak by the chair (in this case, the remember that this structured process is not a mere tradition, but a
jury foreman).
testament to the core values we uphold as members of Toastmasters
Nobody can speak twice until everyone has had a chance to speak once. International: integrity, respect, service, and excellence.
Address all comments to the chair, not to each other.
“They saw the fairness of it all and had buy-in for the whole 18 days,” Diane Windingland, DTM, is a presentation coach from Spring, Texas, and a
says Palmer. “Peaceful, productive discussions ensued.” member of two clubs: PowerTalk Toastmasters and Readership Toastmasters, both in
Minnesota, where she previously lived. Learn more at virtualspeechcoach.com.
Getting Started
When first learning parliamentary
procedure, don’t be overwhelmed
by all the rules—take it one step Specialty Clubs Study
at a time. You can start by
learning how to state a motion Robert’s Rules
properly. For example, say, “I
move that … ,” not “I want to of Order
make a motion …” So instead of
saying to the chair, “I want to
make a motion that we adjourn … ,”
say, “I move that this meeting be
F ive specialty Toastmasters clubs in the United
States allow members to learn, study, and
practice Robert’s Rules of Order. One, the New York-based Virtual Parliamentarians
adjourned to (state date, place, club, helps some of its members become Registered Parliamentarians. A monthly
and time for next meeting).” calendar of the clubs’ meetings is maintained on the website of the Riverside Society
Clubs can get started by of Parliamentarians in California.
including the basics of parliamen- Members of these online-only specialty clubs, which meet monthly, try to touch on
tary procedure in meetings and parliamentary procedure-related topics in their prepared speeches. Table Topics® often
club elections. Districts can involves some aspect of the parliamentary vocabulary and rules to learn. Members
support learning by holding even take quizzes to hone their knowledge. Rick Sydor, DTM, of Roseville, California, is
training sessions on parliamentary a Registered Parliamentarian who regularly posts a quiz question on the Toastmasters
procedures. The Riverside Society International Facebook page. Sample: “When may a person rise [from his seat to indi-
of Parliamentarians in California, cate] a ‘point of order’?” (Short answer: whenever the parliamentary rules are violated.)
of which Palmer is a member, is Remarkably, both Sydor and Bob Palmer, DTM, have been Toastmasters for 50
not a Toastmasters club; however, years, each one joining in 1973. (Sydor served as an International Director 1996–1998.)
it’s creating a new training Both men belong to specialty clubs dedicated to parliamentary procedure, and both
program that it hopes can be used believe strongly that learning these rules helps people in all kinds of settings.
to develop Toastmasters District “The lessons and training and practice carry over into [club members’] Area, Division,
conference parliamentarians. and District meeting experiences,” Palmer says, “as well as to individual members' in-
Most democratic countries use volvements on boards and committees in HOAs [homeowners associations], churches,
parliamentary procedures, though and civic clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, League of Women Voters, and many others.”

COMMUNICATION
Making the Most of Chat and Text

Four tips for
communicating
electronically.
W hile skilled speakers recognize the importance
of clarity and brevity in their oral communica-
tions, they often forget that those elements are
just as critical in their electronic communications.
Modern platforms for texting and online chatting (e.g.,
suggestion that addresses an issue, and a reaction as an
emotional counter-expression. If you want to keep the
exchange civil and productive, aim toward responses ver-
sus reactions. Keep yourself in solution mode, even if you
hear something that bothers or alarms you.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat) are incredibly import-
By Joel Schwartzberg
ant in both your personal and professional lives. Below are
four ways to help you take advantage of those platforms. 3 Make Your Response Matter
Make efficient use of both time and (screen) space
with these suggestions.
1 Should You Email or Chat?

First, decide if chatting and texting are the correct tools
for your communication. Email is more appropriate to
Use emojis functionally, not just ornamentally.
A heart emoji indicates, “I love the idea.” A thumbs-up
emoji indicates, “I approve of this idea.” Some GIFs (ani-
convey detail and explanation, while chat and text are
mated images) may serve the same purpose in a chat.
better tools for urgency.
Always respond to a text or chat question.
Use email if:
Don’t leave texters and chatters waiting long for your
You need to explain or respond with reasoning, evi- response—especially on a platform designed to mimic live
dence, or examples.
conversation. That said, don’t keep texting someone until
Your message is necessary but not urgent. they respond. If you need an answer quickly, try switching
You need bullets to adequately convey the point. to another format.
You’re a new person in the organization and haven’t
established strong relationships with your colleagues yet. Skip “You’re welcome.”
There’s no need to respond, “You’re welcome” to a message
Use chat/texting if:
of “Thanks!” on chat or text, but if you’re the one express-
You have an urgent question, update, or response. ing appreciation or inclined to reply with a one-word
Your communication is brief, and you can construct it response, try to elaborate—briefly—to make that message
without complete sentences.
more meaningful. This approach will avoid further back-
You’re responding to a situation already raised in a and-forth for clarification. For example:
previous chat.
You’re responding to a question in a brief, simple, and “Thanks.” (Thanks for what?)
direct way. “OK.” (What will you do next?)
You can respond effectively with a functional emoji, “Fine.” (Fine with what?)
like a thumbs-up or a heart.
4 Know When to Send
2 Follow the 3 C’s Perhaps the most important rule of all: Don’t text while
Because the abbreviated nature and quickfire delivery of walking, driving, biking, or meeting. It may be tempting
chat and texting can lead to disastrous miscommunications, to fire off a quick text or chat on your way from Point A to
ask yourself these three crucial C’s before you hit send: Point B or during a meeting lull, but there’s no such thing
If you want as true multitasking. You’re only distracting yourself from
Is it clear?
to keep the Take ample time creating the text, to be crystal clear
one thing (perhaps a crucial thing) by doing another.
exchange about your point and purpose. One smart review tactic Be clear, be efficient, and communicate with purpose, and
is to read the text aloud before you send it. Does it sound the valuable impact of effective chatting and texting will
civil and clear to you? be at your fingertips.
productive, Is it concise?
Joel Schwartzberg is the senior director of strategic
aim toward Don’t text or chat a novel. Stick to one idea per session.
and executive communications for a U.S. national nonprofit; a
Check how often you’re using the word “and,” which can
responses be a red flag that you’re trying to insert too many ideas.
presentation coach; and author of The Language of Leader-
ship: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team and Get to
versus Is it calm? the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words
reactions. In a workplace setting, think of a response as a thoughtful Matter. Follow him on Twitter @TheJoelTruth.
FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT
Your Book
Yes, you have one in you, and here’s how to get it out. By John Cadley
T hey say everybody has a book in them.

If you haven’t written yours yet, it’s
probably because you think it’s too
hard. As I sit here in the community library
writing this column, I gaze upon thousands
requires an Epilogue, a finish to the finish, if
you will, which means you’ll put the last
period on the last sentence in the last chapter
and then have to write THE END ... BUT
NOT REALLY. THERE’S MORE!
and thousands of books by authors nobody Once you get into the book proper,
has ever heard of, and I have to ask: How hard it’s smooth sailing. If you think your
can it be? book needs a map, for instance, it
Or perhaps you’re afraid your book won’t be doesn’t. From the time Gutenberg
interesting. Perusing some of the aforemen- invented the printing press, maps have done
tioned volumes, I can assure you “interesting” is nothing but make readers turn the book
not a prerequisite. Punctuation and upside down trying to figure them out. The
grammar will do. Spelling you can leave color coding, the arrows, the shading, the
to autocorrect. And if you’re worried little bars converting inches into miles ... all
about finding a publisher, just go they illustrate is that the average person
where you get everything else in your can’t read a map.
life—Amazon—and they’ll publish it for you. The same with graphs. Graphs are for
Now that I’ve taken away your excuses, people who understand graphs. There are
perhaps you’ll take the plunge. Let me make it six of these people in the entire world and
easy for you. There are a lot of booky things they all work at MIT trying to solve the Twin
you don’t need, like a Foreword. Writers Prime Conjecture and other unsolvable
usually get somebody else to write it as a kind was just catching your misspelling of “accom- mathematical problems.
of third-party endorsement—My Years in the modate” (two m’s, not one), but in their eyes Footnotes? You must be kidding. You put a
Yukon by Fred Wilson. Foreword by Ellen that one contribution alone raised your book little number next to a word that refers your
Smith. Well, forget Ellen Smith. She may say from mediocrity to a shot at the Pulitzer. And reader to the bottom of the page for some
nice things about you but she’ll take forever to even forgetting a person or two, the average information in microscopic 6-point type,
do it. If you push her, she’ll feel guilty and number of acknowledgements still comes to which, if it were worth reading, wouldn’t be a
resent you; if you don’t push, you’ll call one around 74 names, and you just don’t want to footnote. How about an Appendix, otherwise
day and find out she’s moved to the south of admit you needed that much help. known as Here’s All the Other Stuff I Forgot
France. There’s no Backword so why should to Put in the Book. Forget it. The same with
there be a Foreword, anyway? Lose it. an Index. How many readers want to know the
Skip the Dedication. If the dedicatees page on which you mentioned “nutmeg”?
want to see their names in print, write each of Acknowledgements are Finally, there’s the Bibliography. This could
be viewed as proof of solid research ... or as a
them a thank-you note and stick an iTunes another big no-win. Nobody list of all the books you stole your ideas from.
gift card inside.
You can dispense with the Table of reads them except the Why take the chance, especially when you’ll
have to write “ibid.” 400 times?
Contents, too. If you want your audience to
read the book, it’s probably best not to tell
people who expect Or ... you can just write fiction, in which
them everything that’s in it on the first page, to be acknowledged. case all you need is a title, a story, and an
complete with page numbers. unlisted phone number so friends and family
Acknowledgements are another big Worried about an Introduction? Don’t be. can’t keep asking if the book is really about
no-win. Nobody reads them except the people It’s like an opening act at a concert. The them. Your choice.
who expect to be acknowledged. In fact, it’s audience wants to see the main attraction but
the only part of the book they do read. And first you make them sit through some lame John Cadley is a former advertising copywriter
heaven forbid if you forget someone—which warm-up performance. Worse still, an and currently a musician working in upstate New
you will. They will never forgive you. Maybe it Introduction is like a Prologue, and a Prologue York. Learn more at cadleys.com.

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TOASTMASTER

THE MAGAZINE FOR COMMUNICATORS & LEADERS | NOVEMBER 2023

2023 World Championship

Learn the Secret to Grow Your

Save the Giving Tuesday date:

Publisher 2023–2024 OFFICERS

2023–2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Unlock

Jesse Oakley III, DTM Kimberly Dueck, DTM

Farzana Chohan, DTM Benjamin James

Club Helps Members Amplify Their Voices

Leading Others to Success

10 The Ins and Outs of Dynamic Speaking

Making the Most of Chat and Text

4 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Club Helps Members

6 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Leading Others to Success

I n 2017, I moved across Austria, from the state

8 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

L anguage is a form of communication. But

The Ins and Outs of

Breath and Posture Pro tip: Bring vulnerability to your presentation.

10 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Pro tip: Try out some character voices—

Tempo Often when we connect to our breath, and then to the

content; the enhancements will include easier platform

offer much more functionality; among other things, it will

be easier to launch paths and work through projects. In

12 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

CLUBS Total Clubs:

begins at the club level with 30,000 speakers vying to

14 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Nisha Shivram, DTM

16 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

a small hole similar to a straw hole and for An Army of Support

18 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Get Down to Business With

20 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

22 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

Making the Most of Chat and Text

1 Should You Email or Chat?

4 Know When to Send

T hey say everybody has a book in them.

24 TOASTMASTER | NOVEMBER 2023

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