Humorous & Evaluation Speech Competitions

Aitken Spence Toastmaster demonstrated some real talent during the Humorous & Evaluation Speech competitions that were held during the time period of October 2014 – November 2014. Three members of our club represented the club at the Division Level competitions. Results of the competitions from club level to the division level are given below.

Join us on every 2nd& 4th Tuesday

of the month

to learn & have fun!

AITKEN SPENCE TOASTMASTERS CLUB NUMBER 2321352

NEWSLETTER

Meeting Venue:

Corporate Auditorium

Aitken Spence Tower I, 11th Floor

Division Level

Toastmaster Azam Bakeer Markar

(GM - Business Development and Head of

Sustainability)

1st Runner Up

and

Toastmaster Ishara Wickramathilake

(Snr. Assistant Manager - Talent Management)

2nd Runner Up

in the

Evaluation Speech Contest of Division C,

Toastmasters International - District 82

at the Midyear Conference of Divisions A, C,

F and J

held on 1st November 2014 at the Grand Monarch

Hotel in Thalawathugoda

Aitken Spence Toastmasters competed against

experienced speakers from 16 clubs in Division C

to secure this achievement.

Toastmaster Dinal Edirisinghe

(Manager - Marketing & Sales (MICE), Aitken Spence

Hotels) also competed in the Humorous Speech Contest

at the Conference representing Division C.

Area Level Humorous Speech Competition

Winner – TM Dinal Edirisinghe

Evaluation Speech Competition Winner – TM Ishara Wickramathilake

1st Runner Up – TM Azam Bakeer Markar

Club Level Humorous Speech Competition

Winner – TM Dinal Edirisinghe 1st Runner Up – TM Maahen Panagoda

Evaluation Speech Competition Winner – TM Azam Bakeer Markar

1st Runner Up – TM Ishara Wickramathilake 2nd Runner Up – TM Deepa Silva

SESSION ON HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR SPEECH

AITKEN SPENCE TOASTMASTERS NEWSLETTER

TM Roshantha Jayathunge who is a member of the HNB toastmasters club conducted a session on “Organizing Your Speech” for the members of the Aitken Spence Toastmasters club. During this session he shared how to organize your speech properly in order to ensure your core message is delivered effectively.

SESSION ON HOW TO DELIVER AN EFFECTIVE IMPROMPTU SPEECH

Our own club member TM Dinal Edirisinghe conducted an educational session on how to deliver an effective impromptu speech. He shared with the audience the techniques that can be used to be prepared to deliver an impromptu speech.

THEME MEETINGS

Two themed meetings were held during the quarter. One was to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International and the other was the Christmas meeting. Both meetings created an enjoyable memory for the members and the guests who attended.

VISUAL AIDS AND PROPS

Visual aids and props are an effective way of supporting and supplementing any

speech or presentation. Visual aids and props should be colorful and unique, but not so dazzling

that they detract from the speaker's presence. Never use visual aids and props as a way of avoiding

eye contact or interaction with an audience, such as reading directly from slides. Here is a list of

common visual aids and props, and quick tips for using them effectively:

Diagrams, graphs and charts should always coincide with what is being said in the

speech. Always stand to the side of a diagram, graph or chart while facing the audience.

Maps should be simple and easy to understand, with key places or points clearly plotted or

marked.

PowerPoint slides should present main points as short sentences and bullet points and

should never be read verbatim by the speaker or presenter.

Lists should be kept to a minimum. Five or six listed items are usually enough.

Handouts should be passed out to an audience before or after a presentation to avoid

wasting time and causing a distraction.

Photographs or sketches can be powerful visual aids as long as a speaker maintains

consistency between what is being said and what is being shown.

Physical objects and props should not be too large or too small, nor too few or too many.

They should always be relevant to the presentation or speech and should always be checked

prior to taking the stage to make sure they are working properly.

Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths. —John Zenger

AITKEN SPENCE TOASTMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Source: www.toastmasters.org

AITKEN SPENCE TOASTMASTERS NEWSLETTER

1. What was your first impression about Toastmasters and what made you join the club?

I was scared and nervous during my first toastmasters visiting meeting. But at the end of the meeting my

confidence level increased with the guidance of the fellow members of the Aitken Spence Toastmasters Club.

When I was studying at University of Pune, India I had stage fear and wanted to overcome that fear and make

public speaking smooth like butter so hence thought toastmasters would be the best foundation I can lay and it

definitely did. 2. What is your opinion about what you have gained by being a member of the club?

I took toastmasters journey seriously once I joined the club. The support and intimacy given by the more

experienced toastmasters was simply incredible. It’s not only about speaking, but also listening. I gained a

platform to develop my self-confidence, listening skills, leadership skills and valuable friendships.

3. What was your most memorable moment as a Toastmaster? Most memorable moment was when I was given the opportunity to compeer at the Aitken Spence Toastmasters

Installation Ceremony 2014/15.Addressing such a crowd was stressful but the toastmasters experience made it

smooth and worthwhile. 4. How has being a toastmaster helped you to progress in your job role? Working in the shipping Industry, communication in an essential ingredient to deal with suppliers and

customers. Toastmasters have made me express myself with more confidence and enhance my leadership

qualities.

5. What message would you like to give to the new members joining the Club? Come, sit and enjoy the toastmasters’ journey. It’s not only about speaking but also listening while gaining

good friendships. All you need to do is just to come and join us and miracles will happen.

Why am I a

Toastmaster...

Featuring Shanga Jayawickreme