Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1

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Northern Beaches Toastmasters Club Moving forward, getting ahead

Thought of the month “Whatever you are, be a good one” Abraham Lincoln  

Chatter on a Platter

Is there a stance I should not do as a presenter? Avoid the Fig Leaf or Crotch Clutch position where you stand with your hands covering your crotch. It makes everyone look at the one part of your body you’d probably rather they didn’t. Instead place your hands by your side in the natural stance or move them with a purpose to reinforce your various points. Conference speaking tip Attend other Presentations. If you are one of many presenters at a conference try to attend some of the earlier presentations by other presenters. This gives you a chance to get a sense of the vibe of the audience. Are people comfortable laughing, or are they a bit more formal. Are other presentations more strategic or tactical in nature. Another speaker may also say something that you can refer to in your own presentation.

Excellence Award – Sharon Austin , Free Guinness Party Best Speech Award – Brian Paull President’s Pick – Reg Stewart

CHATTER ON A PLATTER February-March 2015

September-October 2014

Election Fever was the order of the day at the March meeting with 12 parties represented. Each member nominating a party spoke on the advantages that voting for their party would bring. It was great to see our visitors Luke and Scott joining in the fun. Bribery and corruption was rife, with money being thrown around by the Aged Power Party and carrots being offered by the Vegetarian Party. Even the Truth Party handed out awards in the form of medals to all and sundry. It says something about the members of NBTC that the election was won was the Free Guinness Party. The night was a lot of fun and the Election fairly conducted by the Chairman Reg Stewart. By now all members will have received a communication from our President reminding us that our club Election will take place at the May meeting. All members are asked to consider nominating for executive positions. It is a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to further develop your leadership skills. Have a great month and we look forward to seeing you at the April meeting which will be held at Brookvale Chinese Restaurant and chaired by Brian Paull.

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The Difference between Strong and Weak Leaders

Respect vs Like Strong leaders care more about being respected than being liked. Now everyone wants to be liked but sometimes the need to be popular gets in the way of strong leadership. Consistency Weak leaders treat individuals differently. They have different sets of rules for people they like compared with those they dislike, or for people that are pushovers as opposed to aggressive. Strong leaders are consistent with their values and how they deal with others. Decisiveness You might have heard of the “mirror manager”. This person, when confronted with the need to make a decision says, “I’ll look into it”. Strong leaders are decisive. They get the facts, weigh up the alternatives, consider the risks and make a decision. Courage This is a constant in the life of a strong leader. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. Strong leaders do stuff daily that they don’t want to. Stuff that weak leaders put off. Like having a difficult conversation, like putting an end to office gossip, like making a tough call on a non-performing staff member. Humility Weak leaders reckon they know everything. There is nothing that they haven’t seen before. The last thing they would do is let people know that they aren’t perfect. Strong leaders ask for help. They surround themselves with good people and build them up, so as a team everyone achieves more.

(article by Greg Mowbray www.licencetolead.com.au)

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Birthday Celebratio

ns

18th June Guy

Tonic time Employer – “In this job we need someone who can speak in public with responsibility.” Applicant – “I’m the one you want. In my last job every time anything went wrong they said I was responsible.”

They say people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of snakes. It doesn't seem to make sense. I mean, you don't see someone walking through the desert,suddenly

shouting, "Watch out! A podium! ~Unknown The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public. ~George Jessel There are two types of speakers: those who are nervous and those who are liars. ~Mark Twain

Tips from a Professional Speaker (Michelle Bowden)

   

HAPPY  MARCH  BIRTHDAY                          to    

Deanna  Morpurgo  and    Sue  Loucks    

(Adapted from www.michellebowden.com.au How to present March 2015)

Michelle is an authority on presentation and persuasion in business, a CSP (the highest designation for speakers in the world), co-creator of the PRSI (a world-first psychometric indicator that tests your persuasiveness at work), best-selling internationally published author, editor of How to Present magazine, producer of Michelle Bowden TV, and a regular commentator in print, radio and online media.

These guiding principles should be your presentation mantra every day.

I am presenting every day in many ways. I will strive for excellence on every occasion.

I recognise that you cannot not influence. I will pay attention to the impact of my choices, actions and decisions of their wellbeing.

It’s not about me. It’s all about the audience! Remembering this helps me achieve my communication goals.

I am confident and interesting and I will strive to be as good at being my authentic self as possible.

It doesn’t matter how good my message is if no one is listening. I will do what I can to help them listen.

Presenting is a lot more than a nice voice, good body language and some PowerPoint slides. Presenting is about connecting with people through the words I choose to say and the way I choose to say them. I will choose carefully!

I will look people in the “whites of their eyes” and really connect with them the whole time.

I am an interesting, confident and engaging presenter. I believe in myself because I know that my self belief will help me help my audience.

I respect my audience, prepare in advance and strive to master my craft.

March meeting took place at Ajmer’s

Indian Restaurant

Welcome to all members and our visitors Luke and

Scott

Club Executive Committee Members

President: Jan Vecchio DTM VPE: Jan Veccchio DTM VPPR: Sharon Austin ACB VPM: Errol Byrnes Secretary: Sue Loucks ACS, ALB Treasurer: Kevin Huang SAA: Steve Barber ACS

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Northern Beaches Toastmasters Club moving forward, getting ahead

PO  Box  1360  Dee  Why  NSW  2099  Publisher  and  Editor  –  Sharon  Austin  

0408254033  sharon_austin@hotmail.com    

Meetings  are  held  at  various  restaurants  on  the  northern  beaches  of  Sydney  on  the  4th  Tuesday  of  each  month  –  6.30pm  for  7.00pm  

Forward Planner – to June 2015 28 April – Club meeting – club officer nominations – Brookvale Chinese Restaurant - Chairman Brian Paull 15,16,17 May, District 70 Annual Conference, Bankstown Sports Club 26 May – Club meeting – club officer elections – Chairman Jan Vecchio 23 June – Club meeting – Changeover Dinner – Denise Tomlinson  

• Don’t tell them you’re nervous

o Presenters sometime think they can disarm an audience by announcing their nervousness before anyone notices it. This is a mistake because often your audience didn’t even notice it.

o Most nervousness isn’t visible because it’s an internal state. When you tell people you’re nervous speaking to them, chances are they’ll look for signs of it from that point on. Why undermine your own credibility?

Club Mission We provide a

supportive and positive learning

experience in which members are

empowered to develop

communication and leadership skills,

resulting in greater self-confidence and

personal growth.

Thank you to Michelle Bowden for permission to adapt articles from her How to Present magazine. Michelle is an expert in Persuasive Presentation skills in business. She has run her 2 day Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 660 times and has been nominated for Educator of the year 7 years running. Michelle is one of only 35 Australian females who is a Certified Speaking Professional – the highest world-wide designation that speakers can achieve.

www.michellebowden.com.au