Mary Davidson

Mary Davidson is a member of The Chapel Hill Toastmasters Club. She is a Professional Organizer, Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. Mary was born in Vermont where she spent the first half of her life. The second half of her life was spent in New Hampshire, Connecticut, West Virginia and now North Carolina. Ms. Davidson is writing a book about setting goals, achieving them and realizing your life as it passes in front of you. The book is called ‘Getting A Life’, and is planned to be on sale in the fall of 2010.

Joseph Joel Sherman was previously Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters. He is the director of Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Mary: I am a Toastmaster because I want to keep my speaking skills sharp. I also learn something new at each Toastmaster meeting that I attend.

Joseph Joel:  What is special about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Mary: The Chapel Hill Toastmaster club is special to me because of the diversity of the group. The wide range of speaking skills makes me feel challenged in some situations and helpful to others in other situations with my abilities as a speaker.

Joseph Joel: Yes, we do have wonderful diversity.  Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed for found to be inspiring?

Mary: One of my favorite moments was when I challenged myself to participate in a humorous speech contest. When they were asking for participation, all of a sudden my hand flew up and I was in. It was a goal I set for myself and fulfilling it was a great experience.

Joseph Joel: Did you volunteer to participate in the humorous speech contests before having any idea of what you were going to speak on? Where did you get the idea for your humorous speech?

Mary: Yes, I volunteered before I could stop myself. I had no speech planned. I got the idea for my speech by picking up many objects around my house and trying to find a speech in each one. Nothing. I picked up my Toastmaster’s manual to make sure I qualified and that is when I got the idea to speak about what was expected in a humorous speech. I just turned the requirements into a funny situation.

Joseph Joel:  Was this your first speech contest or have you competed before? Mary: This was my first contest. Joseph Joel:  What participating in the humorous speech contest like?

Mary: It was very humbling and believe it or not, serious business, HA!. It took much of my time in preparation.

Joseph Joel: What did you learn from participating in the contest?

Mary: I learned what a good humorous speech is really all about.

Joseph Joel: What would you recommended to people who are considering entering a contest but are not sure if they are ready?

Mary: When you enter a contest, up until the contest is over, you will only think about your speech. You will eat while practicing . You will bathe will practicing. The entire commute to work is practicing. You won’t hear what anyone else is saying in your life because you are always rehearsing your speech in your mind. It is worth it but this is something that will happen to you and I’m just letting you know.

Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those speaking goals?

Mary: My goal for 2010 is to finish the Competent Communicator Book.  I am at speech #4 at this time.

Joseph Joel:   This is a great goal.  What have you learned from  your first four speeches?

Mary: What I have learned is that people want to hear what I have to say. They relate to my stories. I can motivate and inspire people. That is all I’ve ever wanted.

Joseph Joel: What do you plan on learning in your next speeches as part of the Competent Communicator manual?

Mary: I plan on learning how to make my speeches longer. I plan on trying out audience participation.

Joseph Joel: What leadership goals goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those leadership goals?

Mary: I would like to speak at a seminar at the Annual Fall Conference. I will have to look into the requirements for that.

Joseph Joel: What would you like to speak on?

Mary: I am writing a book called ‘Getting A Life’, it is about setting goals to achieve the life you want. That is what I want to speak about.

Joseph Joel: What is your background in setting goals?

Mary: I am a Life Coach. I have helped my clients achieve goals that they have set for themselves. I have achieved all of the goals I have set for myself and I want to expand on this ability.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work, academic studies, community or faith based organizations?

Mary: Yes, I do get hired to do some motivational speaking. I am a life Coach and Professional Organizer and I speak on both of those subjects.

Joseph Joel: How does Toastmasters help your motivational speaking?

Mary: I try out speeches at Toastmasters. I get great evaluations at Toastmasters. I make contacts at Toastmasters. I get inspiration at Toastmasters.

Special Thanks to:

Patrick Curley helped me frame the speech for our club. I am grateful for his support.

Owen Dodge gave an insightful ice-breaker speech “When Pigs Fly.” Pamela McCall provided the first evaluation of Owne’s speech.

Joy Falk, grammarian and seasoned toastmaster who enlightened us with her experience

Zhaowei Hua, timer, helped keep me on schedule during the 18 segments of the project, and provide piratical suggestions for correlating the speech segments, and transitions with timing.

Jennifer Conaway, general evaluator and insightful participant.

Our members and guests who participated in the program. I structured the program according to the liberation pedagogy of Paulo Freire, who saw the teacher/student dynamic ideally as an interactive dialog where everyone contributes and learns simultaneously. Thus, audience participation was at the core of this program.

Key Points from The Art of Effective Evaluation

The purpose of evaluations is to develop ourselves as speakers.

The three roles of an evaluator are: Motivator – support the speaker’s desire for improvement Facilitator – show the speaker how to improvement Counselor – help someone overcome their fears How well does our club evaluate?

Where are we doing well?  1)Many members stressed that we are supportive and friendly 2)We generally give 2-3 specific points that the speaker can use to improve the speech

How can we improve? 1)Evaluating to the speech objectives 2)Discuss the speech with the speaker before the meeting Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Developing as a speaker can have a variety of benefits to support self-esteem.

Methods for effective evaluations:

“Tell and Sell” – The evaluator talks and speaker listens. This is the most common form.

“Tell and Listen” – The evaluator talks and the speaker responds to feedback

“Problem Solving” – The evaluator guides the speaker toward meeting their own evaluation and path towards improvement. This can be done after a meeting where the evaluator and speaker have more time to discuss.

Ten behaviors of an effective evaluator

1)Show you care

2)target your evaluation to the speaker

3)focus on speech objectives (highlighted in the blue margin on most manuals)

4)listen actively

5)personalize your language: consider the difference between “I felt you moved your arms often, perhaps in the future we can use gestures in a targeted way. Consider practicing your speech in front of a mirror to see how your body speaks”’ “You move those arms up and down like a circus clown doing the chicken dance on the 4th of July.

6)give positive reinforcement

7)motivate

8)evaluate a behavior not the person 9)nourish self-esteem

10)show the speaker how to improve

Articles for Further Reading:

BRYANT PERGERSON – 4 Secrets to Great Evaluations http://www.bryantpergerson.com/_images//4_Secrets_to_Great_Evaluations_Rev_4_Notes_for_Club.pdf

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: How speech evaluations can help – or hurt. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2009/August/The-

Good.aspx Assessing Your Evaluations Maximize the help, and minimize the hurt. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2007/November/Articles/Evaluations.aspx

The 3 Rs of Evaluating: Review, Reward and Respond Evaluations are the life blood of Toastmasters meetings. Here’s how to do them right. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2007/November/The3Rs.aspx

Speeches to deliver:

A great way to learn about delivering evaluations is giving a speech or project around evaluations. Many manual speeches can be focused on evaluations, including “speaking to inform” and “speeches for management” among others. Speeches form the Competent Communicator manual can also be applied and personalized with their own focuses.

Evaluate to Motivate “Part of The Successful Club Series.  Give an evaluation that benefits the speaker and the audience! Includes an outline and a PowerPoint presentation. Applies to Advanced Leader Bronze. Presentation” Time: 10-15 minutes.

The Art of Effective Evaluation, from Success leadership Series, applies to Advanced Communicator Gold, 90 to 120 minutes.

Joseph Joel Sherman was previously Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters. He is the director of Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Joy: I am a Toastmaster because Toastmasters affords  me a unique opportunity, a safe platform from which I can experiment with various approaches to communicate, to entertain, to teach, to touch people’s hearts.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Joy: I like the camaraderie, the mix of people, their intelligence, their easy laughter, their striving to become successful, and their support.

Joseph Joel: Do you have a favorite Toastmasters moment?

Joy: Some weeks ago I came to a meeting prepared to deliver a speech, but I was not really happy with it. Glenda gave an inspirational speech which inspired me and my speech was a success.

Joseph Joel: What are you looking to do this year in Toastmasters?

Joy: There was a time a few years back when I took a hiatus from Toastmasters and my skills became rusty.  I want to rehone those skills and even go beyond.

Joseph Joel: What goals to you have in Toastmasters?

Joy: I haven’t set any leadership goals except becoming more comfortable being the toastmaster at our meetings. To do that I have to study the requirements more carefully. I have a problem with constraints. My other goal is to finally finish my book.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learn at Toastmasters to other areas of your life?

Joy: I apply what I have learned in Toastmasters to my life. Toastmasters was the second step in my journey to become a comfortable public entertainer. My first step occurred when I was in college . I was minoring in speech/drama. My teacher was asked to give a talk before a group. She asked me to take her place. That was my first professional talk. Since then and with the help of Toastmasters, Improv, Florida Studio Theatre, McCurdy’s Comedy classes, Clown College, entertaining at social events on cruise ships, and Alan Arkin I have given speeches, taught public speaking, presented seminars, given book reviews, done a eulogy, acted, etc.

Wally Robertson

Wally Robertson is the Founder and CEO of BDQ International, a Business Strategy, Planning and Operations consultancy.

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of  Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Wally: There are two fundamental reasons. First, is business and social networking. Second, I like public speaking and I would like to do more paid public speaking. It is a way of linking in with people who are connected to the public speaking world, tangentially if you like. The third reason is that I learn an awful lot. I did not think I would but I am. I learn a lot about speaking, communicating, respecting other people in communicating, whatever.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Wally: A lot of energy, very positive attitude, and very capable speakers that I can learn from.

Joseph Joel: Who have you learned from?

Wally: From Perry Crutchfield I learned a lot about presence and stature, just by watching him. From Sharon Hill about energy and positive influence. Patrick Curley about stability and consistency and discipline. And from other people other aspects of speaking.

Joseph Joel: Yes, we have a good mix people.

Wally: Glenda Clare, about the struggle between natural presence and stage presence. Glenda has tried to inject humor  into what she is doing. She has a tendency to to be very serious, which will limit her ability to engage with an audience. Some people will lock into message very strongly, very quickly.  Her topics are very serious, delivering with limited humor, may lock her out from a population. Her overcoming that, and the struggles with her privacy. I think she is a private persona and she is challenging herself. Another thing I learned from Glenda is true grit.

Joseph Joel: What do you mean by that?

Wally: She is driven, she won’t let go, she will keep at it and at it and find different ways to attack a problem.

Joseph Joel : And how does that help you?

Wally: If you look at the spectrum of people that you know, there are different skills. Glenda is somewhat on an extreme. She has a kind of strength of purpose.

Joseph Joel: Yes, Glenda is determined and has a strong sense of passion. In the international speech contest I saw her going over her speech several times. Each new version was better that before.

Wally: I am learning, there are certain things people do that I can’t do or will not. The opportunity to see things that I know that I do not want to do.

Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those speaking goals?

Wally: To be paid for speaking and to achieve DTM.

Joseph Joel: Do you want to become a professional speaker?

Wally: Most speakers that get paid are not professional speakers, because its not their primary source of income. So I deliberately don’t say professional speakers because I don’t expect it to be my primary source of income.

Joseph Joel: What do you mean by getting paid to speak?

Wally: If I go to speak to an audience, that audience coughs up money. That would mean being paid a rate that justifies the effort. Primarily as a market tool to support my consulting. And if you do talk to anyone who says,”Tthis is all I do.” You will find most are doing training, coaching or consulting of some sort. And the primary income comes from the training or coaching, supposed secondary activity.

On a more generic basis I have joined SpeakerMatch.com, and I will join the National Speakers Association after I meet their membership criteria.

Joseph Joel: How does your speaking work with BDQ?

Wally: At the moment I am using it to gain visibility. I am now starting to speak on professional topics.  Up to now I have avoided that. Now I am better able to understand how to use it. Now I am reaching out to professionals.

Joseph Joel: What do you speak on?

Wally: In simple terms, process management and relationship management.

Joseph Joel: What leadership goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those leadership goals?

Wally: DTM is my objective for which I have to go through a lot of leadership objectives. What I do find interesting is that I have an innate desire to help others. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from helping others and I am surprised how Toastmasters has helped with this. I have just gone through six months of mentorship, completed at the end of June. I am a little behind achieving my advanced leader silver which I should get by the end of this week.

I have just attended the meeting of a new club today and I was really impressed by how that club was.  And I made some recommendations that they reckoned were of value to them. That is very gratifying.

Joseph Joel: I agree. I have been a mentor to individuals and that was very encouraging.

Wally: Working with Zao as a mentor was really nice. She believed that she did not have a good command of the English language, and she needed to see that she did have it. I mentored her to try to help her progress through the speeches. I even helped her with confidence with driving, to get to the meetings.

Joseph Joel: What was that like?

Wally: Life threatening at times. Well you remember I am trying to learn Mandarin. There was a time when I told her we are only going to speak in Mandarin. We were going along the freeway and I said we are going to the left lane, she started curving towards the ditch, because I got the language mistaken. In mandarin, I’d said, “Right”. That was grand.

Joseph Joel: What is value of DTM

Wally: One it’s a goal that will help me achieve things that will be useful to me. It means more speaking activities, a necessity for paid speaking. Second, in the market place it holds a little bit of value.

Joseph Joel: Meaning that it is recognized?

Wally: In the speaking world, it appears that it is recognized a bit. What I do within Toastmasters are the things I need to do to achieve that, which gives me a little more focus within Toastmasters. So when I attend a Toastmasters meeting I have a purpose and I get credit. And I don’t wont do the same thing again and again, getting into a comfort zone.

Joseph Joel: I agree. I saw progression after manuals or levels, but not necessarily after each step or club meeting. It can be easy to stay within a comfort zone, for example doing one type of speech or club function. Moving through the DTM track keeps the challenges fresh.

Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work?

Wally: I certainly apply it to my work and to my network. I have introduced a lot of people to toastmasters because they can benefit from it.

Pam lives in Hillsborough, N.C. with her wonderful husband of 28 years. They have two sons that have left the nest. In her spare time she loves to read, exercise and create jewelry and other crafts.

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of  Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Pam: I joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking skills and to increase my comfort level in general when speaking before a group. I have recently started working in a new job where I will be required to run meetings and give presentations. It was suggested to me by a business mentor that Toastmasters is an ideal place to learn and
practice in a supportive environment.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Pam: Chapel Hill Toastmasters has a diverse group of individuals that are very inspiring to hear speak but are friendly, encouraging and welcoming to newcomers. I have felt it to be a “safe” place to test myself, learn new skills and discover and develop skills I already have.

Joseph Joel: Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed?

Pam: I was particularly moved by a table topics response delivered by a fellow Toastmaster. He expressed regret he felt for actions and attitudes at a particular time in his life and I felt he was truly expressing a heartfelt emotion. It was touching and very revealing and I thought it was a brave thing to do.

Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster?

Pam: My first goal is to complete the Competent Communicator manual. I am currently preparing my Icebreaker speech and I am reading the manual and online postings about speeches and public speaking.

Joseph Joel:What leadership goals goals have you set as a Toastmaster?

Pam: I want to achieve Competent Leader status and I am observing the club roles at each Toastmaster meeting. I am reading the Competent Leader manual.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work?

Pam: I apply many of the principles of Toastmasters in my work at every opportunity. I have much to learn but I am more conscious of my negative speech habits and I try to correct them. I notice other’s speech habits, both good and bad also.

Joseph Joel:  Thank you Pam.  I look forward to your next speech.

Glenda Clare by pixbyric.org

Glenda Clare, Ph.D. is the Founder & Chief Consultant, Fragile Families Network

Dr. Clare grew up in the South Bronx of New York City and now considers North Carolina home. For 20 years, she has worked within the public and mental health systems. She has worked with the ‘worried well’ and ‘hard to reach’ populations.

A past member of national teams, she has facilitated training for health and human service professionals from communities of faith, community-based organizations and neighborhood associations, the criminal and juvenile justice system, the mental and public health systems and local, state and national government.

Dr. Clare’s speaking style is blend of northern and southern cultures creating a down-to-earth yet refined delivery that motivates audiences to tackle some of our nation’s most challenging issues. Glenda speaks most passionately about issues which make families fragile: substance abuse, incarceration, child welfare/foster care, juvenile justice and homelessness.  Dr. Clare is licensed as a Baptist Minister in the state of North Carolina.

Dr. Clare is a member of the following professional organizations: American Counseling Association, American Play Therapy Association, American Public Health Association, and the Emerging Scholars Interdisciplinary Network and Toastmasters International.  She is the Lead Facilitator for the Durham Prisoner Resource Round Table (DPRRT).

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of  Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Glenda: I want to improve my speaking skills.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Glenda: I belong to three clubs.  I belonged to three clubs before joining Chapel Hill Toastmasters.  Chapel Hill Toastmasters is my favorite club.  I like the club because the membership is diverse. They are a very supportive and welcoming group. All are welcome to join the club. It was important to me to find a club with first rate evaluation.  The members of chapel hill toastmasters take evaluation seriously. The membership provides excellent evaluation based on speaking level.

Joseph Joel: Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed for found to be inspiring?

Glenda: I love Anatasia.  I think that she is awesome.  She has a very warm and loving spirit.  I have two Anatasia stories. The first is about one of her table topic speeches. She shared a story of going to the home of a friend for dinner. She shared that at the time she did not have very good command of the English language. At the end of the dinner, her host wanted to know what she thought of the dinner.  I can’t remember the word that I am looking for – that she actually used in the speech but it meant “adequate”.

The host had taken a lot of time and trouble to prepare a wonderful meal. Anatasia believed the meal to be wonderful but she could only say that it was “adequate’.  I laughed so hard as i heard her tell the story.  Even now as I think of it I am laughing.
Second story – I competed in the international speech contest. I shared the story of a very painful experience in my life. Anatasia provided me with a very touching note at the next Toastmaster’s meeting.  The note touched my heart. For me, Toastmasters is more than a club – it has become a fellowship of people who are important to me.
Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those speaking goals?

Glenda: My initial goal was to complete the cc manual in 3 months.  I did that in 2003. A series of circumstances occurred and I was not able to participate in toastmasters from 2005-2007. In 2007, I decided to rejoin Toastmasters – my goal – to become a professional speaker.  I was accepted as a full member of the National Speakers Association in June 2009. My current goal is to perfect my speaking topics.  I want to be paid to speak throughout the world.

Joseph Joel: What leadership goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those leadership goals?

Glenda: I was a leader before I joined toastmasters.  I am very active in my community.  I have had leadership responsibilities at work and in my community for most of my life. I have not had as much interest in completing the toastmaster’s leadership track. I completed the CL manual. I completed the better club series assignments. I have mentored club members.  I am now mentoring a new, innovative club.  The club is called “the difference”.  They are working with score and the small business development center to create a toastmasters clubs intended to mastermind small business. The club is in development.  It is intended for small business owners. All meetings will have a business theme.

I have been assigned the task of implementing speech-a-thons throughout the district. The first speech-a-thon will be conducted on august 15th. Finally, I am creating behind and beyond the wall.  One project of behind and beyond the wall is to create Toastmasters clubs in prison settings.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work, academic studies, community or faith based organizations?

Glenda:  Yes!  I am an introvert living the extroverted life of a minister, academician, and professional speaker. Public speaking is core to what I do. I use Toastmasters to practice the art of speaking and hone my skills. I have made many mistakes but I am learning – one step at a time.

Sharon Anita Hill, DTM

Sharon A. Hill, author and speaker and MBA spent more than 20 years as a development and marketing manager at Fortune 500 giant IBM.

She is the president of Sharon Hill International which is her motivational and educational speaking business. Sharon is a certified etiquette trainer, trained by the American Business Etiquette Trainers Association,  and member of the National Speakers Association. Sharon is also a Certified Communicator from Duke University.

Sharon has served on several Boards of Directors and currently on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board of directors and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Sharon is the author of four books and has just completed her fifth book focusing on proper etiquette.

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Sharon: Originally, in 2004 it was to become a better speaker. Now, I’m fulfilled with my leadership roles, the camaraderie with Toastmasters world-wide, and the joy of seeing people’s lives changed for the better because of Toastmasters.

As a professional speaker, I am a Toastmaster to practice my speeches as dress rehearsals. The feedback is critical and amazing.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Sharon: The people, structure, evaluations, day/time of the week and the example it sets for all other clubs. To me, Chapel Hill Toastmasters is the crème de la crème of clubs. It is so hard to be humble when talking about Chapel Hill Toastmasters.

Joseph Joel: Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed for found to be inspiring?

Sharon: My inspiring experience was watching toastmaster Cathy Sears blossom. When she joined Chapel Hill Toastmasters, she stammered, had a bunch of ‘uhs,’ and was extremely nervous as she worked through her CC.  Imagine my exhilaration when she WON the District 37 International Speech contest in 2006 (or was it 2007?). I got chills, I cried,  I smeared my mascara… what a glorious inspiration!!

Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those speaking goals?

Sharon: I wanted to be a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) and I achieved it in three years.  Maybe I’ll try for two DTMs.  I’ve already finished my second CC and have only six more speeches to earn another AC-Bronze.

Joseph Joel: What leadership goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those leadership goals?

Sharon: By fate and hard work, I’m now the 2009-2010 District 37 Lt. Gov of Education and Training. In 2010-2011, I hope to be the District 37 Governor aka the gran fromage, the leadership nabob, the Nubian Queen).

My goal is to make District 37 finish the year as President’s Distinguished (one of the top six districts in the world).  As District 37 Lt of Marketing, my last position, I’m proud to announce that our district finished 8^th in the world, beating the previous record of finishing 9^th in the world. Competition makes us stronger. Although I’m speaking at the District level, we can’t get there unless we focus on members first. My leadership goal is to have a bunch of deliriously happy District 37 Toastmasters achieve their goals.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work, academic studies, community or faith based organizations?

Sharon: Actually, I’ve brought my IBM leadership strengths into Toastmasters which I believe accounts for much of my leadership success. But I do apply my Toastmasters speech feedback into my professional speaking.

Dan Puckett

Our Featured Toastmaster for August is Dan Puckett. Dan Puckett joined Chapel Hill Toastmasters in February of 2009. He currently serves as Sergeant at Arms, an officer position where he maintains club properties, arranges the meeting room and welcomes members and guests at each meeting.

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph Joel: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Dan: Unlike many who join Toastmasters, my experience as an actor made me relatively comfortable with public speaking from the start–though I still have a lot to learn in that regard.

I joined Toastmasters to gain leadership experience rather than speaking experience.  Even though I have been a member of Toastmasters for only six months, it has already given me some excellent opportunities to practice leadership skills.  I am looking forward to learning more and more.

Joseph Joel: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Dan: The members are what make Chapel Hill Toastmasters special. Toastmasters tend to be friendly and welcoming, but the members of the Chapel Hill Toastmasters club have gone out of their way to welcome me into their club and support my education.

Chapel Hill Toastmasters pride themselves on giving good evaluations–that is, feedback that gives each member the guidance they need to improve as a speaker and leader. These evaluations are offered with a keen eye for detail and a spirit of love and respect for each individual.

Joseph Joel: Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed for found to be inspiring?

Dan: I always am touched when watching the first speech by a new member (called the “Ice Breaker” speech).  It takes so much courage for someone to stand in front of an audience for the first time.  Watching someone conquer their fear of public speaking is truly inspiring for me.

I especially like seeing the support and attention that the audience brings to these first speeches.  They do this
because every single member of the audience has been through the same experience of giving that first speech and knows what it feels like.

Joseph Joel: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those speaking goals?

Dan: I want to complete my first ten speeches by the end of the year.  So far I have completed five.

Joseph Joel: What leadership goals goals have you set as a Toastmaster? What are you doing to meet those leadership goals?

Dan: I want to fulfill the requirements in my Competent Leadership manual by the end of the year.  To fulfill the requirements, I will need to take on every Toastmasters meeting role several times.  Each time I take a role, I will be focusing on a different aspect of leadership, such as giving feedback, mentoring, organizing and delegating, and so on, and I will be evaluated by my peers on both what I did well and how I can improve with regards to that aspect.

So far, I have completed twelve out of the twenty-two Competent Leadership requirements.

Joseph Joel: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work, academic studies, community or faith based organizations?

Dan: Absolutely.  For example, my Toastmasters skills have improved my ability to give clear and concise status reports in team meetings at work.  Having the skills to speak briefly on any topic has been a huge asset for me.

Joseph Joel: Is there anything that you would like to add?

Dan: At Chapel Hill Toastmasters, we welcome visitors at any time.  Come by whenever you like.  You can see how meetings are run, and we can answer any questions you might have about our club and about Toastmasters.

Even if our club doesn’t suit you–perhaps we are too far away or we meet at the wrong time or what have you–there are many other Toastmasters clubs in this area.  I encourage you to visit one or more of the other clubs.  Maybe one ofthem will be a better fit for you.

Deidre Hughey

Our Featured Toastmaster for July is Deidre Hughey. Deidre has been a Toastmaster since May 2006. She is the owner and BUZZologist of The BUZZ Builder providing Social Media Strategies That Make Sense for Speakers and Authors. Deidre is a professional speaker, a writer for Women’s Edge Magazine, the host of Author BUZZ (a web-based talk radio show), president of WBON-Cary, founder and facilitator for Triangle Women’s connection and a member of the committee for Morrisville Chamber’s KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women). When she has free time, she loves to spend it with her husband and two children or sharing a bottle of chewy red wine with a friend.

Joseph Joel Sherman is the Vice President of Public Relations for Chapel Hill Toastmasters, and the director of Business Tribes Management Consulting.

Joseph: Why are you a Toastmaster?

Deidre: Initially, I became a Toastmaster because I wanted to get over my fear of standing up in front of a room full of people. I remain a Toastmaster because of the wonderful support, amazing camaraderie and I continue to learn every week about myself and others.

Joseph: What do you like about Chapel Hill Toastmasters?

Deidre: Chapel Hill Toastmasters holds a special place in my heart because there is so much giving from the members. From my first visit, I felt welcomed. However, I specifically joined the Chapel Hill Toastmasters because of the quality and care put into the speech evaluations.

Joseph: Could you please share a favorite Toastmasters moment that you especially enjoyed for found to be inspiring?

Deidre: I think it was at the moment that I found myself helping a newly inducted fellow Toastmaster to get over the jitters of presenting her first speech. It was a rather profound moment for me because I remember how terrified I was when I first started. Being able to see how far I had come and to be able to tell this person that every single person in the room started at the same place…well, let’s just say, it was an eye-opening moment and I was thrilled to help!

Joseph: What speaking goals have you set as a Toastmaster?

Deidre: As a Toastmaster? Well, I don’t have specific goals (I’m probably not supposed to say that…) though I work on each of my manuals on a weekly basis. My speaking goals are more in tune to what I desire to achieve outside of Toastmasters which is to become a sought after professional speaker.

Joseph: What leadership goals goals have you set as a Toastmaster?

Deidre: Again, no specific goals. I do wish to complete the Leadership track and eventually I’m sure I will rise to a level within Toastmasters and assume leadership roles outside of my local club.

Joseph: Do you apply what you learned in Toastmasters to your work?

Deidre: Yes. Daily. My business requires that I teach individuals, groups and participate in speaking engagements on a weekly basis. I would simply like to add that it doesn’t matter whether you are an aspiring speaker, an experienced speaker or simply want an outlet for personal development, Toastmasters, well, I’m partial, I’ll say – The Chapel Hill Toastmasters will open its arms to you and welcome you to the family. You just have to be willing to join us at 8 am on Saturday! It’s okay, you can wear your bunny slippers.