A month ago, I decided to take myself to a Toastmasters meeting. For all of those not in the know, Toastmasters is an organization that helps people become better speakers. Now I'm not a "bad" public speaker, I can and have delivered speeches during college, but still -when i have to memorize a presentation, I get nervous (Nervous enough to forget ). I think Toastmaster's will help me conquer that pesky nervousness and develop the poise and confidence of a brilliant public speaker ..at least that's the goal; I'll settle for fantastic public speaker .
After attending the first meeting as a guest ( non-member), I decided to join, July 11th, 2011 was my first meeting as a Toastmaster member. As I'm anxious to become a better speaker faster, I decided there was no better time to give my speech than at my second meeting as a member. So i settled down to prepare it .
First off, the first for any Toastmaster is called the Ice Breaker speech. Simply put, it's 4-6 minute speech in which the new member must talk about oneself. The official Toastmaster manual (there 's a book that tells the member all the speeches he must do to become a "Competent Communicator ", the first rank on the ladder to speech brilliance) says , "For your first speech project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow club members and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions" there's more , but no matter. I had to do this, but contrary to what another might feel, I was no scared. Not in the least. I was excited ! but what to write, what to write ??
My mind ran into the composing process and two days before the meeting I was up in the middle of night jotting down notes for the speech. I decided to start off with a lifequote from Gebran khalil Gebran :
"You , yourself & your life are an island , separated from all other islands and continents by its own pain , secluded in its happiness "
It really helped me to imagine myself taking the audience in a trip discovering my island through my best moments i had .
Three hours before, i had to give my speech, I started to feel a growing pang. My stomachwas tightening up like butterflies with sewing needles. At the meeting, everyone was friendly and my dearest friend Mai (who was the toastmaster of the evening which means she is the one running the meeting) encouraged me and made it so simple and ispiring for everybody.
Before I knew it, I was called for my first speech. I thought for a moment, a torpedo hit my brain. My introduction was read by Mai, the Vice president for Education and the Toastmaster of the meeting.
I stepped up the makeshift podium and began. I was the robot, delivering my introduction memorized rote .
I won't post my prepared speech as I didn't respect it effectively, I missed some parts and added some others. The moral thing is that i felt comfy with myself, confident and managed to improvise without getting lost.
When i gotto the final thank you, I was pleased to greeted by applause!! I love applause. Of course, they didn't know that i didnt say my speech exactly as written .
Actually, the speech and delivery of it was commonly praised; I got a very nice note from a couple of members (posted below) and Riana , who evaluated me - this is something very cool in Toastmasters, after every speech, someone has to evaluate your speech by answering special questions in the member booklet and giving their own analysis, immediate feedback...very nice- gave me props for having qualities (eye contact, stage presence, confidence, solid voice) most beginned speakers don't have. Fortunately, she did give me two things to improve on :
1) To develop the speech in sequence ( i thought i did, anyway i make sure next time to make it clear).
2) To work mor on the closing part.
Returning to the members comments, they were so encouraging some were verbal and other were written such as :
-Manal : well done , Excellent speech as ice breaker, all the best for future project (Jessy Fernandez)
-Manal: Congrats, well done , well prepared & well practises. All the best (Riana)
-Dear Manal , Good Job . You seemed quite confident &well-prepared. with time you will only get better! I am sure , keep up the godd work & practise practise practise ! regards (Jonathan )
-Manal: Ice was broken infact melted. The talk was simple and sweet ( Sanjeev)
So tha's that. I broke the ice with good style and am currebtly working on the next speeh, to be given after Ramadan. will keep you posted :)
