Cora Gunter Executive Librarian - PowerPoint Presentation

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Cora GunterExecutive LibrarianWestside Library

‘They should have gone to Toastmasters…’

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters International is an

organisation

that specialises in communication and leadership development. It has a membership of 313,000. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,650 clubs in 126 countries that make up the global network of meeting locations.

Mission Statement

The goal of the

organisation

is to 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.Toastmasters comprises of two programmesCompetent CommunicatorCompetent Leader

History of Toastmasters

Toastmasters originated in the USA.

It began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C.

Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.

Smedley

decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment, and the men responded well to the concept. He named the group the Toastmasters Club; "toastmaster" was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions.

Admitted first woman in 1970Spread worldwide

Why Toastmasters for me?

Always loved talking

Public speaking through school and college

Working life – teaching, IT trainer, librarianMy dadLifelong learning 6Ps of public speaking

Competent Communicator

Passion ~

Preparation ~

Practice ~ Positive Projection ~ Presentation ~ Patience ~

Competent Communicator

Communications skills necessary in all walks of life

Make speeches

Listen to other peoples speechesTable topics – thinking on your feet10 speech projects Ice-breaker – talk on yourselfOrganise your speechGet to the point

How to say it

Your body speaks

Vocal varietyReseach speechUse visial aidsPersuade with powerInspire your audience

A Toastmaster Meeting

Format of an evening

Toastmaster Roles

PresidentToastmasterTopics MasterGuest GreeterAh & em counter

Timekeeper

Grammarian

Prepared speeches Evaluations – receive feedback in a supportive environment

A Toastmaster Meeting cont.

Time-keeping

Speeches are timed

Topics are timedMeeting is timedTopics & add-ons – Allows everyone the chance to speakThink on your feetMeetings are fortnightly & run between September to May

Membership fee

Meetings

Meeting roles – different name same job

Chairperson

SecretaryTreasurerPrepared agendaTime-keepingWrap-up and next meeting date

Competent Leader

Listening – acquire information, identify issues, make decisions & resolve conflict. For example speech evaluator

Critical thinking –

analayse, interpret and understand the informationGiving feedback – constructive performance feedback not criticismTime management – invaluable skill – allows you to do your job and plan into the future

Planning & implementation – lists, goals, direction

Organisising

& delegation – allows a team to achieve its goal and gives an individual an opportunity to flourishFacilitation – manage the team structureMotivation – to encourage a colleague to perform to the best of their abilities is so rewardingMentoring – encourage less experienced colleagues and help them on their path

Team building – a group of people who work together

Toastmasters for librarians

Librarian as a Communicator

Presentations

IntroductionsMeetings Internal meetingsLocal authority meetingsProfessional bodies, such as the LAICommunity

Leadership skills

Local Toastmaster meetings

Galway Toastmaster Meetings

Ennis Toastmaster Meeting