Harness the Power of Pauses

In conversations and speeches, many people avoid silence at all costs. When meeting with potential clients or investors, entrepreneurs sometimes unintentionally fill every moment with sound -- even if it undermines their pitch. Silence isn’t always uncomfortable or awkward. When used well, it can be a powerful tool. Experienced speakers use silence and pauses to build tension in a presentation. Moments of quiet give listeners time to process information. Learn to harness the power of silence and integrate it into your presentations.

Pathways

The Ten paths

1.      Motivational Strategies

2.      Presentation Mastery

3.      Leadership Development

4.      Innovative Planning

5.      Visionary Communication

6.      Strategic Relationships

7.      Dynamic Leadership

8.      Persuasive Influence

9.      Effective Coaching

10.  Team Collaboration

The projects in a path

Every path has required and elective projects. Path recognition is achieved when a member completes 14 projects across all 5 levels—a combination of 10 required projects and 4 elective projects chosen from a comprehensive list covering a variety of subjects. Each project includes at least one speech. Though members are required to complete 4 elective projects, they have the option to complete as many as they would like.

The Five Levels

Each path is made up of five levels of increasing complexity. The program is designed this way so you’re always building on what you learned in the previous level. All learning paths contain the following levels:

o    Level 1: Mastering Fundamentals

o    Level 2: Learning Your Style

o    Level 3: Increasing Knowledge

o    Level 4: Building Skills

o    Level 5: Demonstrating Expertise

Find out what you've been missing

So TMI found out I have not attended a meeting lately. Mnnn! they send me this letter that I now share with you. I don't know about you but as for me, I have to attend a meeting in the coming week.

Video Speech Contest

Every year, Toastmasters International gives clubs that are not in a district a chance to participate in a limited version of the International Speech Contest. This is an extremely popular contest among clubs in Kenya and it is hotly contested every year. No wonder a Kenyan entry is rated within the first three almost every year.
Entries to this contest have previously been submitted recorded on an audio Compact Tape and later on an audio Compact Disc. Clubs were hoping that Toastmasters International would allow them to submit their entries in MP3 format or some such. They did even better! Clubs will now submit video entries. It even gets better. Clubs will no longer incur mailing charges and other inconveniences related to courier and snail mail. No. The entry forms will be sent via email that indicates an internet address (URL) of the video.
Bravo to TMI and Let the body language rehearsals commence.

Which reminds me. Anyone hoping to win this contest must start rehearsing the speech they hope to enter in November. This is to say an outline of the speech ought to be ready by October. It is also imperative that one uses a mentor(s) intensely.

Here is an excerpt of the rules as given in the item 1171 - Speech contest rule book 2017

1. Members of undistricted clubs are invited to participate in the Video Speech Contest. Videos must be in English.

2. The Toastmasters International Speech Contest Rules are to be followed as far as they are applicable.

A. There is no area, division, district, or semifinal competition  for the Video Speech

Contest, nor are there any travel allowances.

B. To enter, clubs conduct a speech contest and submit a video recording of the winning speech.

3. Only one speech per club may be submitted. The video shall be made using the follow- ing procedures:

A. Complete and submit a Video Speech Contest Entry Form that includes a live URL

linking to a video submission.

B. Include the entire speech on the video, including the introduction. Speeches that have been edited will not be accepted.

C. Time the speech carefully to comply with the International speech contest rules.

D. Submit a completed Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality (Item 1183)

with the entry form.

E. Entry forms must be emailed to videospeechcontest@toastmasters.org and received at World Headquarters on or before 5 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, to be eligible for competition.

The Roadmasters

Do you love Toastmasters? Do you love road trips?

Welcome to The Roadmasters, an advanced toastmasters club which combines these two things to drive you towards leadership at 100kph.

How it Works?

·   The Roadmasters will hold demo meetings once a month. Each demo meeting will have been primarily organized by an individual member, and should be a distance of at least 70 km away from Nairobi (need not be in Kenya).

·    At least four fellow members will travel to the demo meeting destination over a weekend to conduct the demo meeting, officer training and elections and leave a new Toastmasters club up and running.

·    At least two members will act as a mentor and sponsor to the new club until it is chartered and achieves its first membership renewal

·    Travelling will be through car-pooling and the club will finance the trip to the tune of KES.20,000 (5,000 per person)

·    The club’s contribution will be to finance Food, Travel and accommodation expenses for 1 night, other expenses will be borne by the individual member

·    Each member will be required to organize at least one demo meeting a year. New members will

be voted in based on their proposal for a demo meeting.

·    Members will contribute TI membership fee of KES. 750 every month and personally cater for food expenses in our monthly meetings

·    The club will organize for a 4 week Speechcraft training every quarter starting September 2016 to raise funds to finance our travel expenses. Each Speechcraft should raise KES.60,000

·    The club will organize 1 international trip per year starting in September 2017. There will be cost sharing to finance the trip between members and the club but each member is encouraged to save at least KES.50,000 for the trip.

How to Join

·    Be a member of a Toastmasters club and be in good standing

·    Pay KES. 750 joining fee, and every month thereafter pay KES.750 before the 5th of the month.

·    Present a proposal to host a demo meeting before other members.

Wii FM

·    Members will earn credits towards their Communication and Leadership tracks (CC, CL, ACB, ACS, ACG, ALB, ALS, HPL) and accompanying skills such as project management

·    Fun filled road trips

·    Making new friends and visiting new places all over Africa/World. RSVP

Harry Karanja

0722828967 kkairo@gmail.com