Don’t Burn Your Toast!: Tips for the Wedding Party

Don’t Burn Your Toast!
Tips for the Wedding Party

From Toastmasters International: Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (June, 2009) – Timing may be everything, but wording isn’t far behind. Consider one of the most famous toasts of all: Humphrey Bogart’s words to Ingrid Bergman – “Here’s looking at you, kid” – in the legendary 1942 film Casablanca. Now trade “kid” for another endearment. No big deal? Maybe. But Bogie probably would have achieved another kind of immortality if he’d raised his glass to Bergman and said, “Here’s looking at you … babycakes!” Likewise, if you’re the Best Man, Maid of Honor or other wedding VIP, you should be aware of the trust that has been placed in you to say exactly the right thing.

A wedding toast should be “brief, personal and customized to the occasion,” says Toastmasters International President Jana Barnhill. “Most of all, it should be heartfelt.”

Speaking from the heart is the key to an appropriate toast. To help you put your best foot forward – and not in your mouth – Marsh Winds Toastmasters club in Minnetonka, Minnesota , offers the following tips:

• Pick a topic that is personal but appropriate.

• Keep it short – no more than a couple of minutes. “Essentially, the best advice in public speaking is to always be brief,” says President Barnhill.

• Practice. Think about what you want to say, and practice the toast in advance. Use friends as sounding boards beforehand.

• Stay sober. Being coherent helps.

• Be careful with humor – that personal story you consider harmless may not be seen the same way by others.

• Dress your best. If you look good, you’ll feel more confident.

In the film Wedding Crashers, Owen Wilson offers good advice that echoes President Barnhill: “I think you're better off going with something from the heart. Honestly.” Remember, your friend or family member has chosen you to fulfill a special role on that special day. This is your chance to speak with love and make their day complete.

Marsh Winds Toastmasters, which meets at The Marsh, 15000 Minnetonka Blvd on Thursdays at 9:15am, is there to help you conquer your public speaking concerns. This group has joined forces with 12,000 other clubs, as part of Toastmasters International – a nonprofit organization serving more than 250,000 members in 106 countries. For more information about Toastmasters International, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Since its founding in 1924, Toastmasters International has helped more than four million men and women develop their public speaking skills and become confident communicators at work, at home, and yes, even at parties.

Mighty Marsh Winds Whistle

Dear Fellow Marsh Winds Toastmasters,

As we wind down our official Toastmaster year, I look forward to our end of the year celebration this Thursday evening, June 25th, 6:30 PM @ my house. Traditionally, this has been a wonderful time outside of our regular meeting for bonding, friendship and transition into the new year. Before taking on the role of Immediate Past President, I feel "ever present" as President, full of gratitude and amazement at what has taken place within our club this past year. We will achieve Presidents Distinguished Club honors, which includes 8 new members, 4 CCs, 3 DTMs, 6 Adv. Communicator/Leader awards, and a boost of Toastmaster spirit for all. This is the definition of a "healthy, dynamic club" according to Toastmasters International - a club of which to be proud. Congratulations to all of you, and a very special thank you to our current Executive Board! To everyone, you have all been vibrant volunteers and mighty Marsh Winds members. Thank you.

Our outgoing Executive Board:

VP of Education: Crissy Roeglin (co-serving with Lee Handwerger next year)

VP of Membership: Michael Kennedy (served the past two years)

VP of Public Relations: Lisa Jenks (serving again next year)

Secretary: Pamela Rediger

Treasurer: Larry Everett (serving again next year)

Sergeant at Arms: Larry Everett (in loving memory of Elleva Joy McDonald)

Your friend at the lectern and beyond,

Sandy

New Toastmaster's First Role: Toastmaster!

Marsh Winds inducted a new member, Stacey Modahl, on Thursday, June 11th. One week later, she served as Toastmaster with the theme: "New Beginnings." Stacey demonstrated her willingness to be active with her well prepared leadership and engaging, warm spirit! She was rewarded Toastmaster of the Day for her wonderful, new beginning.

Speakers were Lee Handwerger presenting, "Don't Lose While Saving," and Shaun Jamison delivering, "Sell a Tangible Product." Both earned fellow members' respect with their knowledge and individual speaking strengths.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 2nd (skipping this Thursday's June 25th meeting due to the end of the year party being at 6:30).  

Your friend at the lectern and beyond,

Sandy

Marsh Winds Toastmasters Produces More Leaders

I was told by an informant while at Costco today that one, no, TWO of our members will be area governors starting in July:

Sandy Ryan: Area 91
Ravi Bakshi: Area 92

This isn't even the first time Marsh Winds has done this. Betty Liedtke and Jennifer Swanson were simultaneous area governors as well. Jennifer won area governor of the year for the entire district. No pressure Ravi and Sandy...

An area of comprised of about 6 clubs. The area governor works with club presidents to ensure the success of the clubs and the area. We are in Area 92.

Please support Ravi and Sandy in their leadership roles!

Current Marsh Winds Members that have served as district officers:
Tom Schmid ~ District Governor
Mark Forsberg ~ Division Governor
Betty Liedke ~ Area Governor
Jennifer Swanson ~ Area Governor
Ravi Bakshi ~ Area Governor
Larry Everett ~ Area Governor
Shaun Jamison ~ Area Governor
Jean Keating ~ Youth Leadership Chair

Did I miss anyone?

Shaun

Starting off Your Speech Write

No, I didn't misspell right. What I'm saying is that you need to write your introduction. Doesn't the MC (Toastmaster) do that? Not if you want control over the set up for your speech, you'd better write it and give it to the person introducing you in advance. Be sure to use large enough printing so they can read it.

It's one thing to tell you, but I want you to know I experienced the power of the introduction this week. I led a panel discussion on poetry. I requested that each speaker provide me with an introduction and everyone did. I introduced each of the three panelists as they had requested. Each had included their own unique style into the introduction and you could see it helped the audience to connect to them before they ever took the stage. One of the audience members admiringly asked a speaker if she had written her own introduction.

Don't let the opportunity slip by to create the mood YOU want for your presentation. Have a written introduction. It makes life easier for the MC, helps the audience connect to you and sets the stage properly for the speech.

Dr. Shaun Jamison, DTM

Speaking Out of the Comfort Zone

I was far from Toastmasters on May 30th. I gave my first solo three hour seminar. I am used to group effort for creating something like that. I had many worries about how it would go. I prepped like crazy and had great fun creating an outline, handouts, worksheet, and tips sheet. When the time came, everyone was so warm and friendly and did such a nice job of participating, it didn't even feel like work.

They gave me some feedback that I combined with my observations that I will share with you:

Talk at people's level
Be human
Be friendly
Tell it straight (don't hide the downside)
Tell personal stories to make a point
Give people something to do

I'm so happy that I took the risk of putting the seminar on. It was so rewarding to see people more comfortable with online networking. My next event is this Friday and I'm excited!

Shaun

Dr. Shaun Jamison, DTM speaks on online networking, journaling, and life balance. His events are listed at http://guideonyourside.com/Events.html

Poetry Panel Discussion this Thursday

Poetry Panel Discussion June 11

I am happy to announce a poetry panel discussion at our June 11th meeting. We meet 9:15am-10:30am at The Marsh 15000 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Toastmaster: Trichy Pasupathy
Panel Moderator: Dr. Shaun Jamison
Speakers:
Betty Liedtke - poetry as therapy
Sandy Ryan - poetry for personal growth
Susan Budig - promoting poetry

Agenda for Panel Discussion

3 Minutes Intro to Topic
3 Minutes Intro to Speakers
5-7 Minutes each Panel Presentations
2 Minutes Summary
5 Minutes Questions from Audience

RSVP to Dr. Shaun Jamison

Simply Speaking | Officer Training

Hello Fellow Toastmasters,

I am forwarding this message to all Marsh Winds members because we are about to go through our transition time, and it's important for all of us to keep our club "momentum" in mind. Given the Toastmasters that "Marsh Winders" are though, we are sure to have a smooth, positive transition that will boost us into the Toastmaster new year! For those of you who are taking on an officer position on the board for the first time, part of this transition involves Officer Training (very simple), which will give you a better understanding of your role on the board. Training is also something our club gets points for in our Distinguished Club Plan for next year.

There will be many opportunities to get trained. The T.E.L.I. (Teaching and Educational Leadership Institute) will be Saturday, July 18th. This is so much more than a training, but I will provide more details at next week's meeting.

Our theme for this Thursday's meeting is: "Simply Speaking," and as Toastmaster I will be weaving speaking tips in throughout our meeting. Please log on and sign up. We have three wonderful speakers and Pamela Rediger will be receiving her Competent Communicator award.

Your friend at the lectern and beyond,

Sandy