The Portage Toastmasters Speech contest takes place on the 31st next week at the Regency House in Portage la Prairie. President Linda Ducharme gives us an outline.
"There are two different contests we're running. One is Tall Tales contest. And the other is the International Speech Contest. The Tall Tales contest is like Paul Bunyan story. It stretches the imagination somewhat. And then you end up saying, 'Ah, I don't think so.' The International Speech Contest could be anything from a speech about how your mother was a wonderful mentor, to how to grow potatoes in a barrel."
"It's only open to Portage Toastmasters. We have to be members of the club. It's open to the public to come in and listen. We welcome people to come. But in order to take part in a contest you must be a Toastmasters member. It's to show yourself and others what you have accomplished through joining Toastmasters. There's a contest at the club level, and if you win there you go up to the area contest level. Then you go to the division contest level. And finally you're at the district level. If you win there you go onto the international level."
Ducharme explains how the club helps your self confidence.
"We learn gradually through joining Toastmasters how to present ourselves and our ideas in a pleasing manner that convinces other people of our sincerity, or the enjoyment of listening to us spin a yarn. There is a lot of preparation, but it takes place over time. And when you first join Toastmasters, you certainly aren't in a position to jump into a speech contest. But with your self confidence growing through your participation in Toastmasters, you find that suddenly you want to get up there and speak. And it's fun."
She adds members are very proud of themselves after being able to get up and actually speak before a crowd.
Thu, Apr 25, 7:00 AM
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