Author Archives: Vancore Toastmasters
Elocution and stuff
Rikk Wilde’s business card says he says Chevys– and he does. But what he also sells, roundabout, is Toastmasters Memberships. Three weeks ago nobody had heard of the General Motors zone manager from Kansas City. Now everybody’s heard of him … Continue reading
Thank you Vancore!
This post is going to serve two purposes… First, I did not really have the chance to say goodbye properly as circumstances made it impossible for me to be at the past couple of meetings. I am having trouble coming … Continue reading
Why Did the Chicken Join Vancore?
What must it be like to be on one of those improv shows like Whose Line is it Anyway? You’re fed an idea and you have to go somewhere funny with it right now. Spectacular fun for the audience when … Continue reading
Steal this Table Topics Idea
VanCore president Kate has a drill she does with her ESL students to keep their language skills sharp. It goes like this: “Talk to me about bananas.” Off the student will go, on the subject of bananas, but fifteen or … Continue reading
So I Says To This Guy, Eh…
The weirdest role at any Toastmasters meeting has to be that of the “um” and “ah” counter. It’s an important job – because speakers tent not to hear their own verbal tics, so it’s valuable to be presented with the … Continue reading
A Tree in the Forest
What do you make of a guy beginning a speech with his measurements? Who does that? Maybe he’s hoping you’ll hire him to do underwear modeling. Or he’s not feeling well and has decided to order a pine casket just … Continue reading
Let the Games Begin
This week’s jam-packed meeting featured not one by two competitions – an evaluation contest and the International Speech Contest, which pitted John’s boiling charisma against Bruce’s nerdy preparation. Lorne, who chaired, was kept busy doffing one hat and donning another. … Continue reading
Travel Advisory
Heather had never give a speech before at a VanCore meeting, but she instinctively knew a good way to start: with a question. “Let me ask you this,” she said. “When in your life do you feel most free?” She … Continue reading
Give like the Dickens
There’s something special about Speech #10 in the Competent Communicator Manual. It’s the one all the others have been building to. If you’ve made it to 10, you’ve learned to stem the panic, to apply solid research, to focus your … Continue reading
“The Man Thing”
This week’s meeting, which started small but gained momentum as a few members trickled in late, revealed something interesting. The body language of the speakers broke along gender lines. “He spoke very strongly and clearly,” said Susan in her evaluation … Continue reading
VanCore Toastmasters 