June 2007 Newsletter

Dear Lexington Toastmasters,
It is hard to believe that this is the last newsletter I am writing to you as your President. It has been a privilege to represent this club and work with you on so many projects. I look back with great fondness of your participation and energy and how your continued support and feedback and appreciation fed my appetite to do the best.

In reflection, let me list some highlights that were part of our successful year:

- 3 Speak-Outs
- 1 Open House
- 2 Speech Contests
- Host of 1 Area Speech Contest
- 1 Backwards Meeting
- Close to 100% attendance of 7 Officers’ meetings
- 9 Officers attending Officer Training Sessions
- 2 Marvelous Social Parties and many Mini Celebrations
- Completion of the Advanced Track Guide
- Name Card Tents for each Member including Guests
- 11 Toastmasters Earning Awards this year, close to Double from the Previous
Year.

Congratulations to all, indeed it takes a strong community like ours to accomplish such a list. On June 14th, at our regular meeting, we will celebrate together a great year and give out awards to the 11 Toastmasters and more. We hope you can join us.

Last week we elected the new officers who will begin their one year term
July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008:

President ~ Duncan Stewart
VP of Education ~ Mev Barton
VP Membership ~ Galina Pekurovskaya
VP Public Relations ~ Kumiko Suzuki
Secretary ~ Marina Dvorkin
Treasurer ~ Eric Shen
Sergeant at Arms ~ Michael Ahlfont
Past President ~ Rudi Scheiber-Kurtz

Congratulations to the new officers and special thanks to our outgoing officers David Carnes, Carolyn Kingston and Steve Silva.

Again, thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve you as president, I have truly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to Duncan Stewart’s leadership and maybe I will have time to participate in another humorous speech contest!

With fondness,
Rudi
Rudi Scheiber-Kurtz, ACB, CL
President and Zoomer Woman
Lexington Toastmasters Club

Accolades:
Let me give my biggest thanks and gratitude to Kumiko Suzuki who again put together a fantastic and fun party. It was an impressive group of singers, musicians, conversationalists and cooks. Thanks to Linda and Bob Coyne for generously offering their house.

Many thanks also go to the Advanced Track group including Ann Burgess, Robert Isenberg, Carolyn Kingston, and Steve Silva who worked with me in getting this guide published. You have no more excuses now to delay your advanced speaking!

Celebrations Day:
Thursday, June 14, 2007
12noon – 1:30pm
We will acknowledge all the hard work and accomplishment of the past year with special awards! We will celebrate our strong community and the support we give each other. Light Refreshments.

Finding Comfort in Public Speaking
By Carolyn Kingston
As a member of Lexington Toastmasters Club I would like to offer some thoughts about what I have found most helpful in my vocal coaching of speakers and performers. One important key to successful public speaking is to realize that it is an art that requires both SKILL and RELATIONSHIP.

When you get up in front of a group to speak don’t be afraid to take a few moments to connect with your audience through eye contact. Take a few deep breaths as you look around the room. It is amazing how much time the audience needs to look at and settle in to listen to a speaker. Remember that your audience is there to enjoy your speech not to judge it. If you are feeling physical symptoms of nervousness - trembling limbs, racing heart, dry mouth - allow what you feel to be present. If you resist it, or try to control it, it will persist longer. Adrenaline is what makes a speech or performance exciting and it will serve you well if you allow it.

As you work through the Competent Communicator Manual you are building the skills essential to giving good speeches both in structure and presentation. One essential element to a good speech is vocal variety, and one speech is devoted to that skill. The most important tip I can give you in creating vocal impact in your speaking is to TAKE TIME TO BREATHE! The voice is a wind instrument and needs adequate breath supply to find its full resonance and inflection. Again, the audience will appreciate a pace that allows you to take an adequate breath – AND you will be better understood. This is particularly important if your native language is not English. The adjustments the listener has to make to the inflection and rhythm differences of a Japanese person speaking in English, for example, will be much easier if you take time to breathe and speak at a slow to moderate pace.

This is a very short overview of what I have observed in listening and working with speakers, and I welcome your feedback and any further questions you may have about voice in speaking.


You Are Invited
Wednesday, June 20, 7:30pm
Since music played a central role in our party, I wanted to invite you all to a free concert show in Lexington on Wednesday, June 20th. I will be performing in the show in both a solo number, and ensemble numbers. This show is put on annually by the studio of Diana Cole, and this year, the Theme is "Food".

I hope to see you there,
Arthur

BE OUR GUEST: A GOURMET MUSICAL TREAT

You are invited to a concert of classical and lighter 'fare' songs andensembles featuring the studio of Diana Cole on Wednesday, June 20 at 7:30in the acoustically splendid sanctuary of Follen Church. Follen Church is at 755 Massachusetts Ave, East Lexington. Most numbers will serve up the theme of food. Included are a scene from Hansel and Gretel, an aria from the Coffee Cantata by Bach and songs such as Tea For Two, Oh I Can Cook Too, and Ragtime Restaurant by Loesser, Berlin, Rodgers, Bernstein and others. The concert will be followed by a gala reception where we feast on our just desserts! This annual event is great fun for everyone involved. Admission is Free.

Calendar:
Thursday, June 14 12noon-1:30pm Celebration Day
Saturday, June 16 7:30am – 1:00pm Officer Training, Dedham
Wednesday, June 20 7:30pm Musical Treat, Follen Church