“Building The Wave of Commitment” Speech delivered by Art Byrd
The speech is from the Successful Club Series for Executive 408 Youngstown Toastmasters June 9, 2014
Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know. Jim Rohn, Motivational Speaker
Do you consider yourself creative? Creativity is simply our ability to dream things up and make them happen. Cooking breakfast, planting a garden, even developing a business plan are all creative acts. But here is where Toastmasters come in. Participating in Toastmasters unlocks our creativity and empowers us in our everyday lives whether it is public speaking, speaking in general and leadership. Being in Toastmasters is like being a wave, you keeping building and surging on, getting new skills and self confidence. Fellow Toastmasters and guests for our club to continue on, there has to be a wave of “Keeping The Commitment� from each and every of us. Water waves are formed by the force of the wind against the water and air goes forward and finally develops a circular motion. This motion causes a pressure to go down on the surface at its front, and pressure going up and this causes the surface to take on the form of a wave.
Think of a wave as any change that begins with our decision to act and ripple outward and transfer of energy that creates momentum and ultimately a positive change. Our club, Executive 408 has been experiencing some critical changes. We have seen few members regularly at meetings even though we have over 20 paid members. There are people doing two or more role per meeting. There has to more of a commitment to our club. Our group is one of the few Toastmasters group that meets weekly which means more opportunities to speak, to be involved and be part of the wave.
Cross-cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien said that in many traditional cultures, when an ill person goes to the healer, he or she is asks four questions: When did you stop singing? When did you stop dancing? When did you stop sitting in silence? When did you stop telling your story? Numerous studies show that activities like drawing and creative writing—even knitting—raise serotonin levels and decrease anxiety. Maybe, giving a speech, can decrease anxiety. Wouldn’t that be great. Toastmasters is your creative outlet wave. You get a chance to tell your stories. Personal or a subject you are interested. The chance to wash people over with your stories that come from your creative mind. Creative expression opens the door to the inner world of our imaginations. It is here that we make meaning of our lives. It is here that motivation takes root. The more creative we are, the more
capacity we have to imagine what's possible and make those visions real.
1. Our lives have meaning.
All life is interconnected and full of purpose. There is, as teacher and philosopher Parker Palmer says, a hidden wholeness in each of us waiting to emerge. Discovering our unique purpose is one of the great adventures of life.
2. We are all creative.
Creativity is not found just in the chosen few who exhibit artistic talent. It is a force that flows through every single one of us, allowing us to dream things up like a speech and make them happen.
3. Creative expression empowers us.
Making Speeches—and not judging ourselves—supercharges our creativity and solidify our self confidence.
4. Life is an adventure to be lived, not a problem to be solved. Something quite different—and more creative—happens when we live life from the vantage point of possibility rather than no trying.
5 Diversity is a valuable resource.
Nature thrives on complexity and diversity, and the same is true for the human community. Our differences in age, gender, race, culture, and backgrounds provide a rich source of learning.
6. We thrive when we feel supported.
Here at Toastmasters, we support and encourage each other. You can’t say getting applause doesn't make you feel great and encouraged. At Toastmasters, you’re surrounded by a group of positivethinking individuals that want grow personally and professionally just like you do.
7. We each have the power to make change.
Regardless of our age or life situation, each of us has something to bring to the Toastmaster table. Learning speaking skills and able to take an evaluation to make positive change in you.
Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard. Anne Sexton Do not let what you cannot do, interfere with what you can do. John Wooden
Here at Toastmasters you can do a lot.
Become comfortable with public speaking The secret to overcoming this fear: practice. It’s as simple as that. Toastmasters provides the occasion for practice in public speaking. Say goodbye to knocking knees and perspiring palms? Get up and give a speech.
Learn how to engage in discussion In each meeting, there is a discussion hosted by one of our members. Typically, the discussion will center around social issues. Nothing is off limits. Still, the discussion is always respectful and stimulating. Many times in our lives, we are confronted with people who think differently than us. We need to be able to engage them in conversation without being offensive but still being able to express ourselves authentically.
Learn how to think on your feet We need to develop the ability to give an unrehearsed talk to our employees, children, bosses, associates, in personal relationships. Toastmasters can help you become more articulate even when improvising.
Strengthen your network Being a part of Toastmasters provides you with the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life who have the drive to become successful. Networking and associating with such people reflects the caliber of person that you want to be. Many famous people in our society have been members of Toastmasters, including Napolean Hill, wrote the book, Think and Grow Rick, Harvey Mackay, an entrepreneur, Debbie Fields-Rose, who built a successful cookie company. Chris Matthews,host of Hardball and Nancy Brinker. founder of Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Organization. Now we have building the wave, Lets ride it with Toastmasters Promise. The promise is a set of standards for members responsibilities to themselves and to the club. There are three areas: Participate, Interact and Maintain Club Quality
Participate:
■ ■
■
To attend club meetings regularly To prepare all of my speech and leadership projects to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Competent Communication, Advanced Communication or Competent Leadership manuals To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments
Interact: ■ To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations ■ To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow ■ To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so ■ To treat my fellow club member and our guests with respect and courtesy Maintain Club Quality: ■ To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers ■ To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters educational and recognition programs ■ ■ To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities. This is how we make Executive 408 a big wave that benefits all of us. If you are willing to make that commitment. I would like to sign the bottom of the Toastmasters Promise and give it to Dena, our president. If you can’t sign the promise, that is alright. Just try to do 75% of the promise and our club will still be a powerful wave.
I would like to leave you with this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.