CLUB CONTESTS:

TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

SCRIPT

(8-10 minutes)

Written by Dr. Mildred Matlock, DTM

January 2008
CLUB CONTESTS:

TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

Introduction [slide/handout #1]

How many of you joined TI to improve your public speaking skills? Most of you. How many of you have competed in TI speech contests as a way of improving your skills? For those who haven’t, why not? [Elicit 2-3 responses. Look for responses such as “I’m not interested in competing.” “I’m not competitive.” “I just want to speak better for career/school/volunteer presentations.”] Of the clubs holding contests most believe contests help their members improve speaking and leadership skills. [slide/handout #2] That’s why District 28 executives want to increase the number of clubs holding contests by 10% in 2008 and to increase the number of contestants in the contests. We want clubs to commit to having at least three contestants or to having one more contestant than the year before. My objectives today are to show you that participating in a contest is one of best ways to improve your speaking and leadership skills; to persuade your club to hold a contest this year [if club hasn’t done so]; and to persuade each of you to compete.

Club contests aren’t required. The TI contest rule book says, “A club may choose its contestant by whatever means the club desires.” If so,

A> Why bother with club contests? Why not solicit a volunteer, toss a coin or pull straws to find a member to represent the club at the area contest?

The TI club has the duty to turn its members into winners. [slide/handout #3] The definition of winner is “one who is successful through praiseworthy ability and hard work.” Tossing coins may be an acceptable way to choose a club representative, but it does nothing to sharpen the skills of the “winner.” Competing without the first rung of challenge is like sending Popeye forward without his spinach! Competition gives contestants a chance to sharpen their skills beyond what they can achieve in regular club meetings by heightening performance pressure; creating a higher level of preparation; and forcing adherence to time limits. Contests also benefit clubs by offering the public an exciting, educational and entertaining view of the Toastmaster club.

B> Members who don’t compete have reasons: “I’m not interested! I’m afraid! I’m not good enough! I’m too busy!” What’s in it for members?

We think we joined TI to improve our speaking and leadership skills. But we really joined to get out of our comfort zones. There’s nothing more discomforting than competing! When you can perform despite the discomforts associated with competing, you’ll be able to face with ease the challenges of speaking or leadership in “real world” environments. Consider how similar competing in contests is to “real world” competition [see slide/handout #4]. There are several other reasons to participate in contests.

  1. If you think you aren’t good enough to compete, consider what the 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking David Brooks said [slide/handout #5]: “You don’t compete because you’re the best. You become the best because you compete.”
  2. [Slide/handout #6] Your speech counts as a CC manual speech and toward CL projects 4&5! You have the time: You’re going to do speeches anyway so re-work your best one and try it in a contest.
  3. Serving in supporting cast roles (contest chair; Toastmaster; judges; timers; ballot counters) is no longer a consolation prize. You’ll receive CL credit depending upon your role: help organizing contest (project 6); contest chair (project 10).
  4. Everyone wins: The audience wins “by observing proficient speakers.”

C> “No one has time! No one is interested!” What’s in it for the club?

  1. The D-28 survey revealed that nearly 75% of the “Distinguished” clubs hold contests while only about 40% of those clubs that aren’t distinguished have them. The contests may not be the cause of this achievement, but why not try it?
  2. As mentioned contests offer opportunities for members to achieve educational and leadership goals – key components of the DCP.
  3. Contests are a special event that can hook visitors and turn them into members by showing an exciting club with members aggressively improving their C&L skills.

D>How to get help for your contest

  1. Go to the District 28 website for a detailed outline of what it takes to prepare for and run a contest:
  2. Ask for help if you need it. What can clubs do to get the help they need? [slide/handout #7]

E>Conclusion: Try it. You’ll like it

Look at the benefits checklist [slide/handout #8 - checklist]. Consider the items already listed and fill in the blanks with your own club and individual goals. The real test is if you do more than fill in the blanks. If you’re serious about improvement then you will agree to have a club contest; you will agree to compete in one of the contests or to serve in a supporting role. If you are serious about becoming a winner, I’ll see you in a club contest in 2008.

MCM0108

CLUB CONTESTS:

TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

Outline

Written by Dr. Mildred Matlock, DTM

January 2008

CLUB CONTESTS:

TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

  1. Introduction [slide 1]
  2. Reasons for joining TI. Have you tried contests?

Most clubs have contests to improve members’ communication and leadership skills

  1. D-28 goals: increase club contest by 10%; increase number of contestants by at least one per club. [slide 2]
  2. Presentation objectives: persuade clubs to have contests; persuade more members to compete
  3. TI rules don’t require club contests. Clubs may select representatives for area contests by any means.
  1. Why have club contests?
  2. Create winners [slide 3]
  3. Value of competition for individual members
  4. Value of contests for club image
  5. What’s in it for the members to compete?
  6. Challenging your comfort zone [slide 4]
  7. Compete to become the best [slide 5]
  8. Achieving educational goals [slide 6]
  9. Supporting cast gets leadership benefits & credit
  10. Audience sees proficient speakers
  11. What’s in it for clubs to hold contests?
  12. Most distinguished clubs have contests
  13. Contests can help clubs to meet DCP requirements
  14. Contests help clubs attract prospective members
  15. Getting help for your contest
  16. Use District 28 web site resources*
  17. What else can we do to get help? [slide 7]
  18. Conclusion
  19. Consider how competing can help you achieve your individual and club goals. [slide 8]
  20. Have a contest. Compete. Support. Win!

*

MCM2007

CLUB CONTESTS:

TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

Handout

Written by Dr. Mildred Matlock, DTM

January 2008

CLUB CONTESTS: TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS

CONTESTANT BENEFITSSUPPORTING CAST BENEFITS

MEMBER GOALS / Humorous Speech / Table Topics / International Speech / Evaluation / Contest Chair / Toastmaster / Judge / Timer / Other
1. Master speaking under pressure / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
2. Improve prepared speaking skills / √ / √
3. Provide effective feedback with minimal preparation / √
4. Refine impromptu speaking under pressure / √ / √ / √
5. Learn to use humor effectively / √ / √ / √ / √
6. Improve focused listening / √ / √ / √ / √
7. Improve ability to connect with & captivate audiences / √ / √ / √
8. Master rapid comparative judgments / √
9. Achieve educational awards e.g. CC / √ / √ / √ / √
10. Achieve CL award / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
11. Develop event planning skills / √
12. Improve multi-tasking skills / √ / √ / √
13. Improve delegation with volunteers / √
14.
15.
CLUB GOALS / Member benefits / Club benefits
1. Promote accelerated individual C&L award attainment / √ / √
2. Showcase club to visitors, prospective members / √
3. Support Distinguished Club Program achievements / √ / √
4. Invigorate club (officers and members) / √ / √
5.

MCM20073

CLUB CONTESTS: TURNING MEMBERS INTO WINNERS!

EVALUATION FORM

Date: ______Speaker: ______

On a scale of one to five, five being the highest rating, please rate the presentation and the speaker.

12345

1.Rate the following:

Presentation content 12345

Speaker effectiveness 12345

2.Were the objectives clearly stated 12345

3.Extent to which objectives were achieved 12345

4.As a result of this presentation:

Likelihood of holding a club contest 12345

Likelihood that you would compete 12345

Likelihood that you would help 12345

5.Did you compete in a TI speech contest in 2007? yesno

Thank you