As you read this, the Toastmasters International Convention is being held outside North America for the first time – in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Before I became a professional keynote speaker and long before I became an in-demand speech coach… I joined Cable Car Toastmasters in San Francisco. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches […]
Read More...Do You Know How to Deliver A Wedding Toast? Toastmasters’ Tips for The Perfect Toast
In 1924, Ralph C. Smedley held the first meeting of what would eventually become Toastmasters International, created to train young men in “the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings.” In those days, the word “toastmaster” referred to a person who proposed the toasts and introduced the speakers at a banquet. Smedley named […]
Read More...Toastmasters’ Golden Gavel Award
Before I became a professional keynote speaker, before I had the honor of serving as the first female president of the NSA (National Speakers Association), and long before I became an in-demand speech coach… I joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. […]
Read More...Pursue Your Passion for Presenting – April 26, 2014 Skokie, IL
Where will you be on Saturday, the 26th of April 2014? If you would like to improve your presentation skills and are anywhere near Chicago – and certainly if you are a District 30 Toastmaster – you will be joining me for the District 30 Toastmasters Spring Conference in Skokie, Illinois. District 30 has planned an […]
Read More...Life Lessons Through Laughter And Ethics: Mary Ellen Did it Right! Do You?
When you speak to business and professional speakers and Toastmasters, as I do, about public speaking and advanced presentation techniques, it is assumed that you will be quoted. In fact, I encourage the best way to learn a public speaking technique or idea is to teach someone else what you think you just learned. However, there is a […]
Read More...District 30 Toastmasters Spring Conference, April 27, 2013 with Patricia Fripp
What would it mean to you and your career if you understood the techniques that guaranteed every time you stood up to speak you were powerful and persuasive? Where will you be on Saturday, the 27th of April 2013? If you’re interested in improving your presentation skills and you’re anywhere near Chicago, and certainly if […]
Read More...Speaking about Speaking – Excerpt from The Toastmasters International Conference
I love speaking about speaking. Here is an excerpt of a presentation I gave on speaking skills at the Third International Toastmasters Conference. “It never ceases to amaze me that intelligent, well educated, and ambitious people frequently overlook developing the number one skill that is guaranteed to position them ahead of the crowd, namely the […]
Read More...Do You Want Your Presentations to be Funnier?
Are your presentations lacking humor? The late John Kinde is remembered as a comedy mentor for many. Know for his skill with observational humor claimed his most frequently-asked question was, “How do I get to be funny?” After delivering a fun-filled, brilliantly-crafted presentation, an audience member referred to his Observational Humor monologue. “You certainly have […]
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