ISS UE
MONTHLY
02
OC T
2009
Please See “Why Toastmasters” p2
CLUB PROMISE
By attending Toastmasters
meetings, you are taking the
first step to becoming a
more confident speaker and
leader! The Marion United
club offers a supportive and
friendly atmosphere where
you can meet your
communication and
leadership goals. Our club is
proud to have earned the
Select Distinguished
designation in its very first
year and we are honored
that our inaugural president,
Maureen Quinlan, now
serves as Area 73
Governor. We support a
diverse group of members
from all levels of experience.
Some of our more advanced
members have finished
several programs and are
still achieving high-level
accomplishments.
Communicator welcomes
contributions and IDEAS!
Please share tips, best
practices, and any
Toastmasters-related news.
Send all submissions to
MarionUnitedTM@gmail.com
TOASTMASTERS
INTERNATIONAL
MARION UNITED
NEWSLETTER
CLUB 1166374 COMMUNICATOR
Toastmasters Celebrates 85th Anniversary!
October is more than just a wonderful
time of year when the leaves change –
and yes, there is actually a subtle
seasonal change in Florida – and the
temperatures actually drop.
For Toastmasters, October is a time to
celebrate! It marks our 85th anniversary.
Toastmasters International membership
grew by 5 percent last year and Marion
United continues its own steady growth.
Our exposure in the world has expanded
greatly since the launch of our club Web
site last month. Visitors have checked
out Marion United from throughout the
area and state as well as from as far as
away as Berkely, Calif., Minneapolis,
New York City, Houston, Frankfurt,
Germany and Clondalkin, Ireland!
In fact, the Clondalkin Toastmasters
wants to partner with us to share ideas
for promoting and growing our clubs.
Wouldn’t it be great to coordinate a club-
exchange in addition to an exchange of
ideas? Now that’s a true Ambassador
Program!
All in all, it is fitting, that this month, we
feature excerpts from ATMB John
Frazier’s Sept. 22 presentation, “Why
Toastmasters” as a reminder of why you
got involved in the first place. John’s
remarks begin here and continue on
page 2, where you’ll also find helpful tips.
TOASTMASTERS
this issue
Top 10 Tips P.2
Club Roundup P.3
Member Profile P.3
Upcoming Events P.4
Just for Fun P.4
Fear and loathing on the podium
Believe it or not, your chances of dying of
stage fright are extremely slim. You might
feel as if you are dying on the stage, but
chances are good your audience won’t
even notice your wobbly knees and
sweating armpits. Even the best speakers
were once terrified novices, feeling the
same symptoms as you when facing an
audience. Fear no more! Toastmasters is
the best place to learn, to build your
confidence, and to push yourself outside
your comfort zone. It’s a safe place where
there is no penalty for failure!
What is Toastmasters? No, we don't
make toasters! From a humble beginning
in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana,
California, Toastmasters International has
grown to become a world leader in
helping people become more competent
and comfortable in front of an audience.
The nonprofit organization now has nearly
250,000 members in more than 12,500
clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven –
and enjoyable! – way to practice and
hone communication and leadership
skills.
Most Toastmasters meetings are
comprised of approximately 20 people
who meet weekly for an hour or two.
Participants practice and learn skills by
filling a meeting role, ranging from giving
Please See “Why Toastmasters” page 2
Top 10 Tips for Did You Know: next year
Public Speaking “Speak Easy,” a full-length
Know your material- Pick a
topic you’re interested in; use
documentary about the
humor, personal stories and
conversational language. 2008 World Championship
Revise as necessary-Work of Public Speaking, will be
to control filler words: practice
(with a timer), pause & breathe released by Tumbleweed“
Know the audience-Greet
some of the audience
Entertainment !
members as they arrive; it is
easier to speak to friends than
to strangers.

Know the room-Arrive early,

walk around the speaking
area, practice using the mic
and any visual aids.
Relax-Begin by addressing
the audience, it buys you time
and calms your nerves. Pause,
smile and count to three.
Visualize-Imagine yourself
speaking, your voice is clear
and confident; visualize the
audience applauding
Realize people want you to
succeed-Audiences want you
to be interesting, informative
and entertaining. They’re
rooting for you!
Don’t apologize-You may
feel nervous, or there may be a
problem, but don’t bring it to
the audience’s attention; they
probably never noticed it.
Concentrate on the
Message, not the Medium-
Focus your attention on your
audience and message and
away from any anxieties.
Gain Experience-Your
speech should represent you
as an authority and person.
Experience builds confidence,
which is key to effective
speaking.
Tips provided by John Frazier,
Advanced Toastmaster Bronze
COMMUNICATOR
Monthly publication of
Marion United Toastmasters
Club 1166374, Ocala, FL
TM Laura Byrnes, editor
VP Public Relations
MarionUnitedTM@gmail.com
(352) 816-1264
CC Jane Potter, president
Marion United Toastmasters
MarionUnitedTM@gmail.com
Visit us on the Web
MarionUnitedToastmasters.com
Why Toastmasters
continued from page 1
a prepared speech or an
impromptu one to serving as
timer, evaluator or
grammarian.
There is no instructor;
instead, each speech and
meeting is critiqued by a
member in a positive
manner, focusing on what
was done right and what
could be improved.
Good communicators tend to
be good leaders.
Because Communication
Isn't Optional Whether
verbal or nonverbal, let’s
face it – communication
isn’t optional.
Every day we are tasked
with a variety of situations
where communication
comes into play. How many
times have you heard, “I
could see it on your face”
or, “Your body language
speaks volumes”? How
many times have you
spoken off-the-cuff and then
later wished you’d said
something else?
Developing and honing this
important skill, along with
the other skills you gain in
Toastmasters, will give you
the confidence you need in
a variety of areas, both
personally and
professionally.
In these tough economic
times, your skills are even
more important. Maybe you
are looking for a job?
Having the competitive
edge may be what lands
you the position. In
Toastmasters, you practice
thinking on your feet. The
more you practice, the more
self-confidence you gain,
which will give you the
advantage you need.
Does your current
job require you to
give business
presentations? “The best way to
You can develop learn how to lead
and polish these is to become a
skills by working Leader”
through the —John Frazier, ATMB
Communication
Track in the Toastmasters
educational program. By
continuously practicing your
speeches, as well as the
components, such as
speech organization, timing,
vocal variety and gestures,
you will have gained the
ability to present a powerful
presentation. Toastmasters
training also creates great
teachers – the kind who
lead classes or training
sessions effectively. You’ll
be able to perfect new
instructional techniques,
gain experience and
develop the confidence to
become a great teacher.
Maybe you are an attorney
or in law school?
Toastmasters is the ideal
place to perfect your
persuasive speaking skills
so that you are able to
present persuasive opening
arguments, summations or
cross-examinations and
conduct yourself in a clear
and concise manner in the
courtroom.
Whatever the case may be,
Toastmasters is the
answer!
Why Join? Survey after
survey shows that presentation
skills are crucial
to success in the
workplace. Many
people pay high
fees for seminars
to gain the skill
and confidence
necessary to face
an audience.
Toastmasters provides an
option that is less expensive
and held in high regard in
business circles. This
organization has been
around for more than 84
years and offers a proven –
and enjoyable – way to
practice and hone
communication and
leadership skills.
As a result of joining
Toastmasters and actively
taking part, you will Learn to
communicate more
effectively, become a better
listener, improve your
presentation skills, increase
your leadership potential,
become more successful in
your career, build your
ability to motivate and
persuade, reach
professional and personal
goals, and gain confidence.

COMMUNICATOR ISSUE 02 | OCT 2009 P.2

Club R oundup
It has been a busy month for
Marion United Toastmasters!
The club hosted the Area 73 and
Area 71 Humorous Speech and
Evaluation Contests on Sept. 19
and we had a packed house! First
and second-place winners Norm
Adcox from the Triple Crown club
and Laura Byrnes from Marion
United were selected to compete
in the Division G contest for Area
73, and Rick Lee of Belleview’s
Easy Speakers and Vicky Iozzia
of the Dunnellon Toastmasters
went on for Area 71. Rick and
Fabian Perez, of UF’s Talking
Gators, were picked to represent
the two Areas in the Evaluation
category.
The Division G Contests took
place on Oct. 3 at the Olive
Garden in Ocala. Division Gov.
Jennifer Thomas was Contest
Master and John Ryan, DTM,
served as Chief Judge. Jim Miller,
District 84 lieutenant governor of
marketing, attended as special
guest. Other Marion United
members on hand were Maureen
Quinlan, Area 73 governor; Jane
Potter, our fearless leader/club
president; and Linda Jones,
ACS. Six area winners faced off
in the Humorous Speech
competition which was won by
Laura Byrnes, TM. Second place
went to Bill Powers of the Gator
Toastmasters in Gainesville and
Rick Lee captured third place.
Member Profile: Meet Justin Turner
Justin went from guest to Ice
Dlaskjfldjfldjflasjflsajfldjflkdjfljdlfjdlfjljdfld
Breaker in one short week and is
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now on his third speech! He is a
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third generation Ocalan and third
generation Certified
Accountant. He has been a CPA
for nearly four years with the firm
of Turner & Lozada, PA . Before
that, he was a tax consultant with
Deloitte.
Justin earned both his bachelor’s
and master’s degrees from the
University of North Florida. He and
his wife, Lindsey, married in May
2007 and the couple now has a
beautiful 10-month-old son, Collin.
Area 73 winners and dignitaries. Picture L-R Jennifer Thomas, Division governor;
Norm Adcox, Amir Azari; Maureen Quinlan, Marion United VP Education
and Area 73 governor; Fabian Perez, and Laura Byrnes.
Louise Venne, also from Gator
Toastmasters, won in Speech
Evaluation. Both Laura and
Louise will compete at the
District 84 conference next
month.
Jane Potter, ACB, reports that
Marion United has already
earned FIVE goals to qualify as
a Distinguished Club. We only
need SEVEN goals to retain our
Select Distinguished Club
status, but Jane is confident we
will accomplish 10 goals this
year. Set your goals and work
toward your advancement!
Public
Open House was a Success!
A good time was had by all at
the semi-annual Membership
Recruitment event on Oct. 13.
We welcomed three new guests
and two returning guests: Sam
Akers, Edith Brown, Sharon
Brown, Katie Couch and Julie
Scott. Each had an opportunity
to participate in Table Topics –
the theme for the day was,
appropriately, Public Speaking.
In addition, President Jane
Potter, CC, presented her
second project from the
advanced communicator
manual, speaking to inform,
titled “Plants and Birds in Your
Yard” which was informative
indeed! Remember, guests are
always welcome, so feel free to
bring a friend, colleague, family
member or neighbor any time.
Thanks to all the members who
participated and helped out.
Collin provided the highlight of
Justin’s first speech as the
proud dad demonstrated his
son’s attempt to sit while
refusing to let go of his hold of
the upper bar of his playpen.
During his Ice Breaker, Justin
explained why he joined
Toastmasters: “my career is why
I’m here.”
Justin said that he is often called
on to make presentations to
groups of bankers. “My
presentation skills aren’t where
they need to be and I’m hoping
ANCHORS AWAY
CONFERENCE
Oct. 31 Deadline!
It’s not too late to hop aboard
and set sail for the District 84
Fall Conference at the
Shores Resort and Spa in
Daytona Beach. Full
conference package is $99,
excluding accommodations.
For full details, visit
www.ussmedley.com.
NEW MEMBERS
We are pleased to welcome
• Loretta Jackson (Sept)
• Kathy Horgan (Sept)
• Justin Turner (Sept)
• Rob Whiteford (Sept)
BECOME AN
AMBASSADOR
Download a form and learn
more about the program by
visiting the District 84 Club
Ambassador page at the
District 84 Web site:
www.toastmastersd84.org.
FAREWELL TMs
It is with sadness and best
wishes that we say good bye
to two of our outstanding
Toastmasters: Dr. Mark
Burbank , who moved to
Georgia to set up a new
practice, and Craig Broyles,
whose new communication
skills earned him a
promotion with Target!
Congratulations and good
luck to you both. Keep in
touch and visit us when you
are in the area!
 Upcoming Events
• Division G Humorous Speech and Evaluations contest — Area
winners continue on in the competition. Oct. 3 at Olive Garden in
Ocala.
• Volunteer Recruitment Meeting — Be sure to invite a friend or
colleague you feel will benefit from membership in Marion United
Toastmasters. This is always lots of fun! Oct. 13.
• Anchors Away District 84 Fall Conference — Early bird
registration full conference rate of $99 includes meals and is
available through Oct. 31. Special family rates and activities also
Did you know? available. Conference takes place at the Shores Resort and Spa in
Daytona Beach. For more information, visit www.SSSmedley.com
In addition to ranking or contact Conference Chair Nancy Humberson at
th
16 in the world nancyh@toastmastersd84.org or 321-436-8043. Nov. 6-8.
among Toastmasters • Happy Halloween! Oct. 31
International districts, • Don’t forget to Fall Back: Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 1 at 2
our District 84 ranked a.m., so set your clocks back one hour and enjoy the extra rest.
third for the number of • District 84 Speech Evaluation and Humorous Speech contests.
Distinguished Clubs! Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, respectively, during Fall Conference.

Save the Date: The

2010 International
Conference will be
Aug. 11-14 in Palm
Desert, California.

Just for Fun: October Surprise!

Which Toastmasters International event DID NOT take place during the month of October?

A. October 1924 – First meeting of the first Toastmasters Club held in Santa Ana, Calif.
B. October 1930 – The name “Toastmasters International” is officially adopted
C. October 1935 – First Toastmasters International club chartered outside the U.S. in Victoria, BC
D. October 1973 – Membership is open to women (finally!)
E. October 1982 – Membership hits 100,000

Think you know? Be the first to answer correctly

correctly and win a prize!*
prize!*
*Send your guess to MarionUnitedTM@gmail.com
Answer to last month’s Just for Fun : “French Chef” Julia Child was the only one who was not a Toastmaster.

COMMUNICATOR ISSUE 02 | OCT 2009 P.4