The Competent Communicator Manual:
Why Every Member Should Earn a CC
Outline
· Imagine - bicycle without handlebars, car with three tires, boat with one oar
· Important to be well-prepared, with the tools to do a good job – like giving a speech
· Ten basic tools
· Instructions - the Competent Communication manual
· WIIFM?
§ Opportunity for growth
§ Table Topics comparison
§ Distinguished Club Program
§ Advanced manuals
§ Repeating the CC manual
· Conclusion – Excellent guide; proper usage; Point A to Point B
Props Needed:
· CC manual
· 10 Tool Handout
· 2-sided “Pocket Guide” handout (written and designed by Mr. Frank Storey, DTM, of District 18)
Note: Better quality copies of the CC “Pocket Guide” (as well as guides for numerous other TI programs) are available at: http://www.toastmastersofthebluegrass.org/files/
The Competent Communicator Manual:
Why Every Member Should Earn a CC
Imagine getting a bicycle – some assembly required – but not bothering to put on the handlebars, or driving a car with only three tires, or rowing a boat with only one oar in the water.
These don’t sound like bright ideas, do they? Why not?
(expect responses like “’it’s unsafe” or “because you won’t get very far”)
So you’re saying that it’s important to be well-prepared, with all the basic tools to do a good job? Of course! Since this is Toastmasters, let’s compare that notion to giving a speech.
Fellow Toastmasters, when you give a presentation, you want to be well-prepared, and know how to use the “basic tools” of a good speech. What are those tools? I think there are ten:
Prepared by Karen Holland, DTM
District 28 January 2009
1. YOU (tell us about yourself)
2. The flow (the path you take)
3. The purpose (You do have one!)
4. Word selection
5. Body language
6. Your voice (tone, rate, pitch, etc.)
7. The information you provide
8. Visual aids or handouts (learning how to use them)
9. Persuasive skills – convince to AGREE
10. Inspirational skills – convince to ACT
Prepared by Karen Holland, DTM
District 28 January 2009
Like Norm Abrams said on “This Old House Workshop” it is important to have your tools, and to read the instructions beforehand so you know how to use them.
Norm also urged viewers never to forget the most important piece of safety equipment, but let’s hope that you won’t need safety glasses every time to speak.
Where are the instructions? In the instruction manual! The basic manual is also known as the Competent Communication manual. (Hold up a copy.) Each project in this manual helps to teach us how to properly use one of the tools in our tool kit.
(Handout)
(Take one minute to go through 2-3 of the speech projects to show them what you mean.)
But why is it important? “What’s In It For Me?” (WIIFM) to complete an entire Competent Communication manual? There are many reasons:
· Every time you prepare, practice and present a manual speech, it’s an opportunity for growth – growth in your confidence level, in your speaking skills, and in other skills, too. Working our way through all ten CC projects helps us to work on those basic skills, so – remember my first example? – so that the handlebars on our bikes are there when we need them.
· But why bother with manual speeches? Why not just do more Table Topics? – Table Tables are great, but they don’t provide the same level of feedback. Receiving formal evaluations might feel a bit scary in the beginning, but the information you can gain is really valuable, and Table Topics simply don’t provide you with the feedback you need. Evaluations from manual speeches will.
· It’s a pathway to the advanced manuals. The Competent Communication manual (the “basic” manual) is about getting the basic skills. After all, nobody joins Toastmasters just to be “adequate,” and the advanced speech manuals are designed to help the members to “further develop their skills” – whether it’s doing good management presentations, interpretive readings at church, becoming a better salesperson, etc. It’s why you joined Toastmasters! But to improve and develop those, you need to learn the basics. Otherwise, it’s rather like driving a car without knowing where the gear shift is.
· Here’s one for the long-time members. What if you’ve already completed a basic manual? There’s always room for growth. Doing this manual again helps us to hone these basic skills, and provides an example to newer members. After all, even professional pianists still practice “the scales” to stay limber, and they still rehearse for hours and hours AND HOURS before a big performance.
· DCP points – The Distinguished Club Program is a nice recognition program, and it’s a good way to gauge the health of a club, at least in statistical terms. That’s why Toastmasters International designed it, and why it still exists. But it’s really not about the points. It’s about the health of the club, and an indication of whether members are “growing” in their skills. We ALL need to be active participants in our club – giving manual speeches, volunteering for Table Topics, taking on meeting roles – so that we continue to grow as speakers, listeners and leaders. It’s good for us, and for our club.
Friends, the Toastmasters program is designed to help us all become better speakers, and the Competent Communication manual is an excellent guide on how to develop and utilize the tools in our speakers toolbox. Proper usage can give us the skills needed to “nail” that next presentation, whether that presentation is here, at your place of work, or elsewhere.
Make the commitment to yourself. Sign up now to do a manual speech within the next four weeks.
Mister/Madame Toastmaster….
HANDOUT
The Competent Communicator Manual:
Why Every Member Should Earn a CC
“Basic Tools” of a Good Speech Project Number & Title
YOU (tell us about yourself) 1. The Ice Breaker
The flow (the path you take) 2. Organize Your Speech
The purpose (You do have one!) 3. Get to the Point
Word selection 4. How to Say It
Body language 5. Your Body Speaks
Your voice (tone, rate, pitch, etc.) 6. Vocal Variety
The information you provide 7. Research Your Topic
Visual aids or handouts (how to use them) 8. Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
Persuasive skills – convince to AGREE 9. Persuade With Power
Inspirational skills – convince to ACT 10. Inspire Your Audience
Prepared by Karen Holland, DTM
District 28 January 2009
Prepared by Karen Holland, DTM
District 28 January 2009
Prepared by Karen Holland, DTM
District 28 January 2009