Page 12 - voices-2022-06

COVER STORY

How do you evaluate a speech? Do you have evaluations. The second time I competed, I made
a method or process you follow? it the District again and then was disqualified for
Learning to give good evaluations in going over time. Ughh, I had focused so much

Toastmasters has been the most helpful outside on the content of giving evaluations and not so
of the Club. As an employer, being able to give much on making sure I stayed in time. Well, the
my employees good, positive feedback that they third time was the charm after a year of focusing
can take in and use has been invaluable. I was on both content and time. It felt really amazing

given some advice about providing evaluations to accomplish a goal that I had been working
and feedback early on in my Toastmasters towards for over two years. My next goal is to
membership that really stuck with me. It has focus on the International Speech contest.
stuck with me so much that I have it tattooed on
my arm. It’s the saying: "Is it true? Is it helpful? Back to the biographical info—married? Kids?

Is it kind?" If you can’t answer Yes to all three of What do you do outside of Toastmasters that
those phrases then whatever you are going to makes you feel complete?
say is your own agenda and not actually about I’m a proud cat dad to three cats. They keep me

helping the other person. on my toes, give me warmth, love and affection.
I treat every evaluation as a way to not only Of course that is all on their terms. I love board
help someone improve but encourage them games and host monthly game nights. I am also
to keep going. It’s why I don’t believe in brutal on the hunt for new fun games.

honesty for feedback. It might really get your
point across but it can also stop people in their Would you please share a final thought with
tracks about moving forward. Also a little humor our audience?
can go a long way. If you are feeling complacent giving speeches

and evaluations in Club meetings, then I
This was not your first competition. What recommend trying either the speech or evaluation
prompts you to compete? contest. It helped me keep Toastmasters fresh and
After competing in my first evaluation contest pushing my comfort zone. Set some goals, find

two years ago and making it to District where a mentor, you can do it.
I didn’t place in the top three, it became a goal
of mine to win the competition. Setting goals
really helped spur my desire to get good at

12 ONE COMMUNITY