Employees hone multiple skills from Toastmasters Club

By Ms. Audra Calloway (Picatinny Arsenal)April 9, 2013

Toastmasters
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

While you may think that talk show host Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews was born a naturally gifted public speaker, he actually attributes his verbal virtuosity to Toastmasters, the international leadership and public speaking club.

"Toastmasters changed my life," Matthews said in an interview posted to the Toastmasters International website. "They really did. Put me on the stage. I don't know what I would have done without that positive boost."

Most Picatinny employees probably do not have plans to grace primetime TV any time soon. But they can still learn valuable skills that will advance their career through Picatinny Toastmasters.

"We're about more than making speeches," said Terri Spinella, Picatinny Toastmasters vice president of education and a contract lead technical trainer with the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). "Through Toastmasters you can learn organization, leadership, time management, as well as public speaking."

Toastmasters learn this during interactive, bi-weekly lunch-time sessions here at Picatinny.

During each session, two or three speakers give prepared speeches on topics they select. A designated evaluator then provides constructive and supportive feedback on their speeches.

The feedback can include speech length, grammar, posture or tone of voice.

"Skills learned at Toastmasters provide me with confidence when presenting at PM&ID (Project Management and Integration Directorate) staff reviews and speaking publicly, overall," said Karen Jordan, contract project scheduler with ARDEC. "I am more aware of posture, gestures, and not using fillers, such as 'you know,' 'ahhh'."

The meeting also includes an extemporaneous segment called "Table Topics," where participants are given a random topic to discuss for one to two minutes.

The Table Topics portion has been one of the most beneficial aspects to John Figueroa, Picatinny Toastmaster member and chief of operations for ARDEC.

"I can start a conversation on any topic with just about anyone," he said. "And I can owe that preparation to Toastmasters."

Figueroa has taken advantage of this skill by pitching ideas to managers in the hallways or during meetings.

"You practice this during the "Table Topics" portion of the meetings. Always have a clear way to deliver your message in three minutes or less."

"I have definitely been able to apply what I've learned to my job," agreed Naomi Zirkind, ARDEC lead general engineer.

Like many Picatinny Toastmasters, Zirkind joined the club to advance her career through a more effective presentation of ideas.

"I was finding that a lot of times when I would be in a group discussion, I'd express an idea and it would be ignored," she said.

"Then, a little later, someone else would express the same idea in an enthusiastic and confident way, and then the idea would be admired. That really irked me, and led me to conclude that I have to learn to express myself more effectively.

"I now have a lot more confidence that people will listen to me and find what I say interesting. I can better explain my work to other people, and am more confident about initiating conversations with other people on work and non-work topics."

Through Toastmasters, Zirkind even made a contact that lead to a speaking engagement at a national robotics conference.

Toastmasters also allows participants to hone leadership skills. Zirkind has been a contest chair for a local speech contest and mentors new Toastmaster members.

When it comes to public speaking, Zirkind's advice is to "practice, practice, practice giving speeches. That is the best way to take the terror out of public speaking."

Jordan's tips include smiling, starting off strong, engaging the audience, taking deep breaths when possible, knowing your topic, and summarizing your key points.

"Have a clear vision of what the message is going to be and don't think about what other people will think when you're delivering the message," Figeroa recommends. "When you're delivering the message, you are truly the subject matter expert of the message being delivered."

"And speak with conviction, like you know what you're talking about. Because you do know what you're talking about," he said.

Picatinny Toastmasters is open to all Picatinny military, military families, retirees, civilians and contractors as well as local off-site community members

If you are interested in learning more about the Picatinny Toastmasters, contact Lucy Kahn at 973.724.6437 or attend their Open House.

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