February 2007

South Main Monthly Vol. 1 No. 2

South Main Speakers, District 56, Club 8609

February 2007

The mission of the Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

IN THIS ISSUE: *President's Corner *Anniversaries and Milestones Ashish Sinha Annie M. Ballatore *New Member Spotlight Michael Plaks *Calendar of Events Tall Tales Video showing Chinese New Year Celebration Tall Tales and International Speech Contests *Features “How Toastmasters Changed My Life” by Annie M. Ballatore "The Beautiful Man" by Renay Jacob ”About People Magazine” by Lu Yao “What a Day at Hermann Park!” by Vivek Rajan *Ask the Master How do you end a speech?

The South Main Monthly is a monthly publication of the South Main Speakers Toastmasters club. We meet every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in 10305 South Main Street (Houston Chinese Church), Room 411. For more information, please visit our website at: http://groups.msn.com/southmainspeakers If you have any comments, contributions, or suggestions concerning this or future issues, please send them to [email protected]. Thank you for reading! -Vivian Li, Editor

President’s Corner Big Happenings at South Main Speakers! By Annie M. Ballatore, CTM "February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer." This bleak description of February may have been true for the American short story writer Shirley Jackson, but not for the South Main Speakers! This month, we are planning dynamic and exciting events colorful and joyous. To start off, on February 18th, we will host a cultural event: the celebration of the Chinese New Year. With dragons and fireworks (that is to say powerful speeches and a glittering Table Topics session) we will learn more about each other's backgrounds. How fitting for such a diverse club as the South Main Speakers! This theme meeting will be a great opportunity to bring guests and share the wonderful atmosphere, friendliness and dynamism of our club. Bring your friends and your coworkers to this showcase meeting! February 25th will feature our bi-annual club contest. This time, we will compete in two categories: Tall Tales and International Speech. Contests are challenging and fun! They provide an occasion for each one of us to get out of our comfort zone, to show our talents and to grow as speakers and leaders. You can even use the contest to

speakers and leaders. You can even use the contest to reach some of your educational goals! For instance, a tall tale fits perfectly with the requirements of speech #5 (Your Body Speaks) and speech #6 (Vocal Variety) of the basic manual. Similarly, the International Speech will do well for speech #9 (Persuade with Power) or speech #10 (Inspire your Audience). On contest day, participate by giving speeches and cheering on your fellow Toastmasters! Truly, with so many exciting happenings at South Main Speakers this month, it seems obvious that Shirley Jackson’s description of February is in dire need of a renovation. How about “February, when the days of winter are scattered with a multitude of opportunities for fun and excitement!”

Anniversaries & Milestones Milestones

February February 11: Tall Tales Contest Video

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Fond farewell to Ashish Sinha, who is moving back with his family to India this month. He plans to take the lessons he learned here with South Main Speakers and apply them to his new Toastmasters club in India. We wish him the best of luck! Annie Ballatore, CTM, celebrates her two-year anniversary with South Main Speakers this month! That sounds like FUN!
…But what is a tall tale?!! A tall tale is a story that claims to explain the reason for some natural phenomenon, or sometimes illustrates how skilled, intelligent, and/or powerful the subject of the tale was. In either case, the tall tale is fictional and usually obviously so. It can, however, be based on a real figure in history. Very often, the tall tale is told in a manner that is intentionally ridiculous.

If you plan to compete in the Tall Tales Contest, this is a meeting you cannot miss! The video shows previous tall tales competitors on contest day, so it will familiarize you with how is the tall tales contest.

February 18: Chinese New Year Celebration Invite your friends and family to the South Main Speakers Chinese New Year themed meeting! Come celebrate the Year of the Pig Toastmasters style! We’ll learn about the holiday through special speeches and table topics.

February 25: Tall Tales Contest and the Toastmasters International Speech Contest Brush up your tall tales and your best speech! Tall tales speeches are open to any member who is in good standing. The tall tale has to be 3-5 minutes. Members in good standing who have completed at least 6 manual speeches are eligible to compete in the International Speech Contest. The speech has to be 57 minutes. Winners from South Main Speakers will represent our club at the district level.

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New Member Spotlight Please give a warm welcome to our newest (but definitely not new to Toastmasters!) member, Michael Plaks, ATM-B. In his own words to the club: For years, Americans worried about the Russians coming. Indeed, one of them came to the U.S. in 1992 and stayed. 10 years later, he joined a Toastmasters club in Houston and won 1st place in District 56 Tall Tales and Humorous speech contests. His name is Michael Plaks. Michael reflects that his Tall Tales experience proved invaluable in his professional practice as an income tax advisor who defends his clients against the IRS. His daily dealings with income tax also give Michael material for his humorous speeches. After all, one really has to have a sense of humor to appreciate the IRS rules! How many of you remember the old action movie "Red Heat"? In that movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger played a Russian policeman: a Michael’s cats drink only the finest tall, muscular, fearless man of very few words. If this has been your image of the Russians, you will be quite surprised to see Michael. He is the exact opposite of Arnold: short, athletically challenged, very - and I mean - VERY talkative, and with a sense of humor. Well, with a Russian sense of humor anyway. And here is his most striking difference from Arnold: his heavy Russian accent is 100% authentic. Michael spends his spare time with his very supportive family that includes three boys, four cats, and one wife (so far). .

How Toastmasters Changed My Life Contributed by Annie M. Ballatore, CTM

It was a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon when, two years ago, I attended my very first Toastmasters meeting, hoping it would help me improve my public speaking. Who knew that joining the South Main Speakers on that dreary day would soon become the most monumental decision in my life! It did not take more than one meeting for me to become enthralled and join the South Main Speakers. As I look back from this two-year anniversary, I am floored by the impact that decision made on my life.

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When I first joined the club, it was mindboggling simply to multi-task during meetings. Though I was inclined to sit back and relax, listening to my fellows’ speeches, the friendly club atmosphere encouraged me to start taking on meeting roles. But what a challenge that turned out to be! The first time I was timer, I did not hear a single word of any speech. How could I possibly keep track of time and pay attention! But meeting by meeting, I began to remember a little of what I had heard while also concentrating on my role. To my elation, one day I realized that I could easily time the speakers and enjoy the speeches! This breakthrough made my confidence soar so that, after that pivotal moment, I gained the confidence to take on other challenges.

because I know I will continue to change my life with Toastmasters.

Encouraged to give speeches, studying the manual to meet the project requirements, I improved my ability to organize my thoughts and effectively present them. Persuaded to become officer, I worked on my leadership skills and discovered that I could be a leader. Moreover, it was not long before I saw these communication and leadership skills and my newly-found confidence make an enormous impact on my personal and professional life. At work, I began to lead my group more effectively. At home, I broke through my shyness and now make friends with ease.

I had the privilege of attending my first professional tennis match in 1994. It was the U.S. Open, and it was a mere two subway stops from where I lived. I saw the legendary Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf, and Martina Hingis glide effortlessly to win each of their matches. Stadium hotdogs, frozen yogurt and Budweiser beer usually seen at baseball games was replaced by grilled Panini sandwiches, Haagen Dazs ice cream and Heineken beer. I felt very proper and I admired the game for its grandeur.

Undeniably, I am now making accomplishments that I never thought I could have done: speaking at the TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) in front of an unknown crowd of fifty people, participating in speech contests, and being president of my club! What a long way I have come from that first Sunday afternoon two years ago. As I look back from my anniversary, I am enthralled with my progress and, more importantly, I am excited

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The Beautiful Man by Renay Jacob, ATM-B with help from Frank de Ford of National Public Radio

Around that time, a young Roger Federer circuited the junior tennis championships. Few people thought he would accomplish everything he has until now. The amazing thing about Roger is that not only do many famous tennis authorities speculate that he may become the greatest tennis player ever to pick up a racket, but that he may already be the prettiest. It is almost as if he were so beautiful on the court that it’s worth paying to see him play even if he doesn’t win, which, of course, he does most every time. There is such an South Main Monthly

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effortless quality to his game. He always seems to be at the right place at the right time. He glides; never scurries. His strokes are so perfect that it’s as though he lifted out of a manual – picture perfect. Being a champion in any sport doesn’t necessarily equate to beauty. The finest players are often by the very nature of their excellence, too ingenuous. This means that they are impressionists who create a new model rather than improve on the loveliness that preceded them. I have never seen Joe DiMaggio play, but from everything I heard about him, he seemed to be the equivalent on center field that Roger is on center court – all grace and majesty. The fact that he still hits an oldfashioned one-handed backhand certainly helps. The two-handed backhand, which most players have used since Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert came to glory, can never look so stylish. This is because two hands can never achieve the lovely arching reach and extension of one. The two-handed jerks; the one-handed flows. It’s good that we have Justine HeninHardenne, the fabulous little Belgian champion around, because she hits a backhand for the angels. It reminds us that Mr. Federer is still short of perfection. Of course, although he utterly dominates on the hard courts and grass, he is still vulnerable on clay to the very best dirt specialist. But it will take an opponent playing well beyond his usual talents to deny Roger a repeat championship at the Grand Slams this year. Roger Federer already has 10 Grand Slam titles. His most recent title was on January 28, 2007 where he won the Australian Open without losing a single set through the entire tournament. At the time of going to press, Roger has a 36-

week streak of not losing a match; the fifth longest in the Open Era. Pete Sampras just set the record with 14. He should keep it for, oh, another 2 or 3 years. And, if anyone can beat Roger, it must be done before the finals. As they say of Roger . . . never on Sunday. By winning the 2007 Australian Open, Mr. Federer became the first man in the open era to win three straight Grand Slam singles titles twice in his career. Victory in six major finals! That’s almost beyond comprehension in any sport today. So, come next championship Sunday we should expect to see him jumping the net in victory yet once again. No . . . excuse me . . . strike that. Tennis champions used to jump over the net. Now, the men anyway, all fall down in triumph. It’s bizarre. I believe it started with Bjorn Borg. He would collapse to his knees. Oh no guys, that’s not the way to win! All other champions rise up in victory; you throw your arms up; you shake your fists to the heavens; you exalt. Basketball players raise their fingers on high. “We’re number one!” they say. Football players even find someone to hoist on their shoulders. Victory is up, up. Only modern male tennis players act like losers when they win. Roger is the worst of the lot. He tends to fall flat out. C’mon Roger! As gorgeous as you are in everything else, why do you have to take victory lying down?

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fight against obesity, the controversy of international adoption and many other issues and stories.

About People Magazine by Lu Yao Among the many magazines I subscribe, People is the most down-to-the-earth and “low-profile” one (despite the high-profile stars it covers). Though I don’t know how popular People magazine is, I do know that it is a consistently successful magazine in history. The editorial focus of this magazine is on the compelling stories of both the famous and infamous, and ordinary and extraordinary in today’s America. I subscribed to this magazine two years ago out of the consideration of familiarizing myself with American pop culture. I knew that knowing movie and TV stars, singers and other celebrity people in the spotlight was a good starting point since they play a vital role in forming American pop culture. Then after a few issues, I found that I fell in love with this magazine not only because it fulfilled my goal of getting to know American pop culture, but also because I was consistently touched by the extraordinary life of ordinary people reported by the magazine—their struggles, dilemmas and triumphs. From People’s report, I know about autism (a developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central nervous system), the severe and even fatal allergy reaction to peanuts (from the report on a Canadian teenage girl who tragically died after kissing her boyfriend who had peanut cake a few hours ago), American children’s

People serves as a guide on what are hot in the arts, science, business, politics, television, movies, books, music and sports. It offers quick picks and pans on what's up in entertainment. One of the sections I find quite useful is the movie rating section. Some critics give their opinion on the newly released movies and issue a rating out of a star scale (with four stars representing the worth-to-watch ones). Whenever my husband and I go for a movie, we check People’s ratings because it seems that the critics and we have the same taste. Any movies that are given three stars below are excluded from our watch list. P.S. (a few more things) 1. As for the celebrity’s glamorous lifestyle or the most recent fashion tips, I have to admit that after a few issues I got tired of it. I got no guilty pleasure from reading their stories any more. 2. The celebrity news on People is more “real” than other similar “gossip” magazines such as US Weekly and Intouch. I’ve heard that People have a $3-million-a-year factchecking department. I also like the magazine’s flashy, full-color high-quality photography. 2. Though I like them, I do think that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt get too much attention from the magazine. There is no single issue that they didn’t appear on it. Brief introduction to People magazine from Wikipedia.com People is a weekly American magazine of celebrity and human interest stories, published by Time Inc. As of 2006, it has a circulation of 3.73 million and revenue

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expected to top $1.5 billion. It was named "Magazine of the Year" by Advertising Age in October 2005, for excellence in editorial, circulation and advertising. The magazine, whose full name is People Weekly, runs a roughly 50/50 mix of celebrity and human interest stories, a ratio it has maintained, according to its editors, since 2001. People's editors claim to refrain from printing pure celebrity gossip, enough so to lead celebrity publicists to propose exclusives to the magazine, evidence of what one staffer calls a "publicist-friendly strategy." People has a website, http://www.people.com, which focuses exclusively on celebrity news. People is perhaps best known for its yearly special issues naming "The 50 Most Beautiful People", "The Best and Worst Dressed", and "The Sexiest Man Alive".

It was a gorgeous day to take pictures. Though it had rained earlier in the morning, the sky had cleared up by noon and the sun was shining brilliantly. It was a chilly day and the wind was blowing hard that I needed my wind jacket to keep myself warm.

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What a Day at Hermann Park! by Vivek Rajan

The effect of the wind was even noticeable in the reflection pool as it wasn’t reflecting the Pioneer Monument Obelisk. Walking further down to the McGovern Lake, I saw ducks swimming in a calm and peaceful manner.

My visit to Hermann Park on Christmas Day last year was a very enjoyable one. With my digital camera around my neck, I was taking a stroll in the park clicking away at anything I thought was interesting.

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Getting away from the dog, the ducks started gathering around some kids who had started feeding them cheese puffs. They were happily relishing the yummy free snack but that didn’t last very long.

Some of the ducks were outside the lake, idly stretching their wings seeming to enjoy the sun.

The noisy seagulls circling over the lake were aggressive to dive down and grab the cheese puffs before the ducks could get to it. I had managed to capture all these activities in my camera. By then, my hands were beginning to freeze up so I stopped taking pictures, got into my car, turned up the heat and drove back home.

But their calmness was destroyed by a cheerful hyperactive little dog that was off its leash. The dog was madly chasing and scaring the ducks away until they flew back into the lake. It was a funny sight.

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Ask the Master Dear Master, I have heard veteran members of our club

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say not to end our speeches with “thank you,” since it’s meaningless (the audience should thank the speaker for the information he or she shared, not the other way around). So we are told to end the speech by just saying “Mr./Madam Toastmaster,” and wait for the applause, but that also sounds like an awkward ending. Are there any better ways to end a speech? — Unsure Endings

The Invitation Close If you were concluding a speech on the importance of getting involved in the education process, you could say: "More than 450 years before the birth of Christ, Confucius said: 'What I hear, I forget. What is see, I remember. What I do, I understand.' Let's do it together. We've heard what we have to do. We've seen what we need to do. Now is the time to do it and together we can. Do it!”

How can you end your speech as confidently as you opened it? Try these 10 tips:

The Quotation Close Find a famous quotation and use it like a lever to lift the close of your speech. If you were concluding a speech on the importance of embracing change, you could say: "Our tomorrow's need new and different solutions today. Recall the insight of President Abraham Lincoln. On the brink of the Civil War, Lincoln looked change directly in the eye and said: 'The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are anew, we must think anew and act anew.'

The Title Close Use the title of your speech as your closing words. Last words linger, galvanizing your message and mobilizing your audience. Just as comedians should "leave 'em laughing," speakers should "leave 'em thinking." (HINT: Try writing the ending of your speech first to better construct the title.)

The Repetitive Close Find a phrase and structure it in a repetitive format, building to a climax like this: "And so what we have been saying is that life is an adventure, dare it. A duty, perform it. An opportunity, take it. A journey, complete it. A promise, fulfill it. A puzzle, solve it. A goal, achieve it. "

The Circular Close Refer back to your opening anecdote or quote and say: "We have arrived now at the close where we began." Reiterate the message you want your audience to remember. Summarize the main points in the classic: "Tell 'em what you are going to tell 'em; tell 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em."

The Sing-Song Close Ask the audience to repeat a phrase a few times in your speech. For example, you might say: "Toastmasters fosters learning." Ask your audience to repeat that phrase on cue. You can end by saying: : "We all know that Toastmasters fosters …" (Pause and coax the audience's response with a wave of your hand to complete the phrase.)

Dear Unsure, As a Toastmaster, you know there must be a better way to conclude your speech. After all, what the grand finale is to a musician, the conclusion is to a speaker. The ending of the speech is a chance to stir the audience to a standing ovation with a resounding call to action - or a gentle tug on the heart strings.

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The Suggestive Close "Before I take questions, let me conclude with this point …" The Congratulatory Close "I salute all of you and everyone in your organization, and I look forward to your continued success…" The Proverbial Close Find a popular phrase and twist it to fit your message like this: "May the transformational force be with you."

The Demonstration Close Use a prop to signal the close of your speech. For example you could close a book and say: "This concludes this chapter in my life and now I stand firm to write my next chapter." Or don a cap as you conclude your speech and say: "It is time for me to head out and find the road to success." Use these 10 techniques and you will be well on your way to developing the ultimate close - the personal signature close - that you'll eventually develop so well that you own it, like Barbara Walters who ends her 20/20 television programs with: "We're in touch, so you'll be in touch."

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