Rydgeshotel
116-118Jamesrusedr, RosehillNSW2150
https://www.parramattatm.au/
CLUB EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executivesupport officer3
MandyChiu,DL1
eso3@parramattatm.au
Postmaster
President
AnuVijayan,EH3 Pres@parramattatm.au
Vice-President ofEducation
DanielMitchell,PM1 VPE@parramattatm.au
Vice-President Membership VicePresidentPublicRelations
EoinGubbins,PM1 VPM@parramattatm.au
MarchaAlexander vppr@parramattatm.au
SECRETARY TREASURER
JohnNew,DTM sec@parramattatm.au
SergeantatArms
UmairKhan,DL3 saa@parramattatm.au
NarelleTumminello treas@parramattatmau
ImmediatePast President
SabeshSitsabesan,MS1 ipp@parramattatm.au Webmaster
GaryWilson,DTM webmaster@parramattatm.au
JohnNew,DTM postmaster@parrmattatm.au
Executivesupport officer1
RobTibbertsma,IP3 eso1@parramattatm.au
Executivesupport officer2
RosinaTombs eso2@parramattatm.au
LETTERFROM THEPRESIDENT
Theonlywayapersonoranorganisationwill growisbyembracingchangeandadapting themselvestothechangingways.
Iamproudtopresentthefirst newsletterofthisToastmasters years.Ithasbeencraftedwithlots ofzealandpassionbyourbrand newVPPRMarchaAlexanderwho bringsheryearsofexperiencein marketingandcommunicationto thisrole.
WiththerevampedParranattawe hopetoevokearenewedinterestin ournewsletter.Hopefullymembers willreadandcontribute,forthe
writtenwordisjustas importantasthespokenword foreffectivecommunication.
Theonlywayapersonoran organisationwillgrowisby embracingchangeand adaptingthemselvestothe changingways.Inkeepingwith thetimesweareembracinga newsletterformatthatwillbe moreversatileandbeautiful digitally.
Wewillhaveeducational articles,personalstories, memberexperiencesand sneakpeakstoupcoming eventsineveryissue.Ihope youwillenjoyreadingitjust asmuchasweareenjoying theprocessofputtingit together.
AnuVijayan President
MONTH OFJULY
OurToastmastersmagazineisatestamenttothecollectivetalentsanddedicationofour members.Eachissueisacelebrationoftheiruniquejourneysandaccomplishments,as theycontinuetogrowanddeveloptheircommunicationandleadershipskills.Featured abovefromlefttorightarephotosfromthelifeboatdebate,Christinewinningthe ToastmasteroftheYearawardattheClubchangeovermeeting andMichaelSaid
ChristineHuynhEmbracingGrowth andInspiringOthers onHerToastmasters Journey
WhenChristineHuynhjoined Toastmastersinlate2016,shewas lookingtorefineherpublicspeaking skillsasateacher.Littledidsheknow thatthisdecisionwouldleadherto becomeToastmasteroftheYearjusta fewyearslater.Inanexclusiveinterview, Christinesharesherinspiringjourney andthevaluablelessonsshe'slearned alongtheway.
CHRISTINEHUYNH
ParramattaClubToastmasterofthe
Year:AJourneyofGrowthand
ChristineHyunh-ParramattaClubToastmasteroftheyear
DivingDeepintoToastmasters
Christine'spathtosuccessbeganwith asimpleyetpowerfulmindset:"Why not?"Whenopportunitiesarosetotake onleadershiprolesandcontributeto theorganization,sheembracedthem wholeheartedly."Idecidedtodoa deepdiveintoToastmasters," Christineexplains."Itookontherole ofVPE,becameanAreaDirector, assistedincharteringaclub,and participatedinadjudication."
Thiswillingnesstostepoutofher comfortzoneandtakeonnew challengessetChristineapart.Her contributionsasanAreaDirector, organizingtheArea4Contest,and helpingrecharteraclub(nowcalled SundaySpeakers)werepivotalinher journeytobecomingToastmasterof theYear
PersonalandProfessionalGrowth
ChristinecreditsParramatta Toastmastersforprovidinga supportiveenvironmentforlearning andgrowth.
"Thecluballowsgrowthatevery meeting,"shesays."Ilove watchingmembersandbringing hometakeawaysofwhatI'dliketo doonstage."
Herexperienceinvariousexecutive roleshasalsotaughthervaluable lessonsaboutteamdynamicsand leadership.Christinereflects,"It hasmademeconsidertheleaderI wanttobe"
"Takerisks.Beinguncomfortableis important;itmeansyou'regrowing.
Yourclubistheretosupportyou, andtheywon'tletyoufall,butthey wanttoseeyougrow."
OvercomingChallenges
WhileChristinehumblystatesthat she'snotanexceptional communicatoryet,sheemphasizes theimportanceofperseverance andgoal-setting."Aslongasyou wanttogrow,youcan!"she encourages.Herjourneyisa testamenttothepowerof continuousimprovementand embracingdiscomfortasasignof growth.
AdviceforAspiringToastmasters
Tothosejuststartingtheir Toastmastersjourney,Christine offersthisadvice:"Takerisks. Beinguncomfortableisimportant; itmeansyou'regrowing.Yourclub istheretosupportyou,andthey won'tletyoufall,buttheywantto seeyougrow."
LookingAhead
AsToastmasteroftheYear, Christineplanstouseherplatform toinspireothers.Sheaimstoshare herjourney,encouragerisk-taking, andsupportfellowToastmastersin theirgrowth.Herstoryservesasa reminderthatwithdedication,a willingnesstolearn,andthe supportofastrongcommunity, anyonecanachieveremarkable successintheirpublicspeaking journey.
Toastmasters,fromnavigatingthe challengesofCOVID-19to witnessingthegrowthoffellow members,hasreinforcedherbelief inthepowerofperseveranceand community.Asshecontinuesher journeytowardsbecominga DistinguishedToastmaster, ChristineHyunhstandsasan inspirationtoallwhoaspireto improvetheircommunicationand leadershipskills.
AncientGreek WisdomonGreat SpeechesStill RelevantToday?
2,500YearsAgotheAncientGreeks BelievedEveryGreatSpeechMust Contain3Elements.It’sStillTrueToday
BYJESSICASTILLMAN Inc.Australia
TheancientGreeks’approachtopublicspeakinghas withstoodthetestoftimeandisstillthesecretof persuasiontoday.
Ifyou’relookingforadviceonhowtobecomeagreatpublic speaker,thereareplentyofpeopleyoucangoto.Speaking coaches,VCs,Hollywooddirectors,jazzmusicians,andMIT professorshaveallofferedworthytipsandsuggestions.
Butperhapsthemostcompellingadviceofallcomesfrom themostunlikelysource ancientGreekphilosophers. Beforeyougroanandclickaway,hearmeout. Butperhapsthemostcompellingadviceofallcomesfrom themostunlikelysource ancientGreekphilosophers. Beforeyougroanandclickaway,hearmeout. Muchhaschangedinthe2,500orsoyearssinceAristotle andPlatowerewalkingaroundanagoradiscussingtheir ideas.Ourlifestyles,tech,andunderstandingoftheworld arewildlydifferent.Buthumanbeingsthemselveshaven’t changedmuch.
Evolutionisslow.Ourbrainsare basicallywiredthesamewaythenas now.AndwhatworkedinancientAthens beforespeakershadtheadvantageof fancyslidesandeye-catchinggraphics willalmostcertainlyworknow.Plus, theseideashavewithstoodmillennia. Theymustbeprettyworthwhile.You could,ofcourse,takewholecollege coursesonwhattheGreekshadtosay aboutwhattheycalledrhetoricand whatmostmodernentrepreneurswould calldeliveringagreatspeechor presentation Butfortime-pressed professionals,let’sstartwiththe fundamentals.AncientGreekthinkers taughtthateveryconvincingspeech shouldcontainthreeessentialelements.
1.Ethos
EthosistheancientGreekword forcharacter.Aristotletaught thatspeakersmustestablish theirethos theircharacter, credibility,orauthoritytospeak onasubject fortheirwordsto persuadeanyone.Withoutthis essentialfirstingredient,even themostcleverandwell-worded argumentswillfallflat.
"Ifyouwanttobea greatspeaker,you needtomasterethos, pathos,andlogos."
“Youraudienceneedstoknow (ortobelieve,whichinrhetoric addsuptothesamething)that youaretrustworthy,thatyou havealocusstanditotalkonthe subject,andthatyouspeakin goodfaith.Youneedyour audiencetobelievethatyouare, inthewell-knownwords,‘A prettystraightkindofguy,’” journalistSamLeithexplainedin hisbookongreatrhetoric throughtheages,WordsLike LoadedPistols.
Howdoyouestablishthisgood standingwiththeaudience?“Noone likesabraggeroraname-dropper But undersellingyourselfcanbejustas damagingtoyourchancesofmaking animpactwithyourpresentation,” warnsBigThink’sKrisFlegg.“Often, therightbalancecanbestruckwith casestudiesandexamples.” Youmightmentionpeopleor companiesyou’veworkedwithtouse socialprooftoestablishyour credentials.Academicsmightmention theiruniversityoraffiliations.Hard numbershelptoo.“It’smucheasierto tellanaudiencethatyou’vebeen coachingfor15yearsthanitistotell themthatyou’rethebestcoach around,”Fleggpointsout. Theideaisn’ttotootyourhornto enjoythesweetsoundofself-praise. It’stofosteryouraudience’sbasic trustthatyouhavetheknowledgeand charactertotalkaboutwhateveritis you’regoingtotalkabout
2.Logos
OK,nowyouraudiencetrustsyou. Whatareyougoingtotellthem? Logosisthecontentofyourspeech theactualideasyou’retryingtoget acrossandthewayyoulinkthem together.Andwhenitcametohowto dothis,Aristotleagreedwith contemporarywritingteachers: “Show,don’ttell.”
“Aristotlehadatiphere:Hefound thatthemosteffectiveuseoflogos istoencourageyouraudienceto reachtheconclusiontoyour argumentontheirown,just momentsbeforeyourbigreveal. Theywillrelishinthefactthatthey werecleverenoughtofigureitout, andtherevealwillbethatmuch moresatisfying,”explainsthe FarnamStreetblog.
Offeringstatisticsaboutyourtopicis onething.Sharingamovingstory abouthowyourproductoridea impactedanindividualisanappealto pathos.Soisinvokingtheaudience’s feelingsofempathy,anger, frustration,orevenpatriotismorduty. Youmightevendisplayalittlewelltimedemotionyourself
"Publicspeakingisan artformthatgoes beyondmerewords. It’saboutcaptivating anaudience,inspiring emotions,and persuadingthemto takeaction."
Byusingevidence,anecdotes,and solidlogictoleadyouraudienceto theconclusionsyouwantthemto draw,youenlisttheminyour speech.That’sbothmore entertainingandmorepersuasive thanjustflatouttellingthemwhat theyshouldthink.
3.Pathos
Sofar,sological.Butasyoumay haveobserved,humansarenot 100percentlogicalcreatures.Far fromit.SoaccordingtoAristotle andotherancientGreekthinkers,a trulygreatspeechmustnotjust haveacrediblespeakermaking logicallysoundarguments.Itmust alsohavepathos,oremotion.
Theideaistomakeyouraudience feel,notjustthink.Butyoudon’twant tooverdoit.
“Inordertowork,pathosneedstobe usedsparingly,whereithasthe strongestimpact,andinawaythat feelsnatural.Ifforced,pathoscan havetheoppositeeffect,making peopledistancethemselvestoavoid theawkwardnessofyouremotional outpouring,”warnsneuroscientistand NessLabsfounderAnne-LaureLe Cunffinherowndeep-divepostonthe ancientGreekapproachtopersuasion. Putthesethreeelementstogether, andyouhadarecipefortrue persuasion2,500yearsago andyou havetherecipeforitnow.
BeyondPublicSpeaking: TheUnexpectedLife LessonsfromMy ToastmastersJourney
BlogoftheMonth
ByDanielMitchell
WhenIfirstjoinedToastmasters,IthoughtImightimprovemypublicspeaking.Littledid Iknow,itwouldalsoenhancemyconfidence,listeningskills,andleadershipabilities. Toastmastershasfar-reachingbenefitsforpersonalandprofessionaldevelopment,and I'dliketosharehowithashelpedmehonetheseessentialskills.
WhenIfirstjoinedToastmasters,Ihadavagueidea thatImightimprovemypublicspeaking.LittledidI know,therewouldbemanyotherbenefitsformy personalandprofessionaldevelopment.Whetherit's heconfidencetospeakinmeetings,theabilityto stenactively,ortheskillstoleadateam, oastmasterscompetencieshavefar-reaching pplications.I’dliketosharemyobservationsonhow oastmastersishelpingmehonetheseimportantskills nmyeverydaylife.
uildingConfidenceinCommunication ikemanypeoplewhojoinToastmasters,Ihave oticedaboostinconfidencethatcomesfromregular racticeinspeaking.I’vefoundthatspeaking,like therskills,benefitsfrompractice.Toastmaster meetingsprovideopportunitiesformembersto racticetheseskillsthroughundertakingvarious ssignments.What’smore,thisoccurswithina upportiveenvironmentwhereeffortisencouraged, ndfeedbackisprovided,allowingmembersto mproveandbuildtheirconfidence.
sanEnglishlanguageteacher,Ifrequentlyvisit choolstosupportEnglishLanguageLearners(ELL tudents)andtheirteachers.Withyearsofexperience nmyjob,IfeltIhadasufficientlevelofconfidence uringthesevisits AfterafewmonthsatToastmasters, venoticedthatmyconfidencehasimprovedina ubtlebutsignificantway.Now,talkingtoteachersand choolleadersfeelsmoreengagingandimpactful. haringinsightshasbecomemorenatural,andI’m urermyopinionsarebeingarticulatedclearly.
offersnumerousleadershipopportunities.These experiencesaredirectlytransferabletoprofessional settings."
Recently,duringateammeeting,I hadtheopportunitytoconfidently presenttomycolleagues,whoare educationalleaders.Ihad completedsomeprofessional learningonusingAppleproductsto enhanceteachingforstudentswith barrierstolearningandwaseager tosharemyfindings Istoodup anddeliveredamini-workshopon variousAppleappsandfeatures.
Myteamfoundtheinformation incrediblyuseful.Wesharedafew laughsasIdemonstratedsomeof themoreentertainingapps,like ‘Clips,’whichallowsyoutomake ‘TikTok’-stylevideosusing animationsandeye-catching graphics asurprisinglyhandytool forengagingstudentslearning English.
ActiveListeningandEmpathy Theothersideofspeakingis,of course,listening
InToastmastersmeetings,I’vefoundthat listeningskillscanbeasimportantas speakingskills.Toastmastersemphasizes theimportanceofactivelistening,askill invaluableinpersonalandprofessional contexts.Intheworkplace,active listeningleadstobetterunderstanding andcollaborationamongteammembers. Itallowsformoreeffectiveproblemsolvingandensuresallvoicesareheard, fosteringamoreinclusiveandproductive environment.
Mylisteningskillshaveimproved because,thankstoToastmasters,Iplace agreateremphasisonlistening. thome,Inowfindmyselfgenuinely listeningtomydaughtersandmywife, ratherthanjustnoddingalongwhile mentallyplanningwhatsandwichI’ll makeforlunch.I’velearnedtolisten actively,whichmeansIcanofferuseful advicewhenmywifediscussesherwork thoughI’mcarefulnottooverdoit.Most ofthetime,Ijustlisten,whichI’vefound isoftenallthat’sneeded.
LeadershipDevelopment
Toastmastersisnotjustabout publicspeaking;itoffersnumerous leadershipopportunities.Ateach meeting,Iseememberstakeon rolessuchasclubofficersor mentorsandembracethe opportunitytodevelop organizationalandleadership skills Theseexperiencesare directlytransferableto professionalsettings Leadership skillsarevaluableassetsinalmost everyprofessionandwork environment Havingrecently takenontheroleofVicePresident ofEducationatParramatta Toastmastersclub,Iamawareof theopportunitythisexperience offers
Leadershipwasn’tmymaingoal whenIjoinedToastmasters,but I’mthoroughlyenjoyingmyroleas partoftheParramatta ToastmastersClubexecutiveteam (sofar!).Myworkislargely autonomous,butwithinmyteam, I’vetakenonaleadershiprole, guidingmycolleaguesthroughthe processofcreatingprofessional learningcoursesforclassroom teachers.I’veenjoyedshowing themhowtousetheCANVAS platform,anonlinetechnologyfor deliveringself-pacedcourses.I’ve alsobeenabletoadvisemyteam onthecontenttoincludeinour coursemodulesaboutteaching strategiesclassroomteacherscan usetosupporttheirELLstudents. It’sbeenrewardingtoseethem gainconfidenceandexpertise, muchlikemyownjourneywith Toastmasters.
ImprovingTime
Duringmyinitial meetings,Irecall andsomewhatin structurethatme Therewerestrict assignment,asw andevaluations understandthatt beneficialinteac importanceoftim Thisdisciplineis professionalenvi deadlinesandeff paramount. Balancingwork,h Toastmasterscom requiredsomese managementskil supportingmystudents,spending qualitytimewithmyfamily,and pursuingmyotherinterests,itoften feelslikeI’vegotalotonmyplate.
Now,withcompletingToastmasters assignmentsandfulfillingmydutiesasthe VicePresidentofEducation(VPE)at Toastmasters,itseemsI’mjugglingmore thanIeverthoughtpossible!Yet,somehow,it allgetsdone.Maybethekeytogreattime managementisjustaddingmoretothemix?
Conclusion
Inallhonesty,joiningToastmastershasbeen oneofthebestdecisionsI’vemade.It’snot justaboutimprovingpublicspeaking;it’s aboutbecomingabettercommunicator, listener,andleader WhetherI’matwork,at home,orataToastmastersmeeting,the skillsI’vegainedcontinuetoenhancemy interactionsandrelationships.Toanyone who’severconsideredjoiningToastmasters,I highlyrecommendit.Youneverknowjust howmuchyou’llgrow orhowmuchmore you’llbeabletohandle!
DURAL LIFE BOAT
AWARDS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fromlaughter-filledcompetitionstothemedsocialsandaninternationalconference,these gatheringscelebratethetransformativepowerofcommunicationandleadership.Let'sdive intothedetailsandexplorewhateacheventhasinstore!
Asweeagerlyanticipatetheupcoming eventsinourToastmasterscommunity,we havealottolookforwardto!
FirstupisourHumorousSpeechContest onthe5thofSeptember2024,where memberswillshowcasetheircomedic and storytellingskills.Getreadyforanevening filledwithlaughterandfriendly competition!
Next,preparetounleashyourinner superheroatourSuperheroSocial themedmeetingonthe15thofAugust 2024.Comedressedasyourfavorite superhero,orcreateyourownalterego,as weexplorethepowersofcommunication andleadershiptogether
Lastly,thehighly-anticipatedToastmasters InternationalConference onthe14-17th August2024 Thisgatheringbrings togethermembersfromaroundtheglobe, offeringopportunitiesfornetworking, learning,andgrowth.Staytunedformore detailsonthisinspiringevent.
Joinusfortheseexcitingeventsand experiencethecamaraderieand passionthatmakeourToastmasters communitytrulyextraordinary!
Session1-6thofAugust
FourconsecutiveTuesdaysfrom 6.30pmto9.30pm byParticipatingyoucan:
Session2-13thofAugust
Session3-20thofAugust
Session4-27thofAugust
ContactUSnow
SabeshSitsabesan 0450406663
speechcraft@parramattatm.au
WentyLeaguesClub,50 SmithSt,Wentworthville
Toregisterusethelinkbelow
Becomeaconfidentspeaker
Overcomefears,masterpublicspeaking fundamentals,andcommunicateeffectivelyin varioussettings.
Developessentialleadershipskills
Enhanceabilitiesinfeedback,mentoring, organizingmeetings,andbuildingprofessional networks.
Boostpersonal&careergrowth
Gain practical experience, advance your career, and apply acquired skills to enrich yourpersonallife.
Aswereachtheendofthiseditionof ourToastmastersnewsletter,we wouldliketotakeamomentto expressoursinceregratitudetoall thosewhohavecontributedtomaking thispublicationasuccess.Your insightfularticles,thought-provoking interviews,andengaginganecdotes havehelpedtocreateavaluable resourceforourcommunity,inspiring eachofustocontinueonourjourney ofpersonalgrowthanddevelopment Thankyoutoourtalentedwriters, dedicatededitors,andloyalreaders foryourunwaveringcommitmentto theToastmastersspirit Wecouldn't havedoneitwithoutyoursupport, andwelookforwardtomanymore editionsfilledwithwisdom,learning, andcamaraderie.Untilnexttime, keepraisingthebarandstrivingfor excellenceinyourcommunicationand leadershipendeavors!
