This
Toastmasters meeting I learned a simple lesson. Right before the meeting, I got
an agenda sheet with all the assigned roles on it. This meeting, I was the Word Master, so I
will give the Word of the Day. The Word of the Day is a specific word that we
hope people will use as a new vocabulary word which may be used throughout the meeting and beyond. Before the meeting, I
wrote the word of the day “Agility”
which means quick witted on the whiteboard that spins around. With a spinning
whiteboard, I can write the word and no one can see the word until I present it
to the group later.
The
Toastmaster went over the agenda to make sure people were there to fulfill
their roles and plug in people for the unfulfilled roles.
I was second
on the agenda sheet to present. After all the roles were filled the meeting
started. The Toastmaster called up the first role which was the Opener. The
opener did a great job in setting the tone for the meeting with insightful
wisdom.
Next up on
the written agenda was the Word Master, me.
As the Toastmaster is moving to the next role, he introduces the 90 second training tip
person. That should have been an
indication to me to stay seated until I am actually called to come to the lectern.
As the
Toastmaster shakes the hand and thanks the 90-second training person, I am
thinking I am next and I should get ready.
I stand up and get ready to move to the lectern. Then, the Toastmaster
introduces the Joke Master for the Joke of the Day.
I am
standing there and someone who is seated with me, looks up and smiles. I
quickly sit down. I am not embarrassed, but my momentum is taken down a couple
of notches.
Finally, I
am called to come to the lectern to give the word of the day. My energy level
comes back and I deliver a good “word of the day.”
My take away
from this experience is very simple is to stay seated unless already standing
until I hear my role and name is called.
What I’ve Have Learned This Week At Toastmasters is that the agenda may
have the order, but it can change and I have to be flexible, just bend, but
never break.
Art Byrd has been a member of Executive
408 Toastmasters Youngstown, since 2009.
He has
achieved his Competent Communicator, Advanced Bronze, Silver and Gold. Competent
Leader and Advanced Leader Bronze. He is working on his Advanced Silver.
Currently,
Art is the Vice President of Public Relations for Toastmasters 408 and
the Area
Governor for Area 13 in District 10 in Ohio.
