Tip:Keep Your Audience Engaged By Sharing the Stage

Audiences can find monologues boring. They're less willing to sit for an hour while a single speaker drones on. The key to getting and holding their attention is having new things continually happen. You can keep your presentation lively by doing two things:

• Bring in other presenters. You can invite insight from other experts and have them join you on stage or by video (but remember, it is your presentation so don't let the other presenter steal the spot light). You can also look for your audience members to participate by having them ask or answer questions. Bring them up to the stage or have them stand to speak.  
• Be Visually Appealing. Alternate between slides and other media (but not so much to where the audience is confused or overwhelmed). Hang posters and exhibits on the wall (but not too many to where they are distracting). Use video to inject humor, boost credibility through testimonials, or clarify concepts with animated infographics.

Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations.

Record Breaking Meeting

Parsons Toastmasters received eight guests at this week's meeting, breaking our personal record of the most "First Time" guest at one meeting. The theme was "Stress Can Be a Good Thing". Our own President Bill Harmon was the Toastmaster of the day leading the meetings' activities. Member Tina Lenert presented her 9th prepared Speech and we had a number of members and guest particpate in a fun session of Table Topics.

Reminder: Our International Speaker and Table Topics Contests are coming up soon. Please inquiry to find out more on how you can join or attend the contests.

Meeting: Tuesday Jan 15, 2013

The meeting room had a great turn out with15 members and two guests. We had a new member initiation ceremony for Sowmya Venkat, two prepared speeches and several table topics participants. The theme of the day was "Going One Step Beyond" which was a very fitting theme as members and guests pushed themselves to step outside of their comfort zone and practice their public speaking skills. Speeches were presented by our President Bill Harmon and member Vanna Vuong. Thank you to all those who participated in the evaluation team which was lead by Joyce Brew. Don't forget to sign up for roles and guests are always welcome to visit and see why we are a distinguished club.

Parsons Toastmasters Welcomes New Member: Sowmya Venkat

Congratulations to Parsons Toastmasters' Newest Member Sowmya Venkat (seen here with VP of Membership, Rose Abbott). We look forward to your "Ice Breaker" speech.

Leadership And Communication Education (LACE) Training - Jan 12 & 19

The Leadership and Communication Education (LACE) interactive workshops feature 30 hours of training for an economical fee (typically around ($12.00) and is open to the general public as guests of Toastmasters Founder's District.

To register go here http://www.foundersdistrict.org/lace-information

Parsons Toastmasters Begins 2013 with New Board Members

Announcing the New Club Officers (Term Jan. 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013)

President                                               Bill Harmon

Vice President Education                        Tina Lenert

Vice President Membership                     Rose Abbott

Vice President Public Relations               Krystal Rose

Treasurer                                               Viola Tawil

Secretary                                               Ron Morris

Sergeant at Arms                                    Michelle Bender

Know the Impression Your Body Language Makes

Gestures, posture, and facial expressions all convey powerful messages to the people you interact with. Yet far too many people are unaware of the messages their body language sends. Next time you're in an important meeting, ask yourself these two questions:

• Am I fidgeting? If you're sitting still and listening, then all is probably well. But if you're shifting about in your chair, drumming your fingers, or worst of all, looking at your phone, then you can be sure that the person talking feels like you're not interested in what they have to say.
• Am I interrupting? In any healthy debate people will occasionally interrupt. But if you do it a lot, or are leaning in to make your point, people may feel that you're not open to what they are saying