A Toastastic Experience

As I entered the crowded room full of friendly but predominately unfamiliar faces on the evening of Friday, March 28, 2008, I began to feel the first stages of nervousness. Where am supposed to sit? Who is my competition? Why did volunteer for this? These were just a few of the questions spiraling through my mind. I stood awkwardly in the corner clutching my bag and unsuccessfully hiding my anxiety behind an ill at ease smile. However, this period of confusion and discomfiture did not last long.

Area Governor Mark Carlos greeted me in true toastmasters fashion with a kind and reassuring smile and words of encouragement. As I was introduced to my fellow toastmasters and given more encouragement by District Governor Gary Pettigrew, my nervousness grew into excitement.

Soon the Chief Judge was calling for the contestants to congregate in a corner of the room where we drew numbers for our speaking order, were briefed of the contest rules and completed questioners about ourselves for the contest Toastmaster.

Model speaker Louise Houdelette gave a stellar speech on leadership. It was not a simple task finding even a nugget of constructive criticism for such an eloquent communicator. After she completed her speech the four other contestants and myself were escorted out of the room by the Sergeant At Arms where we were give 5 short minutes to complete our notes. I then reluctantly surrendered them to the Sergeant At Arms.

Each evaluator was escorted back into the contest room where they then gave there 2-3 minute evaluation of the Mrs. Houdelette's speech while the contestants who had not yet taken their turn waited anxiously down the hall and around the corner.

"Contestant number 3", it was my turn. I stood in the back of the room as the Toastmaster introduced me , "Christina Monette. Contestant number 3. Christina Monette". I walked to front of the room with every ounce of confidence I could muster up. About 2 minutes and a few awkward pauses later I was shaking the Toastmasters hand again and taking a seat where I watched the two evaluations that followed my own.

Well, I didn't win a plaque but I got something better, an amazing opportunity to sit and even speak in the presence of master communicators and leaders! The intermission between the Evaluation Contest and the International Speech Contest was full of praise and heartfelt congratulations from several toastmasters included Mr. Pettigrew who commended me on my improvements sense he had last attended one of TLC's meetings. What an honor. During the international speech competition I had the privilege to witness 4 more amazing speeches.

I left that night with a participation certificate in my hand and a determination in my soul to continue on my quest to become a polished speaker and an effective leader. I am enthusiastically looking forward to the Table Topics and Humorous Speech contests in the fall. My hope is that will be able to conduct our own contest at the club level.

A special thanks to Tracy Harrison and Mark Holtz for there superb coaching!