European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Pam rungu1st staff writer take a serious question like Quot what s the True meaning of Christmas Quot or Quot should telephones be capable of automatically screening incoming phone Calls Quot and think of an answer fast. Not just any answer but a coherent logical response Hal Falls within a two minute Lime period. And watch out for Quot has Quot and  someone m the audience will be counting most people shun this sort of Public speaking exercise its the kind that makes Palms begin to sweat and Knees snarl to wobble but Lor members of the Stuttgart International toastmaster club a Public speaking group that meets biweekly at the Holiday inn in sind Ellingen. West Germany these Impromptu discussions Are just a warm up. Their real workouts Are the prepared speeches and critiques that follow during each meeting Quot i would t exactly describe our meetings As relaxing says club member Klaus Oden amp Lder an employee of ism in Stuttgart Quot but they always Are an interesting experience our club is a Cross cultural group and there Are alot of stimulating discussions Quot the value of new year s resolutions Ozone layer depletion and a Are you getting the most out of Youra Toast talking i is photos by Ken George Leisure Lime Quot were just some of the topics dealt with a1 recent meetings definitely not the usual after dinner casual conversation toastmaster meetings also have a unique slate when it comes to formal they Bear Little resemblance to the average ski club get together or neighbourhood stairwell gathering. Meetings Are called to order with a Gavel and every guest is formally introduced. New suggestions have to gel a Lisl and second before they Are adopted and fellow members Greet each other As Quot Loas master of the night Quot Quot fellow toastmaster Quot and so on. According to the so Ulgart club president Robert Johnson this is All a part of the toastmaster learning process Quot the purpose of the toastmaster club is to teach communication  says Johnson who works in the joint intelligence Section at Neucom Headquarters. Quot that includes learning to speak off the top of your head delivering prepared speeches and learning the formalities of parliamentary  this toastmaster philosophy is in action worldwide the St Ulgart toastmaster club is just one of the More than 6,800 toastmaster clubs in 50 countries. All of these clubs belong to a Central organization. Toastmasters International located in Santa Ana Calif in Continental Europe there Are close to 30 clubs that belong to the Continental Council of european toastmasters. A typical club meeting includes an educational lecture on some aspect of Public speaking Impromptu speeches known As Quot table topics Quot and a series of prepared speeches by chosen members. Quot of course every club is different Quot explains Johnson. Quot some Are More formal than others. Some have Shorter meetings or will skip a Section like the prepared speeches clubs design their agendas to suit the needs of their members Quot most Stuttgart members say they joined the Toast Feitler club for reasons As simple As improving their Job skills. John Horsfall. A club member and a civil engineering Seal officer Al Neucom. Says he joined the club after his Boss Recco mended Ilas a Good Way to improve his communication skills Quot i did no to know what to expect Quot says Horsfall Quot but after one meeting i was convinced. It s a great Way to practice Public speaking in a Friendly  a first time visitor to the club Mike Kelley also Wes convinced Kelley who works Tor the regional space support Conler at Patch Barracks plans to join the club to get ready for a series of briefings he will have to give in Bis Job improving work skills in t the Only reason for joining the club though toastmaster Bonnie de Mars an occupational therapist at the army Hospital in bad Cannstatt. Advocates the club s Overall benefits. "1 really enjoy our meetings a she says i like the social aspect of the dub and i enjoy being around people who share the same goals As i do. People who Are interested in improving  kit aus Oden amp Lder agrees Quot toastmasters is a Challenge it s a Way for germans to work on their English skills and a Chance to improve your  of course toastmaster clubs can�?~1 Promise to turn Stull ering. Nervous speakers Inlo suave knowledgeable to Comers overnight but they Are a place to Experiment. Members can shake Oil some of the Jill cars that come Wilh Public speaking work on consent and formal and also make some mistakes. Quot what i be found really helpful Aboul the toastmaster dub is that i can get Good constructive  says member Ken Miner an education Counselor at Robinson Barracks. Quot at work people either Are negative about your presentations or they Don t say anything at All. At Loas masters there s a Good balance of positive and negative  the club uses coloured cards to signal 1hal time is running out. Al the end of the evening the grammarian gives a report of All the pregnant pauses and noticeable grammatical errors. There were alot of Quot aloes Quot quite a few Quot has Quot and a couple of speeches that went on Long alter the Dock had slopped clicking at a recent meeting. Designated members give critiques and the Best speaker and Best evaluator of the night receive awards. Quot sometimes giving an evaluation can be As hard As delivering a prepared speech Quot says Johnson. A you really have to learn to be a critical listener 1 Aller fellow toastmaster Mark Oslebo gave his speech on Ozone layer depletion and the treatment of the Issue in the press Bolh Good and bad Points of the speech were mentioned. The subject matter was considered interesting bul the topic was too complicated Lor a live minute speech said toastmaster de Mars. Dellel Rausch another member of the club praised Ken Miner for his educational speech on Quot going beyond the basics Quot in Public speaking but noted Thal he might spice up hts speeches Wilh humorous anecdotes. With All the practice and constructive criticism members get newcomers might expect Veteran club president Robert Johnson totes shout when where end How to use jokes when delivering a speech. M i 4 5 yet Ira Vel Afa out \ Jar Loa nol like 1 Pra in. Rol we in Cic 58i 10< Inge Lesjak Center critiques a speech. 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