Cherokee Toastmasters

TOASTMASTER CONTESTS

garnette — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:54 +0000

Each year Toastmasters holds contests for International Speech, Table Topics, Humorous Speech and Evaluations. The contests begin at the club level and advance through the Area, Division and District levels to the final International Speech.

Our Table Topics contest will be held December 14 at our holiday potluck and the International Speech contest will be held in mid-January.

The Area 34 and Area 36 contest will be held Feb. 4, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Mansour Center, 995 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060. The Division D contest will be held Saturday March 24, 2012 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

MEETING TIME

garnette — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:48:51 +0000

We meet from 12pm to 1:15 pm. Bring your lunch!

$$ Dues Due

steve — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:23:50 +0000

Dues are due each year by April 1st and October 1st. Only $69 for 6 months. Members joining on other months pay a pro-rated amount. Be sure to stay active and keep our club on the Distinguished Club Program by paying on time.

Six Ways to Avoid Public Speaking Anxiety

jspeaks — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Ever feel anxious when speaking in front of an audience? Some jitters in such situations are normal, but if your life is severely restricted by fears of being criticized, embarrassed, or humiliated in public situations, you may have social phobia or social anxiety. This excessive fear may be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, or by factors such as low self-esteem, past rejection by peers, poor social skills, or a history of public embarrassment. Panic attacks are a common reaction among those with social anxiety, and can cause heart palpitations, trembling, blushing, nausea, lightheadedness, stomach discomfort, shortness of breath, and heavy sweating.

The good news is that there are natural ways to address social anxiety, and these simple tips are also effective against other forms of anxiety. Try the following:

Avoid coffee and other forms of caffeine; stimulants can heighten anxiety.
Practice breathing exercises, an effective relaxation technique.
Consider passionflower, a natural, mild sedative that’s safer than pharmaceuticals. The recommended dosage is one dropperful of a tincture in a little warm water, or two capsules of the extract, up to four times a day as needed.
Take B vitamins and magnesium, which are sometimes helpful in dealing with the symptoms of anxiety.
Consider seeking professional therapy. Exposure therapy can slowly introduce you to the specific situations you fear, and hypnotherapy can give you a sense of what it feels like to be relaxed and open in those settings.
Join a local Toastmasters Club. Learn how to speak from confidence. The proven best way to beat fear is to face it and overcome it.