[OSList] [SPAM] SA1 Re: Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster

Sun Jan 1 08:59:46 PST 2012

Annamarie,

Thank You!  Your words have reinforced my thoughts and queries.  And of course I didn't mean for anyone to become rankled (thanks again, this is a new word for me!) or hijacked!

I am very much a supporter of TM myself, as I know the process is suited, and does work for many.

To put more context on the case, our organisation runs its own TM club, and I also look after a small community within the same organisation.  The idea of a joint event just came about in casual conversation with one of the TM committee members, as an opportunity for networking and collaborated learning amongst the communities and bringing about a better understanding of an area of interest or concern.  It is certainly agreed that there is only a 'limited' amount of learning (or direction) that can be obtained within 1.5 hours.

So, back to one of my original questions:  how a balance can be made between the 'chaos' of OS and the 'rigidity' of TM?

Maybe there is none...

Regards,

Tim.

________________________________
From: Annamarie Pluhar <annamarie at pluharconsulting.com>
To: Tim Lam <timkylam at yahoo.com>; World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Cc: Michele Frankel <frankelmichele at gmail.com> 
Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: [SPAM] SA1 Re: [OSList] Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster

HI Tim, 

I'm a TMer who helped found a club five years ago and I absolutely LOVE OS.  I'm sorry. I think you are mixing modalities that don't belong mixed.  For a way over the top analogy it's a bit like asking a synagogue to host a Eucharist. 

Toastmasters and OS have completely different goals. Yes, Toastmasters structure is rigid.  The structure works.. It creates opportunity for practice and evaluation in predicable and expected ways.  For the shy, un-selfconfident, and low self-esteem folks who find their way to Toastmasters the structure is supportive and helpful. I always marvel how the structure allows for such a deep amount of learning and practice.. 

OS on the other hand is about communication with others to find common ground and envision a new direction for a difficult problem/issue/project.  It rewards those who know how to write an intriguing session title, who can speak up, etc.  Over time perhaps it is rewarding to the those with less hutzpah but I don't believe it would in a short 1.5 hr meeting regularly attended. 

By all means host a real OS with members of a Toastmasters club but do it outside the regularly scheduled meetings.**  And do you really think "what is a competent leader" is a difficult question to which no one knows the answer? 

Argh! You've got me really rankled.  I hope I've been clear. 

** I'm concerned about the leadership dynamics. Some people may be excited by OS - but the very folks who most need and want what Toastmasters offers may be unwilling/unable to voice objections to having their club hijacked. 

Happy New Year everyone. I wonder whether it means anything that this is my first email of 2012? 

Annamarie Pluhar

Pluhar Consulting
http://www.pluharconsulting.com/
802.451.1941
802.579.5975 (cell)
the  
On Jan 1, 2012, at 12:20 AM, Tim Lam wrote:
Thanks Michelle, 
> 
>Happy New Year all!
> 
>TM primarily uses prepared speeches and table topics (impromptu speech) to promote public speaking skills.  In order to be certified at the first level (CC - Competent Communicator) one has to give 10 speeches (project) whereby each speech has a different objective e.g (1. ice breaker, 2. organize your speech, 3. get to the point, 5. your body speaks..) and the evaluation of each has a different checklist e.g. Evaluation to organise your speech would include:
> 
>Speech value -  interesting, meaningful
>Preparation - research, rehearsal
>Organization -  logical, clear
>Opening - attention-getting, led into topic
>Body - flowed smoothly
>Conclusion - effective
>Transitions - appropriate, helpful
> 
>The rigid format of TM means that each evaluator is given a checklist according to the CC guide, ie role in session, and speech they may be evaluating:
>http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/MeetingRoles/Evaluator.aspx
> 
> A typical meeting agenda could be:
>
>19:00 Get Together 
>19:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks  
>19:19 Toastmaster of the Evening Opening 
>19:25 Table Topics (Impromptu Speech) 
>19:36 Speaker 1: (Prepared Speech) 
>19:43 Speaker 2: (Prepared Speech) 
>19:51 Speaker 3: (Prepared Speech) 
>19:59 Speaker 4: (Prepared Speech) 
>20:10 Introduction of New Guests 
>20:13 BREAK 
>20:24 Evaluation – Table Topics  
>20:30 Evaluation – For Speaker 1 
>20:34 Evaluation – For Speaker 2 
>20:38 Evaluation – For Speaker 3 
>20:42 Evaluation – For Speaker 4 
>20:46 Time Keeper Report 
>20:49 Ah Counter Report 
>20:52 Language Evaluation 
>20:56 General Evaluation 
>21:05 Voting 
>21:08 Closing Remarks and Announcement 
>
>As far as previous OS sessions are concerned, the agenda would be approximately:
>
>19:00- Opening Cirle, the theme, the principles, the law,
>Creating the agenda 
>19:30- First round of group discussion 
>20:00- Second round of group discussion 
>20:30-21:00 Closing Circle 
>
>I was considering to change the format slightly:
>
>19:00-19:10
>19:10-19:30 Opening welcome by TM, introducing the changes in this "joined up" format
>Opening Cirle, the theme, the principles, the law, Creating the agenda 
>19:30- First round of group discussion 
>20:00- Second round of group discussion 
>20:30-21:50
>20:50-21:00 Convenor / Group discussion "report-back"Closing Circle / Remarks 
>
>The time for the group discussions may need to be reduced accordingly and I was thinking the thinking the closing circle may be changed to focus on a report-back format.  The report back may be from the group convenor or just anyone who attended the group.  As for voting maybe just a show or hands, use of sticky dots to vote on topic, and present 'prize' to topic convenor?  TM usually present ribbons to the best speaker, table topic speech... at the end of each session. (http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/Shop/Awards/BESTSPEAKERRIBBONSETSETOF10534.aspx)
>
>As for theme, probably somewhere along the lines: "How can we best become competent leaders?  What are the issues and how can they be best addressed?"
>
>Regards,
>
>Tim.
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>From: Michele Frankel <frankelmichele at gmail.com>
>To: Tim Lam <timkylam at yahoo.com>; World wide Open Space Technology email list <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
>Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 11:18 PM
>Subject: Re: [OSList] Openspace and Toastmasters - A Taster
>
>No suggestions, but I would love to attend.
>
>On second thoughts , I have one suggestion , a far more detailed ckeck list to consult with , for evaluation.
>
>Best wishes for the New Year.
>
>Michele
>On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 1:42 PM, Tim Lam <timkylam at yahoo.com> wrote: 
>Warm wishes to all and the best of health this festive season!
>> 
>>As a distant spacer and located within the corporate (no names mentioned) world, we recently ran a 2 hour OS taster, faciliated by our dear friend Mark Pixley (Thanks again Mark!).  It was really well received and the feedback extremely positive given the 'short' time period and the session being held after normal office hours.
>>
>>It is great to see more discussions and fantastic advice on 'mini-sessions', however I am planning to run a joint session with a Toastmasters (TM) club!  Without going into too much details about the TM 'philosophy' and hopefully not to offend any TM'ers.  TM aims to improve speaking and leadership skills by running 'speech projects' which are timed and evaluated.
>>
>>What are ones thoughts on how a balance can be made between the 'chaos' of OS and the 'rigidity' of TM?
>>
>>Although the session may not be run for a few months (their time is booked for the next two) I thought it may be interesting to see ones points of view.  The main question is still brewing but I'm thinking about a 'Leadership', as TM run 'Competent Communication' and 'Competent Leadership' certifications.  Any suggestions for 'the' question?
>>
>>Good Health !
>>Tim.
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