Thursday, August 23, 2012

VPPR Spring 2012 TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Officers Training


2012 Spring TLI Toastmasters Training VPPR from Forfeng Designs

Handouts:

20 Blogging Ideas for Toastmasters http://cromwelltoastmasters.blogspot.com/2011/11/20-blogging-ideas-for-toastmasters.html

10 Social Media Insights for Toastmasters  http://cromwelltoastmasters.blogspot.com/2011/10/10-social-media-insights-for.html

VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS DUTIES

  • You are the club’s link to the outside world, the person in charge of notifying the
public about the club’s existence. You are webmaster, social media specialist, and
brand manager for the club. It’s your job to notify the media whenever your club does something newsworthy.

  • As vice president public relations, you’ll find yourself writing news releases,
creating and distributing fliers, and maintaining the club’s presence at various key
places on the Web.

  • Stay current on all new developments via the Leader Letter and the announcements published on the Toastmasters website.

  • The vice president public relations is the fourth ranking club officer and is responsible for developing and directing a publicity program that informs individual members and the general public about Toastmasters International. The vice president public relations chairs the public relations committee.

Responsibilities
  • Link to Outside World
  • You publish club meeting times and location.
  • Maintain club presence in the local newspaper’s events calendar.
  • Publish the club newsletter featuring important news, upcoming events, and
  • members’ award accomplishments.
  • Create and update the club’s site on Facebook, Meetup, and other social media sites

Webmaster
  • You maintain the club website
  • Update the site as necessary to include upcoming events, membership contest
  • results, speech contests, and so on.
  • Use the website to recognize achievement, such as education awards, speech
  • contest winners, and Distinguished Club Program goals met.

Brand Manager
  • You protect the Toastmasters brand
  • Make sure to use Toastmasters logos, emblems, and trademarks appropriately.
Use the Virtual Brand Portal (www.toastmasters.org/vbp) as a reference.

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Useful Online Links and Applications

Free photo editors – lets you edit all your photos online, from one easy place. If you don’t have a desktop photo editor these are great.

Image editing (advanced) these are downloadable programs that are opensource

CutePDF (create PDFs from any type of document or file) – FREE http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/Writer.asp Make sure you download both the file and the converter. The converter will show up as a Gray G on your desktop; make sure you install it first, or the program may not run properly.

Print Friendly- turn any webpage into a PDF- FREE http://www.printfriendly.com/

PDF to Word Converter (Free) http://www.pdftoword.com/

Teach Parents Tech: http://www.teachparentstech.org/- FREE  The folks at Google put this together to help their parents, but I have found the tutorials are great for any age!

WorkFlowy - Organize your brain: https://workflowy.com/ – FREE
A way to organize your to do list online

Nutshell Mail: http://nutshellmail.com/- FREE
NutshellMail from Constant Contact tracks your brand’s social media activity and delivers a summary to your email inbox on your schedule. A terrific tool for keeping track of your social media.

EverNote: http://www.evernote.com/ -the free version does quite a bit.
“Remember everything, capture anything, access anywhere, find things fast.” Very useful if you come across interesting things on the internet and want to keep searchable track of it, as well as other uses as well.

Faststone Photo Resizer: http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDetail.htm – FREE
A great application for mass resizing photos, works quicken then Photoshop, and you can also custom watermark them as well as add borders.

Foxit Reader: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/Secure_PDF_Reader/- a quicker PDF reader- FREE

Ping.fm:  update over 40 social networks with one click including twitter, Facebook, your blog etc. http://ping.fm/

Hellotxt: update over 50 social networks with one click including twitter, Facebook, your blog etc. http://hellotxt.com/

Social Media Publishing Feeds:
Twitterfeed: http://twitterfeed.com/  feed your blog into twitter and Facebook
Networked Blogs: https://www.facebook.com/networkedblogs  Blog to Facebook
RSS Graffiti: https://www.facebook.com/RSS.Graffiti  Blog to Facebook
Facebook to twitter: https://www.facebook.com/twitter/


Twitter Specific Links
Twitterfeed: feed your blog into twitter and Facebook  http://twitterfeed.com/
Twitter search and advanced twitter search: http://search.twitter.com/ and http://search.twitter.com/advanced
Tweetdeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/
Hootsuite: update multiple twitter accounts and pre-schedule tweets http://hootsuite.com/
SocialOomph: pre-schedule tweets, set up keyword alerts by email, the pro version has more options for scheduling posts to other networks as well  http://www.socialoomph.com/
Friend or Follow: An easy way of finding out who is following you, and who you are following who is not following you back http://friendorfollow.com
Twellow: a good twitter person/business directory  http://www.twellow.com/
Buffer: http://bufferapp.com/ a tweet scheduler, up to 10 scheduled tweets free at a time, there is paid version as well.
Locafollow http://www.locafollow.com/ find tweeters by location or bio

Google+ For Personal https://plus.google.com/

Google+ For Brands (or groups and associations)  https://plus.google.com/pages/create

Google+ Banner Profile Picture Splitters:

Video

Blogging Specific Links (Free)
WordPress  http://www.wordpress.com, (there is an installed version at http://www.wordpress.org that can replace a website as well but requires hosting)

How to text to WordPress.com: In your dashboard go to “Settings” then “Text Messaging” and it will send a code to your mobile phone.

How to email to WordPress.com: In your dashboard go to “Your Blogs” and then you will see a button to the right that says enable Email to post, Clicking this will create an address to email to. The Subject Line of your email with become the post title and the email content will become the post content.

How to email/text to Blogger.com: In your dashboard, go to the “settings” tab and then to Mobile and Email, this will give you the ability to add a mobile device as well as create a unique email address to email posts to. The Subject Line of your email with become the post title and the email content will become the post content.

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The Components of a Press Release

Title / Headline
The title of your press release should be informative, intriguing and optimized for search engines. The goal is to get the point of the story across in a manner that attracts readers (and potential members and visitors) and adequately conveys keywords to search engines. In pitching to a journalist, you want to get their attention with the title.

For online press releases, the headline is not only the title of the text, it's the title tag of the web page. That means it will be crawled by search engines and used to index it in search engine result pages. Take the time to write a factual press release title that also incorporates significant keywords browsers can use to locate it.
(Try to start with a attention getting headline, but not over the top) Also include if applicable:                           If there is a Photo opportunity: (What it is, where it is, when it is and contact details)

Sub-Title / Sub-Header
Subtitles aren't always required, (but maybe for certain online press release sites) but take advantage of the opportunity to incorporate more relevant keywords in an that area of your press release.

Introduction / Lead
In the introductory paragraph, quickly but effectively incorporate the who, what, when, where, why, how content you outlined in the title. This paragraph is, in many ways, the most important but also must be the most straightforward and to the point. Its purpose is to give readers the essential information while encouraging them to continue reading.
Summarize the story, who, what, where, when and why. All key information needs to be in this paragraph

Body / Content
Once you've explained the essentials of the press release, you can use the body of the press release as a place to elaborate on the who, what, when, where, why and how of the story. If possible, integrate quotations from persons involved in the story, in the case of a club, use members, guests and officers. These help add authenticity to the press release and zip up the content.
Put in more details to flesh out the story you have outlined in the first paragraph

Company Bio (in this case Toastmasters club bio)
Ideally, your press release should not exceed ¾ of a page in single-spaced font. This leaves enough room for a brief club bio to conclude the copy. If you're writing the press release about your club, you may use this space to write a short paragraph about who you are and what your club does. It doesn’t hurt to include any awards your club or club members have received.

Ending
The traditional mark used to indicate a press release is finished is a series of three pound signs, or, ###. At the bottom and centered.

Contact Information
Include your contact information at the end of your press release so that members of the media or potential customers know how to get in touch with you (and your club). Traditionally, you're encouraged to include your name, website, company or association (in this case Toastmasters club) name, address, email address, phone number, fax number, toll free number, and any other relevant contact information.


August 21, 2012 Meeting Minutes


Attendees: 12 members attended: Amy Ansah, Linda Campbell, Rob Dalo Charlie Hubert, Elizabeth Landeen, Cheryl Mason, Phil Mason, Sharon Roth, Rammanohar (Mano) Rudravjhala,Crystal Storo, William Sullivan, Heather Turner
 
Business Meeting:
 
Charlie Hubert, Sergeant at Arms, called the Cromwell Community Toastmasters meeting to order at 5:30 and introduced our President, Rob Dalo. Rob welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced the following awards:
 
Amy Ansah - Toastmasters Membership Pin and Certificate, Icebreakers Speech Ribbon/Mints
Cheryl Mason - President's Distinguished Club 2011-2012 Blue Ribbon Added to Club Collection
Crystal Storo - Competent Leader Achievement Certificate
Heather Turner - Appreciation Certificate- ABCs of Facebook Presentation
(good turn out, lots of public relations for club, local Patch
featured in Rare Reminder 5 weeks, 18 attendees)
Crystal announced our upcoming Club Speech Contest: Humorous Speeches and Evaluations.Mano is the contest chairperson. Crystal further mentioned that we need volunteers ( contestants, ballot counters, timers etc.). Crystal updated us on the DCP progress as follows:
 
Goal 1: 2 CCs : Akshay Dhote, CC, Phil Mason, CC
Goal 5: 1 CL: Crystal Storo, CL
Goal 6: 1: ALB: Sharon Roth, ACS CL
Goal 7: 1/2 2 of 4 new members: Chu Chaing, Amy Ansah
Goal 9: 1/2 summer officer training
 
Meeting Roles:
 
Toastmaster: Charlie Hubert
 
Invocation: Elizabeth Landeen - "We are all meant to shine!"- Marianne
Williamson
 
Word Master: Heather Turner, ACB
Word - of - the - Day: Audacity- Noun - meaning: bold, daring
 
Table Topics Master: Heather Turner
Round robin story beginning..."It was a dark and stormy night..."
ending " ...it was all a dream...".
 
Prepared Speeches:
 
Speaker # 1: Rammanohar (Mano) Rudravajhala, CC
Special Occasion Speeches - Mastering the Toast
Title: "Toast for Father's Retirement"
 
Speaker # 2: Crystal Storo, CL
CC Project # 3 Get to the Point
Title: "Fan"
 
Speaker # 3: Amy Ansah
CC Project # 2 Organize Your Speech
Title: "Dreamacore" (Invest in focusing on what you can do to
advance.)
 
Speaker # 4: Linda Campbell
CC Project # 4 How to Say It
Title: "Must Love Cats"
 
General Evaluator: Cheryl Mason, DTM
Cheryl commented on the helpfulness of the Toastmaster signs, the
excellent room setup, our beginning the meeting on time, and
thanked Charlie for taking dual roles of Sergeant at Arms and
Toastmaster. She further discussed the importance of all speech
evaluations helping everyone learn and grow by providing
feedback (examples: slow down, add a personal story,
importance of a smile, word usage). Cheryl suggested we could
improve by being certain to provide information on the speech
project and speech objective/s for inclusion on the meeting
agenda.
 
Evaluator # 1: Crystal Storo, CL ( for Mano Rudravajhala, CC )
 
Evaluator # 2: Rob Dalo ( for Crystal Storo, CL)
 
Evaluator # 3: Sharon Roth, ACS CL ( for Amy Ansah )
 
Evaluator # 4: William Sullivan, ACB ALB ( for Linda Campbell )
 
Functionary Reports:
 
Grammarian: Rob Dalo
 
Ah Counter: Phil Mason
 
Timer: Elizabeth Landeen
 
At the close of the meeting, opportunities for using Toastmaster skills were discussed. Rob Dalo shared his experience of giving a toast at his 25th wedding anniversary, Crystal Storo talked about her webcam interviews, and Mano discussed his technical presentations at work.
 
Rob closed the meeting with these salient words, "It's more fun if you participate!"
 
The next meeting: September 4, 2012.
 
Respectfully submitted by
Linda Campbell, Co-secretary

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Meeting Minutes - August 7, 2012


Attendees:
 
Members: Tom Alvord, Amy Ansah, Linda Campbell, Chu Chiang Chang, Rob Dalo, Charlie Hubert, Cheryl Mason, Phil Mason, Louis Nizet, Sharon Roth, Mano Rudravajhala, Heather Turner
 
Guests: Eric Some', Traci Eapplardo, Joey Dalo, Lizabeth Dobosz
 
Business Meeting:
Rob Dalo reminded us that we can use the President's Distinguished Club chart as a report card and that "we have a great club because of us".
 
Meeting Roles:
 
Toastmaster: Rammanohar Rudravajhala, CC
 
Invocation: Mano used the analogy of the recent successful Mars landing of the robotic explorer Curiosity, explaining when people use their positive energy and put their hearts and souls into something they can achieve greatness, and related this to our achievement of President's Distinguished Club.
 
Word Master: Charlie Hubert - Word-of-the-Day: Bedaub - verb - Meaning: to smudge over; over decorate.
 
Table Topics Master: Cheryl Mason DTM
Theme: The Olympics/Places to visit
Louis Nizet CC: Importance of keeping your goal in your mind
Joey Dalo: Would like to be a Midwife in Africa
Eric Some': Everything is very different in Africa; People are beautiful
everywhere.
Traci Eapplardo: Going to Bike Week in Daytona
Chu Chiang Chang: Would like to visit China
 
Speaker # 1: Phil Mason
Manual: Competent Communicator
Project: Inspire Your Audience
Title: Listen to People, and Learn
 
Speaker # 2: Heather Turner ACB
Manual: Technical Presentations
Project: The Non technical Audience
Title: Online Reputation Management for Business
 
Speaker # 3: Amy Ansah
Manual: Competent Communicator
Project: The Ice Breaker
 
Speaker # 4: Sharon Roth ACS, CL
Manual: High Performance Leadership
Title: We Did It!
 
General Evaluator: Heather Turner reminded us that people come first and the completed chart is a by-product of a successful club. She complimented the members on their preparation for club meetings and ability to laugh and enjoy themselves during the meetings. Heather further congratulated Amy for her Ice Breaker and Phil for achieving his CC, both on the same day! Heather offered three excellent suggestions: instructional cards for the technicians so they know what to say, cheat sheets defining Toastmaster terminology for guests, and requesting the timer to be seated in front of the speaker.
 
Evaluator # 1: Rob Dalo
 
Evaluator # 2: Charlie Hubert
 
Evaluator # 3: Tom Alvord ACB, ALB
 
Evaluator # 4: Cheryl Mason DTM
 
Grammarian: Linda Campbell
 
Ah Counter: Amy Ansah
 
Timer: Charlie Hubert
 
Heather reminded us about the upcoming 'ABCs of Facebook' free workshop held on August 16th from 6:30- 8:00 in the Arch Room at the Town Hall.
 
Mano mentioned that Toastmasters is about developing our public speaking, listening and leadership skills.
 
Rob Dalo concluded the meeting with awards and congratulations to Phil Mason for completing his CC manual and Sharon Roth for achieving her Advanced Leadership Silver. He asked our guests for their thoughts on how they enjoyed their visit to Cromwell Community Toastmasters. Rob reminded us that the next meeting will be on August 21st and encouraged us to sign up for roles with the words, "It's more fun when you're involved".
 
Next meeting: August 21st
 
Respectfully submitted by
Linda Campbell, Co-Secretary