Welcome to CTI Techtalkers! We are an open Toastmasters club that is committed to helping our members achieve their communication and leadership goals. We offer encouragement and support, a mentoring program and lots of fun while learning. Guests are welcome.

Meetings are held every Wednesday from 12 noon to 1 pm at 3553-31st St NW, Calgary, AB. Our club meets all year.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tip of the Week: Finding a Topic

Speech topics are floating in the air like dandelion fluff in the spring. All you need to do is pay attention, grab a couple, and see where they lead you. Every contact you have at work, every experience that makes you laugh or cry, every action that inspires you contains the seed of a great speech.

It is said that every topic under the sun has already been explored so there is nothing new. The new element is YOU. You bring a new perspective to old ideas. You have a unique way of looking at ideas that others need to hear. We anticipate with great pleasure hearing what you will have to say.

Keep a small notebook of speech ideas with you at all times. Write a few words down when an idea sparks your imagination so you won't forget it. You can look at all the experiences, funny situations, inspiring ideas that you have jotted down later when you are ready to write your speech. Pick one. And sign up for a speech next week.

Be prepared to enjoy the experience of giving your speech. We will!

Monday, April 19, 2010

What a Great Division J Contest!

Six contestants. Six fascinating stories. The Division J International Speech contest was solid gold from beginning to end. Our Mary Jane delivered a speech "Reach for the Sky" with an inspiring message of hope and courage, about her journey with cancer. The audience was in her hands, laughing with her about her bossy husband, in tears at the struggle, inspired by the message of hope.

The results were:
Stu Schultz - First Place
Scott McCrae - Second Place
Mary Jane McGrath - Third Place

Well done, Mary Jane!

Monday, April 05, 2010

Mary Jane wins Area J41 International Speech Contest

CTI's International Speech contest winner, Mary Jane McGrath, won the Area J41 speech contest with her moving story, "Reach for the Sky and Fly". CTI members present could definitely be heard cheering wildly for her after the win was announced.

Mary Jane goes on to the Division J contest on Friday April 16.

Congratulations to our champion!