#1 – the Ice Breaker Speech

A month and some ago I decided that after some a long time simmering in my head, I finally had the proper time and desire to take myself to a Toastmasters meeting. For all of those not in the know, Toastmasters is an organization that helps people become better public speakers. Now I’m not a “bad” public speaker, I can, and have delivered speeches, and have probably had more on-stage time in the theatre and otherwise than the average Fillmore(or Joe…or Sally), but still – when I have to memorize a presentation, I get nervous. Nervous enough to forget. (Nervous enough to…kill). I think Toastmaster’s will help me conquer that pesky nervousness and develop the poise and confidence of a brilliant public speaker…at least that’s the goal; I’ll settle for fantastic public speaker.

After attending two meetings as a participating non-member, I decided to join, and last meeting, April 7th, 2008 was my first meeting as a true-blue member. As I’m anxious to become a better speaker faster, I decided there was no better time to give my first speech than at my first meeting as a member. So I settled down to prepare it.

First off, the first for any Toastmaster is called the Ice Breaker speech. Simply put, it’s a 4-6 minute speech in which the new member must talk about oneself. The official Toastmaster book (there’s a book that tells the member all the speeches he must do to become a “Competent Communicator,” the first rank on the ladder to speech brilliance) says, “For your first speech project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow club members and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions.” there’s more, but no matter. I had to do this, but contrary to what another might feel, I was not scared. Not in the least. I was excited! But what to write, what to write?

My mind ran into the composing process full-speed ahead and the day after the meeting I was up in the middle of the night jotting down notes for the speech. I decided to start off with a Lawrence Clark Powell (of UCLA’s Powell library fame; author of something like 73 books, and cool librarian to boot) – because Ashley was going to do a paper about him and she inspired my interest in him. Btw, for those who don’t know yet, due to the awesomeness of Lawrence Clark Powell, I have decided to make an addition to my name; I am now Oleg Clark Kagan. Respeck.

Anyhow, a day or two after my night-time brainstorm, I had written the full speech. Now to hone, I thought and began to deliver my speech to poor souls everywhere, soliciting feedback and changing speech as I needed. Thank you, poor souls.

Still, not nervous.

Three hours before I had to give my speech, I start to feel a growing pang. My stomach is tightening up, like butterflies with sewing needles and thread making my stomach into a thick placemat that says “WELCOME, you are NERVOUS!”. I try to shrug it off, but my hands affect a slight tremor. It’s okay, it’s okay. I go to the meeting. At the meeting, everyone is cordial and I’m swallowing my fear. As the festivities begin, my trembling hand is scooping a shaking spoon filled with delicious strawberry pie into my mouth. Usually, table topics come before the speeches – table topics is the part of the meeting where everyone is asked to improvise a short two and half minute speech on the theme of the day, this time, High-Wire Acts…High wire is right! I was looking to warm up during table topics to help smoothen my delivery of my speech and perhaps quiet my rumbling heart. But it was not to be, due to time considerations, it was decided that table topics would happen After the speeches.

The next few minutes, as me and a fellow newbie were voted into the club, passed in a flash. Before I knew it, I was being asked, do you want to go first or second. I thought for a moment, a torpedo hit my brain, and I said Guillotine me first, Robespierre, please Me First! but not in those words. My introduction was read by Brett, the club president and presiding Toastmaster, to minor laughter, because I write funny stuff, and my time came.

I, on my weak, but beautiful knees(I’ve had my knees complimented before, so I’m not just vain) stepped up to the makeshift podium and began. I was The Robot, delivering my introduction memorized rote, quite effectively. Here is the speech. Afterward afterward.

Mr Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It was author, bookman, and librarian Lawrence Clark Powell who said, “My life has been a series of opening doors into wonderful new rooms – wonder, but not without fear, pain, and sorrow, and always with the voice of the Lord reminding me that nothing is free and must be paid for by service to others…”

Ladies and gentlemen:

On the afternoon of October 4th 1984, I, followed ten minutes later by my brother, opened my first door and emerged naked into this new world. Since then I have opened many doors and in the next several minutes, I will take you through a few of them.

In 1989 when I was five years old, my family immigrated to the United States from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The trip was the caesura of my childhood life. It took almost a year as we traveled through Russia, Austria, Italy, finally arriving on a light night flight to New York and a few hours later, on March 19th, 1990, we landed in our new home, Los Angeles. The trip was grueling both physically and emotionally – I remember, and can still feel the sobs of my youth and the requisite questioning, Why? Our lives were cut at a time when children are just discovering the world, and like little aliens we were jettisoned to a strange land where we neither spoke the language nor knew the customs.
Only due to our parents constant strength and assurance that everything was for the best were we able to keep ourselves together during moments of difficulty.

Not knowing the language was tough, and I recall going to Plummer Park in West Hollywood armed only with the necessary, “Where is the restroom,” and “Hi, my name is Oleg, would you like to be my friend?” – it was nerve-wracking, but you know what? “Hi, my name is Oleg” worked and soon my brother and I were blazing around the park with the other kids – some of whom are still present in our lives today.

And that’s how it was in my early years – very soon after I made my first friend, I went to school – at a young age, language is easy – so much so that the main comment from teachers over the years has been none other then “talks too much” – the high school bus driver even called me a flirt, well, I was not quite sure what that meant at the time – after all, it was just talking – but just talking;
speaking up or
speaking out or
reaching out,
has unlocked many doors for me.

After high school, I went to Los Angeles Valley College and after two semesters of aimless wandering, I was unhappy because I was lonely. “There has to be more to this” I thought – and I resolved to open my eyes to the flyers calling students to campus activities. After some deliberation, I decided on the Psychology Club.
It was around Halloween time and the club had invited a paranormal researcher (a ghost hunter). When I arrived, needless to say, the room was full. So I sat down alone, and listened to the lecture(none of which I remember now) – but the lecture is unimportant – it is what happened after the lecture that was remarkable.
When the meeting had come to a close and people were dispersing, I was approached cold by Vice President of the club, Efrain Gonzalez – he was the perfect host, and we had a great conversion. Then, when we were parting, he asked, “We’ll see you next time, right?” And just like that, because of these five words I knew someone would expect me at the next club meeting.
I did go back, becoming a member, then Treasurer, we even won Club of the Year. But I credit Efrain’s willingness to make a complete stranger feel comfortable with inspiring me to really get involved and by example, he taught me the value of reaching out to others – because of this, the next two years were the busiest of my life. But that’s for another speech

It is like the Lawrence Clark Powell quote I mentioned earlier – nothing is for free, – not the keys to the doors, not the wonderful new rooms . In each of these pivotal moments of my life – other people (my parents, my friends, and Efrain) played major roles. Lawrence Clark Powell said that they, these moments, are paid for by service to others – I agree. Part of serving others is have the ability to speak up, speak out, and reach out. Like other have done for me, here I am learning to reach out, to serve others.

Thank you.

When I got to the final thank you, I was pleased to be greeted by applause! I love applause. Of course, they didn’t know that I didn’t say my speech exactly as written. Before the speech I considered whether or not to bring my little yellow note-card with the lines of certain section; either be a show-off and forgo the card, or be a little sissy and bring it up. I’m a little sissy. Thankfully, I only had to use aforementioned yellow card only once and as it turned out, the pause I took to look at the card was praised. (Pause).

Actually, the the speech and my delivery of it was universally praised; someone even saw something real in my eyes during the emotional parts (probably my contact lenses :O) ). I got a very nice note from a couple of members and Brett, who evaluated me – this is something very cool in Toastmasters, after every speech, someone has to evaluate your speech by answering special questions in the member booklet and giving their own analysis, immediate feedback…very nice – gave me props for having qualities (eye contact, stage presence, humor, strong voice) most beginner speakers don’t have. Fortunately, he did give me two things to improve on.

1) While I wasn’t gesturing frantically, I kept my hands clasped in front of me. Brett suggested I keep them at my sides instead.
2) My tone was a bit flat and could use some fluctuation.

Both of these are good suggestions. I was actually foretold about my flat voice by poor souls. Must do something about it, maybe blow up my throat like a balloon? It’s that, or improvising a bit more, and memorizing less by rote – that’ll give me the opportunity to use a more impersonal speaking style, thereby expanding tonal range.

So that’s that. I broke the ice with good style and am currently working on the next speech, to be given next Monday, May 5. Subject: The Benefits of Forgetting. Will keep you(blog audience) posted.

Toodles.