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District 53 YouTube Challenge Showcasing the value of Toastmasters. |
How to Enter:
Create a 1-2 minute YouTube.com video where you answer the question, "Why Toastmasters?". Your TableTopics-length speech should articulate what you feel is the value of Toastmasters to the viewer. Basically, it is your “elevator” speech for Toastmasters.
All entries will be in the form of videos loaded to YouTube.com. The videos must be tagged with “D53” and "Why TM" and include the contestant’s name, their club name & number. This information can also be added as text overlay or in the description of the video, but the "D53" and "Why TM" must be clear to judges and searchable in YouTube. (Otherwise, we won’t be able to find all the entries.)
Content of the video should be “Toastmasters-friendly” and in good taste such that it could be shown at a District 53 event. District Sr. Team will determine if a video is disqualified for content.
Speech Time:
1-2 minutes (2:30 maximum total video time)
Who can enter:
Any active Toastmasters member in good standing of a club in good standing within District 53 may submit a video for the D53 Challenge. Members of other districts are welcome to create videos... they just won't be part of the D53 Challenge. The member who enters the video must be in the video for at least 50% of the time. Non-members may assist and even appear in the video but there is not liability assumed by Toastmasters. Entrants assume all liability.
Current and immediate past district officers may enter except for the current District Governor, Lt.Gov.-Education & Training, Lt.Gov.- Marketing and the District 53 Chief Judge. Finalists may not be finalist judges.
Judging:
Public opinion will decide the 10 finalists via YouTube.com’s ability for viewers to rank the videos. An important part of this effort will be how entrants promote their videos (to get “votes”). Finalists will be announced 1 week before the District 53 final event where the finalists will be recognized. Current plans are for the challenge to culminate at the D53 Spring 2010 conference.
Judges will be chosen by the Chief Judge & Sr. Team from all District 53 Divisions and even non-Toastmasters. The judges will view the finalist videos online during the week prior to the final event and deliver their ballots to the District 53 Judging Team at least 2 days prior to the final event.
Prizes & Recognition:
Finalist Videos will be shown at the Spring Conference and awards presented for:
1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Overall
Most Humorous
Most Creative
What if I don’t own a video camera or computer?
A videographer will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis at Division contests within District 53. These sessions give an opportunity to members who are not able to enter themselves due to a lack of video equipment or computer access. The number of video slots at the Division contests will be limited so contact your Division Governor to sign up. Keep in mind that these videos may not have as long to accumulate votes online.
Questions?
Contact Dave Wheeler, D53 Lt.Gov.-Education & Training, via email address theshot92 [at] gmail.com. Be sure to include "Why TM?" in the Subject line.
Here are our contestants.
| Michael Aron of Greater Hartford Toastmasters talks about the confidence Toastmasters has given him. | |
| "> | After losing his ability to speak following brain surgery, Kumar Sugan of One State Street Toastmasters discusses how influential Toastmasters has been in his recovery. |
| "> | Karma Daigle of Toast of Hartford joined Toastmasters to help develop her communication skills, but found the support goes beyond her local chapter. |
| "> | Eva Menon of Niantic Toasmasters joined Toastmasters as something new to try, but has found her voice and does motivational speaking. |
| "> | Judy Ambruoso of Sikorsky-DCMA Toastmasters discusses how she's used Toastmasters within her home. |
| John Bate of Sikorsky-DMCA Toastmasters joined to become a better speaker but also acquired leadership skills allowing him to run an organization to help people find affordable homes. | |
| "> | A family member recommended Jess Rosenbaum join the Greater Hartford Toastmasters, who enjoys the support of a group that is wanting to see him succeed. |
| "> | Thirteen years ago, a friend recommended Toastmasters to Dave Daley of the Screaming Eagles Toastmasters who was struggling in his communication skills while working towards his MBA. |
| "> | Niantic Club Toastmasters is a great club - just ask Cate Steel who talks about the club meetings. |
| Tracy VanBuskirk of WestConn Toastmasters in CT explains why going to club meetings is better than watching TV. | |
| "> | Geoff Thomas of UHC Toastmasters in CT talks about Toastmasters helping him to be comfortable speaking in front of hundreds of people. |
| "> | Don Lococo of Socially Speaking Toastmasters in CT finds that being a member of Toastmasters is always a growing situation. |
| "> | Alenda Caldenbank of UHC Toastmasters in CT describes how she went from shaking in her shoes to being a better communicator. |
| "> | Carmine Coco DeYoung of WestConn Toastmasters in CT followed a car with a bumper sticker to ask about Toastmasters. |
| "> | Croix Sather of WestConn Toastmasters in CT says his career has accelerated due to what he has learned in Toastmasters. |
| "> | Angela Lussier of Pro Speakers in CT tells how belonging to Toastmasters changed her life. |