07 Sep

BASF Toastmasters returns On-Site!

Since Covid started, our meetings have been affected and we havenĀ“t seen each other as wanted! Now that the summer is ending, we are foreseeing a possibility to start our F2F meetings on-site again! We would be very happy to see your beloved faces again, taking the existing Covid requirements into account!

According to a TEDEx guys (they seem to know what they are doing), effective presentation skills reduce miscommunication, which is likely the biggest cause of work-related stress. That means better presentation skills lower the stress on presenters which means the successful delivery of the message we are trying to transmit, so letā€™s improve all together and show off what are we capable of!

Next meeting will be held on the 14th of September in Ludwigshafen (BASF) and we are really looking forward to welcome you all again.
Since BASF Toastmasters could not meet personally for so long we also plan to have a picnic at the beginning of September. Join in to see members and guests and spend a few hours outside at the end of summer!

07 May

13 May 2019: The Art of Debating

In April and May 2019 we will host a series of special meetings that will boost your communication skills. For an extra portion of fun and learning join our activities that are creatively different from our well-known Toastmasters sessions.

Two debating teams will battle it out to convince the audience to support their view. Participate actively and train your argumentation skills in a constructive way.

The debate

  • To add more fun and spontaneity, topic of debate will be announced by TME/ debate host after the round table. Speakers then have 15 minutes to prepare, while the audience goes for a break/ listen to briefing.
  • Speakers will be briefed in detail (long) before the day of debate on the goals, formats, rules, guidelines etc.
  • For debater roles, priority will be given to members. Second-in-line are active guests.
  • During the 15 mins preparation, all materials are allowed (internet, newspaper, books etc.).
  • Debate starts with the host giving background info on the topic and introducing the speaker. Debate closes with the host summarising the points raised by speaker and asking the audience to vote for winning team and best speaker (please prepare some medals or certificates).
  • 4 minutes per speaker; In the 2nd and 3rd minute, speaker must accept at least one Point of Information POI
  • POI: Members from opposite team can ask a short question, question must be asked in max. 15 seconds (to seek clarification instead of being disruptive). Max. 2 POIs are allowed throughout duration of a speech, to ensure a good flow of speech.
  • Speakersā€™ roles:
    • Speaker 1, proposition: Intro, definitions, scope of debate, arguments 1,2ā€¦
    • Speaker 1, opposition: Counter arguments/ rebuttals, new arguments 1,2ā€¦
    • Speaker 2, pro: Counter arguments, new arguments 3,4…
    • Speaker 2, opp: Counter arguments, new arguments 3,4ā€¦
    • Speaker 3, pro: Counter arguments, wrap up (no new arguments)
    • Speaker 3, opp: Counter arguments, wrap up (no new arguments)

http://basf-toastmasters.com/spring-into-action/
http://tmclub.eu/viewagenda_mobile.php?c=803&show=next

Getting to our meeting location is easy — our room is just a few steps behind BASF gate 5. Please let us know if you want to join:
http://basf-toastmasters.com/contact/
https://tmclub.eu/profile.php?mode=email&u=59657

25 Mar

Save the date: “How to conduct productive meetings”

Meetings are a vital communication tool. They produce understanding, eliminate confusion, generate ideas, stimulate action, clarify goals and objectives, define roles and responsibilities, solve problems, and disseminate information. In many of todayā€˜s organizations, decisions are made in meetings, not by individuals.

How you benefit
On the way to achieve ACG status I will coordinate this workshop where you . . .

  • learn the basic steps to ensure a productive meeting
  • hear about the details to make a meeting efficient
  • exercise leadership techniques in conducting a meeting.

Save the date
You are invited to participate in this special event at BASF Toastmasters!
Mon 6 May 2019, 17:50 ā€“ 19:40, J660 (BASF site)
Invitations will be sent out by e-mail in April 2019.

Please let me know if you have further questions — contact throughĀ http://basf-toastmasters.com/contact/

23 Apr

Toastmasters Division Contest in spring 2015: The best speakers from the southwest meet near Ludwigshafen

 From Freiburg to Frankfurt and from Ramstein to Reutlingen – on May 02, 2015, the best speakers of Toastmasters Division F meet in Mannheim. Winners of the previous Area contests compete against each other in the categories “International Speech” and “Evaluation speech”. The champions can proceed to BorĆ„s / West Sweden and present their speeches from 22.05–24.05 at the District Conference (D95, Europe North / East).

All those who are already member of a Toastmasters club or perhaps would like to be, are  cordially invited to the event. It is an excellent way to get to know what Toastmasters provides: brilliant rhetoric, a warm and friendly atmosphere, inspiring exchange with others and know-how in leadership and organization. A buffet and drinks will be served. The event takes place at venue:
Buergerhaus Neckarstadt-West,
Lutherstr. 15-17, 68169 Mannheim.

For more information:
http://doodle.com/6hzsra6fadq7zyzu
http://tmclub.eu/view_agenda.php?t=41039

15 Jul

Joke of the Evening — present it in comedy style!

The “Joke of th Evening” is part of most Toastmasters meetings. It’s an oportunity to train your skill in providng BASF Toastmasters Germany presentation joke fun comedy blog public speaking formulahumor to the audience. Many jokes consist of one finishing punchline. At BASF Toastmasters we recently had a different kind of presentation. Kathrin Isenhuegel, members of our BASF Toastmasters, presented a joke in comedy style with contradicting comparisons about everyday people where the audience saw themselves in both, the set-up and the punch lines.

Two new additions to the periodic table of elements

Element Name: WOMANIUM
Symbol: WO
Atomic Weight: (don’t even go there)
Physical properties: Generally soft and round in form. Boils at nothing and may freeze any time. Melts when treated properly. Very bitter if not used well.
Chemical properties: Very active. Highly unstable. Possesses Strong affinity with gold, silver, platinum, and precious stones. Violent when left alone. Able to absorb great amounts of exotic food. Turns BASFTM_20140714_Chem_Original_689471Tim Reckmann_pixelio-deslightly green when placed next to a better specimen.
Usage: Highly ornamental. An extremely good catalyst for dispersion of wealth. Probably the most powerful income reducing agent known.
Caution: Highly explosive in inexperienced hands!

Element Name: MANIUM
Symbol: XY
Atomic Weight: (180 +/- 50)
Physical properties: Solid at room temperature, but gets bent out of shape easily. Fairly dense and sometimes flaky. Difficult to find a pure sample. Due to rust, aging samples are unable to conduct Electricity as easily as younger samples.
Chemical properties: Attempts to bond with WO any chance it can get. Also tends to form strong bonds with itself. Becomes explosive when mixed with KD (Element: CHILDIUM) for prolonged periods of time. Neutralize by saturating with alcohol.
Usage: None known. Possibly good methane source. Good samples are able to produce large quantities on command.
Caution: In the absence of WO, this element rapidly decomposes and begins to smell.

sources: http://www.jokebuddha.com, Tim Reckmann / pixelio.de

07 Apr

Your audience is special?!

Different characters can be convinced by different methods. While writing your speech it is important to know characteristics of your audience and to make sure that the style of your presentation and your arguments stay on target.

Of course your audience usually consists of various personalities but ask yourselfĀ – do they have something in common, e.g. working in the same field or sharing a similar interest or motivation? Especially in this case take a closer look at them. Finding out the audienceā€™s basic personality type can lead to a special design of your presentation. Some ideas how to develop your speech according to the majority of characters in the audience.

Idealists are sympathetic, helpful, loyal and patient. People of this type like to work together with others to achieve results but donā€™t have a need to appear in public. You will find idealists especially in caring professions like doctors at a hospital or social workers.

The dosā€¦

  • focus on team orientation,
  • strengthen the sense of togetherness,
  • show care about people within and outside the audience;

the dontsā€¦

  • isolate a group or a person,
  • show contrasts (ā€œwhat is right and what is wrongā€).

Scientists, engineers and technicians match above-average to the type of a logician. This personality strives for perfection and is quality conscious. Focussing on facts they want to know possible consequences of activities.

The dosā€¦

  • present facts and statistics,
  • structure your speech,
  • go into details;

the dontsā€¦

  • press them for time,
  • demand creativity or a broad variety of alternatives.

A communicator stands out for inspiration and entertainment. This proactive personality is a team player and likes to establish contacts. In shaping the environment she / he tries to involve others. Especially creative people and artists represent this type.

The dosā€¦

  • provide entertainment and humor,
  • show passion,
  • make a creative and colorful presentation;

the dontsā€¦

  • scare them with negative conequences,
  • bore with facts and figures.

The dynamic person is usually dominant. Willing to take risks these people are decisive. They want to achieve results and overcome resistance of others. This group of people is highly represented by managers and entrepreneurs.

The dosā€¦

  • show clear goals and visions,
  • be enthusiastic,
  • rise to a challenge;

the dontsā€¦

  • be sceptic and ask to many questions,
  • show weakness.

Of course all of this is a rough description and simple categorization of personality types. Nevertheless it can be a guideline when you prepare your speech.

25 Sep

Brochure: More information about BASF Toastmasters & Toastmasters International

We’ve made a little brochure to tell you more about Toastmasters International and the club at The Chemical Company. Read more inside about your benefits of membership, how we conduct the regular Toastmasters’ meetings and about the communication and leadership track.

 

 

 

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04 Aug

Improve your public speaking skills at BASFToastmasters

Get to know Toastmasters International and the regular club meetings held on site at BASF in Ludwigshafen. During our first evening sessions we want to explain the idea behind Toastmasters and show how you can improve your public speaking skills. Each meeting will include

  • a warm up session to get to know each other,
  • Table Topics Ā® short impromptu speeches presented by the participants (no preparation in advance needed),
  • prepared speeches presented by experienced Toastmasters,
  • feedback on prepared speeches,
  • more information about Toastmasters International.

Meeting information:
Thu Sep 12th, 2013
Thu Sep 26th, 2013
Mon Oct 14th, 2013
Mon Oct 28th, 2013
starting at 6:15 pm for a duration of about 1 1ā„2 hours;
BASF SE, Ludwigshafen,
C104, room 240 (2nd floor), next to gates 1/2/7.
If interested, please contact us by e-mail or phone.