How to Listen Effectively

Advanced Toastmasters practiced advanced listening skills as Toastmaster Tony Kombol spread enlightenment about the whole “April showers bring May flowers” scenario, with some science, some history, and some Old English to boot.

The Eyes and Ears team was composed of the following:  ah-counter and grammarian, Alicia Hughes, who also offered “insipid” as the word of the day, meaning “uninteresting”;  timer, John Bowen.

Rei Fuller’s presentation was titled “How to Listen Effectively.”  This was from the Success Communication Series, which normally runs 2-3 hours.  As this was an advanced club, she was done within 50 minutes time.  The workbook for this project was filled out by all audience members in the process of listening to all the information given.  Some group exercises were also completed.

These were the techniques for better listening that were explained:
L— Like to listen
I — Ignore distractions
S— Summarize
T— Tame emotions
E— Eliminate hasty judgment
N— Never interrupt
I —  Inspire openness
N— Need to listen
G— Generate conclusions

Stan Coss was Table Topic Master and presented eight prompts on the “April Showers” theme.  Variations included a dramatic shower scene with John,  a rip-tide with Katherine, a tax relief for Tres, sweet smelling rain showers for Tony, record breaking speaking from Alicia, a heart-breaker from Phyllis, memory tips from Rei, and a garden of delight from Bob.

Toastmaster Tony Kombol listens with rapt attention as GE Bob Pierce speaks.

General Evaluator Bob Pierce congratulated Rei Fuller on covering such a dry topic with such efficiency and effectiveness.  He gave some glows and grows for Rei’s speech in the absence of another speech evaluator, and then he did the same for the whole meeting.  Alicia Hughes, before breaking records with her table topic, had already given her report.  John Bowen reported that each prompt had been embellished to take 90+ seconds instead of barely making the minimum.

In attendance were the following: Rei Fuller, Stan Coss,  Alicia Hughes, John Bowen, Tony Kombol, Phyllis Kombol, Katherine Anne Alford, Tres Magner, Bob Pierce, and Linda Pierce.

President Rei Fuller said the new slate of officers at this time had Tres Magner for President; John Bowen for VPE, Alicia Hughes for Sergeant at Arms; Rei Fuller for Treasurer.  Members are invited to nominate themselves for these posts but especially for open posts as Secretary, VP of Membership, and VP of PR.

The link for our club’s website is the following:   https://6988955.toastmastersclubs.org/

The next meeting will be on 5-18

Minutes submitted by Secretary Stan Coss.