Collaboration, col·lab·o·ra·tion /kəˌlabəˈrāSH(ə)n/ is defined as the action of working with someone to produce or create something. When two powerful organizations come together to produce impactful results, common values are shared and all talents get to have their own spotlight.
2019 indeed unlocked some of the best learning opportunities available to Rotaractors. It was the start of Rotary International and Toastmasters International’s partnership. Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages. The ongoing relationship between the two organizations will begin at the grassroots level with local club members learning and working together.
On its second year, Pilipinas Rotaract Multi-District Information Office (MDIO) and Toastmasters International District 75 successfully accomplished Toastmasters Speechcraft Program 2021. From September to October, over 140 Rotaractors were able to hone their speaking skills through valuable strategies and best practices from esteemed Toastmasters. Among these enthusiastic learners who shared their heartfelt speeches, four Best Speakers were selected, each coming from different regions. For NCR Cluster, Rtr. Kiano Saniel Reyes of the Rotaract Club of RCDM Scholars from District 3810, for Luzon Cluster, Rtr. Anna Angelica M. Obsequio of Rotaract Club of Asia Pacific College, District 3830, for Visayas Cluster, Rtr. Mina Joy B. Retita of Rotaract Club of Marapara, District 3850 and for Mindanao Cluster, Rtr. Abby Gail Tiongson of Rotaract Club of Metro San Pedro of District 3820.
To highlight their experience and learn what they gained from this collaboration, our best speakers candidly answered some of our questions.
I expected that this new venture could help me improve my confidence as well as my communication skills.
PRM: What was your expectation joining Toastmasters Speechcraft? What did you want to gain and learn from this experience?
Kiano: Pageant training is rigorous and cutthroat. You need to not only have passion and commitment but also the strength to keep pushing yourself. When I saw the speechcraft program – I thought it was the same thing. I hesitated and I wasn’t sure if I could live up to that. I remember that moment when I told myself, “Para lang yan sa magagaling, hindi yan para sa mga average na katulad ko.” (It’s just for good and experienced speakers, not for someone average like me).
Abby: In joining Toastmasters Speechcraft, I expected that this new venture could help me improve my confidence as well as my communication skills. I wanted an audience that would care to not just listen to my speech and advocacies but to also give me constructive criticisms or feedback that would make it better. I was also hoping to make new friends in a community that has a passion to use their voice to empower others.
Mina: Honestly, I did not expect to join this year’s Speechcraft Program. It came as a surprise when good friends from the Rotaract Club of Granada informed me that they included my name during the registration process.
Anna: Toastmasters has a great reputation for training people to enhance their communication skills and be better speakers. Hence, I expected the training to be challenging, productive, and will really push us out of our comfort zone. I have always been reluctant in public speaking, it’s not my strong suit but I am well aware of its importance so I joined Toastmasters Speechcraft.
I also wanted to listen to each beautiful and inspiring story from different walks of life during our prepared speeches – uniting us in our stories from the heart.
PRM: Were these expectations met? What insights and realizations did you gain from it?
Mina: I attended the sessions and learned so much from my Toastmasters Mentors, Judy and Andrew. The whole experience is just somewhat serendipitous that I am very thankful to everyone who shared it with me.
Anna: If there’s a word for expectations being BEYOND MET, that would be it. Indeed, it was challenging, productive and has really pushed us out of our comfort zone. There was so much to learn and some things I had to unlearn from past knowledge, and countless realizations but the biggest realization that I had was that I CAN DO IT. You can be a good speaker, even become a great one if you put in the work to it.
Abby: No, it did not just meet my expectations, they exceeded it. The experience in Speechcraft gave me assurance that I, too, has the potential to be a voice not just an echo and make a difference. Learning and receiving feedback from renowned Toastmasters helped me realized my strengths and weaknesses as a speaker. I finally had a safe space to grow, stumble, and stand up again. I was also taught how to adapt in the new normal strategies in public speaking such as befriending the webcam in order to establish eye contact with the audience.
Kiano: But as each session passed, I learned that I want to share and listen. I wanted to share my stories of failures during the table topics and how I rise from those – becoming the better version of myself every day. I also wanted to listen to each beautiful and inspiring story from different walks of life during our prepared speeches – uniting us in our stories from the heart. Admittedly, this program has surpassed my expectations in all aspects; making this one of the highlights of my year.
I aim to share stories about Mental Health, Digital Citizenship, Basic Education, Anti-Bullying, and many more.
PRM: How will you apply your enhanced speaking strategies to your career/academic life?
Abby: The learnings I got from speechcraft would give me the leverage to ace my thesis presentation as well as my internship interview, speaking on the perspective of short-term. However, I know that my newly acquired speaking skills would give me a lending hand in my career life as an aspiring accountant especially because the profession calls for working with different kinds of profession in the industry.
Mina: Now confident more than ever, as a Rotaractor and a Speechcrafter, I aim to share stories about Mental Health, Digital Citizenship, Basic Education, Anti-Bullying, and many more.
Kiano: I stepped into this training filled with doubt, but now, I stepped out as empowered and confident. This program helps me realize every day that I am more accountable to every word I would share with everyone – to my colleagues, friends, Rotarians, and my loved ones. In this way, I am hoping to be an image of inspiration to others in improving their speaking strategies and encouraging in contending fake news – which is particularly prevailing nowadays.
Anna: The enhanced speaking strategies will greatly benefit my academic life. First, it has given me more confidence in speaking with an audience. Second, in the 4 weeks of training, we were given so many tips, like pausing to avoid using ahhhs and uhmms. Lastly, with the unique situation that we are in where almost everything shifted to online, Speechcraft helped us realize how we can be more effective speakers in an online set-up.
The speeches we give must fulfill that purpose: may it be to inspire, impart knowledge, or a call to action.
PRM: What’s one life-changing topic you’d like to talk about in the future?
Anna: Add value and create impact to your listeners -my greatest takeaway from speechcraft. Our listeners are giving us their precious time to listen so we have to make it worth their time. As speakers, we have to remember that we are not merely speaking, we are speaking with a purpose. The speeches we give must fulfill that purpose: may it be to inspire, impart knowledge, or a call to action.
Kiano: I have been wanting to talk about realizations and takeaways in life. Ever since I have been telling the people around me that I always believe that they should never doubt themselves because in reaching for that dream, you may fail, but you will never be denied – you are just being redirected for what is meant for you. I failed. I learn. And now, I want to give back by telling my stories to everyone.
Abby: I want to talk about responsible parenthood and family planning in the future for I see more and more children living on the streets each day. It breaks my heart to see children working instead of playing, and what I can only do is give alms. I want couples to really think it through before having a baby and consider their socioeconomic, emotional, and psychological capacity.
Mina: Stories that celebrate life and inspire audiences, while addressing social issues and calling listeners to action
When an individual can speak from the heart, any person regardless of its identification: potential partners, beneficiaries, or simply a general audience, they can genuinely recognize the purpose of your initiative because you have the heart to serve, the mind to think, and a voice for a cause.
PRM: How can great speaking skills elevate the way you communicate Rotaract to your potential partners, beneficiaries, and general audience?
Kiano: I think everyone can speak, but not everyone can speak from the heart. As Rotarians, we would always live to our commitment to serving the community and that is what I learn from the Toastmasters Speechcraft 2021 – to be able to speak not only from your mind but also from the heart. When an individual can speak from the heart, any person regardless of its identification: potential partners, beneficiaries, or simply a general audience, they can genuinely recognize the purpose of your initiative because you have the heart to serve, the mind to think, and a voice for a cause. That is why I am forever grateful to Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO and Toastmasters International Philippines for making this program possible for us aspiring storytellers.
Anna: Great speaking skills will help understand and impart your message better. It can help inspire the general audience, potential partners, and beneficiaries especially with projects, if you can clearly communicate its purpose, draw them a picture using your words. Speaking with the right people can help the visualization of inspiring projects turn to reality.
Abby: In having great speaking skills, I will give them the impression of credibility and confidence. In this way, the possibility of persuading potential partners, beneficiaries and general audience to join a cause will increase as I speak earnestly with conviction. I will also be able to inspire them to share the cause and stimulate more events and activities relating to it especially in this Rotaract Year’s theme: Serve to Change Lives.
