March 2011 General Meeting: The 2011 Oratorical Competition

Please join us as the Toronto Chapter continues its time honoured tradition of selecting its Oratorical Champion.

Candidates will speak to one of five socially relevant topics upon which they will be assessed. The winner will demonstrate an overall ability to exhibit poise and adherence to the theme, while mastering content and delivery.

The 2011 Oratorical Topics are not only relevant on an individual level but, in the context of corporate Canada, are the subject of much debate and can be quite polarizing.

The winner of the Toronto competition will have all travel and accommodations covered by UFSC Toronto to represent us in the Regional Competition taking place on the weekend of April 2, 2011 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The stage is now set for what promises to be a most entertaining event!

Please  RSVP with your name, title and the name of your company/employer and names of any guests to  ufsctoronto_events@yahoo.ca.

Time: March 24, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM


Venue: Toronto Board of Trade, Room A/B First Canadian Place (at the corner of Bay and King - Street level by Adelaide entrance)

 

GENERAL MEETING MARCH 24, 2011

6:00-6:15   Welcome & Introduction
                    Davina Reid, President - UFSC Toronto

6:15-7:00   The 2011 Oratorical Competition
                    Brian Whittaker, Oratorical Chair
                  
                    Overview of the Oratorical Competition
                    Introduction of the competitors
                    Introduction of the Judges
                    Speeches
                    Evaluation
                    Presentation of the Finalist

7:00-7:30   'Nine Hot Tips To Put Your          
                    Listeners To Sleep'
                    Gloria Pierre
                    President - Clearly Speaking
 
7:30-7:45   Committee Updates

7:45-7:50   Member Accolades
 
7:50-7:55   Other Business
 
7:55            Adjournment
 
8:00            TD Bank Financial Group
                   Networking Session

Please join us after the meeting for food and refreshments (venue: to be announced at the meeting).  This month the networking session will start at 8:00 pm.
We would like to thank TD Bank Financial Group our general meeting and networking sponsor. 
 

OUR 2011 ORATORICAL CONTESTANTS

Akua Carmichael, LL.B, J.D. 
Regional Trust Manager
Estate, Trust and Agency Services
CIBC Trust Corporation, Private Wealth Management
Topic: The Art of Self Promotion
 
Del Miller
Customer Systems Engineer - Solutions Integrator
TELUS | Business Solutions
Topic: The Art of Self Promotion

 

2011 UFSC International Oratorical Competition Topics

Creating a Culture of Engagement: A Leader’s New Strategic Role
In tough times it’s especially critical to acquire new customers while keeping the old ones coming back.  To build loyalty, companies need to engage their customers with great experiences.  This requires a high level of employee commitment to customers and the company.  How can senior leaders partner with other organization’s leaders to execute a successful engagement strategy that will keep their company thriving even in the worst of times?
 
Thriving in a Season of Change
In the midst of companies downsizing, massive regulatory changes in the industry and the rapid changes brought on by technology, it is easy for a “psychological recession” to set in.  All this change can result in depression, low self esteem and decreased productivity.  In this season of change, how can individuals create a new mindset, incorporate the language of excellence and a strong commitment to thrive?
 
Lessons From the Top: Celebrating 37 Years for Financial Excellence by African Americans/Canadians
In Civil Rights, Medicine, Religion and Sports we have no problem naming and highlighting the accomplishments of African Americans.  What about the Financial Services Industry? Who are the black financial pioneers that have blazed a path for all us today? What were their success strategies and how can we use them today and in the future?
 
The Fourth Stage of the Movement: Conquering the Financial Divide
Some have categorized the struggles of African Americans in stages.  The first stage was the fight for freedom from slavery. The second stage was fighting for the right to vote.  The third stage was fighting for the equality in education and the work place. As we reap the rewards of the hard work of those who came before us, how can we conquer the financial divide that still separates us from our counter parts?  How can we gain greater access to capital and wealth so that we can further uplift our community?
 
The Art of Self Promotion
Do you toil in the background, never having anyone champion you? Do you watch less talented people moving up in your organization?  When interesting opportunities arise, are you overlooked? If so, how can you take control of your career and start to showcase your talents and abilities without over doing it or looking too cocky?  How can you position yourself to be seen by the decision makers as a person with unique problem-solving capabilities and achievements that can make a difference to both projects and the bottom-line?
 

Introducing Our 2011 Judges...

DENLEY MACINTOSH, As a Motivational Speaker, Facilitator and Competent Communicator of Toastmasters, Denley McIntosh endeavors to deliver practical, motivational, and inspirational presentations to all who desire to change and make the most out of their lives.  
 
His aspiration as a Personal Development Coach is to allow people to understand who they are by speaking to their hearts and minds. He has a passion for public speaking in the areas of communication, personal development, and relationship building. He is astutely trained in both areas through numerous great speakers.  He brings a fresh outlook with his style of speaking and he is constantly honing his talents with incessant learning. Some of Denley’s key accomplishments are as follows:  
2009 Oratorical Winner for the Urban Financial Service Coalition (UFSC).
Keynote speaker at Toastmasters International District 60 leadership conference.
Public speaking champion at Toastmasters International Regional level.
 
GLORIA PIERRE, President of Clearly Speaking, emigrated from Guyana, South America in 1974. She has been a communications strategist since 2000 and specializes in professional communication and accent reduction. She has dedicated her career to empowering clients to recognize and correct their communication errors through workshops and personal coaching.

She is the author of (K)New Words, which encourages readers to enrich their conversations by using words they already know. In addition, Gloria has been a member of the largest public speaking organization, Toastmasters International, for 13 years, and was a recipient of the Toastmaster of the Year award. She has regularly contributed to the Dish Newspaper and The Chronicles on communication topics for high school students. She has also been featured in print and TV throughout Canada. She will be quoted in Cosmopolitan magazine because of her expertise in communication. Gloria has worked with many non-profit organizations, such as The United Way, Skills For Change, Future Possibilities and Elevated Grounds.

MAXINE SHROUDER has solid experience in the Financial Services Industry - with expertise in Financial Planning, Analysis, Management reporting, and Training & Development. Maxine is a member of Toastmaster's
International where she has held several Club and District Officer positions. Maxine's diversity accomplishments include Chairing the Steering Committee for the CIBC Black Employee Network of over 400 members, and establishing a Mentorship program for the Network members.