Toastmasters

[NudeWil]

Are any other Toastmasters on this board?

I'm working through my Competent Communication manual, and I've toyed with the idea of doing a speech about nude recreation. Has anyone ever done this?, If so, how was it received? Any tips?

Thanks,
NudeWil

[Jeff Brooks]

Has anyone ever done a speech in the nude? I attended a clothing optional wedding and I was to give speech at the reception and it was so different being in front of about 150 people totally nude. I was surprised at how at ease I was. At this function I was fine being nude around other people that were nude but very uncomfortable when I was talking to totally clothed people.

[NudeWil]

Not exactly a speech, but the first time I ever sang karaoke was nude at the Butt Hutt at Lake Come. I've done it nude several times since then.

[nude826]

Hello NudeWil,

I joined TM way back in 1985. Was in for a while and then out. Now I'm back in. I've already done two CC (working on my third) Also have a ACS, CL.
It's a great organization. At one time (back in the late 90s) there was a chartered club located at Paradise Lakes Nudist Club in Lutz, FL (just north of Tampa). I was there visiting the club one night when they were having a meeting. I would have gone in, but I didn't want to spend an hour of my visit in one spot. I don't know if it is still there or not.
I'm not brave enough to come out to my club, or church, or just about anyone else in my conservative GA community.
My hero is Cheri Alexander of Travellites in S. carolina. She speaks to college groups and anywhere else to promote genuine nudism.

Good Luck with your CC.

Phil

[maliakei]

I used to be, but didn't mention anything about clothesfreedom. That would have made an interesting topic.

At Toastmasters they will call upon you randomly to do an impromptu speech, on a topic of their choosing.

Good luck with your speech!

[liberalal]

I had a short experience with toastmasters many years ago.
I was terribly shy and it helped a bit. That, and a college course.
I believe i quit because several times I wasn't able to speak off the cuff on a topic i wasn't familiar with, and I felt inadequate.
However, in general, I did find the experience worth doing, and it seems you are doing well.
Good luck with your special topic.

[nude826]

I have been in TM for many years, and LOVE it. I don't mind getting up in front of people and speaking. In fact, I thrive on it. BUT I know what some of you mean about the imprompt speaking part of the meeting (Table Topics).
One meeting right after I joined TM, I was asked a question and I just froze. I finally mumbled something almost incoherent. I was so embarassed that I thought about quitting. But I didn't and now I have competed at the state level in a Table Topics Contest.
Toastmasters really has helped a lot of people.

Phil

[Naturist Mark]

I had a Toastmaster for many years. Now I have a Hotpoint.

[maliakei]

I have been in TM for many years, and LOVE it. I don't mind getting up in front of people and speaking. In fact, I thrive on it. BUT I know what some of you mean about the imprompt speaking part of the meeting (Table Topics).
One meeting right after I joined TM, I was asked a question and I just froze. I finally mumbled something almost incoherent. I was so embarassed that I thought about quitting. But I didn't and now I have competed at the state level in a Table Topics Contest.
Toastmasters really has helped a lot of people.

Phil

Wow, that is great. It's during those awkward times we sometimes want to quit, but something compels us to keep on going.

[MoonShadow]

I had a Toastmaster for many years. Now I have a Hotpoint.

LOL -- LOL --too funny! I still have a Toastmaster toaster oven. LOL

[usuallylurk]

Are any other Toastmasters on this board?

I'm working through my Competent Communication manual, and I've toyed with the idea of doing a speech about nude recreation. Has anyone ever done this?, If so, how was it received? Any tips?

Thanks,
NudeWil

Wil,

There is a fine speaker in your neck of the woods (well, actually SOUTH Carolina) who has a program and occasionally speaks to college audiences -- Cheri from Travelites, and she is a participant on this board.

I don't know if she's in Toastmasters or not, but she is someone who has done it before.... and still does.

[nude826]

Hi NudeWil,

We have more in common than just Toastmasters. I once did a nude karoke. It wasn't at the Butt Hut (which I know well) but at the adjoining club, Paradise Lakes. I was more shy about singing in front of an audience than about being nude. It was fun. I love to sing.

Phil

[NudeWil]

Thanks for all the responses.

A couple of people mentioned Cheri Alexander of the Travelites; I've met her several times. I have a great respect for her and anyone else who is an ambassador for nudism.

I thought about maybe doing a speech about nude recreation in the third person, i.e. speaking as if it was not about me personally (I read that..., A nudist friend told me..., Here's what I learned from research on the web...). That might lead to questions after the meeting; a few of us often go to lunch afterwards. I'll discuss nudism with anyone who shows any interest, but I don't want to offend others. Anyone who attends Cheri's speeches is probably at least curious or open to discussing the topic.

I work for a company that seems to have a pretty conservative leadership, and there are other employees who are Toastmasters in the same club.

Table Topics (impromptu speeches on a topic chosen by the Table Topics Master) can be challenging. If you don't know anything about the assigned topic, just do what a politician would do with an interview question: twist the topic around to anything you do want to talk about.

Maybe I should instead do a speech about karaoke!