Moscow Spring Conference, vol.2

What the expectations have you had before the event? Have the Conference met your expectations?

These are very intriguing questions. I was excited, of course, with the thought of participating in the Conference. But I had been completely engrossed in my speech preparation before the trip to Moscow. As an example, twice Atyrau Toastmasters fellows were there observing my presentation for giving their useful feedback.

Conference lasted two days and took place at two different locations: American Center in the U.S. Embassy and Francothèque at the Library of foreign literature.The amtmosphere was very unique, at least for me personally as a first-time visitor.

First day of the event welcomed us at the American Center at the U.S. Embassy where I presented my keynote address. Not every day have I chance to perform in a place like that.

There were people I didn’t know, and they didn’t know me - some have 20 years of public speaking resume in the Moscow Toastmasters community. The more I talked to the participants during the coffee breaks, the more I overcame social initial awkwardness. Those were very open-minded and easy-going conversations, so very soon my concern were phased out.

The panel discussion with the Club leaders after the English Toastmasters Contest were very interesting to see and think over. People are different and so the leaders are! Debating about an importance of the leadership skills and a talent to work in a team within the process of running with the new club, opinions have been divided. The common ground has been found in the balance of these competences referring to the personal experiences for years in the Moscow Area Toastmasters Clubs. There are six multi language clubs united in the Area, so the fellows’ practice can be very useful for new comers and young communities.

The Francothèque, for instance, is a regular place for the Moscow Toastmasters fellows. Imagine a huge library each floor full of diverse International literature and cultural centers like French, American, Japanese, Slavic, Iranian, Jewish and others.To perform among classic book shelves and enormous quantity of the books illuminated by the sunlight through the huge French windows, which altogether make the environment cozy, is sort of the spectacular stage for all the members: speakers, viewers, supporters and organizers.

For the first time in my public speaking journey I have witnessed the Russian Toastmasters Contest that impressed me a lot! (wowing*)

The topics varied from one another that additionally made this part of the event significantly enthralling. One told an instructive parable for adults, another one a personal love story; one of the outstanding speeches was about three types of wisdom - surprisingly, I didn’t know about existing of the child wisdom. A humorous speech about skiing in Georgia made us all laughing as well as a story of the jogging girl, not to mention a story about some craziness that can happen in the Toastmasters world. I remember all of the speeches that means they all have been cool and heart taking.

Gladly, not only was I beholding the scene, I was involved in the Contest action by taking a role of the vote counter. Notably, speakers didn’t know who were the judges because judges weren’t introduced: they were sitting there just like other viewers. Personally I believe that it’s a smart strategy that reduces the speakers’ stress that, as you know, is crucially important for producing a better content on the scene.

Workshop given by Max Silin, former Moscow TM Area president, has been embraced such an actual topic like human biases. Then in small groups, we were given some cases of the inconvenient situations to discuss them trying to find solutions for productive communication avoiding biases and prejudices.

Have you visited any toastmasters club in Moscow?

Yes, I have! It happened all of a sudden, by the way. Girls from the new opened club called “Optima Forma” invited me to attend the club session. There are several remarkable facts about the Club.

First, it’s the Russian language Toastmasters Club. Second, the community is business oriented what means the main idea for speeches is business. So, it can be interesting for those who work for corporate companies. Third, it was the second session historically significant for all parties of the Moscow Area because at the time the club wasn’t registered officially. Finally, we all - participants of the session - were very lucky because the session was arranged in the office of Google company in the very heart of Moscow city. I must say, I've been enormously impressed by Google!

What differences did you notice between your club and Optima Forma?

There were some interesting things I’ve found useful for farther practicing in the local club but I didn’t compare the communities. Because...Mmm.. (pause*) Alright, here is an example. We live in Kazakhstan; this is a big country but every city, town has its specific and unique atmosphere. So, it’s the same with the Toastmasters world. We all have deep-seated goals in common thank to the Toastmasters idea and at the same our clubs - members, guests and so forth - make the environment that differ one from another.

Every session has a specific theme, sort of the session course and aim, or, I'd even say, an aura.As I remember that session was dedicated to 'a dream', so the Toastmaster - it was Sergey Saprykin - had to plan and lead the event in this way by conveying ideas of it, sharing examples, tips, etc. Also presented speeches were for somehow related to this topic as well.

Another new thing I have seen there is the role of an ‘Uh-counter’. That idea, as guys said, has been borrowed from one the Southeast Asian Toastmasters Clubs. This is a unique role, I would say, because you don’t find it in the International Toastmasters Club instructions.

An ‘uh-counter’ is responsible for checking an active listening. During the session an ‘un-counter’ prepares around ten diverse questions about the event details. At the end of the session she asks them the audience. This is kind of a survey to involve all the participants and guests in the action and to monitor their involvement in the process.Those people who give a right answer are gifted with a souvenir or snack bar.

That is a very smart idea! Have you improvised during the Table Topic part?

Oh, yeah! I have taken that opportunity. Besides, that was the first time I did it in Russian. What a funny experience! Table topic were called “Expectation vs. reality”. We had been shown first two photos of the same depiction or a thing in opposite conditions. Then, we had to tell a story about it. In my case it was eyeglasses. On the first pic they looked pretty, very stylish like an expectation. However, on the next picture it was a broken glasses, reality.

to be continued...