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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-12-16, Page 16Seaforthougood talkers �' p are Christopher Leadership course helps overcome fears of speaking BY SCOTT HLLGENDORFF Expositor Editor More than 20 people from the Seaforth area are walking around this week just looking for reasons to talk to people with their new-found confidence and skills in public speaking. They are the most recent graduates of a Christopher Leadership Course that was held for the past 11 weeks in Seaforth. "It deals with the number one fear in society which is speaking in front of an audience," said Tom Melady who instructs the course with his wife, Joanne. The goal is to teach techniques for people to overcome their nervousness about speaking in front of groups and to help them speak effectively. "One of the big developments in any speaker is getting rid of nerves," said Melady. "We want to take nervousness and turn that energy into positive energy." That was one of the main reasons Seaforth resident Donna Beuerman took the course; to ,overcome nervousness speaking to people. She can remember beipg asked to speak at a wedding and being extremely nervous. Taking the course, she said she could see a change in people who, at the beginning, she would never imagine standing in front of a room speaking to , a crowd of people. But that's just what they had to do for theirrgraduation ceremony. All the graduates were asked to pick a topic and give a short talk about it in front of invited guests last Wednesday night, Dec. 9. And Melady said everyone did, well when their turn came. . Beuerman, had to speak first with a topic, "a sense of Mike Mulholland,Joanne Mel excitment of graduation from humour." She was still nervous but said the course teaches, you how to handle it. She also discovered that, in addition' to speaking better and having more confidence, she has also become a better listener. She said that comes from knowing more about what it's like to have to stand in front of people to make a speech. Now, she is more aware of what is happening behind the scenes with the speaker and pays closer attention to what is said. She works for Culligen Real estate and meets new people on a regular basis. After taking the course, she said this will help her meet them with more confidence. "I really like to meet new people," she said. She expects her new skills will help her address those people better. She also said it has helped her think'better on her feet. Melady said having faith in yourself, courage and enthusiasm are three of the main philosophies of the course. Christopher Leadership Plowing match in history The first International Plowing Match was held in 1913 in York County, Toronto at Sunnybrook Farm, now the site of Sunnybrook Hospital. Thirty-one plowmen competed in seven classes, and the executive felt it was a success, although the weather was unfavourable. Admission was free and a charge was made on each vehicle of 50 cents. Accommodation was provided for the contestants in one of the buildings, but each had to furnish their own bedding. In 1918 The Plowing Match was cancelled due to the influenza epidemic that killed millions of people throughout the world. The Second World War halted the matches from 1942 until 1946. The first match held after World War II was held at Pori Albert Airfield, Goderich from October 15-18 in 1946. This was Huron County's first International Plowing Match. Prize money amounted to approximately $5000. In 1999, prize money will exceed $35,000 for plowing events. The International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show (IPM) returns to Huron County from September 21 to September 25, 1999 at the village of Dashwood. The IPM is trying a new and unique method to help people obtain their admission tickets in advance of the Plowing Match, as well as an opportunity to win a major prize. For the first time ever it is possible to pre -purchase your tickets (in packages of 5) to the IPM. Those who purchase the advance tickets will have a chance on a draw for a Park Model Home. Any profits from the match are "plowed" back into the community. For further information, please contact Mrs. Jeanne Kirkby, Secretary, 519-887- 6038 or Harry W. Nesbitt, (519) 271-6742. Kidney car program raises funds from wrecks Is it time to shoot your mustang? Has your. barracuda gone belly up? Has the car of your dreams turned into a nightmare? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then we have a program for you. The Kidney Car Program is a unique and successful fundraising program that recycles unwanted vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, etc.) into a tax deduction for the donor and into much needed funds for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. There are numerous reasons to donate an unused vehicle to The Kidney Foundation. Some of the top reasons are: free removal of your unwanted vehicle; you'll receive a valuable tax receipt; you won't have the hassle of selling the vehicle yourself; clean up the environment by recycling • unwanted motor vehicles; you'll feel great knowing that your car will help a friend, family member or neighbour who has kidney disease. The Kidney Car Program results in a win-win situation. The first win goes to the donor who receives a minimum tax-deductible receipt of $75.00, a free tow and removal of an eyesore. The second win goes to the community, because recycling cleans up the environment and keeps the cost of used auto parts down. The third win goes to people living with kidney disease whose health and quality of life are made better because someone donated a car. If you have a car you want to donate, call the Kidney Car Line at 1-800-565-5511. ady; Melissa Whitmore and Donna Montgomery share in the the Christopher Leadership Course. TOM MELADY PHOTO becoming leaders. They enjoyed it so much and agreed to take on the project. It means regular training, after each course they give themselves and it is done by them as volunteers. Melady said while other people are involved in service clubs or other volunteers agencies, this was a way .he and his wife could give something to people in their communities. They offer techniques to students from breathing exercises to eliminate "butterflies" before speaking to how to speak with your hands instead of clenching them in fear. Students learn how to give proper readings, how to introduce someone, give a gift or make impromptu speeches in situations like banquets or weddings. They also learn how to put together , a talk with a structure that gets people's attention and keeps them interested throughout the presentation. • There are also memory, techniques taught to the students. Students in the course ranged in age from 14•to 77,, while the traditional minimum age is 16. Another course will be offered this January. courses originated in 1945 in New York City. Melady said a man named James Keller began working with dock workers at a time when World War II had ended and the communist party was beginning. At the same time, the strength of workers' unions was growing and Keller wanted to teach the "common people" how to speak better. The motto for the program was "light one candle'. with the goal being to brighten the darkness among the people. Keller had linked'himself~ with Dale Carnegie, the founder of another speaking course which is also still present in the United States. Together, Melady , said, "They made it a course for the ordinary people." Melady learned about the program, now offered across North America, through family in Windsor. He said it was a common course offered at automotive plants in the city which is where a cousin took the course. Another cousin, a teacher, also took the course in her first year and he said it helped her tremendously in the classroom. Melady and his wife took it through a church in St. Columban and were asked if they would consider TME HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 16, 1966-15 Anderson new board chair Wendy And- erson, trustee for Perth • East, was elected the new Chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) at the Dec. 8 meeting. Anderson than- ked the trustees for their faith in her and said she thinks the focus of the board will shift from amalgamation to ensuring a better education for children. ".We must find the Avon - Maitland way," she said. "Our system can only benefit from looking at things from a different perspective." Anderson thanked Abby Armstrong, the former chair and now member -at - large, for all of her hard work. "I have to recognize the hours Abby put in," Anderson said. "While this has not been an easy year for any of us, Abby has borne the brunt of it." She also took a moment to thank the parents and community members. "When things looked bleak, we asked for public Wendy Anderson support and we got it. We owe a great debt of gratitude to those who spearheaded those camp- aigns," Anderson said. Anderson said this will be her last year with the board. "I will only be taking this position for a year. I will not be a member of the board after this year," she said. Bob Allan, trustee for Huron Area 4, was elected vice -chair for the board. While Armstrong and Allan are incoming, some of the board's adminis' ration is now outgoing. Marilyn Marklevitz submitted her resignation from the position of Superintendent of Business, Finance, Transportation and Special Projects. Marklevitz has accepted a position with the Waterloo board. Art - Duboyce, Superintendent of Education — Secondary, will be officially retiring from the board Dec. 31. Jim and Janneke Murray were at Teatero Motor Products on Monday to pick up food the car dealership collected in exchange for offering free oil changes on Saturday. More than 60 oil changes were done, collecting a pick-up truck load of food. ' HILGENDORFF PHOTO .► .„‘„ qtr s Not Advertising. is'like... Preparing your home for a p arty... And not sending out invitations. Entice Customers to your store by placing an ad in The Huron Expositor. Advertise with us! -11 , •0210 "Your Community Newspaper"