Pleasantly Surprised.............

[GetANet]

I attended a meeting for the RVTA on thurs. night and the workshop was extremely informative and quite entertaining as well. As a past and hopefully soon current member I would highly recommend anyone interested in fishing the Valley to attend the free workshops and possibly join as well.
The workshop was given by Joe Lowoicki (Hope I spelled it correctly) and he presented a wealth of knowledge in trolling for winter trout. I wrote down three complete pages of how to info which is priceless when given from an angler of his caliber. This cuts down the learning curve and you at least know even if your not hooking up that you are rigged and presenting the proper baits correctly.
The best part is I already have everything except for a few new baits to get it on!!!!

Thanks Joe and all the Guys from RVTA for a most enjoyable evening!!!

Ps, I heard rumors that the infamous Andrew Still may provide us with a "Fishing The Raritan River" presentation in the upcoming months as well!!!!!

[njbassman]

seth can i copy your notes... i missed class...

[AndyS]

Yeah, slated for the April meeting. Not good at speaking in public but I try my best. Went 3 to 11 pm now at work, hard for me to make the meetings.
Glad you had a good time, very nice people.

[Wilson]

Just pretend you are speaking to room full of Salt Water Registry registered fishermen

Here's some tips on public speaking.

1. For many speakers -- and especially for introverts -- preparation is key. Take your time crafting the speech so that it flows logically and is illustrated with stories and examples. Practice it out loud, until you’re comfortable. If it's an important speech, videotape yourself. The main reason public speaking can be uncomfortable is that you have no idea how you're coming across. As I wrote here, if you went to a job interview without fixing your tie or applying your lipstick in front of the mirror, you would hope that there’s no scarlet lip gloss smeared across your teeth, but how could you know for sure? Better to take the guesswork out of it.

2. Think about what your particular audience wants to hear. Are they craving new information? Insights? What problem do they hope to solve? Give them what they want and need.

3. If you haven’t spoken publicly in a while and feel rusty, watch videos of speakers that have shots taken from the speaker’s vantage point, where you can see what it's like to face the audience. (Many TED talks have these shots.) As you watch, pretend you’re the speaker. Get used to what it feels like to have all eyes on you.

4. Similarly, if you can, visit the room where you’ll be speaking. Practice standing at the podium, looking out into the rows of seats.

5. When you listen to a great speaker or hear someone mention one, get a transcript of the speech. Study it. How was it constructed? What kind of opening and closing were used? How were examples presented? How did the speaker engage, inspire and educate the audience? Most people are not born great orators. They study, and practice.

6. Keep a video diary or video blog. I always enjoy my friend Gretchen Rubin's weekly video posts on her Happiness Project blog. And here is Susan Steele of The Confident Introvert doing her first video blog, inspired by the Year of Speaking Dangerously project!

7. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, and accentuate the positive. If you have a great sense of humor, use it. If you’re not a natural cut-up, don’t try to be. Instead, focus on what you do best. Do you have a great story to tell? An interesting idea your audience hasn’t considered? Information they need to hear? Frame your speech around your message -- and around who you are as a person. Thoughtful and thought-provoking is every bit as powerful as dynamic and entertaining.

8. At the same time, public speaking is a performance, and that's a good thing, even if you’re not a natural actor. Have you ever wondered why people enjoy costume parties? It's because they feel liberated when interacting from behind a mask, from within a role. Dressing up as Cinderella or Don Draper removes inhibitions as effectively as a glass of wine. Think of your onstage persona the same way.

9. Smile at your audience as they enter the room, and smile at them when you begin speaking. This will make you feel relaxed, confident, and connected.

10. Here is a funny tip from a reader of the Happiness Project. It's probably not the best advice, but it will make you laugh:
"My eighth grade teacher told us all to pretend the people [in the audience] are heads of cabbages. I never quite got that one as making much sense, but to this day (40 years later) I still say that line to myself before I speak. And I laugh.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Yeah, slated for the April meeting. Not good at speaking in public but I try my best. Went 3 to 11 pm now at work, hard for me to make the meetings.
Glad you had a good time, very nice people.

Would be in for this. Keep up posted.

[Skunk City]

Dale, care to provide us with the highlights of the presentation? B.White says hello.

[kcritch]

Forget the notes...just tell me when to meet you at the launch....I'll bring food and beverages!

Mitch - keep your damn sandwich pictures out of this...this one's mine! Ha!

[GetANet]

Np Rob, too much to type call me if you want the info. PM me if you want and I'll shoot you my #. Prob be worth your while but ain't sharing it with the Lurkers................................... Any of my Boys NP!!!!!!!

[GetANet]

Yea Ken, YADA YADA YADA Been hearing that for a few months now BUT!!!!
Anytime you want!!!!!!!!!!