Public speaking remains our #1 fear, so started a wonderful presentation by Mayna Schumacher of ToastMasters. Mayna then proceeded to explain and demonstrate what it takes to give a good presentation.

The first requirement for a good talk is organization:
INTRODUCTION- your opening where you need to grab your audience, it's your hook
BODY- here is where you provide factual information. This is the meat of what you want to say. You should have an illustration for each point.
CLOSE- This is the last thing people hear. You want to make the conclusion as dynamic or powerful as you can.

Then we went on to the specifics:
WORDS- make them concise, clear, use them to paint a picture. Choose carefully what you want to say. If you have the choice of using a big word or a smaller one, use the smaller word, it will help carry your audience along.
GESTURES- use your hands, facial expressions and the "stage" itself- walk around
VOCAL VARIETY- Greater volume denotes excitement. Softness commands attention, makes people want to listen. Use variety to make sure you keep your audience's interest.
PAUSES- this is one of the most powerful yet underused part of public speaking. Your audience will be waiting for what you say next.
EYE CONTACT- look at the audience, stare at a single person for a few seconds, until you finish your point.

TIPs for speaking:
1- Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse-- not just going over the words, but going through motions, props, etc.
2- use Pauses!

Mayna ended with an example and story about Nat King Cole.
Turns out he started in a piano bar, playing piano. One night a patron insisted he sing with his playing. After many refusals, the bartender told Nat to sing or not get paid for the night. So, out came a rendition of Mona Lisa that no one had heard before, and the rest is history.

The Point- Don't be afraid of failure- worry more about all the success you are missing out on.

ToasterMasters has been around since 1924. Their meetings are structured, with 3 speeches given at each meeting. According to Mayna Schumacher, the evaluations of the talks are the heart of program. People are very supportive. They will tell you what you did well and provide suggestions for improvement. Toastmasters is open to everyone who wants to improve their public speaking abilities.

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Surviving 9/11 and Beyond
Mrs. Juana Gissendanner co-owner of T.J. Giss Enterprises is going to talk about making a success of your business in this volatile economy.

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Speaker: Mr. Turner S. Thompson, Financial Archetics

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Speaker:

Your Wedding Team Bridal Expo, March 7
Your Wedding Team (made up of WBO members) is having an Expo with seminars designed for the couple who are planning for their wedding day and beyond. YWT is interested in other WBO members that have a business they feel can help the bridal couple as they plan for thier wedding and new life together. If you would like to have a table at this event, contact Kate McClellan at 734-255-1369. There will be a fee of $25 for a table top booth.

National Association of Career Women has invited WBO to attend a special presentation at member prices. The program is Painless Prospecting for Women presented by Denise Roberts of DA Roberts and Assoc. Date: Feb 21, 2007, Time: 11:45 to 1:15. At Weber's Inn, 3050 Jackson Rd, A2. WBO special offer for lunch and program is $16. Bring lots of business cards.

March 21, CEED 23rd Annual Award Meeting & Celebration
5-9:00 at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn. This will be a Celebration of the accomplishments and successes of the CEED members, and the recogniton of the outstanding sponsors and volunteers. Cost: $75.

Single Business Tax: What's Next? February 22, 2007
NAWBO Greater Detroit's Public Policy Committee is hosting an educational forum meeting with the leading experts in the field to unravel the mysteries, facts and fallacies of the proposed plans. The forum is from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Troy Comunity Center, 3179 Livernois, Troy. June Summer Haas of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, will moderate the discussion by a distinguished group of panelists: Robert Kleine, Governor Granholm’s Office; Fulton Sheen, Fair Tax; Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber; and Dan Smith, Detroit Regional Chamber.

April 24. Women Making Connection event at Kerrytown, 4:30 - 7:30. Booths will be available. Call Tammy Burgess for more information. 734-239-2572.

BECOME A WBO MEETING SPONSOR
For $25 you can be the sponsor of one of our Monthly Meetings. You will have 5 minutes to describe your business and "train your salesforce". You will also get a link to your site in the WBO Newsletter and a listing in the WBO website. We are looking for Meeting Sponsors starting with the March Meeting. Contact TRose at contoursexpress@thesistersgroup.com to sign up.

THE WBO NEWSLETTER CAN FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS
For $25 you can feature your business in the WBO Newsletter. Not only do you get in print, but your article and links to your site remains in the WBO newsletter archives. Contact Hillary Handwerger at hhandwerger@ix.netcom.com to tell me which month you want to sponsor.

TELECLASS with Mary Cantando, February 20th, 1pm EST
Register at www.principal.com/teleclass for a complimentary teleclass session presented by the Principal Financial Group on "Fresh inspiration for your 2007 Marketing Plan."

Opened in Dixboro in August of 2005, Healing In Motion is a private Physical Therapy and Wellness Center designed to provide exceptional manual therapy and exercises in a quiet setting. We take pride in creating a safe place for working on long-term pain and functional difficulties. We address the entire body for balance, strength, endurance, flexibility, correcting postural and movement problems, and creating programs to enhance function and independence. Our therapists are trained in techniques for all ages.

Advanced programs include our Women’s Health specialty. Sandra Hilton, PT, CMT, CPT is trained in internal pelvic evaluation and treatment for pelvic pain, incontinence, and muscle weakness of the pelvic floor. We have advanced equipment for biofeedback and training of the pelvic floor muscles to help with pain and weakness. A study published in Jan. 2007 shows that 65% of the women of child-bearing age with stress incontinence achieved relief of their symptoms through the biofeedback and exercises which are available at Healing In Motion.

Myofascial Release is a specific specialty at Healing In Motion. Sandra Hilton, PT, CMT, CPT and Elizabeth Busch, PT, CMT are trained in a specific technique as taught by John Barnes, PT. This is a consistently thorough and gentle technique that never forces, never injures. Barnes Myofascial Release addresses the connective tissue complex that surrounds every cell in the body. We treat the whole person with this technique, incorporating elements of Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, and Muscle Energy Techniques. We are the only Ann Arbor Clinic offering Advanced Myofascial Release through both our Physical Therapy and Wellness Programs. Our talents provide you with more choices for your care.

Chronic pain and headache treatments are other specialties. All of the therapists at the clinic have specific training in helping people dealing with prolonged pain and dysfunction. You will receive an evaluation of your posture in standing and motion, and a specific program will be developed to correct structural (boney and soft tissue) imbalances. You will receive advanced manual therapy to make changes in flexibility and ease of motion. You will be helped to establish an exercise and self-treatment program to continue with your care on your own.

Why put up with daily pain and difficulties with motion? Allow us to do a comprehensive evaluation and we will work together to help you to reach your goals for movement and a pain-reduced lifestyle. Visit our website for insurance and payment information or call today for an appointment with any of our qualified therapists.

Visit or join a Toast Masters chapter near you.

Cheri Dunn, Instant Imprints
Kassie Weiland, Instant Imprints

TLCI, Website Design, Development, Consulting, SEO, Marketing, 10% off, 662-0154
Healing in Motion, $20 discount for Myofascial Release and Exercise (Wellness Program), 913- 4816
Contours Express, Women's Fitness, 1 month free, 761-8663
Cafe Marie of Ann Arbor, Breakfast/Lunch Cafe, 20% off, 662-2272
Artway Interactive Writing, 10% discount, 734-484-9795
Strickfaden Photography, Complimentary Professional business portrait session $150 value. 734-996-4030