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Welcome to SEC Roughriders
SEC Roughriders is one of the oldest and most advanced Toastmasters clubs in New York City. The Sales Executive Club, a group of salesmen who wanted to improve their public speaking, formed SEC Roughriders in February, 1956. This is where we get the “SEC” in our name. “Roughriders” comes from the fact that meetings were originally held in the Roughrider Room at the Roosevelt Hotel. Now, the club is open to people from a wide variety of professions, and we meet in the New York City Bar Association building at 42 West 44th Street. We are a club that strives to improve our speaking, listening, and leadership skills, and although we may have occasion to speak about our professions, we are not a networking group. In keeping with our high standards, business attire is required at our meetings.
Our meetings are divided into three parts. The first part is called Table Topics. During Table Topics, the Table Topics Master asks a different question to as many club members as time allows. Members have two minutes to respond. This exercise develops our impromptu speaking skills. Occasionally, guests may be invited to participate in Table Topics. Guests are always asked their permission before the meeting, and please do not feel obligated to participate if you prefer not to.
The second part of our meeting consists of Prepared Speeches. Typically we hear from club members who are working towards a level of certification in Toastmasters. Each speech emphasizes different aspects of effective speechmaking, such as the use of gestures, props, or vocal variety.
The third part of our meeting consists of Evaluations. Each speaker is assigned an evaluator who gives constructive feedback on his or her speech. Then, the Master Evaluator will evaluate the entire meeting.
We encourage you to obtain the meeting agenda as well as a ballot/comment form when you arrive at the meeting. You are invited to jot down your own constructive comments for our prepared speakers on the comment form, and you can cast your ballot for your favorite Table Topics response, your favorite prepared speech, and your favorite evaluation.
At the beginning of the meeting, guests will be asked to stand and briefly introduce themselves and tell us what sparked their interest in Toastmasters. Guests may also be invited to give feedback at the end of the meeting.
If you have questions, please contact either Vice President of Membership Mike Harpopoulos or E-mail at membership@secroughriders.org or Vice Presidents of Public Relations Angelo Valenti at E-mail info@secroughriders.org .
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