by Joel Addington
Staff Writer
Although she wore a skeleton suit, Francine Marabell said the best part of Halloween isn’t dressing up — it’s the candy.
And she told this to about a dozen members of the City of Jacksonville Toastmasters club Wednesday.
Marabell, a nurse with the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and president of Toastmasters club No. 6886, talked about her favorite Halloween treat, candy corn, and how she eats the white tip first, then the orange center and lastly, the yellow bottom that resembles a kernel of corn.
“You really have to savor the corn part,” she said.
Marabell’s two-minute prepared speech is an example of how Toastmasters International can help people improve their public speaking.
Toastmasters is one of a few resources on public speaking.
The University of North Florida (UNF) and Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) also offer training. UNF offers one-day seminars on public speaking but also a course for business executives and others who field questions from the media.
FCCJ provides a Fundamentals of Public Speaking course.
But at each Toastmasters meeting someone will deliver a prepared speech that is evaluated by another group member.
Did they speak clearly without using a lot of umms and uhhs? Did they make eye contact with their audience? Did they fidget or pace back and forth? Were they enthusiastic or did they use hand gestures to illustrate their points?
These are all things to keep in mind when speaking to groups of people.
“It (Toastmasters) gives members the opportunity to speak publicly, but in a comfortable and nurturing environment where they get feedback,” said John Bracey, a three-year member of the organization.
Impromptu speeches, known as “table talks,” are also delivered by members, but without any preparation.
“You have to think on your feet,” said Bracey, a former reporter now working in the City’s public information office. “It’s terrifying initially, but you do it a few times and it becomes fun.”
Wajeeh Demetree, an IT employee of the City, said he’s come a long way since joining the group four years ago.
“I was not, I repeat, not a good speaker,” he said. “But last weekend I was able to emcee a party for 400 people at my church. And there were some bloopers, but without Toastmasters, I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”
First-time Toastmasters attendee Carolyn Broughton, a city public information administration and cable franchise manager, said she hopes to join the organization.
“I’m getting into more and more situations where I’m publicly speaking,” she said. “I’m looking forward to joining.”
Attorney Edward Jackson said public speaking is a challenge he had no choice but to overcome in his profession.
“I grew up incredibly shy and have a natural tendency to mumble and speak softly,” said Jackson, who often gives lectures and seminars on bankruptcy law.
But after years of practicing in a courtroom, Jackson’s shyness has subsided and he’s been able to pass along the trail-by-fire approach to his son.
“My son was painfully shy as a child,” he explained. “So he made himself learn (public speaking) by forcing himself into those situations and by the time he graduated high school he was voted class clown.”
Paul McCormick, a political campaigning expert, has heard his fair share of speeches. He says the most important thing a speaker can do is be prepared.
“First is to have a command of the subject matter and be comfortable in your delivery,” said McCormick, who owns The McCormick Agency. “The key is preparation and a good understanding of the topic.”
He added remarks should be kept to between eight and 10 minutes to leave enough time for questions.
“Most people take too long,” he said. “After 10 minutes you start losing the audience’s attention.”
One name repeatedly mentioned as a great speaker in Jacksonville is attorney and former Florida Bar President Hank Coxe.
“You look forward to a Hank Coxe presentation,” said McCormick. “He’s the best and most entertaining in all of Northeast Florida.”
Jackson agreed.
“He tells interesting stories and seems to touch people,” said Jackson. “He’ll tell you a few funny stories and then get on to what matters.”
So what’s Coxe’s secret?
He traces his public speaking talents back 30 years to when he was at a roast of former Gov. Bob Graham.
“I was watching (current State Attorney Harry) Shorstein as one of the roasters,” said Coxe. “This was back when Shorstein was funny. I thought at the time he had superb delivery, style and everything. And I remember saying to myself, I could do that.”
Since then, Coxe has adhered to three rules when speaking: no matter what, never drink before speaking; never try to be funny about an issue that isn’t familiar to everyone in the room; and never laugh at your own material no matter what the audience does.
“I tend to have an expression of ‘I don’t understand why your laughing. I was being serious,’” he said.
The City of Jacksonville Toastmasters Club No. 6886 meets every Wednesday at City Hall in Committee Room A. For more information, call Bracey at 630-2969.
For information about UNF’s continuing education programs, call 620-4200. FCCJ can be reached at 646-2300.