The Ice Breaker

Projects of the Competent Communicator:
1. The Ice Breaker 
This speech is designed as a way to introduce yourself to the club, and get used to speaking in front of a group. This is a four to six minute speech, where you work on writing your speech and delivering it to your audience. The goal of the speech is to stand in front of your audience, tell them about yourself, and remember to breathe while doing it. Through this speech, your mentor will be able to learn where you are in your experience as a speaker. 
Tips for the Ice Breaker: 
1. Practice your speech out loud
When you are reading your speech in your head, you can substitute words that are not actually on your paper, and when you are nervous, you are more likely to read directly from your speech. It can be helpful to practice your speech in front of a mirror as well, so you can see what you look like while giving your speech.
2. Take a breath
If you feel like you are racing through your speech, it is okay to stop and take a breath, collect yourself, and keep going. Sometimes when giving a speech, you can feel silly, and start laughing because it feels uncomfortable. This is normal, and in those times you just need to remember that Toastmasters is here to help you. We all started with the ice breaker, and felt just as awkward and nervous as you are feeling. 
3. You do not need to be perfect
Your audience is not expecting you to be perfect. It is okay to stumble over words, and say umm several times. If you forget what you were going to say, just keep going. We do not know what is on your paper. The goal of this speech is not to be perfect. The Ice Breaker is designed as a speech to help you get up in front of your audience and give a speech. If you give your speech, you have met the goal.