Project 2) Organize Your Speech

Kim Logue worked on the objectives for speech number two by converting an article she was working on for Bank Notes into a Toastmasters presentation! After conducting an exploratory interview with a fellow Bank employee, pitched as 10 minute coffee break to answer 10 questions, she got to work on this piece called "AC Takes Ten."
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Remember how I told you last time that I was seeking a more senior position within our organization? I have some great news to share! And remember how I told you I had been snooping around at Public Affairs to learn more about that department and how to develop skill sets suitable for that type of work? Well, have I ever learned a lot! And, I can’t wait to tell you all about it. You see, I’ve found a not-so-secret way to get us out of the office, while also getting paid!

Fellow Toastmasters and Honoured Guests,

AC has a great laugh and as he smiles over his Timothy's coffee cup I can see why he is the face representing the deep pockets of our organization to countless charities and community groups. His official title is Community Relations Manager, and working within our Corporate and Public Affairs department he is essentially the manager of sponsorships and donations that are of a National nature, and not specific to a particular Region.

After I invited him to meet me for coffee and tell me about his job, he describes a busy schedule, including early morning breakfast meetings and black tie evening events. His is also a position requiring some travel. Clearly though, checking for blackberry messages during our discussion, he is not chained to his desk and reports that he often gets by with wearing a suit only a couple of times a week! But, it is not the business casual dress code policy that thrills him the most, AC says it is definitely this community giving aspect of his job that is most fulfilling. But can he tell us how can we can enjoy that too?

He can. If, like me, you are actively involved in many volunteering activities, then maybe you should talk to your manager about the "Volunteer Grant Program." The Bank has announced that the organization wants to recognize the difference we make in many communities every day, and support employees in our generous donation of time and talent, to local charities and community based organizations. Not only is this a great public gesture, to worthy causes, this is a motivation tool placed at the fingertips of management! Maybe you are not the highest paid among your peers, or recognized for the most seniority with an amazing tally of vacation days. Are you still working hard and longing to be recognized? Are you confident that you’d make an enthusiastic representative of our business, given a chance to hit the streets with time away from your desk? Then maybe putting forward a proposal for this program is for you. I sure think its for me!

“If I was hosting Children’s shows as a Front of House volunteer at Harbourfront Centre, while getting paid by The Bank, imagine what an ambassador of goodwill I would be!” I enthused to A at our meeting. “Now, you’re using the right words,” A says and encourages me to talk to my boss about how fulfilled I would be in my job if allowed to participate. Making me wish that he was my boss. Or, that I worked in his department, where community giving is of such a focus.

Since that appointment, I have changed jobs. For 3.5 days now, I have worked in a new Bank business in a new Bank Tower, as a Product Analyst. I’m on a 15 month contract, so, I immediately asked my new boss if she’s heard of the program. Not only has she heard about it, she’s participated! Apparently, in our group, on the first Thursday of every month, there’s opportunity to participate from 11:30-1:30, in delivering food to those in need, with Meals on Wheels. If it sounds familiar, it’s because this initiative was written up in Bank Notes in the late April issue! I’m so excited to now be working from such a department. And I sure hope we’ll be getting internal or external publicity for another such meaningful community project soon… Here’s the application form, if you’d like to put forward a pitch. It looks pretty straightforward, and I’ve brought copies if you’d like one. (Distribute handouts). As for Public Affairs, it is my hope that my job shadow request already in progress, will go forward alongside my recent move. It would be quite an honour to spend a day seeing the team in action and getting a feel for an area of our organization that only gets more and more interesting to me. And you can bet I’d want to tell you all, all about it!

In conclusion, I would like to recycle the aforesaid Bank Notes article and stress that if there is anywhere that minutes count the most, it’s when we volunteer. Fifteen minutes or fifteen hours, your efforts can change our communities and lives. Our employer supports the volunteer efforts of its employees, recognizing the value volunteerism brings to everyone involved. Hopefully today I was able to share some useful information on the department that oversees such initiatives, and more importantly on how to make the Volunteer program work for you, and your community.