Toastmaster Talk

by Joan McAulay

January 13th, 1985 ...a date that will live in the memory of Herb Ashley for many years to come. That is the date the Toastmaster Talk show debuted on cable television in Edmonton.
Herb Ashley, CTM was the 1984/85 Division A Lt. Governor when Toastmaster Talk went on the air. With his year as Division Lt. Governor completed, Herb remained an active part of Toastmasters in Edmonton with his involvement as a member of the Southern Lights Club and as producer/host of Toastmaster Talk. This continued dedication to the Toastmasters organization was recognized in May of 1988 at the Calgary Spring Convention when Herb was honoured as one of the first recipients of the District Citation Award.

As a Director for the Access Network, an educational network funded by the Alberta Government, Herb had the experience needed to take Toastmasters into people's homes via television. The Kingsway Club of Edmonton recognized this and asked Herb to assist them with a production for cable television showcasing a club meeting. After completion of the show, he was approached by the cable company to produce a weekly television show for Toastmasters.
Herb accepted the challenge. However, he knew he could not do it alone. As a volunteer-run show he knew he would need the assistance of other Toastmasters. One of the first people he approached was the 1984/85 Division D Lt. Governor, Melodye Kunnas. After accepting, Melodye became the Toastmaster "news correspondent" and was responsible for compiling and presenting Toastmaster News until the end of June that year.

Herb has since become the Executive Producer of Toastmaster Talk, but has served as Host for over 5 years.

Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters alike volunteered to help get this project on the air. Volunteering to help with Toastmaster Talk has been a new experience for many. Whether they were a guest on the show or assisted for a few weeks, six weeks or a year, they have gained experience which, as Bob Hawrelak, Producer of Toastmaster Talk, puts it, has enabled them to "use their experience in their careers and volunteer organizations". As a volunteer of Toastmaster Talk, you may be called upon to be a cameraman, switcher, audioman, director ... These volunteers learn to communicate under pressure in a new jargon, carrying on conversations on multi-planes, learning to listen for their cue" 30 seconds to VTR" while another volunteer is receiving the instruction "30 seconds to tape”, Herb and Bob are always willing to train volunteers who want to experience the world of television production, so feel free to call them.

One volunteer in particular had a personal interest in becoming involved with the Toastmaster Talk show. During the first couple years, Herb's father was his most dedicated volunteer, never missing the opportunity to help out and learn something of the profession his son had chosen. His dedication to Toastmaster Talk was remembered when Herb presented a tribute to his father, after his passing. It is this type of dedication that has kept Toastmaster Talk alive.
The show has evolved over the years, but it has never lost the warmth Herb always wished to maintain. As Herb puts it, "We're very folksy, like a guest in your living room… if I make a mistake, I correct it… we laugh on the air ... that's the atmosphere …”

However, as with any production, Toastmaster Talk has its technical side. Every Monday the crew arrives at a VideoTron Cable studio, enter a dark room, turn on the lights, set up the chairs, put out banner, unpack mikes, select people to run camera, audio board, switching panel… then, "on with the show.”

As they only tape every two weeks, they tape two shows on one evening. The most common format is for Herb to open the show, introduce a speaker with a 5-7 minute speech, interview them for 2-3 minutes, and close the show. Then the crew moves right into taping the second show, using same format-ALL WITHIN 2 HOURS!

The speeches for the show are always positive and put "Toastmaster's Best Foot Forward'. There may be contest winners, people who didn't win contests, fairly new Toastmasters, very experienced Toastmasters, educational sessions on parliamentary procedures, visual aids ... Some of the speakers have been Grade 5 children who have participated in a Youth Leadership. All the guests have one thing in common. They stretch themselves beyond their comfort zone.
Although this is the usual type of show, Toastmaster Talk produces shows that are strictly interviews. Whether it's 1988/89 International President Tom Richardson, DTM, Past International Director Neil Wilkinson, DTM, or Spring Convention Chairman Millie Kossowan, CTM, the interviews are informative, timely and warm. All put "Toastmaster's Best Foot Forward”.

These shows don't happen overnight. They are planned months ahead, with Producer Bob Hawrelak scouting for guests and ideas for the Toastmaster Talk Guest Schedule. Has Toastmaster Talk improved the image of Toastmasters in Edmonton? Past International Director Neil Wilkinson, DTM responded by saying, "I've visited many Districts over the years and met with as many as 40 District teams. A common question asked is 'How do we publicize Toastmasters more?’. Generally, the question comes up as ‘How many people, walking down the street, know about Toastmasters?' Generally, in other Districts, the answer is about 1 in 10. In Edmonton, it's 7 in 10. Because of Toastmaster Talk.'

Has Toastmaster Talk aided in membership growth? Peter Kossowan, DTM, Past District Governor put it this way, "Because of the exposure we've had on the Toastmaster Talk show, it's one of the avenues that helps us build. The diversification of topics and people are important, because it shows all aspects of Toastmasters.”

Can a show such as Toastmaster Talk become a reality in centers other than Edmonton? According to Herb Ashley, the answer is an unqualified "Yes”. Find out from your local cable company who is in charge of community programming and talk to them. “Then find someone who won't say 'Oops, I made a mistake ... someone friendly with the camera. Since the show is live to tape you would need someone confident enough to make a mistake and carry on. Then find 5 volunteers, 2 guests, plan your shows, and don't over-produce. As host, "you don't want to give a speech, you want to talk to the people at home.”

Would Herb Ashley be willing to assist people in setting up a show?

Again, the answer is "Yes”. If you're interested, contact Herb, he will be happy to assist you with checking scripts, ideas for shows and what to expect from your cable company. How does Herb Ashley, CTM feel after 5 years with Toastmaster Talk? "It's 5 years now and I blinked ... I'll keep doing it as long as it benefits and puts Toastmaster's best foot forward. I didn't know my niche in Toastmasters would be running a TV show ... I get a kick out of doing the show ... maybe that's my contribution to Toastmasters.”

- originally published Summer 1990