Lectern vs. Podium...who cares anyway?

One night I was watching a program on C-SPAN hosted by Frank Sesno, a former CNN reporter and current George Washington School of Media and Public Affairs Director. The program was a discussion on the “Role of the White House Press Secretary.” Four former Press Secretaries, shared their wisdom pertaining to the cultural, historical, political and their personal experiences of their time in this respected role. The panelist included DeDe Meyers who worked in the Clinton White House from 1993 through 1994, Mike McCurry who also worked in the Clinton White House from 1994 through 1998, Ari Fleischer who worked in the George W. Bush White House from 2001 through 2003 and Dana Perino who also worked in the George W. Bush White House from 2007 through 2009. All these well respected and articulate former Press Secretaries, some of whom were former journalist, used the term, “podium” when referring to what the President spoke behind when giving speeches.

Each time one of these educated individuals said the wrong word, I would scream out “LECTERN”. My wife who was watching with me even found herself yelling back at the TV. I had to ask myself why are they all using the wrong term? I wanted to understand the cause of their misuse for this piece of furniture they were referring to. My first task was to ask, what is the true definition of each?

According to Wikipedia the word lectern derives its origin from the Latin lectus, or the past participle of legere, which translates "to read". A lectern is a reading desk with a slanted top, usually placed on a stand or affixed to some other form of support, on which documents or books are placed as support for reading aloud, as in a scripture reading, lecture, or sermon. A lectern also facilitates eye-contact and improves posture when facing an audience. Lecterns may have adjustable height and slant. Persons generally use lecterns while standing.*

A podium, (plural podia) is historically a “pew.’" Both words go back ultimately to Greek pódion meaning ‘small foot, or base’, which is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of an orchestra stands on a podium. In sports, a type of podium is used to honor the top three competitors in events such as the Olympics.*

As a Toastmaster since 2005 I learned from my fellow Toastmasters, the important difference between the two words. Now, whenever I hear a person say podium when they should have said lectern, I cringe. In fact it has become one of my pet peeves and as professional as possible I try to correct the perpetrators misuse of the word. Why does it matter some may say? It matters because using the wrong word which seems interchangeable erodes our language and our ability to communicate clearly and concisely. It allows for a laziness which deteriorates our language into slang.

In doing some research I could not find how over the years a podium has incorrectly come to mean the object a speaker stands behind and sets papers or books upon even when it is at floor level, though the correct term for that item is lectern. The terms are not identical; one typically stands on a podium, but one typically stands behind a lectern. People go through their lives using the words interchangeably and few people will ever notice. There is however a difference, as these are tools of the trade for speakers, clergy and other professionals.* And yes, you can place a lectern on a podium, however you most likely would break a lectern if you placed a podium on it.

How can one go about re-enforcing the correct use of words? When I had the opportunity to conduct a Toastmasters-Youth Leadership Program* in my community, I taught the participants the difference between a lectern and a podium. At times I would slip in the misuse of the word to see if they would catch it. Every time I did, the young participants would in unison shout out, “LECTERN”

1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectern
2. eHOW http://www.ehow.com/about_6170419_podium-vs_-lecturn.html
3. eHOW http://www.ehow.com/about_6170419_podium-vs_-lecturn.html

4.Toastmasters International http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/SatellitePrograms/YouthLeadership.aspx

Looking Forward

This is the time of year when news programs and newspapers do their year in review. It can be interesting to look back and see all that has transpired over the past 12 months. As a reader and student of history I like to study how decisions were made and try to understand the consequences that choices have on events and lives. I appreciate taking time to reflect and remember which often helps gives clarity as well as offer up more questions.

Yet, I look forward to spending more of my time living in the moment and planning for the future. I can’t change what was. I can only affect the outcome of my future. I don’t have a crystal ball, nor can I predict the future. However, being an optimist I can forecast how I will shape my next 12 months.

I will think, how can I do better?

I will look for the good and seek the positive.

I will be more thankful every day I have to experience this life.

I will constantly prepare and practice the skills I need, so when an opportunity presents itself I am ready.

I will work towards my constant improvement, physically and mentally, so I can provide for myself, my family, my career and my county.

I will embrace the freedoms, liberties and prosperity of our great land.

I believe today is great and tomorrow will be even greater.

Here is to an awesome 2011.
Happy New Year!

On the Shoulders of Giants We Stand

Happy Thanksgiving

Reflecting on the many things I am thankful for, family, friends, good health and a good education, I am reminded that the later was instilled in me by my parents who encouraged me to be inquisitive and have a quest for knowledge that is everlasting.

I recently had lunch with someone and we discussed many things including politics and economics. As we spoke, I asked, "Have you ever read...?" As my friend wrote down my suggestions it occured to me that others would also benefit from discovering for themselves as I did, these books, articles and web sites I would like to recommend. For me these writtings have expanded my view of the world and lead me to ask more questions. Here are just some of the more interesting things I have read in the past few years. I hope you enjoy the journey as I have. Ideas and written words are some of the greatest gifts I am thankful for. On the shoulders of giants we stand!

Recommended Reading

The Declaration of Independence - http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

The United States Constitution - http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

The Wealth of Nations - Adams Smith http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/65/112/frameset.html

Fredric Bastiat - The Law http://www.constitution.org/law/bastiat.htm

- A Petition http://www.econlib.org/library/Bastiat/basSoph3.html

The Road to Serfdom - F.A. Hayek http://www.roadtoserfdom.info/

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand http://atlasshrugged.com/

Free to Choose - Milton Friedman http://miltonfriedman.blogspot.com/

Economics in One Lesson - Henry Hazlitt http://fee.org/library/books/economics-in-one-lesson/

Capitalism Unbound - Andrew Bernstein http://www.andrewbernstein.net/

The Forgotten Man - Amity Shlaes http://www.amityshlaes.com/

Common Sense Economics (Revised) - James Gwartney http://www.commonsenseeconomics.com/

The Housing Boom or Bust -Thomas Sowell - http://www.tsowell.com/

Moral Health Care vs. "Universal Health Care"- Lin Zinser and Paul Hsieh http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2007-winter/moral-vs-universal-health-care.asp

What Has Government Done to Our Money - Murray Rothbard - http://mises.org/books/whathasgovernmentdone.pdf

Antitrust The Case for Repeal – Dominick Armentano http://mises.org/books/antitrust.pdf

Vindicating Capitalism The Real History of the Standard Oil Company - Alex Epstein http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2008-summer/standard-oil-company.asp

I Pencil – Leonard L. Read http://www.fee.org/pdf/books/I,%20Pencil%202006.pdf

A Message to Garcia – Elbert Hubbard http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/a-message-to-garcia/

Recommended Web Sites

The Cato Institute http://www.cato.org/

The Foundation for Economic Education http://www.fee.org/

The Independence Institute http://www.i2i.org/

The Ludwig Von Mises Institute http://mises.org/

The Heritage Foundation http://www.heritage.org/?ask

Liberty on the Rocks http://www.libertyontherocks.com/

Liberty in the Books http://freecolorado.com/libertybooks/libertybooks.html

Reason http://reason.com/

The Objective Standard http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/

The Leadership Program of the Rockies http://leadershipprogram.org/

Toastmasters Made Me A Better Campaign Volunteer

We won! We won! The election results were close and were not official for a few days, however we had elected my friend to the Colorado Legislature. With the help of some very committed folks we were able to beat the odds and celebrate the goal of getting our first time candidate elected to office against a two time incumbent. How did we do it? Lot’s of organizational meetings, knocking on doors, attending community functions and events, waving signs and listening and talking to voters. I am convinced we had the right combination of a great candidate, with the right message, at the right time.

I also had many years of Toastmasters experience which helped me to have the confidence to knock on thousands of doors and be engaging enough to not get too many slammed in my face. I contribute my personal success on the campaign trail to my Toastmasters experience. I had given dozens of prepared speeches. I had participated in table topics at weekly meetings. I was prepared to speak off the cuff. I was ready. Here are some funny things that happened along the way.

One day I walked up a driveway to a house where the garage door was open. As I approached a women came out of her house and asked, “Can I help you?” Thinking on my feet I responded, “You sure can!” I explained who I was and why I was there and asked her some engaging questions. We had a nice conversation for about five minutes, an eternity when you’re door knocking. This women was very responsive towards our campaign. I asked for her vote and she was even agreeable to take a yard sign, the jackpot of our conversation. As I was turning to leave the women stopped me and said, “Young man, I have just one more question?” “Yes,” I said. “Can you tell me why I came out into the garage in the first place. “ That was the laugh of the day.

Another time as I was knocking on doors in a different neighborhood I came across a man who asked me a question before I could ask him one. Was he a Toastmaster? I thought. “Where does your candidate get his funding from? Who supports him financially?” Without missing a beat I responded with, “From small donors like you and me” and I handed him a contribution envelope. We both had a good laugh. My table topics training to think on my feet had helped me come up with a quick come back and be able to get the gentleman to even give a contribution.

Several times our campaign had overlapping invitations for our candidate to speak. Often I was asked to do so on his behalf. This is tuff to do, yet knowing my candidates policy positions and hearing him talk numerous times, I was prepared to speak and relay our message to the audience. One time my candidate was stuck in traffic and could not make it in time to an event. I was asked to say a few words on the campaigns behalf. The butterflies only lasted from the walk to the front room until I approached the lectern. I told myself, “it’s just like table topics,” and once my mouth was in motion, the mind went into gear and I was able to share with the audience our campaigns message. I even received a nice applause. Thankfully I had been in similar situations at my Toastmasters Club meetings many times therefore it was not a stretch to get up an share a few words about our campaign. And I did it all under three minutes. Another benefit of Toastmasters is you know how to “get to the point” something many politicians never learn, tell a little story with a beginning, middle and end using smooth transitions and be off the stage before the time keeper cuts you off.

If you know anyone who wishes to work on a campaign or run for public office, the Toastmasters program can help make them or you a better communicator and leader.

HOME-MADE HAUNTED HOUSE

(This article was written by Lacy Boggs for the Yellow Scene-October 2010 issue. It features my suggestions for creating your own neighborhood haunted house-Happy Haunts)

On an unassuming street in the subdivision of Erie Village sits the Halloween House. Most of the year, it’s just a normal house, but the kids around this neighborhood all know that as soon as the air turns cooler and the leaves begin to change, the Halloween House also begins to transform into a scary, hand-made haunted house. Brad Beck has been converting his garage into a full-blown haunted house since he moved to Erie Village in 2002, and his attraction’s popularity speaks for itself. Every year, he scares the giggles out of more than 500 kids, and he agreed to share some of his tips for those wishing to create their own house of horrors.

Plan Ahead

Beck starts planning the theme of his haunted house nearly 12 months in advance, so he can be on the lookout for inexpensive props year-round. Closer to October, he meticulously plans out what the maze inside his garage will look like, so he has a clear vision when it comes time to build.

Have a Theme

A theme helps give the experience cohesion. He often goes with whatever’s hot that year, be it pirates, zombies or classic Halloween monsters. He also suggests carrying the theme out into the front yard, the house decorations and even the costumes you wear to welcome visitors.

Create Vignettes

Beck’s haunted house doesn’t employ actors to scream and jump out at the kiddies, but rather relies on little vignettes of props to create scary scenes in unexpected places. Anything can become a prop with a new coat of paint or a little imagination.
Incorporate MovementSince his scares are technically inanimate, Beck uses anything he can find to incorporate movement or changes in light to make his vignettes appear to move. An old oscillating fan with the fan part removed makes a scary doll look your way, while a strobe light or puff of air can make ghosties flutter and come alive.

Use Misdirection

The key to Beck’s “maze” through his home is misdirection. As he designs it, he tries to imagine where people will expect the next scare to be—and then places the actual scare in the opposite direction. Keeping things dark and unexpected creates anticipation and makes everything more scary. The less people actually see, the better.

Be Safe and Have Fun

Beck tests all of his walls, vignettes and pathways thoroughly before the first trick-or-treater ever gets a glimpse. It’s important to keep pathways clear and keep walls or drapes stable so that scared kiddos don’t trip or knock things over. He also builds barricades around his vignettes so that curious fingers can’t reach the props

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90 days and counting

To paraphrase Paul Revere, “the mid-term elections are coming, the mid-term elections are coming.” Before we know it, November 2 will be here. Yet, by then most of us will have mailed in our ballots and cast our votes for the next group folks that promise to deliver the moon, the stars and the heavens and then only deliver voids of empty space or worse, fill the voids with programs and entitlements.

You can do something to make sure that does not happen. Get involved in a campaign. I have been since last November for my friend Don Beezley. I wish there were more candidates like Don who is running for Colorado’s House District 33. Most politicians and those running for office will tell you what they will promise. Don’s different. Don will tell you what he will protect.

Don will protect the Constitution of the United States and the State of Colorado.
Don will protect our three basic rights: the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Don will protect the taxpayer by not spending money the government has no right to take.

Protect these rights and jobs will be created.

Protect these rights and schools will be funded.

Protect these rights and prosperity will return.

I have the privilege of working on Don’s campaign. I say privilege because I believe I am fortunate to live in a nation that gives each individual the opportunity to live with the blessings of liberty. I have walked countless hours in precincts talking and listening to voters. I have made phone calls and attended rally’s and fundraisers. Why? Because I believe, it is my civic duty to make sure our county has an active citizenry. I want to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem. I want to make sure our Constitutional Republic is preserved and protected. We don’t need leaders that promise. We need protectors who are patriots, willing fight to preserve our nation.

Get involved and help protect this great county. Volunteer for a candidate who is willing to protect liberty. Walk, call, write and become active. America is a better place for it. http://www.donbeezley.com/

Promising Myself

As a member of the Optimist Club of Erie, I just attended the 92nd Optimist International Convention held July 8-10, 2010 in Denver, Colorado http://www.optimist.org/. Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth.

My Optimist Club shares their positive message at each meeting which begins with our Creed

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.


In one of the many educational sessions I attended, I had the privilege of listening to James Rankin, the author of the “Power of the Creed”. In one of the exercises Mr. Rankin requested the audience to say the Creed with one difference. He asked that the audience say the Creed aloud and change the wording to first person. Read the below aloud to hear what it sounded like.

I Promise Myself

I will be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

I will talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet.

I will make all my friends feel that there is something in them.

I will look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

I will think only of the best, I will work only for the best, and I will expect only the best.

I will be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

I will wear a cheerful countenance at all times and I will give every living creature I meet a smile.

I will give so much time to the improvement of myself that I will have no time to criticize others.

I will be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

WOW! It is amazing how a few changed words can enhance this positive message and make it an even more powerful statement. The first person of “I” gives the reader a greater commitment to really strive to live these ideals and work on implementing them in their daily life.
If you did read it out-loud, did you feel the difference?

I recite the Optimist Creed at least twice a day. Once when I rise and once before I fall asleep. It keeps me positive, focused and reminds me to be grateful for all that I have and what I can strive to be. Reciting the Optimist Creed helps me improve my outlook each day.
What are you promising yourself to improve?