國際演講會的禁忌話題

發佈日期: 2017-07-24

會員經常「聽說」國際演講會世界總會禁止發表以政治、宗教和性愛為題的演講,因為「話題具有爭議性,不適宜談論。」

這些傳言並非事實,國際演講會對演講主題、內容或用語都不設禁例。

國際演講會深知會員從可以從不同的話題中學到週遭世界許多新事物。變化多端的話題不但可以提升例會的趣味,也可以啟發新的想法和創意。因此,國際演講會對任何演講的主題、內容或用語都不會禁止。

國際演講會也深知各分會的成員由不同的族群構成,因此建議會員要體會會友的背景差異,以高尚的品味和敏銳的感覺來選擇演講主題、內容和用語。

國際演講會雖未頒布全面性的禁制規定,但各分會有權依據會員的整體意見,自行規定演講主題、內容及/或用語的限制。分會領導幹部應指導會員如何配合分會的內規,調整品味和敏感度。

網站是有用的工具,分會可以把分會的規定在網站公告,讓會員和來賓知悉。網站可以用來維繫分會的方針,不因領導幹部更迭而有所改變。此外,網站還可以提高會員對分會作業的了解,每隔一段時間審視分會的定例是否須要修改。

 

You Can't Talk About That!

Members often hear "through the grapevine" that speeches concerning politics, religion and sex are forbidden by Toastmasters International because “such controversial subjects are not appropriate.”

This is not true. Toastmasters International does not prohibit any speech topic, content or language.

Toastmasters International recognizes that club members may learn much about the world around them from listening to others’ speeches on a variety of subjects. This variety can add interest to club meetings and stimulate thoughts and ideas. For these reasons, Toastmasters International does not place restrictions on topics, content or language in any speech.

Toastmasters International also recognizes that a club comprises a diverse group of people and recommends that members be mindful of this diversity, using good taste and sensitivity when selecting speech topics, content and language.

While Toastmasters International has no organizational restrictions along these lines, each individual club does have the right to limit speech subjects, content and/or language, with the consensus of its members. Club leaders should guide their members on how to observe good taste and sensitivity in the context of that particular club.

Club websites are useful vehicles clubs can use to advise members and guests of any policies that have been decided. Presenting information on a club website helps maintain consistency as leadership changes. Additionally, it allows transparency and clarity for club members so they can periodically review the established practices of their club.