 | | | | Feel free to contact us with any questions, suggestions or feedback. | | | | | | | 15 May 2007 | | | | There has been a flurry of activity in the District in recent times. We had the Club contest in March, followed by the Area 35 Contest on 18 April at the Fairfield Hotel in which yours truly came second. This was followed by the Division H Contest at the Fairfield Halls on 28 April. This culminated in the International Speech Contest at the Victory Conference in Portsmouth. Each contest was a showcase of the skills, talents and quality of the speeches throughout the District.
On Tuesday 15 May 2007, we had another good meeting at our new home - the Spread Eagle Pub. The meeting was presided by our indomitable president Joan Jardine who also doubled up as Toastmaster for the day. She was assisted by Satyen Deepchand in the role of Timekeeper. Godfrey Nurse served as Grammarian and Ah Counter with the word of the day being “Eloquent”. Peter Robinson acted as Sergeant at Arms. General Evaluator.
Joan gave a very inspiring opening speech urging us all to arise and build the club by stepping up the plate on the publicity and commitment to roles. To reinforce this plea she borrowed a quote from a distinguished Toastmaster reminding us that Toastmasters is the most cost effective personal development programme on the planet – probably!
To get the meeting going, the President did a “vocal warm up” requesting all present to state their name and favourite colour. This was followed by four prepared speeches. Yours truly gave a #7 titled “Science and the Mysterious” about the Bermuda Triangle. This was followed by an Advanced Speech #7 by Peter Robinson on “Selling an Ultramix blender”, a riveting story by Jackie Barrie from the Entertaining Speech Manual. David Langworthy gave an inspiring and uplifting #10 speech. He reminded the audience that Toastmasters is about speaking, listening and leading, membership is a privilege, the responsibility to uphold the Toastmasters Promise and that maximum benefit is gained by active participation. He also used his speech to formally welcome and induct Marianne – our newest member. This earned him his Advanced Communicator Bronze and best speaker award for the night. Well done David.
This was followed by a 10 minute break and the evaluations of the prepared speeches. Peter Robinson evaluated yours truly #7. Peter Robinson was evaluated by Jackie Barrie, Jackie by David Langworthy and David by Joan Jardine. This was followed by the Table Topics session with Don Grant as the impromptu Topics Master. Don came up with some very interesting and topical issues with were thought provoking and entertaining. This was Don’s first time in this role and he did a commendable job coming up with interesting and engaging topics such as Tony Blair’s next job, refuse collection on a fortnightly basis, tax on inflating car tyres and a planning a holiday for a footballer’s wife. Well done Don.
Roman Kilmzcak, Area 35 Governor was the General evaluator of the evening commenting on the proceedings and the performance of all functionaries that have not yet received feedback. He emphasised that it is quality and not quantity that makes a difference at a meeting and this was definitely evident in the club. He observed that despite a few hiccups that the club had experienced with venues, change of meeting times and the weather, the atmosphere was generally very upbeat evident in growth in both numbers and quality.
The president closed the meeting with awards for best table topics to Roman, best speaker to David Langworthy and best evaluator to Jackie Barrie. The meeting finished at 9.45pm with some of the members socialising, catching up with club news and the really thirsty ones retiring to the bar for some liquid refreshment!
The next meeting is on Tuesday 5 June 2007 at the Spread Eagle pub, Katharine St, Croydon CR0 1NX (next to the Croydon Clock Tower).
Look forward to seeing you all.
Remi
NB. The District 71 Autumn Conference will be hosted by the Thamesdown Speakers and will be taking place in Harrogate on 9 – 11 November 2007 at the Cairn Hotel, Rippon Road, and Harrogate. Judging by the Victory Conference, it promises to be another show stopper. Thamesdown Speakers have secured some excellent packages for the event titled “Toasties and Ghosties”. Jo Haskins, Conference Director, Toasties and Ghosties will be happy to take your booking or provide further information. She can be contacted on 07789 963594 or email mailto:johannahaskins@tiscali.co.uk You are all encouraged to make plans to attend.
| | | | |
