Valentines Day

Another beautiful HB day as we gathered for the regular meeting on Thursday.  Twelve members attended.

Viv was Toastmaster and produced and impressive programme themed for Valentines Day, complete with cats (of course) and colour.

She even gave us all a kiss, a Hershey’s type. 

She led us firmly and confidently throughout and opened the programme by reading the Mission Statement.

Mike’s first speech was an interpretive reading from the Advanced Manual, entitled “The Wolf”, by Herman Hess.  Full of superb and vivid word pictures, tragic yet heroic at the same time, we absorbed Mike’s, vocal variety and speech rate.

Barbara evaluated Mike with positive comments and recommended a different manner he might like to consider holding his script.

Jan’s Bard reading was from the thoughts and pen of Dr Ralph Smedley, first written in 1960, on “The Point of Speech Contests.” This was appropriate as we have our International

Speech contest next week.  Jan had updated and made the language inclusive, as women were not permitted to be toastmasters in 1960.

General business was brief and to the point.

Russell’s (in his wonderful Art Deco waist cost) Table topics were centred loosely around the economic development of Napier. Ian spoke on the possibility of racing around the flat streets of Napier, in a pre 1960 car or motor bike.  He’d watch, not race! Darryl commented on the proposed irrigation scheme for CHB and concluded a lot more talking needed to happen. Graeme’s topic was on the idea of the Council pulling out of development and concentrating on the basics. Amalgamation was mentioned, letters to rate-payers and more, not much to do with  answering the question.  Not surprising, he ran out of time. Wendy thought advertising Hawkes Bay on TV was a good idea although she didn’t mention using Sky TV, part of the original question. She concluded that maintaining the content could be difficult. Jen thought the idea of supporting sporting franchises in HB was a great idea- the Magpies etc. And, yes, she fully supports the work of the Napier City Council and says our rates are well used. Barbara didn’t want any seven-days-to-make-a-film in HB competitions in Napier. Too much time and effort which could be spent elsewhere. Yes, it would be good for HB but look at community TV and web sites.

Sue M was kept busy evaluating these, and complimented participants on the responses. Best Table Topic went to Wendy.

Graeme was General Evaluator and gave positive feedback to Evaluators, Sue and Barbara. Jane’s time-keeping report was accurate, to keep us on track. Her outfit also reflected Art Deco in

lovely bright floral tones. He forgot to mention the Bard so the Toastmaster commented!

Barbara  was awarded Best Evaluator, and Mike Best Speaker again by the Toastmasters.  You might call this a combined effort!

Well done Pania Toastmasters.  Let’s share our enjoyment and the positive fifty minutes with some more guests.