Pania Toastmasters - Where Leaders are Made!

Hi,
An excellent meeting today, a little different to normal but still interesting and educational. Jen was our Toastmaster (her first time after many months with the Club) and she ran the meeting particularly well with some well constructed comments between items and keeping the meeting to time with the assistance of Timekeeper Noel. A great effort Jen.(Jen had an excellent Tribute to Anzac Day ,poem, on the back of her program, written by a family member google “with their hair a little whiter, they step not quite so sure” and read it.)

11 members attended and we commenced with speech from Craig entitled “What is Success?” this was designed to build up to an Educational session on the role of the Club Officers leading up to the Election of Offices for the 2013/14 Toastmaster’s year. Pania is a very successful Club and one of only approx. 10 in the country that during the recent renewal of subs. round retained all its members(19) with another since joining.

While many of our members have been with us a long time and have previously served on the Executive, Craig implored them and the newer members to consider putting something back into the Club through serving a term as a Club Officer, and reducing the pressure on the 4/5 who have carried this responsibility for several years. Training is given, you will have your very own “Club Leadership Manual” telling you about yours and the other Executive’s roles, plus a wealth of experience available from existing Executive members always willing to assist.

Club Elections were to be held on 9th May (now to be 16th May) so be ready to step forward!
This session was followed by Table Topics led by Viv, she chose quotes by TM founder Ralph Smedley (some I have heard before-some I have not!) and all those that answered acquitted themselves well, they had carte-blanche with their answer- honest, believable, pack of lies, imaginative, true or whatever!!! Those given a Table Topic were, Jan “we learn best through moments of enjoyment” Darryl,Cheryl “nothing is absolute in public speaking”, Ian “people will willingly follow a leader who knows where they are going”, Barbara “circumstances always modify rules” and Pip (sorry-silly old me forgot to take notes at the meeting and therefore we do not have the other quotes used!).The Best Table Topic was awarded to Pip-well done!

During the business session Pip Green was inducted as our newest member, with Barbara as her mentor. Pip’s Ice Breaker is set down for 9th May-be there!! A new forward program will be available commencing 9th May (distributed on the 2nd May). We were advised of the excellent news about Laurence, winning the Division D Evaluation Contest last Saturday in Whakatane and now moving to the next level at the District 72 Convention in Wellington next month, all the very best Laurence, some of us will be there to support you. The International Speech Contest was won by Kingi Biddle from Rotorua, who also now goes to compete in Wellington and hopefully win himself a trip to Cinncinati for the “World Championship of Public Speaking” in August. Graeme, Laurence Jan & Craig attended the Division Conference from Pania.

Wendy gave a full and praiseworthy evaluation of Table Topics and Barbara concluded the meeting with her competent General Evaluation.

REMEMBER (Least we forget, at the going down of the sun and in the morning) NO MEETING NEXT WEEK 25th April (Anzac Day).Next weeks program has been carried forward until 2nd May, Ian as Toastmaster.
Have a great week- we will see you at the Dawn Service!!