"2 + 2 = Blue"

This was the intriguing, enigmatic title of our first speech today. Darryl was the speaker and he proceeded to give us the information required from No 7 assignment from the CC manual, Research your Topic. Jan introduced and evaluated and fascinating speech on 'synaesthesia'. This is a word which some people experience when they see/hear numerals and see/think in colour.  (I think I've got that right. Correction next time if I'm wrong.) Darryl's speech gave us several examples of this including:  when you are angry you see red. Great historical facts of this topic, plus Darryl's use of a model of a brain, to aid explanations.

Speech No. two was by Barbara, introduced and evaluated by Laurence. She told us a fable - a story with a message. Entitled "Don't Panic", Barbara told of the organisation of a seminar with speakers from out of town, and one hundred and thirty attendees last Friday. What can happen when one of the speakers, from Auckland, threatens to be absent on Thursday morning, was described in detail and with stress levels rising all over, Barbara did not panic! Well, not much. And, sure enough, all was well. Laurence had positive recommendations as well as much praise for Barbara's real life fable.

Cheryl led Table Topics, by asking each of the speakers how they felt about living in three different locations.  Mike gave us a humorous talk on the benefits of living next to a nuclear power station-free power, internet, TV, switch on automatically, lights come in through the walls so no need for security. Jen convinced us that she did indeed live on an active volcano- he rumbled and snored beside her every night, but then she poked him now and again and he stopped! Then she got serious. Barbecues regularly, free hot water round the clock, and her emergency kit at the ready.  Noel was asked how he liked living on Sealand, two large pillars in the sea, off the coast of England. He enjoyed it because he was CEO of his own domain, not many visitors dropped in, but deliveries of supplies took some co-ordination twice a year. A very innovative set of questions from Cheryl.
Noel also evaluated the topics (not his own), and awarded the Best Topic to Mike.

We will induct our newest member, Graham Eagles, next week. Welcome to Pania, Graham.
Sue read the Mission statement today, reminding us what Pania and Toastmasters is all about. General Business was dealt with in record time! Ian is Toastmaster next week.

General Evaluator summed up the meeting, congratulating Toastmaster Graeme on his clearly set out programme, and the smooth running of the meeting. The room was prepared with necessary equipment, thank you Ian and Graeme.  Timekeeper Brenda kept us on time-second time in a row .She is an expert!!
Wendy awarded Best Speaker to Barbara and Best Evaluator to Jan.

This meeting was another example of the enjoyable, educational and gently humorous meeting we experience at Pania Toastmasters. We look forward to another next week!