"FIRST TO SEE THE SUN"

A very interesting meeting at Pania Toastmasters on Thursday with Noel giving us a fascinating insight with regard to the Chatham Islands. Not only was this speech from personal experience but the pictures shown clarified what Noel was telling us.


Details about the Chathams , such as Waitangi (the main island) having a population of only 300, only 70 of whom are actual rate payers-Pip Island (the closest to Waitangi) having just 30 inhabitants-the dedication toward developing and helping Albatross- selling crayfish to China for $1000 each! all made Noel's speech all the more memorable. Farming , fishing,buildings need I say more? Noel showed us a significant land mark on Waitangi Island that was proof positive that those that lived there were indeed the "first to see the sun" Thank you Noel for a most enlightening talk.

Barbara gave us an Educational session from the 'Leadership Excellence Series', it was called "Giving Effective Feedback" and she set the scene very nicely by introducing the topic so everyone knew what her session was striving to achieve. I liked that Barbara highlighted her vunerability when receiving her first evaluation at Toastmasters. I also noted how cleverly she combinded her experience with the advice given in the assignment notes, especially with regard to leadership. I certainly learnt a lot from the session. The flip charts contained excellent advice, thank you Barbara for a thought provoking presentation which proves (yet again) why you are so good at evaluation.
Congratulations on achieving your Advanced Communicator Gold!!!

The meeting today was subject to 'adjustments' along the way and Ian (Toastmaster) handled this aspect very competently.
A standout feature with Table Topics was Darryl's reaction to his question he "found a bone in his garden" and being an 'Archaeologist' was asked to tell us how he felt! Amazing response!!

Pania is settling into its new venue very nicely, plenty of scope to try different layouts of the meeting room, feels good so come along and see for yourself.
(BLIND FOUNDATION ROOMS, 65 Thackeray Street-12noon every Thursday)

Best Speaker; Noel
Best Evaluator; Barbara
Best Table Topics; Darryl.

Thanks Graeme for this week's report and best of luck in the Evaluation Division Contest on Sunday in Rotorua.