'ASSERTIVELY HUMOROUS"

This weeks meeting was a combination of an educational session on how to give a humorous speech and a project speech on being assertive.  As a result we all left with a confident smile on our faces.  Though that is a common result of attending the Pania Toastmasters meeting.

The meeting was well run by Toastmaster of the day Graeme.  We also had some guests who were potential new members just immigrated from Christchurch, Alan and Varna.  They were introduced by Helen who has also brought along her husband, Ian, another fellow Toastmaster.

First up was the education session by Helen.  With the upcoming humorous speech contest she provided some techniques and inspiration for creating humorous speeches.  She began by saying that a humorous speech needs to have the standard speech structure of opening, body and conclusion.  In addition it needs to have a purpose.  With this in place the humour is “sprinkled on top” using vocal variety and pauses to add emphasis.  (As they say, the secret to good comedy is … timing).  Helen suggested making our humorous references - short, simple and special.  Finally, Helen rounded off by recommending we allow time in our speech for the expected audience laughter, guffawing, and chortling.

Next was Carol.  She was presenting a project from her Advanced Communication book - Interpersonal Communications.  This was project 5 about “Asserting Yourself”.  Carol provided a good structure for asserting ones needs - stating the problem, telling feelings, specifying the solution and the describing the consequences.  In addition Carol had a few good tips - speak up immediately, be direct, be pleasant, and be calm (all tough in stressful situations, I’d say).  To demonstrate these suggestions Carol performed a role-play with Barbara where Carol tried to use her assertiveness techniques to get her plumber (played by Barbara) to repair some faulty work performed in the past.  Well done Carol for coming up with such a real-life situation, and well done to Barbara for being such a formidable subject.  (I hope the real situation with your plumber went well Carol!).  Mike evaluated Carol’s presentation with his usual thoroughness.

Table Topics was run by David who asked people to provide a one minute introduction of themselves.  Always a good skill to have in this world of networking and social interactions.  Our guest Ian ably presented his life in three key points - the “Nui”, grandmother and the sergeant major.  All which influenced how it is today.  Jen told a tale of wayward girl made good with a variety of careers around the world.  Finally Linda left the Hawkes Bay to become “lost” overseas only to discover herself in Iran teaching English and now finding herself back in the Bay - quite an adventure.

In the general business session we were warned about the humorous speech the following week (this week now!).  And Barbara was awarded her Advanced Communicator Gold (AC(G) certificate - well done Barbara! 

Finally, Darryl presented the General Evaluation session, awarding Carol as Best Speaker; Mike as Best Evaluator and Ian as Best Table Topics.=

Thanks to Darryl for this week's report.