" A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ......!"

Pania Toastmaster's Club today held its Humorous Speech Contest and five intrepid and 'funny' members stepped up to accept the challenge to entertain and humour us!

The Contest was chaired by Craig and visiting judges from Napier Club, Chris, Ian and our own Laurel decided on the winners. The times were ably kept by David and Helen.Guests included,Jan,James K (from Napier Club),Karen(David's daughter) and a big welcome back to ...... Jeanette!

First up was Russell, with "Our Super Club" relating tales of this fictitious! sports club 'Wanderers' ,the members of which were there for the Social occasions , not playing soccer! They were never going to win the FA Cup (because they were not in England) or the World Cup (because they were not a Nation!!) 

Next was Barbara with "Communication Breakdown",Barbara, as we know from past experience is a talented speaker and this showed with plenty of 'typos' that have occurred in her role as a PA related to us, some of which left her in most embarrassing situations! "there will be insufficient room for the staff to shit on the stage"
Then followed Carol with "The White Warrior", this was an amusing account of her security system , a small white fluffy dog, and the great things that dogs can and cannot get up to, like did you know that dogs are not smooth talkers-they go rough, rough, rough! and there were many more!

Jane was next with "Eccentric Teaching Colleagues", Jane shared with us some of the colleagues she taught with in Brisbane, an amusing account of a few of her teacher colleagues-but thank goodness they were not all eccentric! an alcoholic music teacher that would not be a sobering note!

Last but not least we had Anna with "Stroppy Old Woman's Online Adventures" an intriguing title that lived up to it! Anna told us about 'her' adventures with internet dating and how it used to be soooo good in the past when you went to "the pub' and could study the talent!!.He is out there Anna-you just have to find him!

A great contest, where everyone who entered was a winner! but at the end there can be only one who goes onto the next level at the Area Meeting on 2nd September and that was Barbara (for the seventh time in a row in this Contest -a tremendous effort!!!) 2nd place went to Anna and Carol was third.
Thanks to all involved- next week we revert back to an 'ordinary' meeting where the Toastmaster is Marc- see you all there!!

"TO THE MOON AND BACK"

David opened our meeting on time and told us we could guess the theme of the meeting by referencing the slogan at the bottom of our programme…. “That’s One Small Step for Man…..”

Jane read our Mission Statement and Russell told us our word of the day was QUALM.  Obviously from that point on nobody had any qualms or queries with using that great word in their speeches. 

"GREAT EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MANAGEMENT!"

Winter has certainly arrived in Napier, but it was a warm welcome at the Pania Toastmasters meeting on Thursday lunchtime.  It always amazes me how much we can pack into a meeting that only lasts 50 minutes.

Our Toastmaster Linda provided up with a well organised program and ensured we were all prepared for the journey ahead.  Our guest, Ian, was welcomed, the Toastmaster's mission statement read, and apologies read and accepted all efficiently.

First up was Russell with a speech from the Presentations for Management advanced book.  This involved all the audience being his employees at a Napier shop where business had not been so good.  Russell’s presentation involved advising us of the situation and proposing changes to how we work.  Then it was a chance for us (the employees) to ask questions which Russell handled well.  Laurel evaluated Russell’s speech and provided good feedback on how to better present such important information.

Next was Mike who was presenting a bard.  For this he read the opening of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.  This is where the main character, Pip, met a convict in the cemetery.  This provided a great opportunity for Mike to use vocal variety and his enthusiasm for the story to engage us all and make the story and come alive.  Usually a bard is not evaluated but Graeme provided compliments and some recommendations to Mike.

Table topics was led by Helen who used the topic of food.  Barbara made up a recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie on the spot; Noel told us where the best Custard Squares could be found; and Emma gave us an interesting recipe for Ice-cream.  By the end we were all entertained as well as hungry!  Patrick provided an entertaining and well organised evaluation of Table Topics - well done for his first time evaluating.

Craig gave a quick Education session (assisted by Graeme) on the Humorous Speech Contest funnily enough coming up on 28th July, and Darryl provided an excellent general Evaluation (initially in rhyme-but he could not keep that up right through)(Ed) and was assisted by Timekeeper Ian.
See you all on 21st July, when the Toastmaster is David, start thinking funny thoughts!!

Finally awards were presented
- Best Table Topics - Emma
- Best Speech - Russell
- Best Evaluation - Laurel

"NGHS: THAT'S THE TOPIC CHOSEN!"

A very good meeting was held 7 July 2016 held at the Blind Foundation building, Thackeray Street, Napier. The scene was set from the outset; the banner was displayed and had ‘pride of place’ hanging on the back wall, reminding us we were attending a toastmaster meeting.

We were greeted by our Sargent at arms as we arrived. There was a buzz in the air with general chatter by members and guests before we were called to attention by the Toastmaster of the day Anna, where we were welcomed warmly, (as it was Maori language week: Ki Ora) was utilized. Guests were welcomed: Stephanie and Gerrard. The programme was clear and precise, the transition between presentations was handled with confidence, no hesitation.

As Anna introduced those that were presenting, she shook their hands a sign of welcome and makes the presenter feel at ease.

Timekeeper Patrick knew the time requirements of the tasks, accurately timed and signalled appropriately. A novel idea of delivering the feedback to the audience of the time the speaker,s spoke.

An educational by Russell – he had notes on the rostrum, but only scanned them at the beginning of his presentation. He did not rely on his notes at all. An informative educational was cherished by his attentive audience where he offered good scope for Topics when searching for speeches.    He had good gestures and eye contact. No hesitation in his presentation and very good use of pause.

Helen's introduction of Barbara was hearty, would have made Barbara feel comfortable and confident presenting her speech, Helen shared the objectives and the time of the presentation.

Barbara’s presentation of her beloved school NGHS was appreciated by all,   she explained her connection with the school being 50 years and her mother 85 years.  Barbara shared with us details of the founder of the school. Various pictures were shown to us and the school motto -  Ad Lucem:  'towards the light' was revealed. Barbara proudly explained that the now Principal Mary Nixon is moving on to new beginnings in Auckland and that Mary was vivacious and forward thinking she had upgraded the school attendance and increased the scholarships the school earned.

Helen offered Barbara brilliant feedback (excellent listening skills). Helen advised it was a superb motivational, interesting and informative presentation.

Mike the Table Topic Master challenged us, questions posed with vim and vigour, made us think on our feet, Mike had questions where you imagine yourself:  his topics, A vegetarian, Richie McCaw, First colonise on Mars and a Base Jumper, his victims Carol, Marcus, Darryl and Laurel all answered without hesitation and appeared to enjoy themselves (it is the fun part of the programme)!  The Table Topic Evaluator Noel  offered positive feedback and was encouraging to all.

General business was to the point; members were reminded to bring their Competent Leader Manuals so in turn members could get their assignments evaluated.  Members were reminded of their tasks for next week’s meeting.

In general a happy, entertaining and informative meeting that was relished by all. 

Thanks for the report Wendy.

"WHAT'S COOKING?"

It may have been a cold, wet day outside, but it was a warm, well-attended meeting that greeted our two guests – Stephanie and Kelly.

Jane was our Toastmaster and a very efficient one at that, she was assisted by David in his role as timekeeper. With General Business soon out of the way, Barbara gave a warm introduction to Patrick. This was Patrick’s fourth speech and he is developing a very confident style. ‘Plate up Like a Pro,’ took us on an experience of fine dining tips and tricks which anyone can use to make their meals more pleasurable and excite the taste buds. He introduced five basic rules to a successful food arrangement.1) have a key ingredient - which is often, but not always, meat, 2) rule of 3rds - so that the proportions remain balanced, 3) use odd numbers of items, 4) choose a focal point – this draws the eye, 5) use positive as well as negative space, it is not necessary to cover the plate completely. Accompanying these points were diagrams and pictures. Apparently plastic squeeze bottles are the ultimate foodies trick and Patrick is now armed and ready to go forth into a new era of gastronomy. Barbara’s evaluation was full of well-deserved praise for a job well-done and several pertinent recommendations.

Armed with hair net (no hairs in this soup) and pinny our very own Julia Child was up next. Jen’s speech was titled ‘Peeling Back the Layers’ and it was ably introduced by Anna. We were taken on a nostalgic tour from 1971, through 45 years of married bliss to the present day, on the back of an assortment of vegetable peelers. This very clever presentation was from an advanced manual and required the speaker to use a piece of equipment, who would of thought of a peeler in this context? Starting with the honeymoon stage of marriage, Jen told us she sought to please her man in the kitchen, but risked losing digits and criticism from peeling her veg to thickly with a sharp knife. Her thoughtful husband bought her a basic peeler, but it still cut too thick, this was followed by a more update version with similar problems. Finally she was won over by the efficiency, both in ease of use, and lack of extra waste by a state of the art peeler bought from the Show. Anna started her evaluation with the comment, ‘What a treat’ and emphasized the humour threaded throughout the speech. She also gave good recommendations for future speeches.

There is always much anticipation over Table Topics with its ‘seat of the pants’ delivery mode. Laurel was on a DIY journey and asked for help with some unfinished projects. Darryl was first up with drawers that wouldn’t slide into place. He had three suggestions, but ultimately concluded that it was better to buy a new one rather than continue battling with the problem. Mike was given the task of fitting venetian blinds with a missing drill bit, ever resourceful he had options for using smaller and larger drill bits, substituting a nail or buying a new bit. However, in the end he also thought it would be better to give the job away and get a professional to finish the job. Our last speaker, who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty if she can find someone else to do the job, used praise and cunning to get her husband to move a heavy table into an upright position. Her ingenuity and good use of descriptive words earned her a well-deserved award.

The meeting ran to time despite a packed schedule and I am sure that everyone is looking forward to more great speeches at our next meeting.

Best Speaker: Jen

Best Evaluator: Anna

Best Table Topic: Helen

General Evaluator: Linda