"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