'FINDING OIL in THE MATUKITUKI VALLEY!'

An excellent turnout at today’s meeting of Pania Toastmasters boosted by the presence of three guests, who all appeared to enjoy the meeting from their comments at the end. Helen, Toastmaster for the day ran a very professional meeting with an excellent program to guide us along.

Following a very warm welcome to everyone, our first speaker was introduced by Anna. The speaker , Jen, one of our advanced members, was doing an assignment from an Advanced Manual “The Fact Finding Report”. Jen was to be the CEO of an Oil Company and was giving her address to the annual Shareholder’s meeting. This was a rather different assignment than we are used to and Jen handled it very well, with her usual humour to keep the Shareholders happy even though the Company was only just breaking even. Jen had some excellent examples of what they had tried over the past 12 months, which had at least arrested the 17% downturn of the previous year! Well thought out and delivered and I think as a Shareholder we would keep her on!!

Anna gave a well rounded evaluation to Jen, with many commendations and a couple of areas where she felt the presentation could have been improved.

Next up was Mike, introduced by Laurel. Mike was also working from an Advanced Manual ‘Interpretive Reading” specifically “Interpreting Poetry”. He gave us a poem  by James K Baxter entitled ‘In The Matukituki Valley’ and also introduced the item with some very interesting information on Baxter’s background. Mike read the poem in his usual enthusiastic manner with good pause at the end of paragraphs and while a little fast in between, was able to convey in our minds the pictures that Baxter was painting in words. Well selected item and well read.

Laurel in her evaluation, gave Mike due credit for the presentation and set her Evaluation out well with concentration on the three main objectives and then commenting on how Mike achieved each one. A suggestion about the introduction perhaps being a little long and to slow down a little, were appropriate. Laurel could perhaps improve good evaluations to be great evaluations if she utilised the 3^rd person method!! Including all the audience in her comments.

Graeme produced an excellent Table Topics session giving the speakers 2/3 or 4 words at different times during their 1 minute presentation. E.g. Marc ,an experienced speaker, started with red, then after 15 seconds had fire engine ,then another associated word (to red) and finished up with lipstick!.David , started with brown, Robyn (ex-toastmaster visiting) yellow and Patrick, green.Well done Graeme and all the speakers.

Linda , Table Topic’s Evaluator, thought  so to and was able to commend all the speakers and also find an area for improvement.

Carol, gave the Timekeeper’s report and the visitors were asked to comment on the meeting, following which the General Evaluator, Craig, had limited time to give his report, but overall it was an excellent meeting, plenty of variety and interest, while also being enjoyable.

Great to see Patrick back from his South Island jaunt and next week we may hear more about it under Toastmaster, David.

Best Speaker; Jen  : Best Evaluator; Linda :  Best Table Topics; Robyn (Guest)