'MEMORIES!"

Pania Toastmaster Club Meeting Report 13^th July 2017-07-14

Although heavy rain, the cold and the threat of snow rained on Laurel’s parade preventing her attending to deliver her speech as Speaker 1 the meeting began a minute ahead of schedule and was a fulsome, vibrant and entertaining meeting. 

Noel, or Toastmaster, opened with a welcome to all in attendance and numbers were very high considering the atrocious conditions outside.  The small number of apologies required were given and the Mission Statement was read with great vocal variety and dedication.  For anyone running a minute or two late and still in the midst of removing a heavy jacket, (Oh no, ... was that the General Evaluator coming in the door a little late???), this was still easily followed as Noel had ensured a written copy of the mission was provided on the day’s agenda.  Thank you Noel for this small but significant detail on the agenda!

Linda (Evaluator 2 and Sandy (Speaker 2) both appeared to respond to the challenge of needing to provide an introduction and speech earlier than either expected upon their arrival and in doing so set the high calibre of contributions that I, as a ‘newbie’ have come to expect from Pania’s Toastmaster membership.

Linda began this high calibre process by identifying the book and project that Sandy was developing her speech upon, the subject of Sandy’s speech and the link that Sandy’s topic had back to an earlier Table Topic that Sandy had participated in – Childhood memories.

Being a well prepared audience we listened and then found ourselves participating as we engaged in recalling some of our own childhood memories as Sandy expertly took us on a journey of her and her grandmother’s early childhood memories during wartime conflict as a child.  Clearly while some memories can be of very hard and traumatic times such as being a child in prolonged war and the need to be transported through dangerous and arduous conditions, Sandy, and Sandy’s grandmother clearly reminded us that there is also joy to be found and experienced even in the most gruelling of circumstance – and all of this in 7 minutes.  Well done Sandy!

Moving straight on to general business Marc seemed relaxed, yet disciplined, about using the extra time available to not only sharing information about the Club Contest to take place on the 21^st August but also provided clarification of what, and when (i.e., an evening meeting) for those new to the club.  Marc was noticed too to respond in a flexible and relaxed manner to questions from the floor, and Noel was noticed to be equally relaxed trusting in the experience of Marc to use extra time but not to forget that some time constraints were still in place. Great work by both!

Jane, also very responsive to the day’s changed timetable needs extended the Table Topic speeches from one to two minutes.  Jane ensured too that she was going to get some great engagement and response from her speakers by being very provocative in her introduction of each of her Table Topics.  As a result, each speech was equally full, vibrant and interesting whether speakers responded to her provocation directly or as Patrick did, took a quite different tack and stood his ground on his own views. Well done Jane; great subject introductions and engagement of your chosen speakers!

Linda then evaluated Sandy’s speech and Helen evaluated Table Topic speeches.  Linda acknowledged the changes that Sandy had achieved in the six months since she had given her first speech as a Toastmaster and in doing so both directly and indirectly acknowledged how Sandy had been taking on board the feedback to grow her delivery and confidence skills.  Linda did have two recommendations: one was that Sandy identify her research sources as other Toastmasters may want to follow up some of her research findings, the other was that Sandy try to maintain consistent eye contact with her audience. At the same time Linda was noticed to do this in a very encouraging and supportive way by also acknowledging that this was not always easy to achieve. Way to go Linda!

Helen evaluated the Table Topic speeches.  It was clear listening to Helen that she had a format for evaluating each speech and a format that for the most part she used consistently; voice, body language, delivery and some content if it seemed appropriate to do so.  If there were a prize for consistency Helen would have received this prize; great role modelling Helen!

The timekeeper, who was Craig today (as well as taking on a Table Topic himself), presented his report followed by Stephanie who delivered her first general evaluation – note to herself... don’t be late if you are the general evaluator!  J Then Stephanie acknowledged a well run meeting by Noel and his relaxed and flexible approach to the day; his trust in his fellow Toastmaters paid off!  Marc was also acknowledged for his contributions. That is, although not able to evaluate a speech that did not take place, Marc nonetheless made a great contribution during the meeting!  Linda was acknowledged for the fullness yet encouraging nature of her evaluation and was awarded the evaluators taonga (trophy), and Sandy for her speech deservedly taking out the top spot for speaker also being awarded the speaker’s taonga (trophy). While the Best Table Topic award went to David.

The meeting closed on time.