"Chose Toastmasters & Learn about Iran!"

Well what a great meeting we had at Pania Toastmasters on Thursday 23August!   Lou our first time Toastmaster started exactly on time at 12.05 and did her chairperson role very well indeed.  Our two speakers had rather intriguing speech titles "Desert mountains and join toastmasters".    Read more.

"SEEING GOALS MATERIALIZE!"

A clear vision on good leadership brings happiness!

Again we had what I enjoy so much at Toastmasters: the fabulous mix of a humorous, but also informative meeting at the Pania Club! There was a long list of apologies, but nevertheless we had a very successful meeting, including time to catch up over lunch after the official part was over.

Jen was our Toastmaster, leading into the meeting with an account of her recent most horrific day with a computer system crash – which she presented in her typical earnest way, but never failing to make us all laugh and giggle and see the quirkiness in the situation.

First speaker Graeme was introduced warmly by Tamara, who informed us that the objective of Graeme’s speech was to use visual aids. Matching the objective in a double sense, Graeme talked about his trip to an optometrist. Wittily, he weaved through his speech the mystery behind the acronym OPSM, also jesting about the staff and his interpretations for his poor eye sight, but then lead to the discovery of his eye problem that needed hospital treatment. Everything came to a positive end – but with us still pondering about OPSM. In her evaluation, Tamara summarised that the speech’s objectives were met and gave a clear analysis of the speech’s structure and how the message was conveyed.

Trish was Table Topics Master with the theme Happiness, and we learnt of the existence of a world happiness day in August, which was then expanded to the whole month of August.

As the first Table Topic speaker, Trish asked Marc to talk about what excites him most in life. Marc, in two minutes packed with energy, vocal variety and gestures told us he likes to be challenged and this is why he loves Toastmasters and specifically Table Topics – to make something up on the spot –even if it’s lies. This earned him the award for the best Table Topic Speaker. There were three more table topics on the theme of happiness, answered by Sandy remembering past and current volunteer work; Mike, who talked about the joy of picking up ukulele lessons as an adult; and Patrick who told us that ending up lonely at old age is nothing to be afraid of, as there are many happy things one can do at a later stage in life.

Lou evaluated the Table Topics session in a comprehensive way, by offering commendations and recommendation to each speaker.

The second speaker Laurel was introduced by Patrick. He explained that the goal of Laurel’s speech was to learn and review researched matter. Laurel presented on the research done by an Auckland professor on social and psychological aspects of corporate leadership. The core message was that in order to achieve goals, there is a high need to capture voluntary cooperation and willingness of the employees, which Laurel explained by using the example of the Toastmasters organisation. She also visualised a conceptual model on courageous conversation on the board and touched on the background vita of the professor. Patrick evaluated the speech and highlighted the quality of research, structure and content. With all this Laurel was providing an extremely informative talk.

Toastmaster Jen led through the meeting smoothly, and keeping it on time, cordially shaking every participant’s hands as they were called on stage.

I (Sandy) finished the meeting with the general evaluation, noting that a lot of my recommendations I would give to myself, too, while I was realising the difficulties in this role. The time keeper Linda kindly shortened her report to a few seconds to rescue the general evaluator going significantly over time – some room for improvement here, but in the end, that’s why we are here!

We all finished the meeting with upright humour and moved to a shared lunch to catch up with each other.

Best Table Topics – Marc

Best speech – Graeme

Best evaluator - Patrick

"FEELING AT HOME WITH THE WALTZ!"

FEELING AT HOME WITH THE WALTZ.

Graeme was the Toastmaster for the day, with a well-organized and run meeting.

Jen was the Grammarian and introduced her word of the day – Rejoice.

Jen also asked that each speaker explain their roles for the benefit of guest Nikki. (Everyone did)

Craig introduced Patrick, who gave a speech titled “We Feel at Home in New Zealand”. He told us about a recent trip back to the Netherlands. He had very good gestures, vocal variety, humour and a good speaking rate. He spoke a little bit of Maori, but admitted that he doesn’t really understand the language.

In his introduction, Craig gave us some information about Patrick and explained that this was a Pathways project and gave the objectives. In his evaluation he explained that under Pathways the evaluator is required to look for improvements from the previous projects. He gave good commendations and recommended that Patrick start the presentation with the Maori quote and to use more pauses to reduce the ums and errs.

The next speaker was Marc who was introduced by Linda, who gave some background information about Marc. Linda told us that Marc’s presentation was about ballroom dancing, but didn’t give the objectives or title.

Marc told us about going to dancing lessons and learning ten new dances. He also gave an excellent demonstration of waltz steps. 1-2-3, 1-2-3. He had a good speaking rate, good eye contact, used visual aids well and had good light humour.

In her evaluation, Linda commended Marc for his demonstrations and visual aids etc. and recommended that Marc have less reliance on notes on the lectern and use gestures more to reduce hand clasping.

General Business. – Marc was announced as the Pania Club Toastmaster Of The Year.

Table Topics. – Noel was the last minute Table Topics Master. He didn’t know until he walked in the door. He used cards with a career written on each. Each speaker chose a card and spoke about the career. Because of time constraints, the Table Topics were limited to one minute each

Graeme – Baker. Spoke about cream cakes and his problem with them.

Jen – Dentist. Would hate to be a dentist and thinks it is a creepy job.

Darryl – Librarian and Politician. He picked up two cards and combined the roles.

Darryl was also the Table Topics Evaluator. He thanked Noel for stepping into the role and gave good evaluations of Graeme and Jen, and evaluated himself by role playing his dual Table Topic.

Best Table Topics – Jen.

Grammarian’s report. Jen reported on the use of the word Rejoice and other words and phrases used during the meeting.

Timekeeper’s report. Paula gave a competent report. Quite softly spoken on this occasion. Recommendation – Speak a little louder to make sure everyone can hear what’s being said.

Best Speaker – Patrick.

Best Evaluator – Craig.

"FOREST GUMP ON A RIVER ADVENTURE!!"

Today’s meeting got off to a good start with our Toastmaster Laurel expertly running the proceedings. 

The first speaker was Jen and she was ably introduced by Noel. Her speech ‘My Forest Gump Moment’ was a heart-warming story about a young boy with a disability who kept going and won a sailing race with unfailing enthusiasm and the support of the other boys. Despite a dislike of the water Jen helped her husband with Sea Scouts for a number of years and it was clear that she got as much from the experience as they undoubtedly did. The story was peppered with funny anecdotes and a clear moral message which was the aim of the speech.

Our second speech was by Lou and introduced by Graeme. This was a ‘How to say it’ speech using rhetorical devices. I for one was pleased that he took the time to tell us what these were as this helped us to appreciate the structure of the speech. The title was ‘River Adventure’. Lou started by recounting the fun of family holidays by the river with descriptive detail that had us all yearning for long hot summer days. However, things took a dramatic turn when her daughter was pinned under water in her kayak, a warning to us all not to be complacent around water.

Sandy took us beyond our shores with her Table Topic session.

Paula – ‘What does travel mean?’ Naturally fun, adventure and food. Who could argue with that cocktail. The buildings, colour and culture delight the mind in ways that are easy to appreciate in foreign countries and this also includes the beer.

Heather- ‘Which travel experience still makes your heart sing?’ She told us about Dubai, as this is totally different with the richness of the culture, the extravagance of the shopping and the hot, sand laden air.

Noel – ‘What is your favourite means of travel?’ A bicycle of course. The perfect vehicle to see a country, to meet the locals and to throw in a bit of exercise as well.

Laurel – ‘What trip relates to a memory?’ The ship that brought her to NZ started off inauspiciously with soggy toilet paper, few well-wishers, and driving rain with an unsteady rolling gait due to poor weight distribution. Surprisingly things became more adventurous and fun as the ship continued around the USA and Canada, through the South Pacific and finally to New Zealand. This is a trip that if finances allow she would repeat in a heart-beat.

Craig gave all the participants positive feedback and even though Laurel had the only recommendation she also received the best TT award.

Linda, completed the meeting with an excellently structured and comprehensive General Evaluator's report ably assisted by the first-time Timekeeper Trish. Well done to both! (ED)

Another great meeting with insightful speeches and the warmth and laughter of people enjoying a shared experience. Looking forward to next week.

Best Speaker – Lou

Best Evaluator – Graeme

Best Table Topic - Laurel