"THIS IS ME- TED X!!"

Toastmasters     22^nd November

‘As you can tell I am destined to be on time’…

As Toastmaster Graeme, called the meeting to order he declared ‘as you can tell I am destined to be on time’ which set the tone of the meeting.

Lou read the mission statement, confidently and clearly.

There was lots of energy and lots of acknowledgement.  It was beautiful to have Maori spoken by Paula and Jennifer.

Noel was warmly welcomed and received his Competent Communicator award .   

Marc acknowledged Paula for choosing to use her speech as professional development on her ‘MCing’ for the TED X Salon Event in Napier last Saturday on the future of education.  Marc commended her for embracing it as an exciting opportunity, he was very positive in his feedback and mentioned use of Maori, her research of speakers and gave her helpful ‘fine tuning suggestions’.

Jennifer’s Icebreaker - ‘This is Me’ introduced her through her mihi, in Maori and talked about her European and Maori ancestry.  She also discussed the purpose of a mihi.  She used great humour and took us on a journey as a new mother, she had to give presentations and had to travel with work going through a ‘very hard dark time’, then rebuilding and now being in a stronger place.  Jennifer won the best speaker award and showed real courage and strength in being vulnerable.

Linda’s Table Topics – were totally unique.  Having taught English in Iran for a few years, she chose the word idiom as the theme and gave examples – e.g. ‘barking up the wrong tree’, ‘a dog doesn’t recognise its owner’ (things are chaotic). Noel was given ‘My hand to your skirt, I beg you’. Noel nailed it with his own story of Iran.  With ‘I rub salt on my stomach’ Jen talked about her stomach a LOT and Christmas time.  With ‘they made me bald – driving me crazy’– Lou talked about workers in her garden, with a great sense of humour, and won the best table topic award.  Finally, with ‘I would eat your liver – I love you so much’ Trish also used humour about her mother in law, with effective use of gestures.

Craig presented Noel with his Competent Communicators Certificate – saying they were amongst the best 10 speeches he has heard Noel give.

Graeme finished the meeting with enough time for another 2 table topics!!!

To Graeme -  ‘Thanks for being here’ and on time!