"ARE YOU OUTSIDE LOOKING IN?"

ARE YOU OUTSIDE LOOKING IN?

Considering joining a Toastmaster's club and trying to make sense of what it’s all about by peering into the meeting via this blog, as it were, from the outside. This is for you. Welcome. Come for a visit and feel free to bring a friend.

This is usually a report on what the previous meeting was like; what happened, who spoke and how well and on what subject matter, who supportively evaluated their performances and what they thought. That, plus a raft of other narratives as is packed into these inevitably fascinating exchanges in the short one-hour duration of our weekly Thursday lunchtime meetings. 

Thus, a meeting report is somewhat redundant for many of the members, because as most of us attended and participated, we already know exactly what the meeting was like, who spoke, about what and how well. No description, no matter how fulsome would sufficiently acquaint the extent of the performances to those members who were not present. So instead, this time let’s speak directly to those of you who may be interested for yourself or another in attending a meeting as a guest and are not yet sure it’s for you. This a good place to start. Plonking yourself into a chair as a visitor to observe a club meeting would be better, but this will do for now.

The existing members of Pania Toastmaster's Club can often be heard saying that the members see themselves collectively as something of a family. And in so many ways, a family we are. You learn to trust people at a Toastmasters club because we share a lot about our lives as we gradually unfold our histories, viewpoints and experiences in our speeches and in the warm friendships that evolve over time from membership. A valuable asset.

Like most Toastmaster clubs do of their local region, Pania reflects the wide diversity of people you see in the streets of Hawkes Bay. At meetings, we are constantly impressed at how the intriguing life stories of people speaking so beautifully in an English that is sometimes a second or third language are related with such depth of emotion and eloquent expression. Perhaps a quarter or so of the members, with varying experience are English second-language speakers. There is never a sense that any linguistic difficulties that may concern them compromise the fluency of their stories. Their passionate views on life and their search for sharable solutions for common concerns are delivered with academic accuracy and raw heartfelt authenticity. We listen to their stories, entreaties, challenges and experiences, like all the presentations at the club, with delight and deep appreciation.

The Pania club membership is comprised roughly a third each of senior, significantly experienced members, those who have been on board for quite a few years and those who range from recently joined to having been around for a year or two. Strong threads weave themselves right though all three groups; 

a definable warm welcome and support for new and newish members while they get on their feet, 

seamless background back-up and mentoring steeped in experience for anyone who wants it or looks like they may welcome it, and 

a genuine interest in making the club experience joyful.

an astonishingly high-level of speaking ability across the board. Great for learning.

So, if you are looking in from the outside and wondering what it is; it’s a club of new, experienced, supportive friends who will ease you into learning, practising and perfecting high-level public speaking abilities faster than a speeding bullet! (Well, almost!) All while you having genuine fun,  you’re quickly learning to manage your nervousness and contributing to your fellow members much more than you might expect.

So wander in at 11:55 am next Thursday to the club meeting room. All we ask you to do is to stand and introduce yourself to the meeting, usually 12 - 15 members. Fifteen seconds or so is all. Who you are, what you do and why you’re here. That covers it. 

Better still, call us to say hello and we'll have a name tag and a welcome ready for you. It’s as easy as that. That’s what I did. That was over forty years ago. Been in Toastmasters ever since. It was the best thing I ever did. (Well, maybe the second-best thing! Oh! Perhaps the third ... well, OK, the fourth. Yeah. The fourth. Mmmm ... maybe the third after all!)

See you on Thursday then?

Peter