"OFF FIRST TIMERS & OLD HANDS!"

Of first timers and old hands

Another excellent Pania Toastmasters meeting. A mix of transformation, entertainment and education.

We were 11 members and 1 guest and Graeme was our toastmaster, a role he may have done more than 50 times. And he showed how to do it – professional and succinct, he explained meeting process to our guest and allowed the meeting to flow. It was about creating a successful meeting.

Anna was first speaker. Pedro’s confident intro around this being a speech to challenge perspective had us eager to hear more. ‘The ‘P’ Word’ – a speech to praise the evolution of Toastmasters from a 2 path system to the current 11 Pathway curriculum. Transformation can be difficult and moving from ‘it’s too hard’ to ‘I can do that’ is a  part of why Toastmasters exists.

Pedro’s evaluation was full of  commendations. This speech had actions, vocal dynamics, sound effects and props. Always a lot to learn when Anna gives a speech

Patrick was Speaker 2 with an educational speech on what body language is and how to use it. He started  with a short mime to show it can all be body language to tell a story and follows on with excellent examples of body language and how to optimize it in a speech. Also touched on how his use of body language has evolved over his 2 years at TM.

Benita gave an enthusiastic introduction to get us ready and then summed up with several commendations for an organised speech that met the objectives of how to use gestures and body language to enhance speech content.

Table topics master was Carol who used a TV theme and a new word – tele-adultery. Hannah was all about her favourite TV show, Kim on her first table topic, spoke on celebrity role models. Lou’s table topic was how someone might act if they’ve already seen the show but the other person watching hasn’t.

A meeting highlight was Peter’s table topic evaluation, or educational I should call it. As you’re walking up start thinking of the end, the destination. Then use the ‘launch - navigation – destination’ format for the speech. The title you’re given need only be a guideline rather than something definite. Of course not as easy as it sounds. He gave good encouragement and tips for first time speaker Kim as well as to Hannah and Lou.

The best speech award was to Anna with Benita taking the best evaluator.

Lou gave the timekeepers report, and Graeme wrapped up right on time with comments on how previous meetings different seating set-up might have not have been 100% successful, but new things need to be tried to know if they work. Which is a  part of why Toastmasters exists.