"The AGM was Under Milk Wood"

Toastmasters meeting 17 May 2018:

A quick Annual General Meeting Under Milk Wood

Today's Toastmasters was an historic one.

Not only because we listened to a beautiful bard, and had excellent evaluation's, it was the Pania's first and fastest (ever?) AGM!

First of we started with the very intense radio drama presented by Mike from poet Dylan Thomas called "Under Milk Wood."

A marvellous well presented bard echoing the silence of a small town in the dark of the night.

Because we all know Mike as an expressive speaker, this bard with all it's whispering, voice pitches and pauses was an exemplary performed, beautiful story.

Noel evaluated Mike's bard with good analytical quality together with a useful and well explained recommendation, next to all the rightful comments.

Next up was our AGM (Annual General Meeting) presented by our current and   next President of Pania Toastmasters: Marc.

Within a short time frame, Marc was able to get through the Executive Reports, Financial Report, Election of Officers and our upcoming Club Social Dinner at the right pace throughout .

Also present this meeting was the Toastmasters Area Director, Christine , she used this opportunity to have a short talk about the challenges for the Toastmasters 'community', splitting of the Districts into two smaller ones with the advantage to be more visual. She spoke also about the introduction of the Pathways program, gave special thanks to the current and new executive officers and Christine ended her talk with the reference of AI and computers taking over a lot of different jobs, except the jobs with high degree of personal communication, and for the same reason (sales was one of the lowest occupations expected to be taken over by automation) she praised Toastmasters for the ability to improve the personal communication so important in the sales process of one to one.

Our Table Topics was presented by our colourful Laurel. She introduced the magnificent colours in the rainbow and gave all the colours present, in the right sequence(ROYGBIV). The table topics were related to one of the colours each contributor was allowed to pick.

Kristy went for the things that makes you see Red and revealed some spicy private matters and her Red busy work life.

Greame picked the Blue for the question if we have sufficient Blue police with our growing violent society. And for a long time...Graeme actually answered a Table Topics question! With a firm NO. He also questioned if the huge amount of people we do need would be able to meet the high demanding profile and mentioned he has a lot of respect for police officers.

Tamara stated she likes the positive influence of Orange that much she would like to encourage people to take more advantage of the Orange traffic lights. Why not?

Linda's Violet with the reference to roses and violets was asked how she'd handle rude and objective people. Linda answered that question from her profession as psychologist and stated that anger is an primal emotion we need to take control of our self and the best way to start is with a lot of marshmallow-control!!.

Christine picked the NZ clean Green country question and stated that NZ is not that green as we think it should be and asked to mind our and others behaviour in throwing away rubbish.

Laurel ended the superb Table Topics with the question for all of us: "Where does your Yellow brick road lead you?" An excellent session with some colourful answers!

Last and certainly not least was the first Table Topics Evaluation from Lou. And in exactly 3 minutes she was able to make very good commendations for every speaker and she did also made some good recommendations. Evaluations at Toastmasters is one of the most challenging parts and Lou did make a very good impression with added value for this and her upcoming evaluations.

Patrick completed the meeting with his General Evaluation assisted by the timekeeper Darryl, who advised that we started early, but the Toastmaster of the day, Craig, said it was the Toastmaster's prerogative and we had a very full program to complete, which we managed on time.

Best Speaker; Mike

Best Evaluator; Lou

Best Table Topic; Graeme

Officers selected for the Upcoming Toastmaster's Year commencing 1st July 2018 were;

PRESIDENT; Marc

V/P EDUCATION; Patrick

V/P MEMBERSHIP; Jen

V/P PUBLIC RELATIONS; Tamara

SECRETARY; Craig

TREASURER; Carol

SGT at ARMS; Graeme

That's how we roll at Toastmasters Pania.

"IF YOU ARE HALE & HEARTY YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!"

"Celebration Time !! Ah Ha!"

Celebration was the theme for today's Pania Toastmaster's meeting well run by Anna, Toastmaster for the day, who connected the items together in a celebratory manner with her usual enthusiasm and exuberance!!

While a smallish number of members attended we had an excellent meeting, with one guest, Barbara (Laurel's sister), two great speeches and Table Topics. First up was Patrick, introduced by Laurel, Patrick was doing his second speech from the Pathways program 'Motivational Strategies' entitled "I can do anything!" He went on to prove that even with his serious accident many years ago-he probably still can do anything. Spoke about a walk/run that he did last weekend of 28kms, including uphill sections and tackling mud!  A long day (over 6 hours-but who is counting?), the point is he completed the course on track for a triatholon!! Patrick's (for whom English is a second language) is coming on extremely well and this speech was no exception.
In her evaluation, Laurel, rightly praised Patrick for his many good points and was able to give him a couple of excellent suggestions for improvement, particularly how he could go about implementing those suggestions. Well done to both Patrick and Laurel.

Next speaker was, Linda, introduced by Carol, Linda's speech was again from the same 'path' as Patricks, again the second assignment and was entitled "Hale & Hearty!" Linda explained the need for good health both physically and mentally drawing on her work as a Psychologist in four areas (Sleep, Nutrition,Exercise and Stress). A very well constructed speech and while some technical terms were utilised the material was presented in such a manner to enable the 'layman' to understand.Congratulations, Linda, interesting and educational, and well put across.Carol , in her evaluation, had excellent structure to it and and many compliments for Linda, plus a couple of worthwhile suggestions. Excellent.

Table topics was run  by Jen, and she prewarned members that they would be based around our theme of Celebration. Mike ,Anna & Carol were the lucky recipients of questions and all answered well with good structure and humour. A really fun session!!
Graeme evaluated Table Topics in his usual efficient and humorous manner, with some 'tongue in cheek' suggestions to the speakers all taken in good heart.(must have been a flow on from Linda's speech!!)

The business session by Craig covered the Conference in Auckland last weekend, where unfortunately our Marc went overtime in the Evaluation Contest!!! Timing is important. Past member Kerry is to be our new Area Director (we will be in Area M2 with Palmerston North/Whanganui).Also when doing a speech from the Pathways program, the speaker must bring along a copy of the Evaluation form for the evaluator to complete.

Craig wrapped up the meeting with a quick General Evaluation assisted by the Timekeeper Lou.

Best Speaker; Linda
Best Evaluator; Laurel
Best Table Topic; Carol

We do it all again next week, come along and enjoy!!

"SPEAKING OF THE DANCING QUEEN!!!"

What a welcome Pania toastmasters got to their meeting on Thursday , our resident Dancing Queen……. Carol, took us on a journey back in time , when ABBA commanded the airwaves.

Carol had produced a bright cheery programme. She had done a good job of briefing other contributors to the meeting of her them for the day .

With two exceptions ,we could all remember the ABBA days and to the two members  who don’t ……….bad luck !!! It was a great era.


Mike introduced Anna who spoke about filling your life and living your dreams .In a beautifully crafted speech we learned what some of Annas dreams are .

Mikes evaluation was well done , he re visited the objectives, spoke in the third person , had a lot of commendations for Anna intermingled with his recommendations .

A great table topics session by Tamara , she presented some curly thoughts that had meters thinking and even got Craig singing .

The next part of the meeting was devoted to the explanation of officer roles ,where we hope we can whet the appetite of a few new members or even not so new to serve on the committee , its not hard work in fact its the easiest  committee you will ever serve on .
Two changes that will make a difference though , are that Craig understandably no longer wishes to hold the role of VP Education . This is a vital role any one interested should spend time with Craig prior to his or her taking the role. .

During the general business a round of applause was given to Craig who seems to walk on water when it comes to his bouncing back  !! Most people take more than one week off after a heart attack and subsequent surgery !!

The general evaluation,by Jan , included the time keepers report by Patrick,( a lesson in brevity .) followed.

The table topics were evaluated by Darryl , with good commendations given to speakers and to the Table Topics master .

A big thanks to our dancing queen, Carol, for a great meeting .

Best Speech; Anna
Best Evaluation: Darryl
Best Table Topic; Kristy

"FACING DEPRESSION TAKES TEAMWORK!"

What an enthusiastic group of Toastmasters we had at out meeting on 26^th April. Mike was the Toastmaster of the day and kept the programme ticking over very nicely. “Facing Depression Takes Team Work” gives a hint as to what today’s two speeches were all about!.

"A SWIM TO THE 'BURNING MAN'!"

19^th April 2018

Today’s meeting was a lively affair, orchestrated by our Toastmaster of the day Craig. With two excellent speeches and four Table Topics there was plenty of mental stimulation for all. He also did a good job acknowledging the achievements of Mark and Mike in the recent International speech contest. 

"BEING MUM; THE BIRTH OF A NEW IDENTITY!"

Patrick was the Toastmaster with an easy to follow programme and good linking between the sessions. Emma was a guest and introduced by Carol.

The first speaker was Kristy with her Icebreaker and was warmly introduced by Graeme. Her speech was “Being Mum. The Birth of a New Identity”. This was an excellent first speech and of course well evaluated by Graeme. He commended her on her use of vivid word pictures, vocal variety and humour. Two suggestions were to use hand held prompt cards and make more use of gestures.

The second speaker was Jen, who presented Project 5 from the Storytelling Manual. Bringing History To Life. Jen told us about and played the part of Mary McIntyre, a British convict who was shipped to Hobart, Australia. Another excellent presentation with lots of harrowing details about the voyage and her life as a convict.

Jen was introduced and evaluated by Marc, who itemised his evaluation and had many commendations for Jen’s presentation. His recommendations were: More eye contact with the audience, more vocal variety and that the use of Cockney slang would have been appropriate for Mary McIntyre’s voice.

Because Marc is representing Pania and the Area at the Division Evaluation Contest in Taupo on Saturday, the audience gave him feedback on his evaluation of Jen’s presentation. His evaluation was very well structured and there were helpful comments from the audience, but no major suggestions. Although his evaluation time was very close to the contest limit.

Update: Marc won the Evaluation Contest in Taupo and will now go on to the District Contest in Auckland next month. Congratulations Marc.

Next was Table Topics, presented by Lou, who was TTM for the first time. Her subject was the Commonwealth Games. There was only time for two speakers.

Patrick spoke about his favourite sport – Cycling and medals and getting gold.

Graeme was asked if we should be a member of the Commonwealth, which, of course he didn’t answer. But said that he went to the Perth Games and saw Murray Halberg and met Precious McKenzie who was even shorter than Graeme!!

Table Topics were evaluated by Carol , who had commendations and suggestions for both speakers.

Tamara was the Timekeeper for the first time and gave a very good report on everyone’s use of time in assisting the General Evaluator, Mike with his wrap of the meeting.

Mike also represented the Club and Area in the International Speech Contest in Taupo for the Division D award, but unfortunately went overtime and was disqualified!!.(Ed)

Awards:

Best speaker - Kristy

Best evaluator - Marc

Best Table Topic - Graeme

"TODAY BROUGHT HUMOUR ALL THE WAY!"

HUMOUR ALL THE WAY!

It’s well known in Pania circles, that we love humour and fun, while also being serious about what we do. Our meeting on 5 April was no exception as both speeches today were specifically humorous, which seemed to infect our members with the laughter bug.