The Importance of Time

Hello fellow Toastmasters,

A great turnout and an excellent meeting last night, thanks to everyone that attended and contributed.  Lovely to have guest Sarah along, we look forward to seeing you again Sarah.  Congratulations Joost on joining the club!  David led the meeting well, despite feeling under the weather.

Christine was our General Evaluator for the evening, and she presented a thorough and helpful GE report.  I'm sure the evaluators would have all gained some useful recommendations.  She was ably assisted by James W as timekeeper, and James K as our idoneous grammarian. 

Jan presented an entertaining Table Topics session related to our working environment and things that have gone well for us, and not so well (Peter)!  Great job Jan.  I felt the Table Topics participants all spoke well to the subject and that is a sign of a well planned and thought out table topics session with an appropriate theme. 

Simon was our first formal speaker of the evening, presenting his Icebreaker speech.  Great job Simon, it was very interesting to learn more about you and all the best for the wedding preparations!  Danny presented a very different type of speech, recounting a poem The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.  Great drama and vocal variety Danny! 

Sheryl then presented the first of the three remaining speeches, which all happened to be inspirational speeches.  Sheryl's speech was titled 'Said and Done', a powerful tribute to her Dad and the inspirational life lessons he taught her.  This was Sheryl's final speech from the CC manual so a hearty congratulations on becoming our newest Competent Communicator Sheryl!  Emily followed with 'Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone', a touching and motivational personal story told with great emotion - I loved this Emily!  Thank you for sharing your story with us.  And I even went home to Hastings a different route!! (For me - radical). 

Steve rounded off the formal speeches segment with 'What's the Rush?', another inspirational speech encouraging us to slow down in life and take time to appreciate the things that really matter.  'Are we so busy wrapped up in our own worlds that we forget to stop and appreciate the things of beauty around us?'  As an aside, Joshua Bell (the world-renowned violinist) that Steve mentioned in his speech can be seen playing at the railway station on YouTube just as Steve depicted. 

I felt the evaluations were of a very high standard last night.  Thanks to Peter, Graeme, Craig, Ian and Chris respectively presenting.  In fact, I can't say it better than Christine so I'll quote her: 'Sincere, honest evaluations that spoke from the heart which reflected the inspirational speeches given'. 

Awards for the evening:
Best TT: Graeme Valentine
Best Speaker: Sheryl Mackie
Best Evaluator: Ian Wright
Best Contribution of the Night: Steve Tutbury for his consistent willingness to help in all things Toastmaster-y!!

Look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, Monday 25 June - same time -  same place.

Sarah Hall
VP Education
Napier TM