Something for Everyone

Hello Toastmasters and Guests

There was a great turnout for last nights meeting. A warm welcome to 3 guests who ventured along to our club for the first time – fantastic to meet you John, Amy and Netta, and hopefully we will see you again at the next meeting!

A well organised and fun night of speaking, listening, learning, evaluating, sharing and participation – there was something for everyone to experience last night.

Our Sergeant at Arms, Bryce, had the room all set up by 6:30, before anyone arrived. Well done Bryce.

Our capable Toastmaster for the evening was James Ward. Great job James, with a full programme, James added his own unique touch to the evening through great transitions between speakers that ensured the evening kept its flow.

Craig was General Evaluator and provided a thorough introduction of roles and proceedings for the benefit of the guests. Craig was ably assisted by his team, Bryce and Sarah. Bryce mastered the demands of the stop watch and lights as timekeeper. Sarah Lee was certainly not “lackadaisical” as Grammarian, and provided some good technical points and observations on kiwi-isms in her report. Well done to Peter, Graeme and Steve – no umms or ahhs from them last night!

Christine “fired” us all up for Table Topics by introducing her theme for the session:

• Peter described his fire fighters dream job, (which was running away from fire?)
• Ian gave us a fiery story from his youth when his childhood hut caught on fire.
• Jan is well prepared, at home and at the office, for fire with escape plans and smoke alarms (now that they have batteries)
• Danny described how for some, fire has a greater attraction than just heat, with an unfortunate story on how some one set fire to the kindergarten she was working at.
• Graeme didn’t give his views on bonfire, but rather spoke passionately about his father being a fireman and the great unsung work they do.
• Christine summed up table topics with a couple of facts from her research on fires.
• Table topics speakers were evaluated by Joost and David.

Next we were treated to four diverse and engaging speeches.

Our first speaker was Lucy who gave us a vivid narrative on the challenges faced in “An average hour” of an emergency department nurse. Lots of great descriptive language really helped the audience visualise the scene.

Second up was Chris who had a well structured and researched speech for us on “Which TV” to buy for the pending change over from analogue to digital. Judging from the amount of discussion at Intermission on “Which TV”, I think the timeliness and topic hit a chord with most of us in some way.

Steve gave us the inspiring story of an “Impossible Dream” and how a trip of a life time to Disneyland lead on to ideas to help others, which then lead to website and a purpose in life for a young Spina bifida boy called Eric.

The final formal speech for the evening was from Rob. A great descriptive introduction lead to Rob “stepping out of his comfort zone” and into his first boxing fight in support for Students against Drunk Driving. Great speech Rob and loved the posters!

Introductions and evaluations for speakers were ably done by Danny, Sheryl, Graeme and James K respectively. Good commendations and recommendations provided to all speakers which will help them grow as they undertake future projects.

The Business session was run by our President, Craig: Highlights were:

• David was recognised for his 30 years of membership with a Toastmaster Pin and certificate. Congratulations David on a great achievement.
• Certificates were handed out for Participation in the Humorous Speech contest held at our last meeting. Second Place certificate to Ian Wright, and First Place Certificate to Danny Mills. 
• Reminder that the Area Council – 5 club competition covering Table Topics Contest and Humorous Speech Contest is on next Saturday (15th September) at the Greenmeadows East Community Centre, Tait Drive. The contest starts at 2:15 with a $2.00 donation for refreshments. All are welcome to come along and support Danny who will ably be representing the Napier Club
• The Division Contest will be in Rotorua on 13th October..
• A reminder to bring and use Competent Leader Manuals to meetings.
• A reminder that the next executive meeting is at Craig and Jan’s house on Monday 17th at 7:30.
• James handed out invoices for subscription renewals. These need to be paid by 24th September.

The final session for the night was run by Toastmaster James and was a “Bright Ideas Soapbox”, a chance to voice your views on a topic important to you.

• David volunteered first – always passionate about issues, David spoke on the need for a proper debating forum (and yes he did manage to bring up some of his favourite passions like the public library! ).
• Our guest, Amy, then bravely ventured up and gave a sincere and heart felt plea on the need to talk about suicide. Great job Amy to get up at your first meeting and speak so confidently on a sensitive subject.
• James K followed on from with some ideas and initiatives to how to promote a more youth friendly pharmacy.
• Rob spoke on some initiatives he had used while working in Flaxmere to get along side and involved with unemployed youth and motivated them to change their lives.

A fantastic effort by all four to speak so genuinely and avidly about issues important to each of you! With time starting to run short, Jan provided a concise summary evaluation for the four “Soapbox” speakers

Our General Evaluator, Craig, was back to sum the evening proceedings in his usual succinct but thorough way.

The Awards for the evening were presented:
Best Table Topics: Jan Alve
Best Speaker: Rob Whaitiri
Best Evaluator: James Kan
Best Contribution: Sheryl Mackie

A final word of encouragement from the toastmaster for the evening to our guests

“A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step”.

Next meeting is the 24th September at 7:00, See you all then and have a great fortnight.

Sheryl

VP Ed