Bright as a Button

With a programme that included a set of table topics, five prepared speeches, and a business session with three inductions, as well as all the evaluations and feedback that go with it all, Chris was determined to finish the meeting on time.

With the threat of running the meeting with military precision and with the assistance of timekeepers Agilan and Craig, pretty much everyone kept to time. Amazingly, the meeting finished one to two minutes short of 9 p.m.

Richard confidently read the mission statement and Chris outlined the only change, with Netta standing in at the last minute to evaluate Peter's speech.

As general evaluator Sarah Lee introduced her team of Tom (Grammarian) and Craig and Agilan (Timekeepers). Tom's word of the evening was "iota", meaning "not the slightest amount" and it was used by many during the meeting.

Table topics was chaired by Dee. It's amazing how at every meeting, someone comes up with a unique theme for table topics, and this week was no exception. Dee gave her speakers idioms and colloquialisms to explain:

• Steve was asked what it means to 'paint the town red', and it had something to do with waking up with a hangover the next day.
• Paul was 'over the moon' with what he believed to be a farming expression.
• Graeme is as 'bright as a button' when he wakes up in the morning.
• Richard anticipates that when he gets married one day, his future mother-in-law will 'drive him around the bend'.

The table topics speakers were evaluated by Christine who commended and made recommendations, for example, on speech rate and relevance to the topic.

It was then on to the prepared speeches. Peter talked about his favourite tree species; trees that provide shade, low maintenance, value, and one particular tree that was bear proof – good to know if you ever visit North America.

Lana presented a well researched speech on being happy and came to the conclusion that the secret was not to live in the past or the future, but to live in the moment.

Wayne also delivered a speech on happiness. Wayne asked us to imagine everyone with a bucket on their heads - a bucket that holds happiness. Wayne's point was that some people's buckets are easier to fill than others, and he challenged us all to do a good deed that will make someone happy, for example, making a positive comment about someone's garden as you walk past.

Kane presented his icebreaker and told us about his families ties, respect for his headmaster's ability as a confident public speaker and his enjoyment of teaching. Congratulations on a great icebreaker Kane!

The speeches were positively evaluated by Netta, Steve, Amy and Graeme respectively and the speakers had plenty of commendations and ideas for their next speeches.

Craig covered off the business session with information on the District Conference (see info below), and Sarah inducted three members into the club. This must be a record number of inductions in one meeting. Welcome to our new members Agilan, Richard and Nichola. I hope you enjoy the toastmasters experience and I look forward to hearing your icebreakers.

We were treated to an encore speech by James Kan in his preparation for the District Humorous Speech Contest in Palmerston North, followed by feedback and tips that James can incorporate into his speech.

James Kan

The contest starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. For more information about the conference and registration, see http://toastmastersonbroadway.weebly.com It'll be great to see you there cheering James on and pushing the limits of the laugh-o-meter; well I made the laugh-o-meter up, but the more laughs the better!

It was Sarah Lee's first time at being General Evaluator, and Sarah carried it off with such thoroughness and professionalism; you could easily think that she had done it many times before. Agilan read out the times for each participant and Tom informed us of all the people who gave an iota and used his word.

It was then on to the presentation of awards. Congratulations go to:

- Lana for Best Speaker

- Richard for Best Table Topic

- Netta for Best Contribution, and last but not least

- Graeme for Best Evaluator.

Our guest Paul Dutch was invited to comment, and he had many positive comments to make about the meeting. 

It was a pleasure to be your Toastmaster tonight and I'd like to thank you all for your uplifting participation. See you all in three weeks time!

Chris