Better Late than Never

Steve opened the meeting a little late this evening, but only because we had to wait for another group to finish their meeting before we could set up the hall. Craig welcomed guests and new members Duncan, Kate, Ashley, Emma and Peter C. We had apologies from Paul, Colin, Rachael and Christine. It was a very lively meeting, full of laughter, interjections and of course respect.


As General Evaluator, Craig introduced his team. Tracey gave us the word 'possible' to use and Graeme explained his and Kate's role as timekeepers.

Graeme - Explaining the Lights

Amy introduced a very creative set of table topics. She gave each speaker a holiday location, a famous person, and a situation which we had to weave together into a story:

• Netta went to Rome with Dawn French with a must have item 'bare feet'. Netta found it hard to separate Dawn from her character 'Vicar of Dibbly', and said she felt more like the vicar's blond side-kick.
• Chris went to Fiji with Elvis with an item that was confiscated while on holiday. The confiscated item was Elvis's body.
• Kate went on hoilday with Leonardo Di Caprio who she described as the 'hottest person on Earth'. She got to see the stars, sunsets and rock concerts.
• Peter C. took Kim Kardashian all the way to Stewart Island. Somehow, he got Kim to pay for the whole trip.
• Duncan and Lady Gaga climbed a few mountains in Peru.

  

  Duncan - Climbing the Mountains of Peru

The very entertaining stories were evaluated by Dee and Robyn with much praise and some recommendations for all involved.

Our first speaker was Emma with her icebreaker speech 'You are gonna make it after all'. We learned so much about Emma, her family, career and her love of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Coronation Street!

James's speech 'A Sight for Saw Eyes' gave us great insight into the care of saw blades and the difference in quality between the traditional purpose made blades, and the modern generic blades that do the job, but not as well.

Peter C., our District Director explained the layers within Toastmasters New Zealand from District, Division, Area, Club and Member. Peter also introduced what was known about Toastmaster International's upcoming Revitalised Educational Programme and outlined the new learning paths and online learning focus. It looks like there are a few major changes in the wind.

From the Better Speaker Series, Sarah presented an education session on how to begin a speech.

Sarah - Grabbing the Audience's Attention

Sarah demonstrated a number of 'what not to do' introductions as well as a number of 'what to do' ways of kicking a speech off. Complete with a handout for us to take away, Sarah gave us lots of ideas by covering the four criteria that are essential to a speech opening:

• Grab the audience's attention
• Introduce the topic
• Focus on the body of the speech
• Establish rapport

Ian and Peter M. evaluated Emma and James respectively, and each in there own style with explanations, commendations and recommendations for both speakers.

The meeting began to wrap up with Craig's general evaluation. This included Kate's very thorough timekeeper's report and Tracey's entertaining 'quotes' from the evening's speakers and grammar usage.


A number of awards were handed out this evening:

• Tracey received the Spirit of Success Award from Chris for completing the first five speeches from the Competent Communicator Manual.
• Amy received the Area D2 International Speech Contest trophy from Peter Crofskey.
• Dee received her Competent Communicator Certificate for completing the Competent Communicator Manual.

Dee - Receiving her Competent Communicator Award from Craig

Amy - Receiving her Area D2 International Speech Contest Trophy from Peter C.

From Toastmaster Steve:

• Emma received the Best Speaker Award for the evening
• Sarah received the Best Contribution Award for the evening
• Kate received the Best Table Topic Award for the evening, and
• Ian won received the Best Evaluator Award for the evening

From Left: Ian, Emma, Kate, Sarah and Steve

Congratulations to all our winners (and all who participated this evening). To Amy and Ian, we wish  you both all the best for this weekend at the Division D contest in Rotorua. See you there!

Chris