'Twas the last meeting before Christmas

It was a festive and fun-filled meeting at the Napier Toastmasters Club on Monday night as we came together to celebrate a successful calendar year and indulge in some Christmas treats.

Christine led a spirited meeting and did an admirable job. Our timekeeper Graeme kept us all on our toes throughout the evening and delivered an excellent timekeepers report.

Christine - In full Christmas resplendent

Steve ran an eventful Christmas-themed table topics session (no surprises there) and challenged the speakers to give an appropriate response focusing on originality and creativity. This was then followed by Craig with a Christmas reading, 'Do You Believe In Santa?', a clever twist on the age-old Christmas poem, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. It was written by one of the Pania Toastmaster contemporaries, Laurel, and very clever.

Craig - Delivering a Christmas bard

A brief Business Session was led by our President Craig. This included a mention of the traditional New Year's BBQ to be held on January 23^rd, which further communication will be coming from Sarah in the New Year. Book it in your diaries!

Ian presented the Table Topics Evaluation all on his lonesome, and did a sterling job. His evaluation was colourful, considered and entertaining (with a hint of that much loved Ian-sarcasm) and all speakers would have taken away some useful recommendations.

Graeme, Steve, Chris (ex-President and guest, welcome back Chris!) and Sarah all presented fun Christmas speeches - readings or personal experience accounts, to add flavour to the evenings events.

We concluded the meeting at 8pm and indulged in some Christmas cheer. Kate was given the honour of playing the piano while the rest of us talked among ourselves.

Father Christmas watching over Kate playing the piano

Many thanks to President Craig and our wonderful Executive for all their efforts this year. Napier Toastmasters Club is a fantastic community group and it is a privilege to be a member. We hope to grow the numbers next year so consider thinking of friends and family you can invite along in 2017. Wishing everyone a blessed and refreshing Christmas holidays and see you in the New Year with bells on!

Sarah