Spring is here!

Spring certainly had sprung at out meeting on Monday. Lots of colour – especially yellow was in evidence as members took up Chairman Craig's challenge to wear a "spring thing". Some went a bit overboard, but we won't mention Graeme's name!

Graeme

Craig opened the meeting and showed his enthusiasm by forgetting to introduce some of the team for the evening. He must have been keen to hear what Layeeq had in mind for Table Topics. Layeeq had a series of objects which were drawn at random from a secret box. Participants had to sell the product using a story. A lot of laughs were produced from some participants who had to sell the audience such random objects as a wrist excerciser, roll of toilet paper, bunch of bananas, a glass and a calculator.

Ian - Selling his very special roll of toilet paper

Craig - With a pair of hand exerciser

Delan choose a word for the night which was pedantically used at times – "pedantic". He gave a very good report at the end of the meeting, showing his listening skills.

We were treated to two Ice Breaker speeches. Carol talked about her journey in life moving from her birth country of India to NZ to improve her education with a speech titled "The Girl in the Mirror". She was followed by Campbell who gave us "A Taster of Campbell". An amazingly fulfilled life and variety of jobs he has experienced during his time on earth. Introducers Brenda and Kate showed they had done their homework with their introductions giving the audience thoughtful background on their respective speakers.

Carol - Delivering her ice breaker speech

Campbell - Delivering his ice breaker speech too

Our two "blossoms", Emma and Jane gave all the Table Topics participants excellent feedback with CRC for all.

After our mid-meeting break - which gave us time to mingle with our guests - it was back to the meeting and an evaluation of Carol's speech by Brenda. This was then followed by the evaluation of Campbell's speech by Kate. Both evaluators presented their speakers with warm, friendly and positive evaluations with recommendations that would have been receptively received by the respective speakers. Ashley used a rock to great effect with his speech entitled "Memories", Speech 4 from the CC Manual - "How to say it", using word pictures and vocal variety. Introduced and later evaluated by Graeme, both the speech and evaluation were "rock solid". After listening to such great speeches and effective feedback, it was a complete change to hear a presentation from our Area Director Christine who educated us on her role and how she can help the club as well as an update on what is happening in Toastmasters.

Almost at the end of the meeting, the business session was the opportunity to induct Patrick into the club. A guest for the past three meetings, his membership was warmly welcomed.

Induction of Patrick

The meeting was efficiently wrapped up a little late by the General Evaluator Steve and his team of timekeeper Daniel and Grammarian Delan.

Awards were presented to Carol for Best Speaker, Brenda for Best Evaluator, Kate for Best Table Topics and Campbell for Best Contribution to the meeting. Jane was also presented with her Area D2 award for coming 1st at the Humorous Speech Contest.

Jane - Award presentation

A well run meeting kept smoothly running by Craig. Fun times again.