Three Kings CLub

The chairperson Gretel set the scene with some energetic background music to the theme of chocolate. Gretel  coped admirably with several adjustments to the roster

Her accomplice for the evening was Toastmaster Clement whose warm introductions referenced each speaker’s preferred style of chocolate.

We soon felt that the evening’s five speakers hardly needed enrichment as they came with powerful  stories to tell.

First was Hazel who gave an absorbing historical story about a ship called Triton.

Next was Kylee, a guest speaker, who treated us to an inspiring perspective on life titled “Rewriting Your Future”.  She described speaking at Toastmasters as “way out of my comfort zone “. Well done Kylee!

Third off the blocks was Liz whose Pathway’s  Icebreaker speech, “To Slide or not to Slide”, was later described as “phenomenal” by the General Evaluator. Liz had the audience spellbound as she described a time in her youth when she was “delirious with fear”.  Then she informed us that she repeated the sensation when giving her Icebreaker speech at Toastmasters a few years ago!

One of our promising newer members, Victor, used a well-prepared power point presentation to illustrate different styles of leadership in his Pathways speech.

The final speaker, Kevin, recounted with consummate skill an experience he had when driving to Disneyland.

After a delicious supper Evaluators, Chris, Jie, Faqir, Monique and Richard provided speakers with three minute reflections of what they liked about the respective speeches together with a recommendation for what they might want to challenge themselves with for their next speech.

The General Business session was conducted by our new President Hazel assisted by VPM Kevin. They reminded us that Membership fees are now due. Two new members were inducted (and there were two guests who decided to join the club during the evening). The programme for the next three months was outlined replete with competitions, workshops and Pathways training.

Abhijeet conducted Table Topics for the first time. He chose topics focussed on chocolate. He persuaded many of the guests, namely Rosetta, Waiora, Helen, and Neven as well as the two new members, Yona and Sumer, to admit to their sweet tooths. Brief, encouraging evaluations of the table topics speeches were given by Ted and Lakshman

To conclude the meeting, reports were presented from the Grammarian, Lakshman, on what a “Remarkable” evening we had participated in; from the  Ah Counter,  Linda, on how fluently the speakers had spoken;  and from the Timekeeper, Jacky,  on how closely everyone had kept to their allotted time.

General Evaluator, Steve, provided his usual high standard of evaluation on every aspect of the evening  capping it off by reminding us of the importance of adhering to proper process of parliamentary procedure. Finally the eight guests commented on the warm welcome, the well- organised structure, the good vibes and the multicultural nature of the evening.

A new cycle, a theme of New Beginnings, not only at this time of Matariki but also the start of the Toastmasters’ year.
As always the room was well presented, prepared for us by Kevin, Richard and Bles, everything lined up including food for the break later in the proceedings, ready and tantalising.

President’s welcome was given by the incoming Club President, Anji, who encouraged everyone to embrace their personal Toastmaster goals as we begin this new cycle.

Liz, our Chair for the evening, had put out inspirational quotes for each person attending. Something to ponder on as we step into the new year. Role-holders were invited in turn to explain their roles and respective purpose.We began with Kevin who welcomed and introduced our guests: Amy a friend of Shujin, John, Clarence and Sumera.

Grammarian Victor challenged us with Blossom as the word of the evening. Martin– Ahhh Counter. Jie, Toastmaster returning to the fold after a period of adventure out in the wider world, stood in as Time Keeper. Next to speak was Tina who gave us a magnificent Smile Story, a story that brought more than a smile to the faces in the audience. A tale of originality, creative thinking and unusual honesty when applying for work. Something to aspire to?….maybe! If you’re seeking employment have a chat with Tina about your application form completion strategies.

On to the prepared speeches introduced by our Toastmaster, Chris. As he invited each speaker to the floor Chris asked the speaker about a favourite food or drink. Please note that Chris enjoys mulled wine…

Prepared Speeches.
Ted, speaking from one of the Advanced Manuals spoke on Animal Intelligence. We learned of the power of relationship between man and beast, between a man and a female wolf. A wonderful story of compassion and respect.

Katharina was next to take the floor speaking from the Pathways Programme, her second speech on her Toastmaster journey. Draftophobia – Living with the Fear of Air gave us a delightful glimpse of German sensitivity to draughty environments. She preceded her speech with a request to close the door to the room. The door had been left open. The room was cold and, yes, a little draughty. An example of utilising a gift of an unexpected prop!

Faqir, also speaking from the Pathways Programme, presented a Eulogy for a Close Friend. A touching speech full of warmth, affection and gentle humour for a recently departed friend.

Bles, speaking from the Competent Communicator Manual (9) gave us The Power to Build and Destroy. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting let me tell you that you missed a powerful presentation on words that have the power to heal, hurt, harm and humiliate. Bles encouraged us to T.H.I.N.K. To ask ourselves if what we say is True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind and to think twice before we speak. Sound advice wouldn’t you say??

Anji, with an Advanced Manual project, presented us with an Impromptu Speech titled A Modern Society, which asked if we would be able to cope without our modern basics, gadgets and gizmos, including running water and electricity. Would we have the resourcefulness to care for ourselves and others without these ‘essentials’? If you’re in any doubt about your own resourcefulness why not give it a go and spend a weekend without a few of those things we take for granted. It could be a topic for your next speech.

A break for copious quantities of food, drink and chat raised the volume in the room for a while before moving onto speech evaluations.

Evaluators were Harrison for Ted, Grant for Katharina, Steve for Faqir, Raymond for Bles and Lakshman for Anji. Helpful suggestions included: storytelling to add depth by painting a picture in words; a demonstration of emotion to enhance connection; and the importance of structure in crafting a speech. All evaluators were fulsome in their commendations…great peer support!

In the Club Business section of the meeting Club President, Anji, introduced the incoming committee members: Kevin-VP Membership, Liz-VP Ed, Faqir-Secretary, Umair-Treasurer, Laskhman- VP Public Relations and Richard-Sergeant at Arms.

Next up Table Topics with Table Topics Master, the lovely Monique, who continued the theme of the evening with questions focusing on resolutions and change. This was Monique’s first time as TTM and I must say that she handled it beautifully. Table Topics victims participants were Pravinesh, Clarence (guest), Martin, Kevin, Sumera (guest), Aberjeet and Victor.

Table Topics evaluators, Richard and Tina, were encouraging in their commendations. Recommendations included speaking to the audience as a whole rather than to the individual speaker and, where there are no recommendations, to suggest that the speaker, if he or she is a guest, ‘comes back’ to speak again (a not-so-covert invitation to join the club…)

If you’ve managed to reach this paragraph and you’re thinking about joining Three Kings Toastmasters know that you will be joining a club rich in comedians. Humour was present throughout the meeting including formal evaluations and role-holder reports. Martin, oh Martin… The Alternative Ah Counter gave a whole new spin to the use of filler words and sounds. Congratulations again to Monique…. a dazzling 22! Recently returned Jie, mad-comptroller-of-timing-lights-and-buzzer, demonstrated a gift for irony and wit as well as exemplary time-keeping skills.

In the closing General Evaluation it was suggested from the floor (Steve) that we introduce a best speech of the evening nomination to be drawn from the formal speeches. A suggestion worthy of discussion.

All in all a good evening. Perhaps we’ll see you at the next one!

 

With the theme being Green Things that Stand in the Way, the chairman Richard  talked to us about some of the amazing trees worldwide from the “Book of Amazing Trees” in which our own Tane Mahuta is mentioned.

 

Our Grammarian Celia introduced the Word of the Night which was “obstruct” and gave us a great explanation as to how it could be used and what she was looking for in her role as the Grammarian.

 

Clement, the Ah Counter and Katharina the Time Keeper then explained their roles. Victor delighted us with his smile story about the father and his 3 year old daughter who had a canny knowledge as to who was to die next in their family.

 

Tina, the Toastmaster then introduced the prepared speeches speakers:

 

The first speaker up with Magda who had returned after a short absence, having had a knee replacement. Her speech title “Piston Head” talked about how it worked and it’s relationship to dynamic leadership –  how when you push yourself you give others a nudge.

 

 Ivo talked about success belongs to those who dare to achieve it and how he achieved his success and was given an award for being “The Best Boss” from the Freedom Mobile contact centre of 35 stuff.

 

 Gretel then told us about the Seven Kites of Matariki, which belonged to seven sisters, became the seven stars of Matariki which when they are seen in the night sky herald the beginning of the Maori New Year.

 

Ted talked about Heroes. The greatest hero was his twin who died 2 years ago and regaled stories of the escapades that they got up to together.

 

Abhijeet did a great job, standing in at the last minute to do his icebreaker speech. He talked about the cousin who pull pranks on him and also about his job and social enterprise.

 

 

 

The evaluators Raymond, Bles, Chris and Steve did a great job with their evaluations giving constructive feedback as to what the speakers did well and what they could improve on.

 

The table topics were introduced by Heather.

 

Jay had to talk about describing something you like this is green and she talked about trees.

 

 Stephen talked about his most liveable holiday in a natural environment which was a boating experience.

 

 Kerry’s topic was to talk about the trees in the country he was, which was Taiwan.  Taiwan is mainly focused on apartments so there’s not many trees around, so his focus was on computers iPads and cell phones.

 

 Hazel was asked if she preferred tramping, swimming in the sea or sightseeing in the city and it was definitely either the tramping or the swimming, rather than the site seeing.

 

Liz was given a quote about there “being no wifi in the forest but she’s promised to find a better connection” and she talked about her experiences sitting up in the plum tree.

 

 Faqir  was asked what environmental message would he like to get out to people and he talked about the need to reduce carbon emissions by cycling, walking and carpooling.

 

Arno was asked about the quote that says “A great Society grows great when old men plant trees they will never sit under” and were we a great Society?  He said that any society is great if young men can learn from the old men

 

 Kevin was asked what it would be like with if trees grew money. He believed it would be better to plant trees and save money.

 

 Brett and Lakshman were table topic evaluators and gave insightful evaluations for all the table topics speakers.

 

Cecilia, the Grammarian, came up with some great phrases that she heard such as shonky legs, eyes in the back of the head, gift of the gab and the wind’s invitation to play.

 

Clement, the Ah counter and Katharina, the Timekeeper gave their evaluations followed by Christine Alcott who gave a very comprehensive general evaluation. Richard was acknowledged for all the hard work that he had done managing all the changes that happened at the last minute.

 

We had 5 new guests and 2 repeating guests with about 40 people in total which was great considering is was such a cold wet night. The guests all enjoyed their time and some expressed as desire to join, acknowledging the friendliness of the people and the great supper prepared by Kevin.