End of year meeting of Three Kings Toastmasters on 15th December 2022
The club had concluded that the best way to end 2022 was to hold a Tall Tales contest where members could let their imaginations run wild.
Despite a number of members sending in their apologies, the meeting was well attended with ten guests present.
After Contest Chair, Kevin, explained the requirements for a Tall Tales speech, Les, Sarah, Jacquie, Richard and Michael regaled us with unlikely, improbable and highly imaginative tales of space travel, Christmas Day visiting, giants, underground escapades and attempts to avoid speechmaking respectively. Surprising us all, the winner was new member, Michael, with Sarah in second place and Jacquie third.
After the induction of 2 new members, Luke and Xiyin, by the club president, we adjourned for a sumptuous festive supper.
The second part of the evening included an extended session of Table Topics chaired by the indomitable Liz who had a dozen Christmas themed topics ready to spring on unwitting members and guests. Yetzabel, Daisy, Joseph, Leon, Luke, Saane, Mohammed, Edward, Erica and Bryce acquitted themselves with distinction and entertained the audience with the variety and depth of their off-the-cuff answers, pariculary given that not everyone celebrates Christmas in their own culture.
Christine and Yetzabel provided brief, friendly evaluations of the 1 to 2 minute speeches.
Kevin rounded the meeting off with a heart-warming Christmas tale before members and guests bid each other warm farewells until the New Year.
Members had agreed to contribute to make a collection of non-perishable foods to donate to the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal, so it was fitting that Mt Albert Salvation Army officer, Erica, was on hand to accept it personally at the conclusion of the meeting.
The first meeting of 2023 will be held at 7 pm on Thursday 12th January in the Seniors Room of the Fickling Centre, Three Kings, when several new members will be giving their first prepared speech.
