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!
