Last day of this Toastmasters year

A year ago, our Comittee begun to work, for the club. Tomorrow, a new committee will take charge officially, in fact it is already working full spread. It is how it should be done, it is how we have done it.

I, Julie Kertesz, officially Past President from tomorrow, want to thank today, all the wonderful Toastmasters that contributed to our Club success, so that members participating could get the maximum of it.

I am not sure, where to begin, because so much of you was there, each time we needed.

Vivienne, our Hospitality, at the beginning of the year, who has taken up also the role of the Sergeant of Arms when we needed it. So much work, so much to make all seem 'easy'! We always knew, we can count on her! She will take on now the role of Vice President of Membership, easing the new comers in, and helping members be even more content with our club. And for sure, again, she will be a perfect host and make it seem 'easy'.

Katy, for a whole year, not only took charge of the agenda, all the roles and all the speeches, making sure all needs are filled and each gets his or her turn to speak when ready to do that, but was also a wonderful Right Hand, of President, stepping in, each time needed, liaison also to the administration of the place we meet now, place she found, and negotiated, exactly when we needed it. The club will be under sure and great hands, as we face the new Toastmaster year under her Presidency. It was a joy to work with her throughout this last year.

Flavia, learned so much and puts so much in her Toastmaster journey. She has now a voice, a song to sing and will also, as Vice President of Public relations give voice to our Club, so more hear us and we hear each other louder and clearer. She for sure will now write, more and more in this blog, who arrived in a year to more then 7500 visits. All of you, help her so our blog and voices become more visible.

Chris, who dreamed up our club, and Philip the club's first president, where always there for us when we needed them, looking out sometimes from farther, sometimes from nearer what is going on and giving a helpful hand whenever we needed.

Our Toastmasters club would not be the same without the energy of Richard, who will be our next Sergeant of Arms, and opening the place we meet and the meeting. He juggled last year three clubs, with an important role in all, and a great family and an important company. And, also participating in contests and giving a helping hand in our workshop.

I was very proud we could offer the true storytelling worshop, who met each month, with all who desired to come from our club, and where, with Steve R. Richard and me, leading it, all acquired more skills. Our speech marathon proved how much we learned and how all our speech improved. Membership in the Lewisham Speakers Club, offered this year a lot, and it will continue to offer to all the members.

Next year, the club will also sponsor a club that formed, that we will help through chartering, till they reach enough members and get going. This will also lead many of club members to improve their different skills, and get more confidence at the same time.

I could enumerate all our new members or old toastmasters, just want to finish with a great Thank you all! I did lean so much from each of you!

Julie Kertesz

New leadership, every year

The 20th June, we celebrated the passage of one President and committee to the other.

In this picture, taken toward the end, our new president, Katy, gives the new officer manual to Flavia, VP Pr. the passage was effective in our club that day, and from now on, the new Comittee will lead and steve the club.

We all learn to become better leaders, while serving members, taking decisions, working in team.

Our President will be Area Governor

Yesterday, in the District 71, Britain and Ireland Officer Training event, our outgoing President got the sign of her new role.
She become Area Governor, of a new Area created with two clubs from South East Thames:
Lewisham Speakers Club and Meridian Speakers club from Greenwich, and
two clubs from the North East of Thames (Canary Wharf) called City Criers and Speakers Corner.

We will try from now on, to be closer to each other and share more.

We will try from now on, to be closer to each other and share more.
We share knowledge, share skills, and other ressources.
Julie, our past president, will of course remain still a member of our club. And coach our club members whenever they need it.

6th June 7.30 Training event!

“ DEVELOPING STAGE PRESENCE.”

Our workshop leader, Ken Rea, has made a striking difference already to more than 2,000 people in business and industry, right up to CEO level. He started out in advertising, making TV commercials New Zealand, he later turned to theatre, and an actor, director and teacher.

Today he runs his own company, Koru Theatre and has trained, at the renowed Guildhall School of Music & Drama, some of Britain’s leading actors and film stars including Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes, Orlando Bloom, and Danial Craig. He has also chaired numerous European conferences. He was given many presentations as speaker, sometimes to thousands.

Crikey, I think this is going to be a good learning opportunity for us all.

Katy

After workshop members wrote:

Chris: "'The thing that stood out for me was that it's important (if not) essential to understand that you are making presentation for your audience, not for yourself.  You are but a vessel for your message.  We've all heard these talks which are all about the speaker or all about the subject and these sometimes don't work because they're not as engaging as they could have been.  Connecting a talk to 'you', as in the audience, is a great way to make something engaging and interesting.'"

Katy: "I learned more about my body posture, and the message that it is sending out, and how to adapt it better to send out the right message I want to send. 

Also I thought the use of low and high status postures was interesting, and how to mix and match these status's dependant on the situation you are in.  In the workshop I became very aware of when people were using "low status" how it made me feel.  That was an enlightening experience in itself after all it was the same person I was speaking to, but they were adopting different styles, but my senses towards them dependant on their style was very different.  The "low status" I felt very protective towards and not so much towards "high status".  Another workshop in itself  I believe !!!  

Steve J. I learnt to always stand on the Left Hand Side when giving a presentation using power-point / slides etc. As people naturally view from left to right, but should I ever learn Chinese then I will have to reverse things."

Windy: "The workshop was eye-opening. A lot of small practical tips and
practices surely help me to understand more on how to be a better
public speaker. We learned that a public speaking should be a balance
of emotional and intellectual aspects. Thanks to you and to Toastmasters."

Julie "Speak about something you care and with passion
To grow we have to risk and get a bit out of our comfort zone
Slow movement and slow complete sentences convey confidence
Do not move without reason, if not sign of nervousness but also:

Finish last or before last word in every sentence on a high energy level
When you do not tense your knees then you will be more grounded

All those from our free offered workshop for our Toastmaster Members (the Area took the charge)

 

Lewisham Speakers spread the word

1 June 2012

On Friday lunchtime, seven members of Lewisham Speakers took public speaking to the Young Employee Network in Lewisham Council.   Our aim was to give them tips for effective public speaking. 

Our President, Julie opened the session explaining the essence of Toastmasters and introducing her team members.  Katy, as Toastmaster for the demo meeting co-ordinated the event and in her usual efficient manner ensured that the demo meeting ran smoothly.   The team gave the young association an insight into a Toastmaster meeting.   Flavia, as warm-up leader  gave the group their initial opportunity to speak in “public”.  Stephen followed with a tip, showing the importance of initial impressions in presentations.  Julie gave a three part  speech highlighting the impact of the “pause”,” being yourself” and “loving the audience”.  Vivienne, in her usual calm manner,  evaluated Julie’s speech showing the benefit of instant feedback.  After a short break the everyone in the group volunteered to take part in the Table topics session, led by Steve.  What an exciting session, the group threw caution to the wind and took part wholeheartedly in what turned out to be a very enjoyable, light-hearted and fun session.   Chris, masterfully evaluated each speaker who took part in the Table Topics and they benefitted from the experience of instant feedback on how well they spoke.

The experience was twofold – the Young Employees Network gained tips and new techniques for speaking and evaluating and are now aware of the benefits of becoming a Toastmaster.  The Lewisham Speakers team, made up of varying experience ranging from 22 years to 10 months, gained confidence in taking Toastmasters out into the local community.

Many of young Lewisham Council group expressed an interest in visiting Lewisham Speakers and we look forward to their visit.
Flavia
VPPR

Here is from the email received after our Session from Jon the organizer :

Thank you very much for coming to deliver the public speaking session with the Lewisham Young Employee Network today.

We really appreciate everyone giving up their time to deliver the session and the feedback that I have received from my colleagues has been very positive. As discussed I will go away and speak to the other staff forums about the option of setting up a club at the Council. As you explained if we did go down this route it would be a gradual expansion.

I would love to improve my public speaking. I would like to come and attend a Lewisham Speakers Club meeting soon.

Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to your fellow members and thanks again for an excellent, well delivered and engaging session.