LEWISHAM TOASTMASTERS 15TH AUGUST

WHAT AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT WE HAD!

Richard, our Sergeant at Arms prompt as usual set to work like a beaver diligently make sure things were in their place ready for our evening of entertainment and made sure the evening started on time, in a manner that was cool calm and collected, so we were out of the starting blocks and on time!!

Katy our President reminded us of all the joys that we could hope to achieve from Toastmasters and how it can really lead to  a truly more enriching fun filled life, by have good communication and leadership skills. Don't let it pass you by! 

However, like everything in life no pain no gain!!  We get out what we put in.  This led her on to the Toastmaster Promise, a reminder about what we need to be committing to, to get the most out of our Toastmaster meetings, such as:

• a) Making sure we attend our TM meetings regularly 
• b) Discharging all the assignments that we sign up to, and actively discharging our assignments and recording them in our manuals (CL and CC, or other advanced manuals. 
• c) Making sure that we take every effort to give good evaluations.   
• d) Being prepared to take on a Committee role if required by the club.

Flavia was our toastmaster of the evening, and we felt comfortable, and relaxed in her capable hands.  She had prepared well for the evening, and came prepared.  Even the naughty people who had not responded to her email she was prepared for and had an action ready to address the matter.  She was methodical and organised, and came prepared to record their comments on a prepared word document.  That’s what I call organised, planning, and thinking head (good leadership skills). She led us through the evening showing her flexibility in those areas where life doesn’t always go according to plan, and she managed effectively a substitution for the warm up role.

Rosie, gave a very full account of the role of the “AH” counter, and through good eye contact, and competant communication skills had full engagement with the audience.

Katy  was our grammarian and the word for the evening was “Gigantic” and my word there were a lot of people who used this word throughout the evening 8 in all!

Beverley inspired us all with her Tip of the day.  Perseverance, achievement against adversity!  Her good eye contact and her warm smiling stage presence ensured that she engaged with us all on the same level. Beverley also was our timekeeper of the evening, and a good job she did too!!

Natasha was welcomed warmly to the stage by Flavia to undertake her Ice Breaker, and weren’t we all impressed by her family and the life experiences that she shared with us.  She had a cool, and collected stage presence about her, as she took us on her life journey.  I loved her use of metaphors, which I think really helped to picture some of her childhood memories, for example referring to her school choir “singing their hearts out.”  I’m looking forward to Natasha’s second speech!  Well done to Natasha who won best speaker of the evening.

Chris was our second speaker of the evening with a speech entitled “Murder, Infidelity in Lewisham” wow, this had me thinking.  Maybe I was not going to have to watch East Enders catch up version tonight because Chris had done his own Lewisham version!!  

No this was about past writers of Lewisham, and there were certainly a number of them each contributing a legacy to their moment in time, which future generations can refer back to.  Just think one day people will be looking back at our current writers of today, as a way of understanding the past. Chris engaged us with good eye contact and body movement and delivered a competent speech.

Phillip bought a whole new meaning to the word Sceptic.  The speech really challenged my thought process.  He spoke clearly and articulately, with pauses at appropriate intervals.  That was great because these were views and thoughts that I really needed to digest, and could easily have gone over me, if he hadn’t allowed enough thinking time.  I guess it is good for us all to challenge view points, but I wonder if there are some things in life we shouldn’t challenge?

An excellent speech, which had me from start to finish, and expertly told.

Richard, Manoj, and  Vivienne our speech evaluators gave good feedback, reminding us all the need for good eye contact, and to make sure we make contact with all the audience and not just one part.  To make sure that we make the best use of the stage and to move with purpose.

Dee took us through the Table Topics confidently, and well. She had a strong stage presence so it was easy to engage with her. 

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Manoj was confident and composed as he gave he delivered his answer to some of the questions he would like to ask David Cameron. He was clear with his points and used good sign posting techniques. Lets hope there are not so may spare seats available at the next Olympics.

Liz was calm and collected on the stage, and exuded a serene confidence about her.  There was no messing with the answer either, she knew exactly what her biggest fear was, and she was going to say it very clearly. PUBLIC SPEAKING.  Well done to Liz because she could have fooled us.

Richard  has us in fits of laughter with his would be 007 antics!!  He brought humour to the stage with his impersonations of the characters that he is depicting.  Let’s hope he gets what he seeks in his aspirations of a 007 life style!!  Will it live up to his expectation I wonder??

Clare with her smiling face, and use of purposeful body language that supported what she was saying, about her most important toy, a doll.  She had good eye contact and she was in real conversational mode with us. She could almost have been speaking to each and every one of us as an individual I thought.  She was really reliving her memories with us on stage I could really see her in the moment, and reliving the love that she had for her doll. Her facial expressions said what 1000 words could not.

I admired Vivienne’s table topic response immensely.  It was clear that silent movies were not top of her agenda.  But she was very composed, and articulate, and gave a very comprehensive response to what was a challenging table topic question.

Steve took us down memory lane with his Carry on Film memories. We could see he was living the moment, particularly when he was relaying his memories to us of some of the film captions.  Consequently we picked up on his enthusiasm, and enjoyed the humour of his speech.

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Steve our table topic evaluator brought some wise tips to the evening. Sometimes on the right occasions high volume is not always best and reducing our volume can have more impact on what we are saying.  Use voice volume with purpose. He gave focused and fair feedback, and in a style that did not lack humour, so it was fun too listen to and as a consequence made it all the more engaging.

Serena, had clearly been very attentive throughout the evening, and was organised in the delivery of her report.

Well I think that rounded off the evening.  So well done Flavia for ensuring the evening ran so well, and to time.

BUSINESS SECTION

1.  Fees are now due so please make sure these are paid now to Steve 65 pounds for 6 months or 110 pounds for 12 months

2.   Don’t forget to enter the Humorous Speech and Table Topics Competition on the 19^th September.

3.  Storey telling evening currently scheduled for Monday 1^st October Location at Canal Café www.canalcafetheatre.com come and join your fellow toastmasters, for what will be a truly fun evening.  More to come on this. Tickets are 8.00 pounds.  Let Katy know if you want  come so she can reserve the right number of tickets, as soon as you know you want to come, but no later than 5^th September,

4.  Committee Meeting this Wednesday 22^nd August. Commencing time 7.30pm to 9.00 pm.

Can’t wait for our next Toastmaster Session this coming 5^th September. Looking forward to seeing you then.

1st August Lewisham Toastmaster's "Summer Holidays"

Well what an evening we had!  Summer Holidays a great theme for the evening, and it certainly took me on a journey back to those long summer school holiday, those were the days!!

Richard was our Sergeant at Arms for the evening.  He was cool calm and collected, he was trying out a new style this evening, and I liked it.

Katy our president reminded us of the need to set ourself goals, so we are continually pushing ourselves, and to make sure we fill our manuals in so that we get the best out of our experiences at Lewisham Speakers.  Also important to make sure we support Manoj when he is setting the agenda by responding promptly to him, as he has the almighty task of organising the agenda for the evening, so we get the best out of it.

Serena took on the role of toastmaster for the evening for the first time, and didn’t she do well. Her usual warm charm led us through the evening, so well done to Serena for pushing yourself and reaching new heights.

Julie undertook the warm up well, and raised the energy of the evening by reminding us to show our support for each other, and clap.

Natasha took up the mantle of time keeper for the evening, a role she took to like a duck to water.  Absolutely no problems there, she was clear and articulate in all her reporting.

Dee, what an excellent speech, such passion in her voice.  She spoke with real meaning.  She achieved this with her voice, vocal variety, eye contact and body language, and boy did she really make me think.  Just thinking that my actions and conduct could effect the directions of some one just making it out in life.  I know she is so right too, such an important message. Lets make sure that we make sure we push everybody the right way over the line between success and failure.  As Chris rightly pointed out if the thin blue line was related to property prices then Dee would be well over the line in Kensington!!!  A pleasure to listen to, a captivating speech.

We all liked Flavia’s entertaining speech which took us on a journey back to her school days.  Flavia had an energy about her, as she did her speech.  I could see the twinkling in her eyes of a 12 year old as she described Janice and her long flowing hair .  There was a moment on stage where Janice was really present in the room.   Great body language and the  imagery of her dressed up as Jimmy Savile made us all laugh. Good old Mrs Pearl for listening, to Flavia and supporting her.  Having regards to Dee’s speech we need more of these teachers that inspire children.  Well done Flavia for winning best speech of the evening.  I think it fair to say Flavia well and truelly entertained us.

Manoj gave us an informative speech. He speaks with authority and firmness, a style that is quite presidential.  He achieves this with a voice that has good volume, coupled with good body language.  This in turn gives his speech more credibility.  His speech was simple in its message.  By investing time in our children, teaching them the lessons of life. Teaching them basic principles:- no pain no gain, you have to earn your money, and teaching them about financial boundaries, and also to preserve the resources that they have.  By developing a responsible culture in our youth we will ultimately lead to a more responsible nation, which manages its debts more responsibly.   A clear and informative message for us all to think about.

Richard gave us a humerous speech, and as
Steve rightly pointed out the proof of the pudding is in the eating.  Yes there were plenty of laughs coming from the audience which meant Richard certainly achieved his purpose.  His attempts at texting, the need for a large screen, and troubles and dramas of predictive texting were hilarious, as he acted them out on the stage. We were laughing because he was using material from everyday life that we could all identify with. He communicated in a way that put himself on our level with him.  A well crafted humerous speech.

We had some good constructive feedback from our Evaluators.  Chris reminded us how we use flip charts to add focus to our points in a speech.  He delivered his evaluation with energy, clear, articulate, and well thought out and composed. Well done to Chris who won best evaluator of the evening Steve reminded us that if we our competing in toastmasters we must always use correct grammar, and resist the temptation to use words not in the dictionary!! A natural comedian he kept us entertained, whilst still delivering a meaningful and constructive evaluation, which added to the positive vibe throughout the evening.

Chris in his evaluation used good sign posting techniques.   He told us how he was going to go about his evaluation, and used the trusted technique of commendation, recommendation commendation, which meant he delivered a competent and constructive evaluation.

Beverley had a very natural warm presence on the stage, and she highlighted to us the importance of comedy and drama and how they contribute to the value of the speech, and the importance that good eye contact has too.

Vivienne

Had prepared well for her role, clear evidenced by all the photographs she had bought in.  She was clear, articulate, with clear focus on her role.

Julie used good body language and humour in delivering her table topic response on tall ships. Julie also did well to double up as General Evaluator for the evening too.  Great at multitasking which is always challenging but shows the true flexibility of a seasoned toastmaster.

Natasha very composed, methodical and articulate, and engaging in her response, when she took us to her favourite spot in New Zealand where she would like to drift too.

Beverley charmed us with her humour, warmth and honesty in her table topic response.  Her budget is going to stretch to see a Panoramic View!!

Chris  Took us on his journey of staying at home. Good use of stage as he described the London Tube map, as he goes about extending his knowledge of London.

Chris H.Brought energy and presence to the stage.  Good body language, and he moved with purpose on the stage.  He had a good summary too, which concluded with a simple message green fields and camping are no longer for him!!

Uta

We all welcomed Uta our new member to the club, and she certainly held the stage in her table topic with a cool confidence, and we certainly know that long lunches were certainly not for her!!

Dee took to the stage, with real presence, as she took us on our day out with her at Brighton beach.

Well done to Chris, Dee and  Natalie for all winning jointly best table topic, and to all those who took part.

BUSINESS SECTION

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW DUE

Katy reminded everyone that it was that time of year again, where we all have to raid our piggy banks, as subscriptions are now due from nearly all our members:- 65 pounds for 6 months and 110 pounds for 12 months.  Cheques made payable to “Lewisham Speakers Club!” and passed to Steve J at your earliest convenience.

HUMEROUS SPEECH AND TABLE TOPICS COMPETITION 19^th SEPTEMBER

This is due to take place on the 19^th September 2012 and exciting opportunity to challenge our skills. Let me know if you would like to enter the competition. Details to follow shortly.

That’s it for now, but look forward to seeing you at our next toastmaster session on the

COMMITTEE MEETING 22^ND AUGUST 2012    

Just a reminder to Committee Members that our next Committee Meeting is on the 22^nd August Commencing 7.30pm for a 9.00pm finish, my house.

That’s it all look forward to seeing you all again on the 15th August for another exciting evening.

Kind regards

Katy