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.