CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS MEETING No: 1114 – Tuesday 11th October 2011

We welcomed back a number of Members who have been away on holidays and had another well-attended meeting.

Meeting commenced at 7:17pm

Presidents Welcome – John welcomed 2 Visitors Nick and David as well as Bernie Fisher current President of Erskenville Toastmasters and a member of RPA Toastmasters. Bernie is also better known as the audio genius who wires up Contestants at Division Competitions.

Apologies – Natasha, Chris, Philip, Meghan and Paul V.

Chairman First Session – Mark

Reading of the Mission of the Club – Bernard.

Word of the Day [Smackdown] Glenn D (Grammarian)

Introductions – For the Topic of the Introductions we were asked to consider the comparative significance of both Isaac Newton and Steve Jobs. It provoked some astounding and didactic responses but one of the most insightful observations came from one of our Visitors, David who drew the link between the 2 men as being – the apple!

Agenda Update – Kimberley

Leadership Manual Evaluations – Kimberley had only about 5 Manuals to complete for participants in the evenings Leadership roles.

First Speech Session was led by Glen H as Toastmaster and introduced Daniel with his assignment – How to say it – with a speech entitled: My Favourite Books. Daniel very enthusiastically embroiled us in the drama, intrigue and violence of a famous Australian crime writer’s series of icon Australian crime novels.

Glen then introduced Paul M with his speech assignment – Get to the Point with a Speech entitled: Culture Shock in which Paul took us on a roller-coaster ride of moving overseas for work and adapting to local customs both domestically and professionally.

Bernard Evaluated Daniel’s speech with great incite and ever increasing confidence providing praise and points for improvement.

John Evaluated Paul’s speech using the Praise, Improvement, Praise formula applied to what he observed, what he heard and how he responded to an excellent speech. 

Break

Chairman Second Session  – Katrina

Toast – Bernard presented a timely Toast to the Socceroo’s and their current involvement in the World Cup qualifiers.

Second Speech Session was led by Sam as Toastmaster and introduced Juliet presenting

a very uplifting speech entitled: Change. Juliet revealed the need for change when you take the huge step of immigrating to a new country, settling in and finding work and adapting to the significant and sometimes subtle changes you have to deal with along the way.

Kimberley then took up the challenge of delivery a ‘standby’ speech fulfilling the assignment – Your Body Speaks – with a speech entitled: Around the World in 8 Days. Kimberley took advantage of very recent personal experiences in relating the humour, frustration and drama of travel, transport and car hire in Germany.

Juliet was Evaluated by Brett providing both well considered praise points as well and some minor points for improvement while demonstrating how Juliet’s speech and subject matter was a great model for addressing the specific nature of the speech objectives. 

Glen H Evaluated Kimberley’s excellent speech, which by its structure, delivery and level of development, defied the fact that it was virtually an impromptu presentation. Glen utilised his dry sense of humour in relating to his travel plans to the same region in Europe in a very short period of time.

Table Topics – was presented by Paul M who presented each speaker with a different Ink Blot and challenged them to present a response that included what they thought it was – and how it made them feel.  

The Evaluators were our Guest, Bernie and Mark for the odd and even numbered speakers provided careful observation, advice and encouragement in their Evaluations. Bernie being an old hand reminded the Speakers that it is important to listen to – and respond to the question put by the Table Topics Master in order to both respond appropriately and to assist with making your response easier.

Umms and Ahs – Edmond

Grammarian – Glenn D (with record number of people using the Word of the Day)

Big Ears – Glen H

Timers Report – Edmond

General Evaluator – Peter C

Forward Planner – Kimberley

Guests Comments – David, Nick and Bernie all provided some very positive comments and observations of the evening’s proceedings and we look forward to seeing them at future meetings.

Announcements – Combined with Closing Remarks

President’s Closing Remarks – John reminded the Executive of the meeting to follow and encouraged all members to plan their speeches and put their names down for the Forward Planner. We have just 4 more normal meetings to the end of the year.

Meeting Closed – A little bit overtime at 9:25pm.