CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS MEETING No: 1126 – Tuesday 24th April 2012

New S@A Paul called the meeting to order.

Presidents Welcome – In a brief welcome John acknowledged that new Member Lyndel had achieved 3^rd position in the Hawkesbury Division Evaluation Contest representing her other Club of Hunters Hill.

Apologies – Tanya, Peter, Philip and Sam

Chairman for the First Session – Brett

Reading of the Mission of the Club – Rino in his first undertaking of that task.

Introductions – Brett did not set a theme producing some very divergent and most importantly brief impromptu Introductions.

Word of the Day – Glen H challenged us with the Word “Flamboyant” for use throughout the meeting.

Agenda Update – Kimberley

Leadership Manual Evaluations – Bernard.

Kimberley was Toastmaster for the first Session for the first 2 speakers.

Daniel represented his International Speech ‘Why Can’t It Be You’ as one of 2 final audience present rehearsals in readiness for Saturday’s Division Contest. It is even on its fourth outing a spine tingeler.

The second speaker was John with his presentation from the Advanced Communicator Manual ‘Storytelling’ with a speech entitled ‘The One Day of the Year’, which most appropriately was centred around ANZAC Day (the following day). John revealed how from some very personal family history he had grown up with a contemptuous attitude toward ANZAC Day, but following an epiphany of discovering his own family links to both major conflicts he now had a more positive and indeed active participation in the true significance of the One Day of the Year.

Daniel was very capably Evaluated by Paul who provided some suggestions for consideration in the very finite stages of developing his presentation for next Saturday’s competition.

John was Evaluated by Lyndel who also suggested some alternate ideas for building the dramatic aspect of what she deemed to be a highly personal and appropriately emotive speech.

Following our Break Paul called us back to order and handed the meeting over to Bernard who introduced Meghan to present the Toast. In keeping with the theme of mateship so prevalent at the time of ANZAC Day commemorations, Meghan proposed a Toast – “In praise of Friendships Past and Present.”

Dai Fei served as Toastmaster for the Second Speech Session and introduced Glenn D with his second last speech from the Competent Communicator Manual – Inspire – with a speech entitled; “What Motivation Really Is!” in which Glenn addressed the usual perceptions and then using some world renown characters dispelled those myths with some inspiring anecdotes.

Glenn was Evaluated by Daniel with characteristic detail and analysis pointing out the quantum improvement that has been apparent since Glenn’s earlier speeches.

Paul introduced a riveting Table Topics by presenting the gruesome details of the murder of a somewhat unsavoury character and then charging all the participants with the task of both defending their own innocence of the crime and where possible diverting suspicion upon someone else. The result was a lot of fun as accusations flew thick and fast and claims of both ethnic and gender elimination were purported and even physical disability was used as a method of self-elimination. Hysterical stuff.

Evaluation duties for Table Topics fell to Lyndal and Meghan with both detailed and very analytic investigation that boarded on psychological profiling.

Marlowe who in her first endeavour in the role of Ums and Ahs Counter realised just how difficult it can be to listen really carefully.

While “Flamboyance” eluded us for the most part, Glen H picked up some very diverse uses of Grammar.

Mark presented Big Ears with some equally astute observations

Rino delivered the Timers Report with particular emphasis on the Speech segments in his first undertaking of this role.

Kimberley provided an excellent and highly motivational overview of the evening with the General Evaluation while attempting to stay within time.

Forward Planner – Kimberley

President’s Closing Remarks – There being no Guest Comments John used his closing to present Certificates of acknowledgement to both Brett and Dai Fei that had come for TI in the US for accomplishing their AC and CCs.

Plus a Ribbon to Leo acknowledging his recent Ice Breaker Speech.

Although it had arisen earlier in the meeting John also acknowledged the election of Immediate Past President Brett to the position of Area Governor for 2012-13.

Finally urging members to support Daniel at the upcoming District Competition.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 28^th April – Philip Division International and Evaluation Contest

11:45 for 12 Noon start at Liverpool Catholic Club
424-458 Hoxton Park Road Liverpool West. $35.00 (includes formal Lunch)

Tuesday 8th May – Normal Meeting

Tuesday 22nd May – Normal Meeting

Saturday 26^th May – Concord West 2012 Speechcraft Intensive – Concord RSL

Tuesday 29th May – Additional 5^th Tuesday Meeting