Communicating Diversity

Thanks to everybody who attended Monday’s meeting. It was great to see so many guests present. Some of our guests returned after our open night last week, along with many new guests.

Cricket, Courage and an (Attempted) Gangsta Rap

We had another entertaining meeting tonight and it was very pleasing that so many people were able to attend – several weeks after the end of the main part of the university year.

The programme commenced with three prepared speeches delivered by Chamila, Ross and Jono.

Wet Weather Outside – Dry Humour Inside

Despite seeing ducks waddling looking shelter from the rain Toastmasters must go on! 14 Hardie souls, displayed copious amounts of droll humour throughout the evening. In honour of the end of the university year, a quote from Ruby Wax a well-known American comedian in Britain (an oxymoron if I ever heard one!), College athletes used to get a degree in bringing your pencil. I will not be so unkind to substitute athletes for engineers.

Three New Members at U-CAN-SPEAK

We had several changes and compaction to our meeting, looking back, it was amazing!

Firstly, we would like to give a warm welcome to our newest member Saj, who also volunteered to be the time keeper for this meeting. Great impression on the first meeting as a member of this club!

Say it with Gestures!

Tonight, Timm filled the role of Toastmaster. He challenged everyone who would get up to speak to have a particular look at hand gestures – which is one of the objectives of CC project 5: “To be most effective, gestures should be made above your elbow and away from your body, and they should be vigorous and definite to show conviction and enthusiasm.” In fact, tonight’s speakers generally demonstrated excellent use of body language.

Thesis in Three, Beards and Childhood Memories

After a chaotic start to tonight’s meeting, re-organising the schedule, we were treated to 3 wonderful speeches.

The first of which was delivered by one of our newest members Amir. Who, on his first official meeting as a Toastmaster, broke the ice with his Thesis in Three.

Kris then convinced us on the importance of beards with philosophical arguments and indisputable facts on the matter.

We then reminisced about our childhoods as Shay shared his experiences on holiday and demonstrated how our perspectives change as we grow.

Then we moved on to Table Topics which were hosted by Julius. And turned the Toastmasters stage into a speed dating arena with his topics. Great Table Topics were presented by members, new and old.

Finally we moved onto evaluations which were headed up by Dan. As usual these were thorough and constructive; giving speakers and listeners something to ponder.

Advait signing off as Toastmaster

An Outstanding Winter Open Night

A great open night, a big thank you to Akshay for organizing clubs day and our venue for the night.

Our Toastmaster for the evening, Graeme had three speakers giving prepared speeches. First was Cherry who is our newest member and gave her Ice Breaker speech. She talked about growing up and venturing beyond her comfort zone.

The second speaker was Rory. He was at the other end of the spectrum, in so far that he gave his tenth and final speech from the competent communicator manual, the initial manual at toastmasters. He talked about overcoming ones fears, and the help and determination required to succeed in doing just that.

The third and final formal speaker and special guest, the Assistant District Governor of Education and Training, spoke about the levels or barriers we need to overcome in our lives. These barriers are our own perception of where we are relative to others. In other words, we perceive that we do not measure up to others, where in reality we are all equal, the inequality is in our own minds.

Timm introduced the evenings Table Topics. Timm involved 5 of the evenings guests, Matt, Kamoe, Bruce, Paul and Amir.

In addition to the guests who spoke, we were also joined by Richard, Colette, Celeste and Tom. A big thank to those Toastmasters who invited guests along, and those who helped answer their questions.

We all look forward to seeing everyone for the next meeting, Monday 29th July. Remember we are back at KE4 in Kirkwood Village next week, and to check easy-Speak for an updated agenda! A copy of the highlights will be on our Facebook Page (U-CAN-SPEAKToastmasters) and Blog on Easy Speak.