‘Reading is our magic power’ was the theme of Doncaster Speakers’ 14 th August 23 meeting, chosen by:
Toastmaster for the evening, Lianna Cairns,
The theme was to mark National Local Bookshop Day. Throughout the meeting Lianna challenged members and guests to identify inspiring quotes from well-known books, from Dickens to Dr Seuss, as well as introducing the audience to various local(ish) bookshops and similar venues like libraries and charity shops.
The theme was picked up by Grammarian Stephanie Bisby, who tasked members with making use of a word of the day – ‘fluent’ – which could apply equally to readers and speakers.
Table Topics Master: Bridget Pearson also developed the theme of magic powers by offering impromptu speakers a superpower (ranging from reading a book in 3 seconds to changing someone else’s accent) and asking them to elaborate on how they would make use of it.
There were a number of changes to the anticipated schedule due to Apologies for Absence as result of the hospitalization of our VPPR Mr Donald Sweeting and another last-minute cancellation of our third speaker, meaning that with just one prepared speech, Rai Bergmane won Best Speaker of the evening by default…
Although her speech would have set the bar very high indeed for future local competitions in our friendly yet competitive atmosphere… Rai engaged us with an excellent prepared speech motivating members by sharing how she learned she was ‘better than she thought’ in a work context, and asking the audience to look for ways in which they too might be undervaluing themselves.
Rai’s evaluator Valerie Swanborough delivered remotely via Zoom Google Meet and LiveStream a careful and logical evaluation, taking in the different levels of communication used by the speaker, her body language, and the structure of the conversation, highlighting both the positives and areas for personal improvement.
Vice-President for Education Andy Howell also stepped in to deliver a last-minute education slot on the role of Toastmaster and how better to make the experience enjoyable, while long-term member Andrew Miller adopted the role of ‘Ah counter’ with aplomb. Both demonstrated the benefit of Toastmasters in giving members practice at thinking on their feet in a safe and supportive environment.
Best Table Topic of the evening was won by the Toastmaster, Lianna Cairns, who described how she would utilise the superpower of being able to read minds to make sense of her young child’s needs.
Best evaluator was a tie between Steven Bisby for his whistlestop tour of all 8 table topics, providing each speaker with both commendations and recommendations, and Stephanie Bisby’s overall report on the evening as General Evaluator.
We also had two guests present, and the pleasure of presenting one of them with a First Timer award for taking on the challenge of deciding how to use the superpower of speed reading. Three members were also presented with certificates for completing levels of the Pathways educational programme, which is available to all Toastmasters members to help them improve their speaking skills.
Every meeting of Doncaster Speakers is encouraging and motivational to speakers, but it’s rare for an evening to be just as motivational when it comes to reading.
If this report has piqued your curiosity about our quirky blend of fun challenges and serious education, come along to our next meeting on 4 th September to see what our next Toastmaster has in store for us.
NB: (Our next meeting is a change from our usual meeting pattern of 2 nd and 4 th Monday of each month, this is due to the August bank holiday but should resolve itself in the following months) Please see our EVENTS Page for more up to date info.
Written By: Stephanie Bisby President: Doncaster Speakers TM Club.
Edited & Published By: Donald D Sweeting Sr. VPPR: Doncaster Speakers TM Club.
Doncaster Speakers 