Doncaster Speakers Meeting Report | Monday 24th Feb 2014

Doncaster Speakers Meeting Monday 24th February 2014

Optimism

Monday’s meeting served up yet another mixture of polished public speaking and on the spot oratory, interspersed with humour and insight. Tonight’s audience, slightly larger than usual, was boosted by the presence of 4 guests and this led us to make an extra special effort to ensure they felt involved throughout the evening.

Optimism Quote
Thanks for the image to ‘Symphony of Love’ on Flickr. Original photo attribution: Vincent van der Pas, on Flickr

Our Sgt At Arms, Michel Ediele, did an excellent job of welcoming our visitors, and the rest of our members helped out ably when there wasn’t enough of Michel to go round! Our Toastmaster for the evening, Alison Kitchman, took the time to explain the Toastmaster role and the agenda for the rest of the evening. Alison then explained how she had been inspired by words from a book for the meeting theme and how optimism can make us more effective. The tone set by Alison was both calm and engaging – perfect for a Toastmaster.

The three prepared speeches were all rather different in theme and content. Andrea Pashley described a schoolgirl skiing holiday with the ‘Face’, her Icebreaker speech. Sean Gordon told us ‘How Butterflies received their painted wings’ and Julie Gordon very poignantly described life with a sufferer with Asperger’s syndrome. All three speeches were well received with little to choose between each.

Derek Badger delivered an Education Session about Evaluation and then set about practising his preaching by delivering his own evaluation of Andrea’s speech.  Andrew Miller and Fred Roberts both gave useful feedback to Sean and Julie’s speeches.

As usual, TableTopics provided most of the evening’s laughs. A special mention must go to Mark Powell (the winner) with his conkers, with close competition from our guest Heera Singh and his invention of a perpetually full fridge. TableTopics was hosted by Lisa Johnson – who successfully managed to persuade 3 of our guests to risk all (well done to them!).   Lisa’s topics struck a good balance between originality and opportunity for the speaker.

The word of the evening “Positive” was nominated by our Grammarian, Shelagh Jones.   This dovetailed well with the meeting theme of optimism (even if it wasn’t picked up by some of us – like me!).   Shelagh’s comments and observations regarding the use of words throughout the meeting deservedly won the best Evaluator award – although, as she conceded, we were spoilt for choice by the very high quality of language used by all.

Best Speaker award went to Andrea Pashley – always a big achievement for an icebreaker speech.   Despite the distraction of a slightly croaky voice, Andrea did a fine job of controlling any nerves and made minimal use of notes. Well Done!

The next Doncaster Speakers meeting is on Monday 10th March.  If you want to improve your public speaking skills, grow your confidence or develop your leadership skills, you won’t find a better value and more supportive environment to do this in!

Doncaster Speakers Meeting Report | Monday 13th February 2014

Doncaster Speakers Meeting Monday 13th February 2014

“Rain and Rainbows”

As ever, Monday’s dose of Toastmasters provided an excellent mix of humour, professionalism and some thought-provoking formal and impromptu speeches! Gail Powell was an excellent Toastmaster of the evening and chose the theme of the meeting “Rain and Rainbows”.

Rainbow landscape

Our three members delivering prepared speeches were Alison Kitchman, Sean Gordon and Derek Lucian. Although 2 of the speeches had a seasonal link to Valentine’s Day, they differed vastly; Alison’s speech explored the roots of this romantic feast-day and offered suggestions to men wishing to impress their ladies whilst Sean’s speech relived the Valentine’s Day massacre allegedly triggered by Al Capone. Derek’s speech was from an Advanced Manual selected to hone his Business Speaking skills and we were treated to an abridged version of a speech designed to win grant aid from a funding authority.

Our Toastmaster was ably assisted by our Sergeant-at- Arms (our newest member and native French-speaker, Michel Ediele), Timekeeper (Derek Badger), Ah Counter (Jean Stewart) and Grammarian (Andrea Pashley) whilst Speech Evaluators were Sean Ryan, Shelagh Jones and Julie Gordon. Our General Evaluator, Lisa Johnson, re-iterated that the role of the Evaluators is to ensure evaluations contained a good mix of commendations and recommendations and inspire the speakers to go away with positive points for action and a better feel for where their strengths lie.  Andrea’s chosen “Word of the Day” was “INSPIRE”.  Our Education slot was provided by Mark Powell who tried to unravel some of the mysteries of D71 which he unveiled was not in fact a war-ship but the web-site used by Toastmasters for planning meetings and tracking member’s progress!

After the break our Table Topics Master, Derek Lucian, invited members to deliver an impromptu speech for 1-2 minutes on a variety of Rain and Rainbow themed topics. We were delighted to welcome a good number of guests to the meeting, although on this occasion none of them chose to have a go at Table Topics! We never throw guests in at the deep end but sometimes first timers choose to “take the plunge” and it is always a treat for our regular members to hear new styles and voices! Fred Roberts expertly fed back with a mini commendation and recommendation neatly packaged for each Table Topics speaker.

Best Speaker Ribbon

The meeting was wrapped up by Gail who presented awards for Best Speaker (Alison Kitchman), Best Evaluators (Fred Roberts and Andrea Pashley) and presented (with a becoming blush), the best Table Topics award… to her good self!

Do you want to find out for yourself what Doncaster Speakers are about?  Why not come along as a guest to one of our meetings?

Stop Press | Yorkshire Toastmasters are famous!

Yorkshire Toastmasters featured in February’s Toastmaster Magazine!

Michael J. Clarke, one of the founders of Doncaster Speakers, is one of the three ‘celebs’ featured this month

Click on the article image below to read the full article.

Anthony Day | Michael J Clarke | Phil Heath | D71 | Toastmasters International | Friendship
Close Friendship: Anthony Day, Michael J. Clarke and Phil Heath at a themed district event. Featured in Toastmaster Magazine, February 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a member of a Toastmasters International club helps build your confidence, your leadership skills and yes, of course your speaking skills.  It is much more than that, though.  You will forge life-long friendships and may even make important business connections.

So, what are you waiting for?  Find your local Toastmasters club and go along to a meeting – you’ll be made to feel very welcome!  If you are Doncaster-based, come and see us at the Doncaster Business Showcase at Stand 101 on Thursday 20th February 2014 and chat to our members to find out how Doncaster Speakers can help you in your personal and professional life.

You can also come along as a guest to one of our meetings, for free, up to three times, with no pressure to join.  Our next meeting is on Monday 24th February 2014.

If you have any questions, get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer them 🙂

We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

 

Speak well and sell the sizzle | Alison Kitchman

Read Alison Kitchman’s views about Doncaster Speakers

Feel inspired?  You can do it, too! Join us (see details below)

I’ve joined Toastmasters and “I’m lovin’ it!”.

Inspiring, energising, motivating.

…

It worked for Alison, and it can certainly work for you. Evaluation and feedback is given throughout the meeting by way of commendations and recommendations, with members supporting and helping each other to improve. There is no place for criticism. It’s a positive, safe place to develop and flourish. The benefits are immeasurable and the results remarkable.

Read full article ‘Speak well and sell the sizzle‘

Speak well and sell the sizzle | Alison Kitchman

Why not come along to our next meeting and find out for yourself? Meetings information here.

Questions? Need more information? Contact us.

Area Awards for Doncaster Speakers

Doncaster Speakers came away with three awards following Sunday’s Area 15 competition in Leeds.

Jamie Godfrey took second place in the Humorous Speaking Contest. Michael J Clarke took second in the Table Topics (Toastmasters’ version of impromptu speaking on a given topic), and he was also awarded the title of Area Toastmaster of the Year.

All well earned, and a proud day for Doncaster.

PicMonkey Collage

Open Evening – Monday 14th October – Cupcakes and Communication

Doncaster Speakers Open Evening

Monday 14th October

6.30pm – 9.30pm

Regent Hotel, Regent Square, Doncaster, DN1 2DS

Members of Doncaster Toastmasters would like to invite you along to our Open Evening to enable you to find out more about how ‘Toastmasters’ can help to develop confidence when speaking in public.    This can help with presentations in both the workplace and at social events.

Come along and find out more about what Toastmasters can offer you.   Be prepared for an informative and fun evening.

Cupcakes and other refreshments available.    Everyone welcome.

To book your FREE PLACE please click here

Or email: jean@jsdevelopment.co.uk