Speakers' Clubs & Toastmasters International: Speech Tips video, Wigs For Cancer Patients, This life at HOD Meeting Jan 7 2015

Positive Peter, the President
Positive Peter, our HOD President, Peter Jacques, opened the meeting enthusiastically, commenting alliteratively on the 'terrific turnout'. He asked us all to say Hello to the guests. Everybody waved at the guests.
He asked those who attended the Xmas party to put up their hands and told everybody else that those who'd been to the party were smiling. He reminded us that members could attend a BBQ party in the summer as well as looking forward to next year's party.

He asked if any guest had experience in speaking, and asked that person, 'Please come up and join me,' and gave them a printed copy of the Toastmasters International mission statement to read to us.

Peter told us to 'have a good time' and that speakers should remember 'we are on your side'.

Jolly Justas, the TME
Our Toastmaster of the evening was jolly Justas, who told us we had 24 meetings and 72 speeches to enjoy. We could also help ourselves to enjoy a cup of water at the table at the door of the hall where we met. His theme was the Beatles "All we need is love" which had inspired him to come to England. He also told us that 'each of you has the right to vote'.

Looking back at my notes, I find that he referred to the place where we have coffee and chocolate biscuits at break time as the Rest room, which in the USA is the toilet. He should have said Recreation room. I forgot to mention it later when I was GE and don't remember the Grammarian mentioning it.

He told everybody, 'we like to clap!'
His great joke was when showing us the voting slips, he told us that he won a ribbon for best speech by voting for himself when everybody else forgot to vote.

Timing
Timer of the evening was a newcomer, so President Peter explained timings in a twosome with the new timer who held up the green, yellow and red timing cards. A great system to act as a duo, with the more experienced person leading the way, the other person learning and taking part in a supporting role. Like a comedy duo.

Peter's parting words were positive, 'Try to stick to timings and have a great time'. Only when typing this up did I notice the pun in the last two words.

Ah Counter, Roni
Roni Savage was given the role of Ah counter, a role which was introduced to the club only recently. When you have lots of people in the audience, or new members or guests, it's an extra role you can give out which sounds easy and even the shyest person can hardly refuse.

She told us she would be looking for 'crutch words'.

Grammarian, Lily
Lily arrived on stage saying 'Thank you, Mr Toastmaster'. In some clubs the roles of Ah counter and Grammarian are rolled into one.

Vowels, Consonants and Pronunciation
Notice the difference between crutch and crotch. What a difference in visions a vowel can make.

Regarding pronunciation, without mentioning any names, a couple of people during the evening dropped their Gs. French is a language where it has become the norm to drop the last letter.

However, in English we still expect the word speaking to be pronounced speaking and not speak in. The word writing should be pronounced writing, not write in. Smiling should be pronounced smiling, not smile in.

Pronounce the words correctly to get praise from English speakers. You will also get increased understanding from those struggling with English as a second language.

This Life Joke by Sandeep
We opened the prepared speech section with an introductory speech by Sandeep which he entitled This Lifetime. His memorable joke was that Hindus believe in reincarnation so they have many lives, but with only a 5-7 minute slot he would limit himself to one life, the present one.

Sandeep said his father's job meant that Sandeep kept changing schools. This made him feel like an outsider.

How interesting - because so many people say the same but give different reasons, they were a different race or religion or simply changed schools. Newcomers at a club meeting also feel like outsiders, until they are welcomed, or assigned a mentor.

Making A Difference by Eli
Eli had a huge roll-down poster about the charity he is promoting which gives wigs to children having cancer treatment so they can feel confident and glamorous.

Speech Writing tips from Coralie
Coralie's innovation was a video presentation on how to write a speech, to help those who tell mentors they don't know where to begin. Her useful advice included always carry a notebook and pencil specifically for recording speech ideas. This was backed up by her holding up and pen and pencil, a photo of a person writing, and holding up a mobile phone which can be used for note taking.

After the break, Justas made us all stand up and copy his slow hand movements as he hand clapped three times. He said teachers do that to make pupils pay attention to the teacher.

The Break
During the break we enjoyed a very good selection of chocolate biscuits.

Justas addressed the speakers by roles and first names prefaced by the word Mr - please welcome Mr David.

In my General Evaluator role I commented that it simultaneously paid the person an honour, whilst being friendly.

You can watch my evaluation of the evaluators on video.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.