May 5th, 2008

AN ALL SPEECH NIGHT! For those of us who participated we were on our best behaviour with no Wizard of Ahs or Grammarian … one less thing to think about as we delivered our speeches. I was very impressed with our guest speaker Mahmond M. who is now an accomplished speaker and once a member of our club. He offered great advice to Toastmasters striving to overcome their fears. Mahmoud suggests that before going into a speech ask yourself: ‘How can I help them?’ He also said that through experience he has learned that when you are thinking of your audience, you are a winner – putting the spotlight on the audience and treat the audience like a mirror.

Our Chairman/Toastmaster was Delene B. who showed great flexibility in playing this unique and hybrid role. She did a wonderful job!

Steve Z. jumped into his first role as Timer this evening – gave a good and thorough explanation of his role. Well done Steve!

Michelle F.’s speech was on “A Magical Weed -- What can Dandelion weeds do for us?” I found her speech particularly enlightening because the past week I have been pulling up dandy’s – cursing them -- wondering if I could make some kind of soup with them. I now feel I have a mission, since hearing her valuable tidbits of info on Dandelions consisting of high fiber, iron, potassium, calcium and more. WOW! Great details Michelle! Very persuasive too.

“Why Buy Beethoven?” speech by Jessica C. was very informative – great passion, terrific creativity and wonderful use of humour. One phrase she used stood out for me “The pure venom and hatred toward classical music.” I agree with you Jessica classical music is largely misunderstood.

Dave A. evaluated Michelle’s speech in a confident and animated manner – great use of humour as usual. Dave has a great critical and appreciative eye -- very useful and specific constructive feedback!

Li-Ying K. evaluated Jessica’s speech with a wonderful sense of humour and a tongue-in-cheek explanation of how Jessica’s introduction grabbed her. I found Li-Ying’s way in which she said “Oh, classical music is dying – Do I care?!” extremely funny – her timing was impeccable. She added some dramatic and creative suggestions for Jessica’s speech.

Dave S. evaluated our guest speaker Mahmoud M. with warmth and appreciation and gave a perfect “welcome back” to this former member. “I agree with you Dave: he has become a very polished speaker.”

Jane A. intrigued us with her informative and persuasive speech on Urban Poling/Nordic Walking – and that there actually is an activity where you can get the benefit of a full body workout and talk at the same time. I loved her humour in her intro as she addressed the Chair …”and any guests who are left.”
Christina R.’s speech on Walt Disney’s “Snow White” was very informative and inspirational – it gave me a new appreciation for the Disney empire and its beginnings. Christina gave a great suspenseful intro and stood confidently beside the lectern as she spoke.

Now there was Diane C. who had a very dramatic anecdote from childhood with her speech on “Crying Wolf”. She had us enraptured telling us of her plight with her older brother when out tobogganing one day! Good descriptions throughout her speech.

Kate E. evaluated Jane’s speech in the only way that Kate can with enthusiasm. Kate lauded Jane for picking a perfect topic for a speech focusing on gestures. She also mentioned how Jane’s prop, the Exerstrider pole, was used as a guide to remembering parts of her speech -- resulting in no use of notes.

Susan P. evaluated Christina’s speech in such a very warm and encouraging way – providing a good demonstration of the lectern as a physical impediment – she had good pick ups on specific gesture use and on word imagery.

Jim S. evaluated Diane’s speech with a great sense of humour – gave good specific example of Diane’s use of word imagery and lauded Diane’s vocal variety in her dramatic delivery.

Our next Toastmasters meeting will be Monday, May 12th, at 7:15pm in our regular location. Come join us in "Learning Through Fun and Friendship". Don’t forget to bring your manuals that have completed projects needing to be signed by VP Education.

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