Our winner, Malachi Talabi done good...

Fellow Croydon Communicators Greetings from the Toastmasters World Convention in Las Vegas. I have just watched our man, Malachi Talabi, stride across the world stage in style and challenge a big international audience to "Keep On Walking..." when facing adversity. This speech began to take shape when he won our club contest in Croydon six months ago. During the spring he went on to win with his powerful message in the South London area, then to win the South East of England division and then to victory in the British & Irish championships - his message from Croydon proving more powerful than those of 225 other clubs. Today he was in the Semi Finals against 9 other great champions from countries around the world who all had strong messages and stylish approaches. This time he had honed his message with even more light and shade to make it more universal. The boy who was bullied in Bermondsey showed a wider world how to overcome adversity. He was so "in the moment" with the audience that he told us was so happy to be there walking with us. The judges placed a local hero from Las Vegas in first place, a lively young man from Montana in second place and Malachi in THIRD place. What a brilliant result for him and for Croydon Communicators! The first time for many years that a British person has made such an impact. Looking forward to telling you more when we are back in Croydon next week and he can show you the trophy he won on the world stage. Thank you for your support cheers for now DT

The Croydon Toast!

Welcome to the Newsletter of Croydon Communicators, the Premier speaking club in the United Kingdon and Ireland and home to the 2011 UK and Ireland International Speech Contest Winner.

In this issue, what do we have in store for you?

In the Spot Light - A personal journey from one of our newest members.

Why Join Croydon Communicators? - A personal view.

Dates for Your Diary - Autumn contests dates and more exciting events coming soon...

Member News - What you enjoyed (or missed at the last meeting).

What's your next speech? -Choices, choices, choices.

Member Matters...
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In the Spot Light
Before I joined the Croydon Communicators Club, I had attended various work led initiatives, which even included a Voice Coach at one stage. The results of such courses were sadly rather limited. After my first meeting as a Guest, I knew I had found an environment where I would be able to develop and overcome my fear of public speaking. The Croydon Communicators Club is supportive, friendly and very well organised. The anonymous feedback forms provide invaluable pointers to help you continuously develop your expanding skill set. I can go as far as to say that even as soon as completing my first speech, I noticed an immediate shift in my behaviour whilst speaking to Senior Management at work. In the next 9 months, my aim is to be able to confidently speech and present to a large business division.

Neelam
Solicitor

We wish Neelam every success on her journey. Come back again soon to see how Neelam continues to grow and develop as a great speaker.

A message from our President - Why join Croydon Communicators?
Because, like every Toastmasters club, Croydon Communicators is positive, friendly and allows everybody to constantly develop their speaking, leadership and listening skills. And to help others do the same.

Because we are a team of champions!
Vathani is last year’s Division H South East England Evaluation Champion and Malachi is the current Area 35 Humorous Speech Champion, and the current UK and Ireland International Speech Champion!

I know you’ll join me in wishing Malachi All The Very Best, on his journey to Las Vegas to compete against Toastmasters from around the World!

Our Champions are truly an inspiration to us all.

Dates for Your Diary - Autumn Humorous Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest in 2011 coming soon. Dates for your diary.

- Thu 22nd Sep: Club (Croydon Communicators) contest
- Sat 1st Oct 2011: Area 35 Contest
- Sat 15th Oct 2011: Division H Contest
- 11-13 November 2011: The District 71 Contest: Flourish in Glasgow...the November UK & Ireland Toastmasters Conference. Book your place today.
For more information contact Jane Cameron at http://www.blogger.com/info@flourish2011.co.uk or go to http://www.flourish2011.co.uk/and also have a look at our article in June edition of D71 Newsletter.

Look out for details of the Croydon Communicators Summer Speaking Splash to be held in our local area...more soon.

Member News - What you enjoyed (or missed at the last meeting).
Secretary's report. Read it here, now.
Develop and Coach for the Future
and
Night of Champions

What's your next speech? - At Toastmasters once you've completed your first ten speeches, you can still go on to grow and develop your speaking and Leadership skills by choosing one of the many Advanced manuals. More in the next issue.

Look out for In the Spot Light from one of our Advanced speakers in the next issue...

Member Matters
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Do remember to Register yourself on our website so we can get to know you better.

Download a copy of our electronic Speech Log here and keep your own e-copy...

Till next time,

...bring a friend, bring family and bring yourself to the next meeting.
Hanna
VP Public Relations

Develop and coach for excellence...

On Thursday the 28^th July 2011 the meeting started at 7:10 pm. We had a total of 17 attendees. David was toastmaster for the evening.

Cecilia as Sergeant-At-Arms introduced the president Dave who welcomed us all. Toastmaster for the night was David. David began the meeting in eloquent style with his humor factory going into overdrive as he asked the president to not wave his knickers around in the air!

Cecilia gave us a great warm-up. Colin gave us his 'tip of the day' which was to speak as loudly as you can to eliminate the majority of your speaking problems by making it easier for you to be heard and giving you confidence from the loud sound vibrations. Neelam explained her role as time-keeper and gave us a confident explanation as to why keeping to good time was so important.

The prepared speakers came next. Arlene gave her Icebreaker speech and kept us interested by handing out a sealed bag covered in messages. What was in the bag? A delicious cake which we ate afterward. The message of the speech was that people are important so treat them well. Next speaker was Harish who told us why "risk is risky". He advised us all to take out travel insurance as it doesn't cost much and told of a sad personal experience he had which bought this lesson home to him. Dave gave the final speech which was an educational one. His message was that we should 'evaluate to motivate' people. He took us on such a magnificent journey that the time flew by. He covered many personal experiences and used the projector screen and power-point slides to expert effect. Next up were the evaluations. Hanna evaluated Arlene and advised her to pause more when delivering a speech and demonstrated what she meant to memorable effect. Michael evaluated Harish elegantly and professionally and gave him some great motivating feedback and tips. Neelam then gave the audience an excellent rendition of the speaking times.

The first half of the meeting ended and everyone socialized freely during the break.

David the Toastmaster started the next half of the meeting after a 10 minute break.

Hillary was in charge of the table topics and had a selection of unique and interesting topics such as "how could you persuade the audience to watch rugby?" and "what musical would you recommend to the audience". There were 8 table topics speakers who all handled themselves very well.

Colin evaluated the table topics speakers. He commended speakers on their immediate confident starts and good use of humor. His main recommendation was one of eye-contact and he advised speakers to "remember Ed and follow the Zed" by making eye contact in a diagonal Z fashion across the room. He particularly commended the use of personal stories and the focus speakers displayed by staying on target and actually answering the question asked of them.

Time-keeper Neelam gave us a last time report which was delivered clearly and confidently highlighting her excellent attention to detail.

President Dave was also the General Evaluator and multi-tasked well, as it was his second evaluation role of the night. He gave a full and proper observation of the meeting as a whole and imparted great insights upon us.

Toastmaster David returned the meeting to the president Dave after jovially thanking him for not waving his knickers around! Dave then welcomed our 5 guests and made announcements. The meeting ended at 9:10 pm

See you on Thursday 12th August 2011 at 6.45 for a 7pm prompt start.

The Night of Champions

On Thursday the 14^th July 2011 at 7:02 pm the first Croydon Communicators meeting of the new Toastmasters year started. We had a total of 22 attendees. The theme was "The Night of Champions".

Cecilia as Sergeant-At-Arms introduced the president. President Dave gave us all a warm welcome and displayed his championship form in presiding over the club. Toastmaster for the night was Colin wearing a tie which was so bright it literally blazed like an Olympic flame. He explained The Night of Champions theme and began to take us on the journey through the meeting. Saladine lead us all on a rousing warm-up, then for a 'tip of the day' he did an amazing routine by showing us some spectacular breathing techniques. Arlene explained her role as time-keeper and then Neelam confidently talked about her own role as Grammarian and had a well chosen 'word of the day'.

Next was the prepared speech section.

Clifford Wheatley gave an excellent practice speech for his daughters upcoming wedding and it was clear that he will give a championship speech at the actual event. Michael gave an informative and highly interesting speech about "The Role of the Auditor" where he used the projector screen and power-point slides to amazing and memorable effect. Vathani delivered the final speech "English Rose" where she talked of her love for 'sugar crafting' and handed out a lovely demonstration rose for us all to see and feel.

Next up were the evaluations.

Dave Longley evaluated Clifford, Cecilia evaluated Michael, and David evaluated Vathani. All were constructive, positive and helpful. Arlene told all the speakers how well they doing for time. The first half of the meeting ended and attendees tucked into the sandwich buffet which was laid on specially for this event as food is not usually provided at our meetings. It was truly a 'Buffet of Champions'.

Toastmaster Colin began the next half of the meeting after the 15 minute break. Harish led an amazing and challenging table topics section with topics as varied as "what would your computer mouse say to you?" and all of the table topics speakers were awarded with championship medals for taking on the challenge. David evaluated all the table topics speakers with his usual award-winning standard of articulate flair and useful feedback. Grammarian Neelam gave us a resounding grammar report then time-keeper Arlene Foster gave a final report on our time. The incredible Shegun was our General Evaluator and showed attention to detail that was impeccable coupled with a highly impressive delivery style. Toastmaster Colin returned the meeting to the president Dave Longley who welcomed our guests and made announcements.

The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.

What an unforgettable night it was, who can forget those championship standard prepared speeches, who can forget The Buffet of Champions, who can forget the brave Table Topics champions, who can forget Colin's tie!

The legendary film director Woody Allen once said that "80% of success is simply showing up" and so everybody who turned up on the night, (and anybody who goes to any Toastmasters club anywhere) is a true champion. A big thank you to all the functionaries, speech givers, and audience, we all made it a night to remember. The Croydon Communicators are the home of champions and we are the only club in the whole of England who can say we produced the current UK and Ireland Speaking champion for 2011 (OUR member, Malachi). We are the champions! See you at the next meeting!

My personal growth at Toastmasters

I have been at Toastmasters for less than 12 months and I have grown so much in the arena of public speaking during this time. I have won a humorous speaking contest and recently I visited a different club and won the Table Topic Speaker of the Day award there – on my first visit.

How did I achieve these things? It’s simple:

1.      Consistency: I fully recommend going to your local club as often as you can. I really love football and training happens on a Thursday (same day as my club meeting) but I have missed football for Toastmasters on many occasions and now I am reaping the harvest of those decisions.

2.      Contest: I didn’t plan to enter the humorous speaking contest, it just happened that my initial speech fell on the same date as the competition so I had no choice. But as I won the local round, I was able to speak to a larger audience which is always a good experience. It also taught me that a speech is a seed that grows each time – which is exactly what my speech did.

3.      Comparison: The manual recommends that you look back and implement skills from previous speeches in each new speech you do. I find strength in comparing myself with MYSELF! When I look back I see a young man who was good turning to a young man who is even better – I can actually see how much I have grown over which is so encouraging.

Feel the fear and do it anyway

Jumping off a cliff is scary so is going to Thorpe Park (for some), but the number one fear for many people is public speaking. Standing up and speaking out can give people the chills, sweaty palms and mental blocks.

My friend recently had an interview and told me that as soon as she opened her mouth to speak before the panel, her tongue tied and her brain switched to stupid! Most people can identify with this and therefore shy away from standing up and speaking out.

The thing to remember is that with every nightmare situation there is a superman ready to produce a solution and a strategy that will help overcome the fear factor. TOASTMASTERS is that knight in shining armour, ready to resurrect the speaker in you and help you evolve and express the voice you’ve been given – fear not, help is at hand!

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