Croydon Communicators: November 2012

What Energy, Buzz, Enthusiasm and Vibes this Thursday evening at Croydon Communicators!

We must be doing something right or is it the energy just reaching far & wide. A HUGE WELCOME to our regular guest attendees and more new faces for inspiration, learning and fun... YOU ARE ALL WELCOME!

First to greet everyone at the door, was Mohan (CONGRATULATIONS) as first time greeter giving a warm welcome to all.

Feeling Relaxed already? Well Arlene, Sergeant at Arms, just knows how to receive everyone and open the event with a huge WELCOME.

Our re-energized President Hanna - back from vacation - soon pumped some energy into the already relaxed audience with a brief history of Toastmasters and Croydon Communicators.

And as if there was not enough energy already Hanna doubled up as Toastmaster for the evening to set the audience up for another fun filled, inspirational, motivational & educational evening ahead.

Intros & formalities out of the way and Kalpa came up on stage to give a precise account of her first time role as Timekeeper (CONGRATULATIONS).

We'll be listening for the 'bell of shame'.

Soon after, another first time role presented itself as Amma (CONGRATULATIONS) took up her Grammarian role. We'll be watching out for those erm's and arr gap fillers, the word of the day, 'Determined'; Oh, and best use of grammaticism throughout! Speakers you have been pre-advised!

With so much to ahead to learn, why not begin with a tip! John kindly gave the Tip of The day; Check your Financial Health on a regular basis. Don't let your finances fall ill, a simple credit check is all the worth while. Thanks John.

With the audience primed and ready to go, it was time to get them talking and Thandi (CONGRATULATIONS) in her first time role as Warm Up Leader - one would never have even guessed - warmed up the audience with a question "In 10 seconds, tell us your favourite inspirational quote". What a
great way to get the audience thinking and participating with so many positive, goal setting and inspiring quotes. That's why we are here, simply, "EXCELLENCE TOGETHER".

With the vocal chords warmed, set and ready, the audience were in for a treat; four prepared speeches rolled up.

First up to shine was Mobola, with her speech entitled 'Prevention is Better than Cure'. And if one ever knew that, statistically Monday morning was the worst day for a heart attack, one would find a good excuse to take a break every Monday morning! Look after your heart, take things easy, avoid ;Monday's! Great speech, and thanks for the advice!

Second to take the stage with her number two speech entitled 'The Language of the Venetians' was Wumi. Now here was a lesson for both sexes. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. The battle of the sexes. Take the advise men... no women! Oh, I give up! This is complicated to say the least, who's right? Definitely "The Language of the Venetians". Excellently delivered speech and with lots of thought provoking ideas... suggestions...no questions... Oh, I give up... for BOTH sexes!

Still with the speeches and third in line to take the stage was Cheryn with her speech entitled 'A Journey of a Thousand Miles' - the Toastmaster Journey! This was a lesson to any budding, fresher or seasoned Toastmaster, full of sound advice and guidance within the Toastmaster arena. The journey continues...

Last and certainly not least came Sue with 'Liberte'. One could not distract the audience as they sat listening intensely to the story of survival in Revolutionary France. One can never stop learning here at Croydon Communicators!

With all four main speeches completed with style and panache, it was time for the evaluators Anne, Raquel, Joe & Gareth to provide some positive comments, commendations and recommendations on the all the speeches. First to evaluate was Anne who pointed out good use of stage and excellent content of 'Prevention is Better than Cure'. Then Raquel, illustrated more stage presence and expressed the practicability and usefulness of content in 'The Language of the Venetians'. Third to evaluate was Joe, evaluating 'A Journey of a Thousand Miles'. How appropriate, we are all on that same journey! And last of the evaluations was Gareth who demonstrated the finer details of evaluation techniques when evaluating 'Liberte' - can we see more of that book please?

With so much information, fun and learning a short break prevailed, but before the break Kalpa gave an account of timings so far. Glad to hear we're on schedule and no ring of that Bell of Shame!

After a short break, there was more inspiration, fun, energy and learning - the audience were in for some more humour with lots of impromptu. speaking... Bring on the Table Topics!

Arlene, the Table Topics Master for the session ingeniously came up with an innovative Table Topics session and everyone was given a fortune cookie! Why! Well you'll find out...

The unsuspecting TT candidates were to answer / elaborate on the question in their fortune cookie's.

Some interesting questions arose; "No duty is more important than just giving thanks?", "Love like a river will cut a new path around an obstacle?" "Forget past mistakes/failure/forget everything and Just Do It?", "My greatest glory consists of not rising, but getting up?", "Happiness is not ai. reward, it's a consequence?", "A successful team is a group of many hands but one mind?"...

Candidates, tell us your answers: Mohan – Taking a very positive outlook on life; Elizabeth - Choosing to simply Give Thanks... 'Thank You Elizabeth'; Simon - Very attached to emotion with Love; Samir - What a true TT speaker! Samir, you not only 'Just Did It', you NAILED IT!!; Mathew - Never failing to get up. If you're knocked down seven times, get up for the eighth, try again and never give up!; Shaun - Feeling happy, but I'm not touching it! It's an emotion; KayJay - I disagree! That sounds like Communism for those into politics! It's about 'one direction' not 'one mind'... aren't One Direction a pop group?? :-)

TT evaluators Aleks & Ayo - another first time time role (CONGRATULATIONS), provided some very constructive and useful feedback on the responses from all the TT candidates, clearly illustrating the skills and importance of listening to evaluate.

Amma, delivered a full and comprehensive report of the evenings grammar with detailed analysis of erm's, arr's, outstanding phrases, words and the use of the word of the day, Determined. This was a truly exceptional first time role as Grammarian and there was so much to say but not enough... ding ding ding!

Keeping a watchful eye on timings, it was time for a recap from Kalpa, and Oh Yes, we did hear that 'bell of shame', say no more!

So with the evenings events drawing to a graceful end it was time for a general evaluation, and from no-one other than the very experienced and diligent David T, who delivered a precise account of commendations, tips and recommendations on all speakers during the event.

Before we depart ways, President Hanna gave the opportunity for guests both existing and new (YOU ARE ALL VERY WELCOME) to provide their feedback on the evenings event. And as expected Croydon Communicators lived up to expectations to inspire, motivate, educate whilst having fun at another Thursday evening at Croydon Communicators.

One has to say, there is no better way to develop and improve Public Speaking, Confidence and Leadership skills other than to get involved... Join in, Just do it.

Croydon Communicators certainly demonstrated another evening of "EXCELLENCE TOGETHER"

Can't wait until the next meeting - Thurs 22nd November 18:45 prompt! Everyone welcome.

Don't miss out, be part of it Get Involved & Get Motivated, Be Inspired, Build Confidence, Educate, Have Fun, Smile.

Excellence Together at Croydon Communicators. Mind in Croydon, 10 Altyre Road, E. Croydon CR0 5LA

Division K Tip 19 - Mentoring Matters

Thursday 08th Nov 2012

Division K Tip 18 - Toastmasters Reports