We're back
again for another evening of Inspiration, Learning and Laughter - WELCOME TO
YOU ALL - on Thursday 14th February... YES - 'Valentines Day', where? Only at
Croydon Communicators!
How nice is
it to be greeted by not only one but two friendly meeter’s & greeters,
Shawn & Elizabeth at the door to make everyone feel welcome.
Sergeant at
Arms, Anne opened the meeting with BANG which got our attention! WELCOME.
The evening
definitely had a Valentine feeling in the air and with our stand in President
Cheryn eloquently addressing the audience in beautiful pink, this added more
essence to the event. What a great place to be on a Valentines day evening being
inspired, educated and building Leadership and Public Speaking skills.
Leadership
skills are what we're about at Croydon Communicators and to prove this, stand
in president, Cheryn doubled up as Toastmaster for the evening and kept the
flow of the evening moving.
There's no time
to waste; Mathew in his first time role (CONGRATULATIONS Mathew) as timekeeper
took centre stage and described the role. Speakers, be sure to be on time
because "that bell will ring!'.
A new role
has come about and who better than Amma (CONGRATULATIONS Amma) to come and
explain and take up the role of 'Ah
Counter'. We'll be listening out for them!
It's the way
you say it that counts, so how about someone to listen to our grammar? Welcome
Paul in his first time role as the Grammarian (CONGRATULATIONS Paul). He presented the 'word of the day' -
"Embrace" - how appropriate to ‘embrace’ on this Valentines day
meeting.
How about a
'Tip of the Day'? Being Valentines day and eight years in the business of
Toastmasters the experienced and delightful Sneha was simply brilliant in
giving a 'Top Tip' - "Have a date with your Mentor". Again, how
appropriate in context and delivery.
Time to get
busy and warm up the Audience; warm up leader Raj - another first time role
(CONGRATULATIONS Raj) set the question; "Tell us your favourite love
film?" The audience certainly knew a thing or two about love films; 'Pride
& Prejudice',
'Sliding
Doors', 'Titanic', 'Always - by Steven Spielberg', 'Two Can Play That
Game', and many many more not to mention
'Top Gun'?!!
With the
audience warmed up and speakers eager to go there were four speeches lined up.
First was an
ICEBREAKER speech by Arish - 'Life and Transitions' - (CONGRATULATIONS ARISH).
What a way to start life in the Toastmaster arena with a compelling speech
about life's progression. Fantastic!
The second
speech had everyone in the audience raising their hands which the question and
title of the speech 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' - I wonder why? With a few
technicalities with the projector not firing up immediately Donna was quick to
brush over it and said "If I was a Millionaire I'd buy a new
projector". Now there was a lesson in improvisation technique and not to
get flustered when delivered a speech when circumstances beyond your control
can throw a hic-up. The speech took the audience to another level with great
interaction, thought provoking financial tips and anecdotes including ‘Millionaire
late Syndrome'. Donna, are you sure you are not hiding your millionaire? Was
that only your second speech? Just Brilliant.
Two more
speeches lined up and third to take the stage was Simon with his speech titled,
'A moment in Time'. What a powerful and engaging speech! One could have sworn
that the audience was being hypnotised! Fourty years in the business as a
hypnotherapist and a wealth of knowledge came across. The Power of Now! Truly
inspiring.
Last but certainly
not least, Mohan took centre stage and presented 'Am I an Efficient Manager'.
Well we can all say Mohan, your on top of your game and presenting to 200
people at a conference surely puts you on that platform of 'Efficient Managers.
Very well done.
With all
four speeches completed the standard was surely showing - EXCELLENCE TOGETHER.
Stand in
President and Toastmaster Cheryn introduced the evaluators Joe, Raquel, Anne
& Aarthi for some encouraging comments, commendations and recommendations
on the four speeches.
First to
evaluate was Joe evaluating Arish's ICEBREAKER speech 'Life and Transitions'.
Joe pointed out the confidence, stage presence and great delivery for an
ICEBREAKER, and then welcomed Arish to the Toastmaster journey.
Second up in
the evaluation process was Raquel, evaluating Raj's speech 'The Unforgettable
Days'. Raquel's evaluation clearly following the Commend, Commend, Recommend,
Recommend, Commend technique with a great summary and "thanks for the
investment advise Donna".
The third
speech evaluation was Aarthi evaluating Simon's speech 'A moment in Time'.
Aarthi's natural stage presence and talented evaluation delivery clearly shone
through outlining 'A confident Simon'.
Last up to
evaluate was Anne evaluating Mohan's speech 'Am I an Efficient Manager'. Anne
clearly demonstrated great observation and detail in evaluating a very engaging
speech and 'it's OK to use notes'.
A call for
timings so far by our Toastmaster brought to the stage Matthew who hadn't used
the bell yet. Well it is Valentine's day!
After a
short break the session reconvened for a very interesting Valentine's Day Table
Topic's session skilfully presented by Anjali (CONGRATULATIONS) with a
difference!
The topics
questions evolved around what other than a pack of cards (Hearts Suite) to
relate and ask the question; "Give us your meaning/interpretation
of...?"
Starting
with the ACE of Hearts card - Gareth, "You have a Big Heart";
2 of Hearts,
the card of two Hearts - Dave L, "Two's company Three's a crowd";
3 of Hearts,
the card of Happiness - Elizabeth, "Three's Happiness on Valentines day;
4 of Hearts,
the card of Foundation & Stability - Samir, caught of guard but quickly got
into his stride, "Foundation creates Stability";
5 of Hearts,
the card of Restless Love & Passion - Sneha, "Singing song's on Love
on Valentines Day".
And with
time running out and not enough time to complete the full pack of 13 cards,
what a beautiful way to round off the table topics with...
6 of Hearts,
the card of Relationships & Friendships - Shawn, "Happy Valentines
Days :-)"
To top off
Topics Master Anjali closed my mentioning to her beloved husband, Kaushik
"I Love You".
Valentine is
definitely in the air and a call for the final timings was made and Mathew
returned to the stage. Too good to be true - No Bells and all on time.
With the
event coming to a swift end and a ‘valentined’ audience Paul gave us a report
on the evening's grammar noticing some very good play in words; "Late
Factor", "A Late Spurned is a Fortune Earned".
It's very
interesting to get feedback on word fillers and Amma presented her observations
on the number of Erm’s & Aar's throughout the evening’s events. Superbly
delivered, purposeful feedback. It
works!
General
Evaluator David T summarized the Valentine evening's proceedings. WOW, Impact!
Energy, Hearts & Diamonds, warm meeters & greeters... Well Done, once
again EXCELLENCE TOGETHER at Croydon Communicators.
A finally
word from our stand in President & Toastmaster for the evening allowed all
new and returning guests to have their say...
Here's your chance guests, say it as it is.
OBSERVATION
is great but, 'PRACTICE makes PERFECT'. Take part, you can only improve!
Build your
Public Speaking skills, Confidence and Leadership skills, pay us a visit and be
inspired.
Croydon
Communicators certainly demonstrated another evening of "EXCELLENCE
TOGETHER"
Can't wait
until the next meeting - Thurs 14th March 18:45 prompt! Everyone is
welcome. Bring a friend!
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
