05 May 2010

When our President, John Craddock, introduced the meeting, he was speaking to an enthusiastic packed house. He told us how volcanic-ash flight restrictions had caused him to acquire a new skill – presenting via video link. John said his Toastmasters training helped him to master this art.

Next up was Jenny Betts, our cheerful Toastmaster, who pointed out what the pre-election debates shared with Toastmasters: coaching, training and a peer group of professionals.

Dennis Clarke, our Timekeeper, explained his role with good humour and lively language.

The next functionary was our Grammarian, Gray Standen, who explained her duties and defined the word of the evening, ‘hopeful’, which unfortunately expired when the election results were announced.

Then came three speeches.

First-time speaker Cate Trotter, a very new member, trialed a summary of a speech entitled ‘Green Trends for 2015 – an Overview’ which she will be giving at the British Library. This was followed by Anne Feeney‘s research-based No. 3 speech entitled ‘Becoming an Excellent Leader’.

Next came a Riverside first, a ‘television’ interview between two former Club Presidents. The interviewer, Dorothea Stuart, and the interviewee, Sonia Aste, perched on the table at the front. The interview was amusing, full of wisdom and, into the bargain, proved a powerful recruiting tool!

After a brief pause, the Evaluators did their stuff. Jai Jayarama evaluated Cate; Geetha Mazarelo spoke about Anne; Sue Kennedy reviewed Sonia’s performance; and Robert Yuen evaluated Dorothea.

The break gave members a chance to catch up with one another and talk to new members and guests.

When the meeting recommenced, our Topicsmaster, Richard Holland, introduced his topical subject: how a new Treasurer (read ‘Chancellor’) would change things in 2010/11. Impromptu speakers (1 minute, 30 seconds max) were: Alison Shuttle; Trevor Stokes; new members Andreas Voniatis and Lucia Perry; Pilar Sibbick; guest Jean Michel Chapon; Andrew Klimaytys; and guest Kim Adams.

First-time Topics Evaluator Laura Shimili evaluated all the speakers, giving very observant commendations and recommendations.

Timekeeper Dennis and Grammarian Gray made their final reports.

Next up was our General Evaluator, Hilary Briggs, Division B Governor and winner of the UK/Ireland Evaluation prize in 2007/8. Her evaluations were, as expected, spot on. Mentioning several people who had large notes to grapple with, she encouraged us to make our notes on small cards that we could hold in the palm of one hand. These would give us not only more freedom to gesture, but also more time to look at our audience.

John handed out the ribbons at the end of the meeting: best Speaker went to Sonia, best Evaluator to Laura and a first-speech ribbon to Cate.

After the meeting, some of us went to the Eel Pie pub, where recruiting for the 2010/11 Committee continued!