Blog for 3rd December 2008 “Christmas is coming”

by Jim Marshall-Andrew

An excellent opening by Gray, 120 days until the big Riverside competition, there is an international speech contest and a speech evaluation contest, evidently preparation is the key. You Tube can be a useful resource to listen to great speakers. There will also be an evaluation workshop on the 4th of March, which shouldn’t be missed.

Claudia opened nicely with her thoughts on the Club being the best place to practise speaking skills, I have to agree. As Toastmaster her enthusiasm throughout the evening was infectious.

Emma did a fantastic job with the timekeeping and gave an excellent overview of the lights/timings.

Heidi gave a quick grammar lesson which I found useful and provided us with the word for the evening “frivolous”. Heidi, if you are reading this, please go easy on my mistakes!

Franco introduced the certificate for being the most UM-less, which was a good idea whilst also looking out for frivolous fillers and repetition.

Robert’s Ice-Breaker was delivered like a true pro, he opened with the phrase “ a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step “ he then went on to describe and entertain us about his past, present and his future love of boxer shorts. Robert, you deserve a boy!

Andrew had a very powerful opening “I am going to kill something.” It certainly was a good attention grabber. He then discussed the merits of people interfering in the education system, instead of allowing teachers and students to make their own decisions. A powerful topic.

John delivered a momentous No 10 speech, about becoming a miserable old bastard, fortunately he managed to rise from the ashes and tell us about the 3 R’s (Responsibility, Risk and Reprogramming) it was descriptive, entertaining and educational.

I would like to back up Sue’s enthusiastic Christmas Party announcement; hopefully you can all make it, next week.

The Evaluators, Jenny, Corrine and Sue, offered excellent advice to the speakers based on their experience and the CRC formula.

Table Topics mistress Swan handed out some cracking topics all relating to the Best of, which produced some very entertaining responses. A few notable highlights:

Trevor for indirectly giving life as his best gift. Tony for advising the police about how best to purchase a Christmas tree. Franco for saying little whilst achieving so much. Alison Shuttle our new member for doing sell well, good luck with the date at the party. Sue for not telling us about her 1st choice of best stress release. Corinne for married life and single life and of course the Aussie. The list goes on, it was a brilliant session.

Maria stood in at the last minute to evaluate which was a very good effort.

Heidi as grammarian was brilliant; you gave constructive feedback which was useful. My writing skills are poor at best, I have never been so nervous writing a blog!

Franco as the AH counter picked up 125 against a goal of 70.
Gilly Cutts our General Evaluator said “This Club is Hot”, it is the “Best of the Best” I think enough said! She did mention Heidi was the best Grammarian she had ever heard, well done Heidi.

Awards:
Best Evaluator – Heidi
Best Table Topic Speaker -Franco
Ice-Breaker ribbon – Robert
No 10 speech and Best Speaker – John the “competent communicator” Craddock.