Monthly Newsletter – February 2017

·         What does it take to master Table   Topics?  ·         Snackification of Communication ·         Dues renewals by end of March
·         Moments of Truth Feedback
·         Dates Not to be Missed

What does it take to master Table Topics?

However experienced you are, one of the most exciting events at club meetings is Table Topics – yet it can also be one of the most feared. This is when members and guests can shine by tapping into their impromptu speaking skills.

Speaker Tips:

Take a look at the following examples of how you could structure your response to the question, “What’s your favourite season and why?”

1. Give your opinion on a subject and justify it with two to three specific reasons.
   “Summer is the best of the month of the year. First, it’s warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities and the days are longer…”
2. State a problem and show its causes. 
   “Summer is a very difficult time of year because heat waves can cause interruptions to power. Power outages result when…”
3. Describe a process.
   “How do you plan for a summer picnic with your family? First, make sure you have a big enough cooler…”

Snackification of Communication Like a healthy diet, social interactions in our digital age should be balanced. What are the pros and cons of bite-sized digital conversations? Do you need to disconnect to reconnect with friends and family? Watch this fun, short video and learn more in the “Snackification of Communication” article in this month’s Toastmaster magazine. Watch the video  https://www.toastmasters.org/Magazine/Magazine-Issues/2017/Feb2017/Snack  (If the link doesn’t work cut and paste it into your browser) Exciting New Pathways Video! Want to learn more about the Pathways learning experience? View this video to gain a better understanding of the program.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-bNl5z-wY4&feature=youtu.be Dues renewals by end of March Club renewals are due by the end of March.  Look out for reminder emails from our Treasurer Chinkata Okpara.  Please help him by submitting payments on time.  Moments of Truth We ran a ‘Moments of Truth’ session at the end of January.  This is the Commendation and Recommendation feedback from members and guests from the three key areas we focused on: ·          First Impressions ·         C - Immediately greeted by people, felt very welcome ·         C - Liked that guests are a part of open feedback ·         R - Assign someone to specifically greet guests at the door o   We will ask the first few members that arrive to do this ·         C - Name tags for everyone. Easier to see who is who Membership Orientation ·         C - Good at getting people on the agenda ·         C - Good there are longer slots that are sometimes not easily available at home clubs ·         R - Mentoring programme. o   A Buddy / Buddying programme is currently being put in place.  A little less formal than a mentoring programme but one that still offers support.  Watch out for emails from David West.  ·         R - Members to market back in their home clubs. o   See the speech from Lynne Cantor on promoting Excalibur (to be sent to members separately) ·         C - Good balance of quality versus quantity within our meetings  Membership Strength ·         C -  Good regular attendance of members ·         C - Good participation ·         R – Recognition.  More ribbons. E.G. member who introduces a new member, new member etc. §  Noted.  To be actioned ·         R - Room for membership growth §  Part of promotion activity with  TM’s at CC10 and above ·         C - Open Meeting format as a good way to intro the club to new people Dates not to be Missed o   Wed 22nd Feb – Excalibur Club Contest 6.30pm for 7pm o   Wed 8th March – Standard meeting 6.45pm for 7pm o   Wed 22nd March – Mini Breathing Workshop with Irene Bradshaw §  NOTE change in venue – PLOUGH PUB WC1A 1LH  6.45 for 7pm o   Thurs 30th March – Area 9 Contest – 6.45pm for 7pm (TBC) o   Sat 8th April – Division L Contest.  Afternoon.  Time & Location TBC o   Wed 12th April - Standard meeting 6.45pm for 7pm o   Wed 26th April – Mini Debating session TBC 6.45pm for 7pm o   Fri to Sun 5th to 7th May – District Conference and Contests o   Wed 10th May – Standard meeting and Club Elections – 6.45pm for 7pm o   Wed 24th May – Standard meeting 6.45 for 7pm o   Wed 14th June – Past Presidents meeting – TBC 6.45pm for 7pm o   Wed 28th June – Standard meeting.  Handover to new President. 6.45 for 7pm

Meeting Summary 8th Feb 2017

Enthusiastic SaA Paul Andreas welcomed us and called our “same but different” club meeting to order.

Our dedicated President, Lynne Cantor advised us not to have “a curly hair day” when passing through passport control, and neatly tied it in to not confusing the audience in our speaking. ‘If you confuse you lose!’. Our 9 guests from as far afield as Hungary and Austria were warmly welcomed.

Lynne warned us not to pick a fight with our Toastmaster of the evening, Monika “brains and braun” Swiderska, who was proudly sporting a black eye – you should have seen the other guy!!  Her theme as our “Icebreaker Toastmaster” was to bring us all closer to achieving our dreams and she did this in a positive, smiling manner throughout.

Brian Skelton’s inspired and memorable Table Topics session (“they’re like marmite – you either love them or hate them!”), was all about being a household object and responding to a family’s typical day; cue much laughter!  Paul ‘bathroom mirror” Andreas, David “dining room table” West, Fodor “front door” and Freddie “excitable, funny but bizarre dog!” Daniells!  They were instantly evaluated by Suzi Fish, Mustapha Hanafi, Anne Bingham and Carol West respectively.  Those who ‘forgot’ to provide a recommendation were advised to ask the audience.  They did!  Good luck to Brian in his quest to do a TEDx speech incidentally!

Our first prepared speaker was our resident DJ Tony Winyard, speaking about “Peace of Mind” from the The Professional Speaker advanced manual, #3, The Sales Training Speech, ably proving as to why he was voted the “Best DJ of the Year 2016” with his sales pitch to wedding couples!

Lynne Cantor did a double act with “There is More After 10” as part of her Public Relations advanced manual, Project #2 The Radio Talk Show, and was interviewed on TMI Radio’s “Toastmasters Matters” by Suzi Fish.  Lynne effectively explained and answered questions as to why she is so passionate about Excalibur Speakers and what makes us a club of excellence.  Afterwards she offered to share her speech with us to encourage us to share these messages in our home clubs (check out Facebook!).

Our final speaker with her “Excalibur Icebreaker” was Hannah Van Der Deiji with “Datamining: should we be worried?” from the Speaking To Inform advanced manual #1 The Speech To Inform.  This was very topical and talked about how a London based data management company was instrumental in the recent US elections, and how important using data with integrity is.

The insightful evaluators were Katja van Koten, Freddie Daniells and Cat Kipling respectively.  In the lead up to the Evaluation Contest in two weeks’ time, the evaluators were the subject of the Open Feedback Session, led by Mustapha Hanafi (also doing  his Excalibur Ice Breaker role)

Time conscious Odile Facih efficiently timed us all after getting us all tuned in to how long a minute actually was, but we still went over time!

The general evaluation was ably delivered by our guest GE, Tom from Citi Speakers.  He reminded us that the more prepared we are the more things flow smoothly!  True words Tom!

Tonight’s awards were presented to David West for Best Table Topic, Cat Kipling for her Evaluation, and Tony Winyard for his prepared Speech.  Well done all!

Future Meetings:

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 22^nd February, and is our International Speech and Evaluation Contest.  If you would like to enter the Evaluation Contest, be a Judge or take on a functionary role please get in touch with our VPE Freddie. 

Kindly also let us know if you are attending future meetings and accept your allocated roles via Easyspeak.  Thank you.

Irene Bradshaw is holding an Excalibur “How to Breathe” Workshop on Wednesday 22^nd March at The Plough, 27 Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LH, 6:45pm for a 7pm prompt start.

The Area Contest will be Thursday 30^th March – more details to follow.

The District 91 2017 Spring Conference for the International Speech and Evaluation Finals will be at The Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on 5-7^th May 2017.   Put the date in your diaries and book your Earlybird ticket now!

Visitors are welcome to experience Excalibur at any time.  Those who have completed 7CC speeches and above would most benefit.   We are always seeking guest GEs.  Contact us at excaliburspeakers@gmail.com.

Club Matters – New Buddying Programme (Less formal than a mentoring Programme but still supportive)

David West will be contacting us all shortly via email.  Please respond as we would like everyone to either be a Buddy or be Buddied or both. 

We are seeking volunteers for the club committee to take Excalibur Speakers forward in the next Toastmaster year.  Kindly contact Lynne or excaliburspeakers@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out more.

Social Media:

Please like, comment, tag photos and share our posts on our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter, thank you.