Our, stand in, SAA, charming and smiley Monika Swiderska, called our latest Excalibur meeting to order and shared some tasty Polish chocolate with us in celebration of International Women’s Day. [Editor’s Note: can we have chocolate every time please?!]
Our esteemed, authorative and commanding President, Lynne Cantor talked about the three doses of good medicine we receive at Excalibur with our impromptu evaluations at the end of each Table Topic, our formal evaluations, and our open feedback of the highest calibre to raise the standards for all our members. Lynne then welcomed our 4 guests.
First time Toastmaster of the Evening, ‘Techy” Hannah Van Der Deijl was relaxed, conversational and engaging throughout, and continued the theme of International Women’s Day with her thoughts around equality and introductions.
Articulate Lynne Cantor hosted the Table Topics session and shared quotes from famous female figures followed by thoughtful and challenging questions. Carol West talked about what she would regret if she didn’t do it, Karthick Venugopal talked about what mistakes he has learnt from others, Hashna talked about how he spreads the love, and visitor Ian Perry talked of how he’s profited from someone else’s advice.
Lynne reminded our on the spot evaluators, Monika Swiderska, David West, Paul Andreas and Odile Facih to include a recommendation based on language, jargon, humour, purpose, appropriateness, values, engaging opening, body, conclusion, stories, facts/figures, quotes, flow, transitions or number of points.
Our first prepared speaker was Odile Facih, speaking from The Technical Presentations manual #4 Presenting a Technical Paper with a speech entitled “What about the Mars bar?” about Mars the planet, not Mars the chocolate bar! This was expertly evaluated by competent Cat Kipling.
Our next speaker was Paul Andreas, repeating the Competent Communicator manual #7 Research Your Topic with “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”, sharing his comprehensive research on JFK’s assignation. Suzi Fish was the evaluator.
Our third and final speaker, Katja van Koten, wasn’t thrown by the technical difficulties with her laptop, and spoke from The Professional Speaker Manual #3 The Sales Training Speech on “Hat Love!” sharing the journey of her life through her hats and training us on how we could sell them. New member Mustapha Hanafi was her evaluator.
Freddie Daniells was slightly more sombre than usual in his Open Feedback introduction! and encouraged us to share insightful feedback on our speakers.
New member Marcin Tolysz concisely kept us to time.
The general evaluation was ably, insightfully and humorously delivered by guest visitor and previous Excalibur member David Jones.
Well done to our Best Table Topics Speaker Carol West, our Best Speaker Katja van Koten, and our Best Evaluator Cat Kipling.
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Dates not to be missed!
Our next meeting will be our mini Breathing Workshop with Irene Bradshaw on Wednesday 22nd March, 6:45 for 7pm prompt start. Please note the change of venue: The Plough Pub, WC1A 1LH.
As space is limited and to make our VPE’s role easier, kindly confirm your attendance and role on Easyspeak or via excaliburspeakers@gmail.com for our guests. Thank you.
Club Dues by end of March
Payment to be made to Chinkata Okpara by no later than Sunday 25th March. £64 for 6 months or £28 for 12 months.
This will be followed by the Area 9 Contest, 6:45-7pm, on Thursday 30th March, venue TBC.
The Division L Contest will be the afternoon of Saturday 8th April. Time and location TBC.
The “Mayflower – Discovering New Worlds” District 91 2017 Spring Conference for the International Speech and Evaluation Finals will be at The Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on 5-7th May 2017. Put the date in your diaries and book your ticket now!
Visitors are welcome to experience Excalibur at any time and we are always seeking guest GEs. Contact us at excaliburspeakers@gmail.com.
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