Meeting Report for 22nd January, 2020

We enjoyed a full-house on the 4th Wednesday of the month, (our other meeting being on the 2nd Wednesday of the month).

Desi performed the Meet and Greet role, Simon called us to order before our President Nick took to the stage. Nick warmed the room up with well chosen words before he handed over to our Toastmaster, Ian.
Desi then invited our eight guests on stage, who took turns to tell us a little about themselves.

Ian had prepared a choice of two questions for those performing roles: have you ever had a bad experience that lead to a good experience? Or, have you ever snatched defeat from the jaws of victory? Those who had failed to respond to Ian's email had their answers invented by him!

David, out Table Topic Master then invited members and guests on stage at random to answer (and evaluate) a series of teasing questions.

Then it was time for our formal speeches. Our first speaker was Errol, with "No Bad Language Please!" (Engaging Humour # 1-3  -Education and Feedback - 2). This amusing, barnstorming performance was followed by Debbie, with "Sustainability Plan" (Speaking to Inform #5 - The Abstract Concept). Debbie's elegant delivery addressed the dangers of palm oil, persuaded many in the room to think and act differently in future. Finally our new member, Flemming delivered "Nomophoboa" (Presentation Mastery  #4-3 Building a Social Media Presence). This well-constructed speech explored the impact of losing your mobile phone and the consequences and opportunities that flow therefrom. 

The speeches were evaluated by Cat, Chinkata and Ben before David hosted the Open Feedback session. This is when the audience is invited to contribute three minutes more feedback on each speech, in a commendation/recommendation/commendation format.  

Our guest Hector then took to the stage to deliver his General Evaluation report on the club, addressing people who had been on stage but hadn't been previously evaluated.

It was then time for the awards!

David scooped best Table Topic, the best speech Evaluator was a three-way tie between Cat, Chinkata and Ben and Errol won Best Speaker.

And so ended another constructive, high quality, high energy evening enjoyed by all! 

Our next meeting is at 19:00 on Wednesday 12th February, 2020 at the Fitzrovia Centre, 2 Foley Stree, W1W 6DN. Guests, as always, are very welcome!

Meeting Report for Wednesday 8th January 2020

We enjoyed a lively and fun evening - and the room was near capacity. Ilaria was acting President, as Nick had sustained an ankle injury. She handed over to Ben who was Toastmaster. He introduced an anagram-themed evening, in which members and guests who performed roles had their names "anagrammed". Some of the more successful ones included:

Big Lanters
Ornate Blinks
Bewitch a shark
Addled life resin
Hark captain oak
Rise Mr Enchilada
Hare tensions
Eskimo ink awards
Tinkle claws

For reasons of privacy, the VPPR have not revealed the names from which each was devised, but the reader is encouraged to reverse-anagram them if they can. Answers on a postcard, please.

Lynne was an excellent Table Topics master, inviting people to draw hidden objects from a bag which they they spoke about for up to two minutes. She reminded us of the need to add at least one recommendation and being an advanced club, it had to be something of substance (or they could ask the audience).

Our first speaker was Sonia, with "The Nation's Favourite" (Interpretive Reading #2 - Interpretive Poetry). This was followed by Chinkata, with "Smoking is bad for you" (Interpretive Reading #3 - The Monodrama). Our third speaker was Melanie, with "Our Vegan Cafe" (Speeches by Managment #3 Persuade and Inspire). 

The evening's evaluators were David, Ian and Monika.

Our thanks to Rick, from Grosvenor Square Speakers, who performed the GE role expertly.

Prizes were as follows:

Best Table Topics: Anne
Best Evaluator: Monika
Best Speaker: Sonia

Our next meeting is at 19:00 on Wednesday 22nd January 2020, at The Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, W1W 2DN. Guests are very welcome!