Meeting No.763 'Airplanes'

A well attended meeting, but one that featured only two speakers, Arun and Yours Truly.

David our Toastmaster for the night also adopted the role of Sergeant at Arms.

Welcome back to Daniel after a few weeks overseas.

Arun was the stand-in Table Topics Master and his theme reflected the meetings Theme of the Night: Aeroplanes.  To me the most notable aspect of the meetings Table Topics was that one of our five Guests, the first-time Harshal, volunteered to tackle a question. As we all know, standing in front of an audience for the first time is a daunting experience, but Harshal exhibited excellence self-control and delivered his thoughts with confidence and with a strong and measured voice. Well done Harshar, a difficult task delivered with aplomb.                                                                           

Arun treated us to an impromptu, but well delivered speech around air flow affecting modern aircraft, the what and why of air pockets and turbulence and the latest intention of Sir Richard Branson to build and put in service a high speed airliner that will cut the trans-Atlantic travel time to around three and a half hours.

Second time Guest David volunteered to be Timekeeper for the night ….. usually a role conducted by an experienced member. And it was an amazing thing to see someone so new to Toastmasters accept this key role. Thanks Daniel and well done on handling the role so well.

 Yours Truly spoke on the dangers of Global Warming to all of us and what each of us can do to help not only Planet Earth, but in the final analysis, ourselves.
This was my eighth speech toward the Competent Communicator level.
The speech called for the inclusion of an audio-visual component. Normally I follow the good practice of rehearsal, in this instance I was not able to prepare as comprehensibly as usual and my presentation reflected that.
Hopefully the shortcomings of my speech, notably in the area of incorporating audio visual aids, will aid others when preparing a speech. Learn from my experience and rehearse, rehearse and when you’ve done that, rehearse again.

In addition to Harshal and Daniel we again welcomed Ramya,  Vick and Ross and the first timer, Peter.

Ross, Daniel, Ramya and Vick, all advised their intention to become members, so it will be good to see all four formally inducted at the next meeting.

In summary another good meeting and thanks to all that stepped-up to the re-allocated roles on the night.

Paul von Harder 


Meeting No.762 'Aim for the Stars'

Elena our President‘s sad loss weighed heavily on Members during our meeting number 762.

Atinder was an apology, which meant we could not access the storage cupboard, so we had to conduct the meeting without the timing equipment, the lectern and gavel etc. Worst of all, I had to endure the tea-break with only green tea to drink!! I did console myself however, with the thought that 1.3 billion Chinese can’t be wrong!

Udana carried-out the Toastmaster role with aplomb and confidence, David did extraordinarily well as Sergeant at Arms, minus the attention gaining gavel. 
 Arun did an amazing job of juggling the Timekeepers role (with no electronic aids)as well as General Evaluator and any other job that no-one else wanted. Magnificent work Arun and an inspiration to us lesser mortals!.

It was very pleasing to see EIGHT Guests. Welcome to Christina, Martin, Daniel, Vick, Ramya, Bol, Mangar and Juma hope you enjoyed last evenings meeting and we’d love to see you again.

Theme for the night was Aim for the Stars and Arun provided a complimentary WOD = Aspiration. Without meaning to blow my own trumpet (well, not much anyway) I believe I took-out the most usage of the WOD by using it at least 50 to 100 times. OK, OK, I exaggerate, but I’m writing this and I’m awarding myself a degree of creative licence!!!!              . Hmmmmm.

Winner of the Table Topics category was Chih who treated us to a highly imaginative tale of how he wore a wheelbarrow on his head in order to ward-off sunburn. Well done Chih, can I recommend my Psychologist !!!LOL

Speakers were David, Hiren and Chih and Evaluators were Wendy, Arun and Bruce ……. definitely a hat-trick of Evaluation excellence.

The Best Speaker award was a tie between David and Chih.

New Member Jacqueline did her best to disrupt the meeting with a coughing fit and managed to take herself out of the room just as I was about to call an ambulance.
In all, I think it was a productive meeting despite our hearts being understandably heavy.

Again, I ask all members to remember that Toastmasters is not a destination, it is a journey. Please make every effort to attend meetings ……… you know you will enjoy and benefit from it.

Thank you to all attendees and remember that if you are listed to carry out a duty or role on the meeting of the 16th, please advise Udana if you are unable to attend.



Paul von Harder