Meeting 13/06/2010

Wild Wild May Weather

Our chair for the morning was Vera who introduced the theme “The Wild Wild May Weather” and then got the good feeling going by telling us that we all deserved applause just for making it there that day – so it was self appreciation all round.

Steve stepped with the days invocation – a winter inspired quote from Ruth Stout and invited us all to take advantage of the season and take time to slow down and reflect.

Shona then educated us the word of the day “Lour” (rhymes with flower), meaning to look angry, sullen or threatening.  Vera then donned her TT Master hat and enticed us up with weather headline topics. Julia spoke about the cost of the Otago floods, Tom told us about food to flood victims and even told us facts about our first exports of frozen lamb! Up next was Darshan who explained the effects of wandering hungry stock in Northland and dead possums.  Tibor spoke about flood hit families returning home and Steve finished the session with a story a man being washed away down a river, luckily it had a happy ending, no thanks to Telecom XT.  Tibor provided us all with excellent evaluations, including himself.

Time for tea and toast…

Vera stepped up again as Toastmaster to introduce the three speakers for the day: Ray, Darshan and Steve who were in turn evaluated by Tom, Tibor and Julia.  Ray gave a speech about Democracy and enlarged on four key elements of this theme.  Darshan entertained us with a tale of his adventurous trip to Great Barrier Island and Steve rounded up with a talk about the trials and tribulations of goldfish ownership.  Goldfish, apparently, are more expensive than meets the eye!!!

We had one guest for the day – Kathleen, who was invited by Craig (who wasn’t even there that day!).  Hope to see you back again Kathleen.

Final evaluations were then presented by Shona (Timekeeper and Grammarian) and Julia (General Evaluator)

All in all a great meeting, with Vera doing an excellent job at uplifting everybody’s spirits for the day.

Meeting 18/05/2010

Democracy

Democracy was the theme and a suitable theme for many reasons, the recent UK elections, and closer to home our very own elections for the Heritage Executive, as introduced by our Chair for the meeting – Julia.

Darshan came up with his invocation from Abraham Johannes, at which point I can no longer read my hand writing…… suffice to say it was excellent first time invocation by Darshan.  Tibor introduced us to the word of the day Tatterdemalion meaning ragged; unkempt or dilapidated.

Tom lead us into table topics, first up was Steve who explained about a famous person who he has met, which in fact was our one and only entertainer Tom!  Next up was our guest Ram who explained about his birth place of India.  Shona came up next and explained how she put the car through the back of the garage, and finally Craig explained how he was going to collect money owed to him and something to do with the rear end of the elephant – I’ll leave that to your imagination.  All of our table topics victims volunteers were evaluated by Steve (who even evaluated himself!)

Coofffeeeee…….

Toastmaster for the meeting Shona introduced our speakers. Tom gave us a speech about his grandchildren filled with little anecdotes and joeks.   Craig gave us a good insight into different leadership styles: Democratic, Autocratic, Bureaucratic, affiliative, situational, authorative.  Our speakers were evaluated by Tibor and Shona.

Steve then took the democratic role and elected the new executive in as follows: President Tibor, VP education Steve, VP membership Shona, VP PR (Ray to confirm), Treasurer Craig, Secretary Shona, Sargeant Tom and finally Webmaster Darshan.  Our exec were nomimated by Craig and seconded by Tibor.  A big thanks to all for putting your name forward to the executive and also to the current executive who will relinquish their roles on 30th/June.

Farewell for now:

Sorry to hear that Sally has decided to take a break from Toastmasters to pursue her busy career.  Sally thanks for bringing a spark to the club, you’ll always be welcome  back.

Steve McPhee

Meeting 04/05/2010

The ANZACs

A topical meeting given our  recent ANZAC day celebrations.  Chair for the day Craig introduced the theme and gave us a few facts to think about.    France lost 11% of its’ population in WWI.  Tom gave us his rendition of “When I’m 64”, well in Tom’s case 61 – Happy Birthday Tom!  Our Grammarian Craig, who stepped in at the last moment, with his prepared word of the day “Nurgatory” meaning having no force, ineffective.

Next was our fun table topics presented by Sally.  The theme was to sell the item in her lucky dip bag.  First up was Vera selling Stock cubes at a bargain $1000 per pack; Julia had her secret ingredient Citrus acid; Steve with his Arrowroot Perfect Thickener; Lance had a 150g of  baking powder; and finally Shona with her Continental Spag Bol sauce.  Or table topics were ably evaluated by Vera with Julia pipping into evaluate Vera!

Coooooffeeee!!!!!

Here’s Vera again, this time as Toastmaster, and today we had 3 speakers, 1 prepared and 2 impromptu!  First up was Craig’s impromptu speech “Lest we Forget”, and Craig told us some unforgettable things about WWI like how 70 million people were either maimed, injured or killed; 800 thousand horses died…And also how there were some benefits – new technology, those flying things called planes, and Rin Tin Tin the Alsatian trained to sniff out mustard gas.

Our next impromptu speaker was Shona with her speech on Cats – and how the Egyptians revered cats as Gods, and that they haven’t forgotten that!  Leonardo da Vinci told us that the “The smallest feline is a masterpiece”, interestingly though, none of Leonardo’s master pieces included cats!

Our final speaker was Lance “I have a dream…” that people help people, like Toastmasters, we’re all here to help each other.  Lance finished with “the more you add value to others, the more you change yourself”.

Our speakers were evaluated by Tom, Julia and Sally.  Finally our Grammarian Craig gave his report, timekeeper Steve who also did the general evaluation (and meeting report that you’re reading!).  A good meeting, some challenges with a few no shows, but good meeting none the less.

Steve McPhee

Meeting 12/01/2010

Summer

Well it was bit of a scorcher meeting  with ‘Summer’ aptly being the theme for the first meeting of the year!  A bright and bubbly Lynette got the meeting underway, even without the agenda.  New member Ray delivered the invocation from Mahatma Gandhi “Strength does not come from physical capacity but from indominatable will power” – well done Ray on your first assignment.

Our Grammarian for the morning, Shona, introduced the word for the day “surfeit” – feeding to excess (verb) or overindulgence in food or drink (noun).  A well suited word for our Summer theme!

We were then treated to table topics from Jiva “Would you rather….”

“…be bald or hairy?” Craig couldn’t make up his mind between being hairy like an orang-utan with fleas – or like his best man completely hairless (or so he tells us!)

“…find true love or win the lottery?” Well after much banter Lance decided after reading two new reports of lottery winners dying soon after, that he’d rather have true love – as no one has died from true love.  Welcome back Lance!

“…always lose or never play?”  Ray took the challenge and he plays cricket to win!

“…be Fired from your job or fire your best friend.”  And Julia decided that it’s easier to come by a job, rather than lose your best friend.

“…cheat on your spouse and nobody knows or everyone thinks you have cheated but you haven’t”.  An easy one for Andrew as he decided it’s far easier to live with your conscience if you don’t cheat on your spouse.

“…vote for an honest, but stupid politician or a liar with tremendous savvy”.  Shona decided that politicians need to be honest, and they’re more likely to follow through on an idea.

Our table topics were ably evaluated by Sally and Holger, then we broke for coffee. After a surfeit of coffee and breakfast put on by Jiva we started the main speeches, introduced by toastmaster Andrew.

First up was Darshan with his speech “Humanity is the Hallmark of Education”. Where education is not just from books, but from absorbing everything through all of your senses.  He challenged us that we should take time to learn other cultures.  He then told us a story about introducing refugees from Bhutan to NZ and how it had impacted on their lives.  He finished with challenge that we should educate ourselves on humanity.

Our second speaker Craig told us  “You can heal your life”  a book by Louise Hays from his “jumble of notes”.  Life is simple “what you put in you’ll get back” – just like a boomerang.  He then told us about meditation and affirmation, and challenged us all to say in the mirror “I love myself”

Our final speaker for our Summer meeting was Vera with her speech titled “Smell lingers on”, and went on to describe how different smells can cause us to remember people, places, or certain events – and for Vera she has the lingering smell of coffee, with smoke wafting through from the kitchen where the pork was on FIRE!

Evaluators Julia (first time speech evaluator), Lance, and Shona ably evaluated our speakers.  Timekeepers report from Tibor, Grammarian report from Shona, and general evaluation from Steve wrapped up a fine, entertaining Summer’s morning meeting!

Steve McPhee

Meeting 06/10/2009

Illusion

Tom Sharplin started our morning with a bit of magic…and the theme of ‘It’s all an Illusion’. He hid a lit cigarette in his shirt…then revealed to us it had disappeared – he never did tell us where it REALLY went!

Julia Willing then told us an inspirational story about a donkey who’d fallen in a well and when the people went to bury it, it took advantage of the dirt being shovelled on it by shaking it off and ’stepping up’…over and over, shaking it off and stepping up…

Shona Hoggins showed great flexibility in stepping in as Table Topics evaluator AND as the first Table Topics speaker as well.

Tibor Macker was grammarian for the first time with his word ‘bibulous’ – which NO ONE used the whole meeting! I guess we’re a sober group, given the word means ‘drunkenly’ or ‘given to the consumption of alcohol’.

Table Topics Master was Sally Mabelle, who gave 6 assignments based on Australian futurist Craig Rispin’s talk she’d seen the night before.

Some of the topics were quite challenging, but all rose to the occasion, speaking on cryogenics, to creating websites in kindergarten, to pills to cure cancer, and having a virtual affair in ‘asecondlife.com‘.

Holger Heinzel gave a warm and personal introduction to first time speaker and new member, Darshan Cumarasamy, who spoke to us about everything in life having good bits and bad – that they both go together and it’s our task to always look for the good.

Craig Martin spoke about ‘turning adversity into a positive’ – and how to use every situation to our advantage.

Overall, the meeting was friendly and smooth – although it was noted that we could perhaps ring a bell at the end of coffee break and to watch the overall timing of table topics as we went about 20 minutes over time.

Congratulations to all of us for getting up so early to better ourselves and our speaking for a better world!

Sally Mabelle  for Heritage Toastmasters

Meeting 22/09/2009

Sportstalk

An action packed meeting today with Holger bounding up for a “meeting of two halves” to introduce the Sportstalk theme.  Holger stepped in for Andrew with an inspirational dialogue about Billy Jean King and the 1973 battle of the sexes.  Craig challenged us with the word of the day “contumacious” meaning stubbornly resistant.

Steve got up to conduct the induction ceremony and welcome the “newbies” into the club – Tibor, Sally, Julia were capped, Darshan and Dilkie were unavailable for selection on the day.  Fortunately the new pledges weren’t required to perform any tasks to prove their worth!

Vera stepped up to the crease with the days table topics.  First up was scuba Steve as he pushed himself to finish his punishing race.  Then Holger commentated about the lack of action on the soccer field. Craig discussed eligibility testing then Shona transformed herself into a typical Kiwi tennis fan with eyes hypnotised by the ball. Tibor analysed sporting stars and their behaviour in the spotlight.  The performance of the team was then reviewed by Sally and Julia.

We then stopped for a quick break to refuel before getting back into the action.

Shona took over as Toastmaster and introduced Tibor, who gave his icebreaker speech.  Tibor kept to the theme of the day and gave us a glimpse into his international sporting career and an insight into underwater hockey.  An excellent first speech.

Steve then got everybody talking with his educational speech about the TMI Communication and Leadership tracks.  He encouraged us to start focusing more on the Leadership track and several methods for implementing this were discussed.

There was no third speaker as the team on the day was quite small.  We couldn’t have fielded a cricket team but could have managed a netball squad.  It was a very energising meeting with everybody looking the part. Game on!

Julia  Willing for Heritage Toastmasters

Meeting 08/09/2009

GST Hike Proposed

Vera our Chair for the meeting got the meeting underway with her thoughts about a hike in GST being bandied about at the moment. Shona gave an invocation on “Making more mistakes” and cited the example of Alexander Fleming and his ‘mistake’ which led to that great boon for humanity – penicillin. Today’s word from the Grammarian was “redolent”.

Craig was Table Topics Master with the topics taken from Monty Python. Sally was asked the “Meaning of Life” and sung us a little of ‘always look on the bright side of life’ before telling us about the compensation of wisdom growing as we age. Andrew’s topic was to re-enact the dead parrot sketch- with him producing a convincing  mpersonation of the squawking voice from the sketch. Catherine told us about her journey with Yellowbeard the Pirate. Our visitor took to the stage as if she’s already done so hundreds of times, but actually it was her first go at table topics – well done.  To finish Jiva told us about his friend Harry who is a boring twit… and convinced us that Harry, while simple, was likeable. Congratulations to Catherine for being awarded the best Table Topic trophy.

Resuming after the break, Tom took over as Toastmaster for the formal speeches. First up was Julia giving her third Competent Communicator manual speech – “Six things required for safe boating”. A potentially dry and technical topic was very engagingly delivered. Next was Sally who told us how to manage conflict through the experience of a recent shopping trip with her Mom. Always vibrant in her speechmaking, Sally explained what to do in the gap between stimulus and response – “breath”. Lastly was Holger, with a speech explaining a risk management approach to Global Warming. The options were simply but effectively diagrammed by Holger with the conclusion of the need to act now on Global Warming logically drawn out.

Tibor gave the Timekeeper’s report and Andrew the meeting’s general evaluation.

A4 area competition this Saturday from about 11AM at the Fickling Centre, Three Kings with Heritage members encouraged to attend to support our contest representatives Vera and Jiva.

Next meeting is 22 Sept with the theme “Sportstalk” and a suggestion to dress up and bring your sportsgear.

Andrew Kincaid,  Heritage Toastmasters

Meeting 11th August

Humorous Speech Contest Meeting

Chairman Stephen welcomed our visitors Virginia, Tibor and Darshan, and the judges for our competition, Cynthia Mitchell Governor Area A4, Sarah Andrews from AM, and Marlene Krone from Central Park/ Silver Service.  He then set the tone for the meeting with a humorous story of true survival – for the chicken! Sally gave a though-provoking invocation with Will you be happy when the recession is over? She suggested What if reassession? And invited us to try three I’m happy because …each night.Julia added to the theme with the word farce and explained three meanings, one of which was  to make a mockery of.  Highly appropriate!

Jiva was our first contestant with Advancing your career. He used a combination of the Dilbert principle ( promote from position of major damage) and the Peter’s principle ( promote from a position of competence) to give us a plan for doing so. Tom gave us School Days. A lively introduction on being called again  and again to get up for school (you have to set a good example – you’re the Head) led into being bell monitor, doing maths and much more. Andrew was Paddy in A Trip to Rome, travelling from a tiny Irish village for a Holy Year audience with the Pope. Craig spoke about Emotional Disaster, TV episodes. The man who was alternately rude and polite in the butcher’s shop was followed by the painting of The Last Supper not being quite what it should.

While the judges deliberated, Holger led Table Topics.  I missed his introduction as I was tally-counter for the judges, but very quickly gathered it was to talk on some obscure words when I was called upon soon after rejoining the meeting.  He gave us expatiate, nyatylopia, quaff and bardolater.

Jiva was announced as the winner to go on to the area contest, with Craig as backup. Congratulations to teh two of them and to all our contestants for taking on the challenge!

Shona Hoggins,  Heritage Toastmasters

Meeting Report for 28th July

An exciting meeting today, with an enthusiastic, energetic start by our Meeting Chairman, Sally Mabelle. Welcome also to our guests today, Tibor, Chris and Josh. Some pointers for us all to take note though, not to rush through our presentations and not to forget about how important proper introductions are. It is easy to forget that our guests don’t yet know who we are!

With some unfortunate last-minute apologies, Sally stepped into the breach and delivered the invocation for the day, reminding us all that we don’t always need to fit in and conform. The next time you get up to speak, remember what it is that makes you “you”.

Craig was our grammarian for the day, setting us the challenge of finding ways to use the word-of-the-day: Querimonious, meaning to question or complain; full of complaint.

For the informal half of the meeting, Andrew provided a series of thoughtful, challenging yet entertaining Table Topics.

Craig told us why success is going from failure to failure, without losing motivation in impromptu Dr. Seuss rhyming style! Vera played it safe with a very balanced view on how behind every successful man is an equally successful woman… very tactfully changed from the presented topic of “behind every successful man is an amazed woman”!
Tibor completely agreed with how 80% of success is showing up. Absolutely vital to be present; you can’t win if you don’t show up, whether on the sports field or even with Toastmasters, I’m sure!
Mike was sure his guest, Josh, would agree that everything is funny if it is happening to someone else, given Josh’s huge grin while Mike was put on the spot. Mike gave us an entertaining account of the one that got away on a fly-fishing experience.
Chris agreed that the amount of sleep required is always 5 minutes more than what you’ve got. Despite moving closer to work to obtain those precious 5 minutes more, Chris warned us all to consider the effect of noisy flatmates and their early-morning schedules which always seem to keep those precious minutes just beyond reach.
Lynette was our lucky last, and was asked to attest to whether “women like silent men – they’re think they’re listening”. Most of us probably agreed with Lynette, that men are more interested in the headlines while women would want to read the whole story.

The prepared speech section provided some interesting insights to HDTV, the effects of over-regulation and what truly make our memories memorable.

Steve demystified High Definition Television, comparing old “standard” TVs, what the industry call “HD ready” and “Full HD”, along with how Freeview and Sky fit into the picture (no pun intended!) with set top boxes and satellite dishes.
Vera told us how over-regulation has affected her house renovations, with more hoop-jumping and red-tape than actual construction!
Lynette related her personal experiences to how our most memorable memories (Mr Grammarian, is that correct? What would an unmemorable memory be??) are those involving the people who we form our most important bonds with.

Jiva Muthu, Heritage Toastmasters

Meeting Report for 14^th July

We were off to a rose coloured start with Lynette’s Martini glasses, introducing the theme for the meeting.  Next up was the invocation from Craig about a POW at one of the German POW camps who forgave her captors, that sometimes we get angry and bitter over frivolous things.

Vera introduced the word of the day, one that got quite quite prolific use thoughout the meeting for it was indeed ‘Prolific’, meaning abundant, profuse, copious.

Mike then got us stuck into Table topics with cricket as the theme, which was obviously quite an action packed game.  First up was Holger who took a magnificent catch.  Then Lynette hit a stunning 6 into the crowd on the last ball of the match.  Next Steve had to deal with Tom streaking through the match, then Dilki was up with the Man of the Match award, but it wasn’t for cricket as she doesn’t understand the game at all.  Craig was out first ball with his 100 year old cricket bat (perhaps you should retire it!).  And finally Vera was on 99 runs but gave because she too couldn’t understand the game either!  Well at the end of the match was summed up by our two commentators (table topics evaluators) Shona and Julia.  Now it was time for drinks (break).

Lynette introduced our first speaker Andrew with the “Mosquito Net”, a humorous OE trip to Bali, centred around the mosquito net (their rather expensive bargain of USD12).  Unfortunately it seemed that the Balinese mosquitos had a taste for “fresh juicy Europeans”.

Our next speaker was Tom with the “Price of Fame”, a look at rise and fall of famous entertainers such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, then onto sports super stars George Best, Jonah Lomu.  How these people couldn’t handle the fame which ultimately led to their downfall.

At this stage our 3^rd speaker was unavailable so we had a round of jokes instead, with Lynette taking her pet Cuddles the duck to the vet, with an unexpected bill at the end after the “Cat scan” and “Lab Tests” – well you had to be there!  Other jokers were Shona with her biology joke, Craig with his dodgy car dealings and trying to repossess vehicles, and finally Tom’s fireman joke.

All in all an excellent meeting, with some good humour – keep practising our Humorous contest is coming up soon!

Stephen McPhee, Heritage Toastmasters

“LOOK AT ME!”

30 June 2009

Chair started the meeting with gusto, announced the Theme of the meeting “Look at Me” and challenge members to use this when they stand up to speak this morning.  A good number turned out at the meeting with roles well spread out among the members.  Jiva, as usual, the man who often has a bagful of wise words gave an interesting invocation starting with a little excerpt on the sparrow soaring high full of aspiration and, got frozen with chill and fell flop to ground. It was saved by the warmth of a cow’s excretion or ‘crap’ dropping on top of it but it’s lively singing of revival was short-lived when it attracted a cat who quickly came and made a meal of it.  The 3 morals to this which he conveyed to the audience were: too high an aspiration is not all good; crap is not necessarily bad; when in trouble sometimes it may be better to keep quiet about it and not announce it.

Table topics were given by Lynette, with interesting lines and quotes.  Some of the speakers found the topics very challenging but most stuck it out and tackled them face on.  Well done TT speakers.  Andrew gave his best shot into the sticky topic and  Jiva could not relate to the fact that “the early bird catches the worm”   because he was not a morning person, and he also rejected the second line on “the second mouse gets the cheese” because he could not see that this could happen.  Sally told us about how sometimes she was hit hard or “being bugged if it wasn’t for the windscreen.”  Tom spoke on “Smile” and his view was that smiles are always good and gets you friends. Vera talked about being full of ideas and wits when she was in her own private space but struggled badly when put in the limelight.
Grammarian is Sally, with the work ‘Perspicacious’ or being smart, or sharp-witted.  Sally gave the members ample time to study the word having it posted up before the meeting started.  However, not many remembered to use the word except for Andrew who compensated this with using the word 3 times.  Good on the chairman!  Sally did her grammarian role well commenting on her observations of the use of language good and not so good, and also offered a suggestion that speakers try to accentuate words with more emphasis when speaking at the front like mouthing out the word… WW..OO..R..RD.
We had 3 speakers Craig, Shona, and Julia.
Craig voiced his strong views on how the world and media treated the poor-rich super star Michael Jackson and his life events and even presented with an full page of Jacko’s picture from the Sunday Star in case someone did not know who he was.  Shona gave a very beautifully painted and picturesque description of storms, the weathered beaches, and penguin’s survival story.   Julia gave everyone a ‘health warning’ jolt when she disclosed that she had been quarantined for 5 days, homebound with being infected by H1N1 from her Melbourne trip. She offered some guidelines of how to stay on hygienic alert. She spent her days in confinement with endless Jamie Olivier TV chef shows, and with meals delivered outside her bedroom door by unfortunately not Jamie Olivier but fortunately by her ever dear better half.
The speech evaluators Steve, Lynette and Sally gave their verdict with their very welcomed and quality evaluations and also with words of encouragement following the three prepared speeches, for the benefit of the speakers as well as members.
Vera ended the meeting giving her general evaluation on the meeting and the members’ assigned roles.  She commented that the meeting was very well run and showed planning, preparedness and excellent time management to start on time and ended on time.
Vera Chung, Heritage Toastmasters

“Look at me, look at me, look at me!” – Kath & Kim
Theme of today’s meeting aptly introduced by a very well dressed (and tall!) Andrew, continuing on the theme from Sally’s speech at the last meeting.  Jiva came up and gave us a story about a sparrow flying north with a few morales to think about “Don’t look back, just do it!, “Anyone who craps on you isn’t necessarily your enemy”, and finally the last one which I can’t quite read my scribble….hmmm.
On next to Grammarian Sally with “Perspicacious” (adj) meaning of acute mental vision, discerning.    Then onto table topics with a few challenging topics care of Lynette.  First victim – Tom with “Smile it’s the second best thing you can do with your lips” , wandering down the street smiling at others – hopefully not doing the first best thing with his lips!  Next up Jiva with “Early bird catches the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese”  – Jiva isn’t an early riser, and he didn’t fancy getting the cheese after the first mouse got caught in the trap, so he decided he didn’t want to be a skulky character.  Sally was “sometimes the bug” -  bugging her partner then “sometimes the windscreen”, with others offloading their woes on a listening Sally.  Stephen was “drinking from the fountain of knowledge” at Toastmasters. Andrew came up with “Some people are only …”.  Finally Vera wrapped a round of challenging table topics with “success always occurs in private, and failures in public” – something we can all relate to!  Tag teaming evaluation this week was Shona and Mike – well done team!
Quick coffee break and it’s into the speeches.  Our first speaker was Craig with a speech titled “A Rogue Speech Without a Manual” – he’s getting quite good at this!  Well it wasn’t a rogue speech but a very good one about Michael Jackson’s life and background and how he was abused whilst young and was always searching for happiness.  A musical genius who won’t rest (I’m watching yet another news item on MJ whilst writing this!)
Next and filling in at the last minute was Shona “After the Storm” and took us on journey, scrunching on peebles of a beach after a storm had been and what they found: a dead gannet, Man o War jellyfish, another jellyfish that looked like an eye and a poorly penguin chick which they rescued and gave a good home at a sanctuary.  Well done Shona on filling in the gap.
Our final speaker was Julia “H1N1 – a view from inside” – case #141 she told us her story of how she contracted H1N1 whilst on a shopping trip to Melbourne and being forced into isolation at home watching daytime TV (what torture!).  Interspersed with this was facts and figures of the virus and how she finished up watching Jamie Oliver cooking pork chops.  Well at this point, no one was shaking hands, there were nervous looks and laughter and people started coughing and sneezing!
Evaluators were Lynette, Craig and Steve.  The meeting was ably evaluated by Vera, the meeting wrapped and we all went home feeling sick.
Stephen McPhee, Heritage Toastmasters
PS At this point we find out that Julia was telling us porkies and that her story was hogwash – well done on a convincing speech!

16 June 2009

Theme: Winter Solstice

Winter solstice was the theme and it was certainly cold enough! Julia started the meeting as chair, well prepared and first time in the role. She explained that Winter Solstice date falls between the 20 and 22nd of June, this year it happens to fall on the 21st. Next up was invocation from Vera using a quote from Mother Theresa “the most terrible poverty in the world is loneliness” she then went on to say that we all can make a difference if we all “share love to people around you”.

Holger introduced the world of the day “Obnubilate” to becloud or obscure. Well it was certainly an obnubilant word as no one really used it and my spell checker didn’t even recognise it!

Steve was next up with table topics challenging all to continue on a chain story using part sentences. First up was Holger who set the scene with seeing the stars whilst putting the rubbish out which then moved onto possums have a street party (Julia). Vera spent a good minute or two describing the tranquil moon. However Jiva soon got the party going again with the belching possums having a barbecue early in the morning. Tom finished off the party the next day, however the full moon was still out as someone was running naked down the street! Well I can tell you there were no belching possums having a bbq early on Winter solstice morning in my street (unless they were very quiet!). Andrew and Craig took turns tag teaming evaluations for table topics, although the ended up evaluating the same speaker!

Quick coffee break and we were into the speeches. Mike gave us a run down investing in commercial property. For high yield and high risk then you want to invest in Otahuhu, for lower return but safer risk we should be investing in Newmarket. An excellent speech that gave us a few tips for investing in commercial property.
Next up was Shona with “Get the Money”, explaining how the decile funding worked for schools and how those census surveys we fill out determine the schools decile rating and hence funding. The up shot is that schools are under funded.
Our final speaker for the morning was our newest member Sally, “How to Say it”. Well talk about a performance! Sally told us about incidents in our lives when we grow up we learn about shame and fear, and that what holds us back in later life. She told us how she over came her own shame and fear at acting school with “fake it until you make it”. Well Sally certainly made it as you held us all captive with your speech!

Julia wrapped up an excellent meeting – well done on a well run, well organised meeting.

Stephen McPhee, Heritage Toastmasters

21 April 2009

Theme: Penny Pinching

Another excellent meeting provided a great start to the day and wonderful to have two visitors, Sally & Dave. I thought the highlight of the meeting was seeing some of the new members taking on roles and doing them superbly. Julia earned the ‘Best Assignment’ Award for her role as Time Keeper, as she diligently recorded the times and then delivered an enthusiastic report at the end of the meeting. Also, Dilke delivered her first Invocation encouraging us to think positively.

Steve, a toastie veteran, executed his roles of Chair & Toastmaster with his usual convivial manner, helping to make the speakers feel at ease by giving them a very warm welcome.
Vera, in keeping with the theme, introduced the table topics around the ‘recession’ and money saving ideas. Do remember fellow toasties, the table topics can be a bit of fun, you are allowed to make things up, interject the speakers, help them along & generally enjoy yourselves. Tom, as TT evaluator, listened really well to the speakers but any recommendations were elusive.

Speeches:
Shona entertained us with her 2nd speech ‘Fruit of my Labour’ and brought along a basket filled with the abundance from her garden – excellent presentation & speech.
Holger struggled to get us all excited about joining the executive committee, even with the fancy titles VP Ed, VP something else – they do sound very important, but alas there’s no salary to match, you do it all for love. The committee is vital to the running of the club, so I do encourage everyone to participate. Please try to make the meeting at the Golden Arches, Greenlane, Tuesday 28 @ 7am and find out more about what’s involved.
Craig revved up the ‘media’ for doing what they do best – reporting on hot topics that sell papers & magazines and asked us to leave Tony Veitch alone.

Evaluators for Speeches: Andrew, Mike & Vera gave some good feedback.

Thanks to everyone for contributing to make this meeting a success – it’s a team effort, from the setting up at the start to the packing it all down & doing the dishes and doing your roles well.

Congratulations go to one of our experienced & long serving members, Steve and his wife Emma, on the birth of their third baby – a boy Ryan.

Lynette Reid, Heritage Toastmasters

07 April 2009

The theme for the 7th April’s meeting was Daylight Savings with our Chair and Toastmaster for the day Jiva giving us his thoughts on lighter mornings and darker evenings. Our new member, Shona gave us for an invocation Johann Kaspar Lavater’s “He scatters enjoyment who can enjoy much” and today’s word, used several times during the meeting, was ‘flummox’ provided by Jiva as Grammarian.

Holger was Table Topics Master with topics related to today’s theme. First up for Table Topics was Vera who told us getting the wrong advice about which way to move the clock and missing church as a result; Shona enjoyed the long summer evenings in her hanging chair rather then painting the house; Tom plans to hunker down in the dark evenings to come with his home brew; Dilki told us of dreams to move between the best of what winter and summer have to offer; and Julia wouldn’t want to confuse people by giving them a day off to adjust after Daylight Savings comes to end. Craig evaluated these with his customary good humour.

Jiva, as Toastmaster, gave good introductions to the all the speeches. Andrew told us a Japanese folktale about the magical and mischievous Tanuki of Shojoji complete with drumming. Dealing with a hostile audience facing a health-related ban on potato chips and wedges was Lynette’s task which she did with aplomb. The ordeal of getting his full motorcycle license was Mike’s topic as he demonstrated his vocal variety. We wish you good luck with this later in the week – don’t forget your glasses this time. Holger evaluated Andrew’s speech with a little drumming of his own; Lynette’s speech was evaluated by Craig; and Tom evaluated Mike’s vocal variety.

A thorough Grammarian’s report followed from Jiva and Tom let us know how we’d measured against the clock. Finally, new member Shona was inducted in a very solemn ceremony. Welcome Shona – great to have you with us.

Commendations to Jiva for a well organised and run meeting and the same to Lynette for breakfast.

Andrew Kincaid, Heritage Toastmasters

24 March 2009

The Heritage Assizes opened with everyone rising for the entry of that crusty old member of the bench Justice McPhee. The Court Registrar Lynette read the defendants the charge: “Your potential is limited only by how many excuses you have” and warned them of the need to “Be Prepared”. Heritage’s members quailed at the thought of their likely guilt. The Bailiff arrived in the form of Holger who served notice that the word for the Assizes was fecund. Next up Craig led the witnesses into the witness box. Andrew, Holger, Peter, Tom and Dilke were asked respectively about the colour of Barrister’s wigs, whether Barristers should take a reduction in fees if they lose, a road law that needs changing, whether there should be a court jester and whether the national anthem should be sung when the court sits each day. Mike, that much feared silk, cross examined the witnesses mercilessly. Justice McPhee adjourned the Assizes to hear submissions from counsel in chambers.

Resuming, the first plaintiff Tom gave his account of “It is darkness before daylight saving time”; the second plaintiff Vera accused the world of C+I+G in response to the credit crunch; and the third plaintiff, Jiva spoke of the horrors of the credit crunch and the need for the jury to know more in the face of them. Those relentless Prosecutors, Holger, Stephen and Lance interrogated the plaintiffs.

Assizes closed with the Bailiff’s report, the time keeper’s report and the Verdict from the General Evaluator that everybody present was guilty as charged and should be preparing to return to court at 7AM on Tuesday, 7 April for sentencing.

Andrew Kincaid, Heritage Toastmasters

10 March 2009

Well I guess it was one of those meetings, last minute apologies meant a few changes, including who was doing the general evaluation and writing the meeting report (so please excuse if there are mistakes or omissions).  Tom opened the meeting in classic Tom style with a song singing in the Sunshine (since this was the meeting’s theme!).  Mike then presented the invocation which escapes at this point (sorry Mike!).  Stephen presented the word of the day “effervescent”, which has two meanings: gas emitted during the fermented process, or to show high spirits or gaiety.  Members were encouraged to use the latter meaning!

Next Andrew led a round of table topic using each line of Tom’s opening song – thankfully no one had to sing!  Holger was first up but couldn’t remember what his father told him (only that he had to remember what he told him).  Shona was next up and was on her way (sorry can’t remember where to).  At this point the author realised that no-one was down for general evaluation or the meeting report so he started taking some notes!  Next up was Fiona who told us a little about herself and her job marketing defibrillators (hopefully it won’t be required at the club).  Craig told the police officer that he didn’t know he was in the transit lane but did suggest that perhaps should have a blow up doll in the passenger’s seat.  Merle had the hots for Paul Newman (I’ll kiss you every night) and finally Mike told us to “give as good as you get” whilst playing cricket.  All our speakers were evaluated by Jiva after which we had our coffee break.

Once back our Toastmaster Tom, introduced our guests (Fiona, Julia, Merle, Dilky and her son) and proceeded to introduce our Ice Breaker Shona with her speech title “Miss Why’s that line bumpy”.  Shona told us a little about herself growing up that her short sightedness meant she was a little clumsy, however glasses certainly helped!  We also found out that her great aunt was Kate Shepherd.  Shona showed us all how easy it was to deliver a speech without notes – a challenge for everyone else.

Mike then told us a bit of his trip to Canada with his speech “Best Priced Rentals” and challenges they experienced with the rental car’s washer not working then working, then the wiper wouldn’t stop, then they pulled the fuse on the wiper to stop it, but then they couldn’t see, so put the fuse in and the wiper worked again but the washer didn’t!.  Follow that?

Holger was last up and gave an apology for not being prepared for a speech so instead led a round of discussion with the moot “That Heritage should meet on a Wed morning”.  He gave both sides of the argument then opened the floor for discussion.  The key point of discussion is the lack of preparation and that we all need to work on this.  At this point Mike piped up and said he would not be able to attend Wed morning – so ended the debate, Tuesday it is!

Steve gave the Grammarians report, Time keeper’s report, General Evaluation and now the meeting report!

See you all in a fortnight and remember the scout’s honour “BE PREPARED”!

Steven McPhee, Heritage Toastmasters