MARCH 2008 - PAKURANGA TOASTMASTERS NEWSLETTER


Kong Hee Fatt Choy or Happy New Year Fellow Toastmasters,

If you were born in 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972,1960, 1948 or 1936 then according to the Chinese Horoscope you’re a “rat”. The rat is said to be charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking, with great leadership and organisational skills – sounds better than a mouse.


Well, March is here and autumn is upon us. Are you one of those people who make New Year’s resolutions? Or are you one of those people who vow not to make any? Every year with good intentions I forge ahead with a positive and determined attitude that this time I’ll keep them. However every year I fall down the rabbit hole of “no return” and manage to break them within the first day. It’s not as if I have to think of new ones, as I just recycle the same ones over and over again.


So Why? Why? Why does it seem so hard to do? Is it just a matter of discipline and willpower? I’ve come to the conclusion that I will make only one resolution and that is to change my habits. If I apply the one principle rule to all my habits that need either improving or eliminating then everyday I will be keeping my resolution.


Remember: Whether at home or at work, whether to inspire, persuade, inform, or educate - may you find the correct words from your vocab wardrobe to express yourself to convey a clear message to your listeners.

Cheers

Caroline Luey

VP Public Relations


EVENTS COMING UP


17 March 2008 – Open Meeting – May the luck of the Irish be with us as we kick-start off our meeting with a St Patrick’s theme. This is to coincide with “Toastmasters Week” starting 2-16 March 2008 So think green and dust off your leprechaun or river dance outfits to wear.


Use your people skills and invite friends, acquaintances and strangers off the street to come along and see us in action. Let’s be prepared to educate, entertain and promote our club. If you can bring any paraphernalia to enhance our Irish atmosphere, this would be most appreciated and welcomed. Every little bit makes a difference. An advert should be appearing in the upcoming issue of the Eastern Courier on Robyn’s page on 12 March 2008.


CONTEST! COMPETITION! COMPETITION! CONTEST!


Whatever you call it, both the Evaluation and International Speech Contest proved to be invaluable for all those who participated and all those who watched.


19 February 2008 – Evaluation Contest


Wow! What a full on night. The pace was set by Alun Chisholm who guided us through the evening. The Guest Test Speaker was Metina Morehu who gave a speech on her journey toward Toastmasters and an insight into her job as a Truancy Officer and how this path eventually led her to joining Toastmasters. This contest was informative and beneficial to both new and experienced Toastmasters and demonstrated how to give a constructive evaluation. A double learning edge for the contestants as their role changed from “evaluating” to “being evaluated ” by the judges.

What was interesting, though was the fact the contestants had different views on the purpose of the speech. All of them came up with similar feedback and comments, which goes to show they were all on the same wavelength.

Congratulations to Christine Alcott who came 1 st Andrew Day 2nd and Ilona Brown 3rd . and thank you to all the contestants who participated. Judges were Sarah Bate, Steve Gaskin and Chief Judge Alex Roberts.


3 March 2008 – International Speech Contest


This time Andrew Day guided us through the evening where an assortment of speeches were given. A speech is like telling a story and that is what our contestants gave us – from Simon Morley’s “ Awakening ”, which told of his ambition for his yachting team to win a race, and then the dilemma he faced in giving a speech after they won.


Next we had Ilona Brown’s thought-provoking speech called “A String of Events ” in which she told of her experience which led her from one event to the next and how they somehow connected together at just the right time. Is it pure coincidence, or could it be a higher force is dabbling in our everyday lives?


Next up was Jan Blyde’s informative speech with “Yes, You Can Do Something”. In this speech Jan explained how someone close to her was affected by a stroke and gave us practical advice of the signs to look for.


The last contestant was Manissha Allabadi with her speech called “Real Happiness lies in Making Others Happy”. This uplifting speech informed us about what we know at the back of our minds, but don’t always practise – that random acts of kindness and consideration are within our power and we can make a difference if only we took some action.


Congratulations to Manissha Allabadi who came 1 st, Ilona Brown 2nd and Jan Blyde 3rd. Thank you to all contestants who participated.


Due to circumstances Manissha will not be competing in the Area A5 & A7 contest.

Ilona will be representing the club in this competition.

So a big round of applause (CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!) and congratulations to Christine and Ilona who will represent Pakuranga Toastmasters Club at the Area Contest which will be held on Saturday 15th March 2008 at the Pakuranga Community Centre. If you can come down and show some support for our two contestants please do so. For those who cannot make it, I am sure your thoughts and well wishes will be with them.


A BIG THANK YOU goes to Warren Frazer our Sergeant in Arms who has kindly arranged a new storage cupboard for all our equipment. Most appreciated.

NB: Please read the attached Mentor and Mentee Requirements


ELEPHANTS NEVER FORGET (things to remember)


1. MEMBERSHIP FEES

It’s that time again for paying fees - the cost is $84.00. Please give cheques to David Aiken by 17 March 2008 (next meeting). Payments can also be made by direct crediting into the Pakuranga Toastmaster’s account. Any questions please refer to David.


2. COMPETENT LEADER MANUAL

Reminder to those who are undertaking roles etc for their Competent Leader that the manual may be given either to Alun or Christine prior to the start of the meeting so the role can be signed off.


3. CONTRIBUTIONS

Any speeches you have made either for work, at other clubs or volunteer work please let me know. If you have any good tips or ways to improve speeches e.g. overcoming nervousness or getting speech ideas. Please feel free to contribute any tidbits to me.


4. FAREWELL, SO LONG ADIEU TO YOU AND YOU

Good-bye to Don Harford who attended his last meeting on 7 March as h is moving to the Waikato. An easy-going and friendly person, we will miss him but wish him all the best for the future.


5. SOCIAL FUNCTION – Yes there will be an opportunity for you to circulate, mix and mingle coming up in APRIL – WATCH THIS SPACE.



6. LOST/FOUND – For some reason I have an extra Competent Leader Manual which I picked up from somewhere, so if you are missing yours please let me know. It has no name on it. Thanks – Caroline


A joke: Where do you find the salad in the store?

Answer: In the dressing room.


Add this word to your Vocab Wardrobe : Idiosyncrasy – unconventional behaviour, peculiarity, habit, quirky.