Pak in the News Feb 2009


Feb. 2009 Edition By Edwin Zwanenburg


Inside this Months Issue:


Greetings & Welcome


2009 on the calendar.. The holidays have come and gone but summer is still around. Heatwaves, muggy weather, BBQ's, jandals, sunnies,...and Toastmasters has started again as well. We've got a busy year ahead!!!

Meetings, contests, social events, trainings, guest speakers...you name it, we do it!


We haven't had many New members joining us since last newsletter in November '08 but that probably has something to do with the summer coming. But we'll do our best to boost the numbers again and... by all means:... if you know somebody who might be interested.. Drag them along to a meeting and excite them about Toastmasters!!!


Everybody best of luck with achieving your personal goals and becoming a better speaker & leader this year! Don't hesitate to contact anyone in the club to help you, your mentor, the executive team and your colleague Toastmasters.. We're all here with the same goal.. To become better at communicating and leading.


Enjoy the weather & the newsletter! The Editor.


Lets Talk Business


The Semi annual fees are due again shortly.. our Treasurer David Parker has reported to the executive committee that the club is still in a healthy state, but your contribution for the next half year is most certainly required again.. The NZ$ remains to be low so we may have to look at putting the fees up slightly to be able to pay our club fees to the HQ in the USA.


Make a note in your agenda that in general if a meeting falls on a public holiday Monday, it's moved to the Wednesday after¼ this is going to hap- pen coming Easter. The Meeting of Monday 13 April will be moved:

The Monday meeting after Easter is being held on Wednesday 15 April!!!


Events, Past & Upcoming


The Pakuranga Club International Speech & Evaluation Contest is to be held on the 2nd of March 2009.


Winners of the competition will represent our club in the Area Contest that is being held on Saturday the 21st of March at a location that is to be announced.


We're also looking at organising a voice workshop with Kristy O'Sullivan. Aim of this workshop is to utilise your voice to the maximum; have a clear, free and unconstricted voice while speaking. The key to this is:

1. release unnecessary tension

2. Breath well

3. Develop your resonance

4. Clarity of speech

Kristy will focus on these points and help us with exercises, tips & tricks and information during this workshop.


...............aim date: 04/04/09...more info; Caroline........


Toastmasters Convention Christchurch 16 & 17 May 2009


The May 2009 convention, is to be held in Christchurch at "Chateau on the Park", 189 Deans Avenue, on the 16th and 17th of May, 2009. Visit the Chateau on the Park website for venue information.


The theme for the convention is "Crusade to Confidence", which follows on nicely from the "Courage to Conquer" theme of our International President for 2008 / 2009, Jana Barnhill DTM AS. Of added interest and excitement is the news that Jana will be attending this convention, making this the "must attend" event for 2009!


Handy Links


Pakuranga Toastmasters Website:

www.pakuranga.toastmasters.gen.nz


Strategies to Succeed in Public Speaking:

http://www.school-for-champions.com/speaking.htm#Success


Speech Topic Ideas and Examples:

http://toastmasterssf.googlepages.com/3000speaches


An Exciting New Adventure


As always I've asked one of the club members what his/her motivation was to join Toastmasters, what his/her goals are and what he/she thinks of Toastmasters¼ here is what I received back from Patti Leigh:


A few years ago now, I was given the opportunity to teach adults accounting once a week. As I am not a trained teacher I considered joining Toastmasters to improve my teaching. After procrastinating for some time, I decided to join in February 2005 for just one year with the goal of completing my 10 speeches in the year. Goals are not always achieved. It took nearly two years and then I decided to continue with Toastmasters.


Why am I still a member?

I feel that having a Competent Communicator certificate is just the beginning when it comes to preparing a good speech. Toastmaster's speeches can be inspiring, informative and entertaining. e.g. I have learnt a lot from the engineers, boat builders, insurance and banking industry and other occupations. You sometimes arrive tired after a day's work, but after being entertained with Table Topics or a humorous speech or the theme of the night, you head home more refreshed. There is more to toastmasters than giving speeches. I still haven't learnt the art of evaluating a speech with confidence. It's a great way to get to know people - speeches tell us so much about the person. I really like the encouraging environment and the use of the CRC principle. (Commend Recommend and Commend). I like seeing others develop in their speeches and leadership. The competitions, conventions and workshops can be an inspiration.


Recognition Corner


Melanie Cornish "Spirit of Success" Award (5 speeches completed)


Speechcraft 2009—an opportunity!!!


The Speechcraft Course 2009 at Selwyn College has kicked of again from mid February and will run for 8 weeks to mid April 2009. Every Tuesday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, members of the public can come along and will be thought from the TM-manual.


Toastmasters Pakuranga has been running the Speechcraft Course in conjunction with Orakei Toastmasters Club and it's is a way of raising funds for both Pakuranga and Orakei Toastmasters. At the end of the course we deduct the expenses and the two Toastmasters Clubs share in the proceeds... Proceeds that potentially can go to things like a projector or a camera.. Tools that will help ourselves, club members become better speakers!!...

And it also helps to sustain our club: many Toastmasters have joined a club after having done a Speechcraft Course. It gives them a good insight into what Toastmasters is all about and the benefits it provides.


Manissha & Caroline still hope to get YOU.. Yes.. YOU.. The reader of this article.. To help them out.

Please see them at the regular meetings and volunteer for an evening (or 2.. Or more). It doesn't have to be for the full 8 weeks!!! You can help once.... A couple of times¼ every fortnight.. Or be on the 'emergency backup list'.. Your help is appreciated and will help the club hugely.


Speechcraft is a fantastic initiative..

Please help Manissha & Caroline out by volunteering !!


.. Last but not least...


Don't forget: We have the Suggestion Box in the meeting room¼ if you have any bright ideas, anonymous sug-

gestions or complaints¼ please forward them to the Executive Committee Members via this box and we'll give

them the proper attention.


All the best for the 2009 Toastmasters year.. May your journey be a successful one!