Message from Monica

Hi Toastmasters,
As another year ends and the holiday period approaches, we are able to ease back and take a break from the commitments, the pressures and the stresses that make up our busy lives. As a Toastmaster its a good opportunity to take time to look at what you have achieved so far, to give some thought to your personal goals as a Toastmaster and to check if your still on track.
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, and look forward to the New Year in Toastmasters.
Monica

Area 8 Conference Sandgate Toastmasters hosted the Area 8 Conference at Pendicup Place in October. It was a very enjoyable event, thanks to all who participated - particularly Penne, who had put a lot of time and effort into the preparations. Congratulations to Maurie, who won the International speech competition and came second in the Humorous Speech Competition, and to John who came second in the Evaluation Competition.

Maurie

Spring Conference

The Spring Conference was held 17 November at the Coorparoo Conference Centre.  With it theme “Taking the Cure” medical madness swept through the conference.We were met on arrival by the local witchdoctor and proceeded to the psychiatric ward where the conference began. 
Mark Hunter presented an informative session on how to put together a winning International Speech.  By the end of his session we had the means of putting flesh on the skeleton of speech making.
The next session titled “Instant Diagnosis” was Shane Dallas showing us how to use our nerves to prepare and present impromptu speeches.
The District Council Meeting and Hall of Fame presentations were held with Sandra Simpson being named Toastmaster of the Year.
Guest speaker Ric Nattrass gave a humorous and informative presentation on Fire Ants.  It just goes to show that any subject can be worth listening to if given by a great presenter.
The day finished with fabulous food and medical madness and mayhem.  Our own Sgt-At-Arms won the award for Sexiest Nurse.  It must have been that purple hair Penne!
The District Convention will be held in Toowoomba on the May long weekend.  Don’t miss out – get your registrations in only $165.
The Metropolitan Division Conference is 2 March 2002 at Gaythorne RSL.  Registrations are open and cost is $30 for the complete package.

Trish Springsteen ATM-S CL
VPE
 

Halloween  Meeting Our Halloween meeting was a great success. The room was decorated in orange and black and lit with candles.Everyone came either in Halloween costume or black.Andrew was awarded the prize for Best Halloween Costume.

Andrew  May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love. --Ada V. Hendricks

TABLE TOPICS  PRESENTATION  (submitted by Trish)

WHAT ARE TABLE TOPICS
- mini speeches with all requirements of speeches i.e opening, body and conclusion.
- Delivered in a time of approximately 1-2 minutes

WHY DO TABLE TOPICS
- Opportunity to practise impromptu skills – valuable life skills for example in interview situations/times where asked to give comment or opinion/if asked to give or respond to a toast/casual conversation/improve communication skills/gain confidence/exercise mind and imagination
- allows those not on programme to have opportunity to speak

PROCEDURE
- keep table topics short and phrased to allow an opinion to be given
- have extra lists to give to evaluator and time keeper
- target those who are not on programme, then those who have minor tasks such as toast/mission statement/ listening critic
- try to avoid giving topic to those giving speeches/Toastmaster or General Evaluator 
- State the topic then give the speaker’s name:
o This ensures everyone’s attention is held – each one thinking of a response should he/she be called on to speak
o Adds value – everyone has an opportunity to improve listening/thinking skills

   Call on speakers at random – always give each participant a different question.

METHODS FOR ANSWERING TABLE TOPICS
1. try not to state question first eg
If given topic “the first step…”
Don’t start with “the first step was” but maybe give an example of where you took the first step and then say that was the first step …

2. think laterally – try not to state the obvious
e.g  the first step talk about life in general/ actual steps of a house/the first step a baby takes/.steps on a ladder

3. Try to develop a structure – OBC – using one of the following patterns:
:  PAST PRESENT FUTURE good for events or life
:  CHALLENGE EXPLAIN CHALLENGE
begin with challenge – explain in body – end with challenge call to arms
eg drunk driving/teenage drinking

: LIST & DESCRIBE
good for historical questions eg opinion on immigration policy begin with description of policy/list reasons/end with topic sentence and opinion

: COMPARE AND CONTRAST
useful for most topics eg were the good old days really the good old days
begin with description
body compare – list similarities or contrast – list the differencesa
close by going back to topic maybe end with a question

: CAUSE AND EFFECT
good when asked eg what changes would you make in the world

begin with current status problem and cause of problem or status
body effect this has personalise perhaps
end with persona view how you would solve this situation

REMEMBER NEVER LET THE TRUTH GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD TABLE TOPIF ALL ELSE FAILS USE YOUR IMAGINATION……
 
 

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