Meeting report - by Eliane Millard
The meeting was hosted by Scott McGregor, our Toastmaster of the evening, who introduced the proceedings in the form of a boxing match. Scott, looking very sharp in his suit and armed with a microphone, did a very good (and very entertaining) job of introducing the evening.
Keith Oliver, our President, was next up on the stage/boxing ring. His notices included: mentioning Ken Amy had been elected as Secretary for the year; membership fees, our Summer Social event venue and forthcoming Area contest & club officer training.
Terry Drummond awarded a trophy to Keith Gregory to thank him for forwarding all the tips via e-mail.
Scott took the floor once again, explained his role and welcomed three new guests, Susan, Nola and Di. Thelma Drummond was the Grammarian for the meeting and the word was 'Ostentatious' although she wasn't.
Timekeeper, Jane Currie kept everyone in check lest they exceeded the time allowed.
The first speech was Andy Dowell's, ice-breaker (CTM1) and was titled; 'The year I was born'. Andy shared some personal feelings with us, talked about his siblings, transported us abroad (the island he was born on) and overall did a very good job.
Colin Bottrell entered the ring with his CTM10 entitled, quite ironically, 'Ten'. As usual Colin managed to make us laugh whilst going through his speech with gusto all about what the number ten meant to him whilst mentioning the Queen, two pubs, a shampoo ...etc!
Beauty Zindi was last but not the least with her ATM2 called 'Kaisen' which means; Japanese philosophy for self-improvement. Her speech was about communication and she demonstrated with the aid of a brand new (and very brave) guest, the art of striking a conversation with a perfect stranger.
Robin Chawner, armed with projection screen and laptop, then went through the survey results for the club members focusing on our strengths, noting how we could improve and inviting club members to be involved in action plans. Robin also reminded us of our club President's new motto, 'Get, Grow and Give.'
During our break, Thelma Drummond explained her new scheme for helping to swell club funds - selling 'Jungle Juice for the brain'.
We resumed to Carol Giles' entertaining Table Topics session; all about hobbies ranging from origami to Morris dancing.
Evaluations then took place with Terry Drummond speaking on Andy Dowell's CTM1 and congratulating him on achieving his goals and on doing his ice-breaker. Next Keith Gregory evaluated Colin Bottrell's CTM10 'Ten' and he praised the good eye contact & relaxed style. Marian Way gave her feedback on Beauty Zindi's ATM2 and commented on her extreme abundance of skill and talent.
The awards of the evening went to: Keith Oliver for his Bingo impersonation during the Table Topics session; Beauty Zindi for her ATM 2 speech; Keith Gregory for best evaluator.