Posts Tagged ‘Toastmasters’

Last month, a paid a visit to one of the other Area 15 Toastmasters clubs, Doncaster Speakers.

Some of the other clubs I have visited have not been able to match the standards of Leeds City, but Doncaster did an excellent job – it was well organised, professional and entertaining. I also came away with a few ideas I’m considering for Leeds.

I did feel a little guilty about cleaning out their awards though – I took home the best table topics ribbon while Anthony, our Division Govenor and Leeds City member took home the best evaluator ribbon.

After the meeting, we decided to get some dinner locally, so wandered down the street until we came across a restaurant named Cactus Jack. It was American themed and did some amazingly tasty ribs – fall off the bone TGI style, but with more flavour! I think next time I visit Doncaster Speakers, it will be more accurate to say I’m visiting Cactus Jack’s, and stopping by Toastmasters on the way…

For my 8th project at Toastmasters, I presented a talk on homeopathy.

Earlier this month, Leeds City Toastmasters held their 2013/2014 officer elections. I’m proud to say I was elected as president and am joined by Josh (vice president of education), Chanaka (vice president of membership), Pierre (vice president of public relations), Glynn (secretary), Phil (treasurer), Matt (sergeant at arms) and Jude (immediate past president).

I’m sure with such a strong committee, we’ll be in for a superb year!

Earlier this month we held the elections for White Rose Speakers. Erik was elected president, Jane will be taking over from me as Vice President of Education, I’ll be moving to Vice President of Public Relations, Tony will be remaining as Sargent At Arms and Michael will be remaining as Treasurer. Kartik and Sam will be joining the committee as Vice President of Membership and Secretary. Congratulations to everyone who was elected!

We also celebrated our District Governor Anthony’s birthday with some cake.

At the end of April, I travelled to York to compete in the Division E International Speech Contest final. You can see a video of speech in a previous post, albeit it at a different competition to this one. I only managed third place, but live and learn – only four months until the next one!

Last month, I took my camera down to Toastmasters so we could get some updated photos for our website.

Recently, I took part in the Area 15 International Speech & Evaluation contest. Having won the speech contest at Leeds City Toastmasters, and evaluation contest at White Rose Speakers, there was no relaxing as I had both competitions to do – not that I’m complaining!

Evaluation isn’t my strong point, so I was quite pleased that I managed to make third place (out of five). I did rather better in the speech contest though, winning by a very narrow margin, but never the less proceeding through to the Division contest at York.

Well done to everyone who took part, it was tough competition indeed!

Regardless of what happens in York, it does mean I have a new trophy to put on my shelf, at least until the Area Context next year.

However, the show was stolen by Erik, who provided Michael with dance lessons.

This video was taken at the White Rose Speakers club level contest of the 2013 Toastmasters International Speech Contest. I had already won at Leeds City Toastmasters, so this was just a showcase, but I went on to win the Area level contest as well.

Speaking of speech contests, here is my area winning speech from the humorous speaking contest last September.

Last Thursday law the club level competition for the International Speech Contest.

I’m pleased to say I won the Leeds City contest and will be advancing on to the area level contest in April. I was looking forward to facing off against one of our club’s Distinguished Toastmasters, but he unfortunately dropped out. Never the less, Dinesh provided some tough competition.

If you missed it, don’t worry, the White Rose Speakers competition is happening on the 27th, so you can attend that one instead!