The London Speaker

London Toastmasters Division L Contests -results

From Graeme Phillips, Division L Governor

A busy day on Saturday 28 March saw our Division L International Speech and Evaluation Contests interspersed with workshops led by members of Toastmasters clubs in and around London.

I would particularly like to thank Assistant Division L Governor Barry Greenan for all his hard work in making sure the whole day ran smoothly.  We are all very grateful for the support he secured from London Business School where the event was held.

Our workshop leaders were: Glen Savage (Riverside Communicators), Bob Ferguson DTM (Excalibur Speakers), Jacqueline Purcell DTM (Grosvenor Square Speakers), and Warren Sheng (Harrovians Speakers).  They provided us with food for thought as well as practical exercises and advice to take away with us.  Our panel of speciality club experts were Paul Carroll (104 London Debaters), Annelise Lepage (Experience French), Magda Czarnecka (Polish Your Polish), David Marks (Russian English Speakers), Andy O'Sullivan (pre-charter trainers club), Graeme Bass (King's Speakers) In designing the day it was very useful to have access to the Trainers Bureau on our member website.

Thank you also to our expert contest chairs David Marks (Area 34 Governor) and Andy O'Sullivan (London Public Speakers) and our chief judge Dorothea Stuart DTM (District 91 PRO). As ever our functionaries and judges did sterling work.  A particular thank you to our Mystery Speaker Graeme Bass (King's Speakers) with his speech Sophie's Gift and to Chee-Hoong Wong (ACCA Members Breakfast Club) for taking photographs.

We were very pleased to have our District 91 Governor Hilary Briggs with us. Her speech at the end of afternoon left us feeling highly motivated to achieve our goals.

And the biggest thank you to our star performers - our area champions. For International Speech Gosbert Chagula, Daphne Furlonge, Joy McElroy, Jeremy Robinson, Janet Tarasofsky.  For Evaluation Simon Cooper, Iain Hutchison,  Kaveh Pourvand, Jeremy Robinson, Andrew Tollington. They all performed with great energy, enthusiasm and their own unique subjects and speaking styles.

The Division L contest results are:

International Speech contest

First Place: Jeremy Robinson.  Second Place: Janet Tarasofsky. Third Place: Gosbert Chagula

pic L to R: Gosbert, Hilary Briggs DTM District 91 Governor, Jeremy, Janet, Graeme Phillips.

Evaluation Contest

First Place: Jeremy Robinson.  Second Place: Andrew Tollington Third place Kaveh Pourvand

Pic above: Jeremy, Graeme, Kaveh. Pic Left: Andrew and Dorothea

Jeremy goes through to represent Division L at the District 91 contest finals. These take place during the Spring 2015 Tower Conference in London 9-10 May.  Book now - 31 March is the last day for the Spring Bird Prices!! http://www.spring-conference.org/2015Tower/

Area 29 International Speech and Evaluation Contests - results

From Chucks Onwere, Area 29 Governor

The Area 29 (West London) contest evening was imbued with high emotion and heartfelt evaluations and speeches that tugged at our heart strings from the start. Transparency, vulnerability and the courage to dare to be different won the day.

Special thanks has to go to Daniel Sanz for all the work he did behind the scenes. Marc Lottig and Neil Coleman for the same reason. Andy O'Sullivan for doing such an accomplished job as Contest Chair.

A big thank you to the ballot counters and timekeepers, Richard Fowler, John Irving, Mel, Michael Ciavola, Adrian Smiths and David Alexander.

Of course, thanks also to all the Area 29 club Presidents - Els Vermeulen, Emilie Devienne, Heidi Ashley-Hacker, Marion Sherriffs and Michael Ciavola for their support leading up to the contest and on the night.

Small gifts were given to those unsung heroes that work behind the scenes to acknowledge that their efforts were very much appreciated by me and fellow members.

The placings in our two excellent contests were as follows:

Evaluation Contest

1st Place: Bill Birdi (Trojans Speakers)

2nd Place: James Lumley Savile (West London Speakers)

3rd Place: Els Vermeulen (The Toast Rack)

International Speech Contest

1st Place: Floyd Toussaint - Kaye (The Toast Rack)

2nd Place: Andrew Klimaytys (Riverside Communicators)

3rd Place: Claudia Welsh (West London Speakers)

Our Area 29 winners Bill and Floyd go forward to the Division B contests. These take place on Saturday 18 April at Freemasons' Hall, Covent Garden.  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/toastmasters-division-b-international-speech-and-evaluation-contests-2015-plus-workshops-tickets-1517674405

At the end of the Area 29 evening I gave a special mention to Gill Orstein and Jacqueline Purcell for imparting so much of their wealth and experience personally to me. I publicly acknowledged Jacqueline with a bouquet of flowers as a small token of appreciation.

The Area 61 International Speech and Evaluation contests

From Steve Brewer Asst Area 61 Governor

The Area 61 International Speech and Evaluation contests opened with the enthusiastic audience acknowledging Alan McMahon (our Area 61 Governor). His creative choreography gave those that were there a new spin on spontaneity. Alan's strong engagement with the audience got everyone into a buoyant mood for the educational slot that followed.

Indra and Alan provided an interactive session looking at a number of different management styles. The pros and cons of each were considered for work, home and Toastmasters. The session included a look at the benefits of service leadership.The consensus was that no one style is the best. Using a particular style when appropriate is the way forward.

Following the educational session the reins were handed to the charismatic Peter Jacques our contest chair for the afternoon. The wonderful acoustics of the contest room at Watford Speakers complemented the powerful presence of Peter on stage.

The Area 61 International Speech Contest was very strong, despite only having four contestants. It was a real example of quality over quantity.

Tatiana, one of two speakers who had English as a second language, gave a speech on overcoming obstacles to your targets. Kavita talked on whether to take the easy or difficult path, Bill Dempster, a previous UK and Ireland champion, had history as a theme and  Gosbert Chagula spoke about Africa.

The Area 61 International Speech Contest was won by Gosbert Chagula with Bill Dempster placing second.

After the break...we returned for Evaluation Contest and we were treated to a wonderful speech from our target speaker Cecile

Her speech was a feast for our eyes, ears and soul as she spoke of her changing relationship with her daughter. Her use of props especially the wig was seamless.   Her vocal variety made us feel part of the story.  She touched the soul of the audience, many personally recognising the dynamics of this relationship. It was impressive that Cecile gave this speech in her second language.

We had all five of the Area's clubs represented at the  evaluation contest by Ramesh, Tatiana, Gill, Iain and Gosbert. The evaluations were strong and supportive of Cecile's speech and an object lesson in how to give constructive feedback.

The winner of the Evaluation contest was Gill Ornstein with Iain Hutchison placing second.

 

 

  

Creating great speeches using NLP techniques

From Ngo Thuy Anh Tuyet, Meridian Speakers

Date & time: Tuesday, 31 March 2015 from 19:00 to 20:45

Venue: Meridian Speakers - Greenwich.  The Spanish Galleon, 48 Greenwich Church St., SE10 9BL London

Don’t miss out the opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop with NLP professional/ Toastmasters leader Sergey Karassov!

At this workshop, we will start by creating 3D space based on holiday's image. Then we will enrich this space using our five senses to achieve the effect of presence there and learn simple techniques that allow us to create a visual story based on the image.

Finally, to practice the technique, we will create our own version of the story that happened in British Africa more than 100 years ago and make it truly entertaining and difficult to forget. 

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-great-speeches-using-nlp-techniques-tickets-16198658624?aff=es2

Sergey's aim is to help us conquer fear, step out of our comfort zone, change perspective and improve our performance in public speaking

NLP is Neuro-Linguistic Programming: "a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them" and "a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour." (Oxford Dictionary)

Area 45’s big night! Contest results and more..

From Lyn Roseaman, Area 45 Governor

Friday 27 March  2015 kicked off with the area council meeting to elect the 1^st ever Area 45 Director.  After slick election speeches, David Salamons was elected.  As an existing member of Area 45 clubs Covent Garden Speakers and Excalibur Speakers, as well as being a founder member of City Limits, David is steeped in the area and very familiar with the early starts of morning clubs!

Ignatius de Bidegain took to the stage as contest chair and guided us smoothly and humorously through the proceedings.  We’ve come to expect top-notch performances from area 45 speech contestants and Friday was no exception.  A tough job for the judges!

Dorothea Stuart, was our efficient chief judge and she delivered the verdict …

Evaluation contest.  In 3^rd place, Laurent Nicourt.  In 2^nd place, Jane Houghton and the winner is … Mindy Jhittay.

And for the international speech contest, in 3^rd place, Swarajit Das, 2^nd, Ian Hawkins and the winner is … Errol Williamson.

Mindy and Errol will be representing Area 45 in the Division B contests on 18 April, Freemasons Hall, Covent Garden.  Please come along and give them your love and support. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/toastmasters-division-b-international-speech-and-evaluation-contests-2015-plus-workshops-tickets-1517674405

Area 52 International Speech and Evaluation Contests - results!

From Marc Lottig, Area 52 Governor

On 18 April, Area 52 hosted the area finals of the 2015 International Speech and Evaluation contests.  It was a memorable experience for all.  One of the highlights:  the continuous emphatic applause by an audience of more than 60 Toastmasters and guests that accompanied the handing out of the participation certificates from the first to the last contestant honoured.  Is there a better way to show appreciation for the commitment and courage of the contestants?

All contestants stepped up their game from the club contestants and gave each other a good run for their money. 

Congratulations to the winners, Nkem Anagor (International Speech) and Andrew Bennett (Evaluation).

Special thanks goes to Dorothea Stuart who chaired the contests and Chinkata Okpara, Chief Judge for smooth contest. Thank you also to the many functionaries and judges.Thank you to Goisa Skibinska for taking the photographsalso to our videographer Simon Frusher.  Our contestants are very happy to have videos to review their performances.

Last but not least.  The evening started with a meeting of the Area Council with elected Julia Kettlewell as Area Director for 2015/16.

Pictured L to R: Chinkata Okpara, Nkem Anagor, Marc Lottig, Andrew Bennett, Dorothea Stuart.

 

New Member Workshop 31 March - come along!

From Mark Burrows, Holborn Speakers

This fun and informative event is perfect for anyone who has recently joined Toastmasters. It is also excellent for members who would like to learn a bit more about how to make the most of their Toastmasters experience.

 

Here are a few of the topics that we will be covering:

Brief history of Toastmasters

How to make the most of the Toastmasters manuals

Who are your committee members

How to find support and a mentor

Setting goals for your Toastmaster year

Get tips from top members

...and much more!

When and where?

Please join us - the workshop will be taking place at our usual Devereux Pub location on Tuesday March 31 March 2015. Arrive at 6.30 for 6.45 start.

Snacks will be provided.

Please email Melanie (Click here to email) to confirm your attendance.

Looking forward to seeing all you new(ish) members there!

Pictures are from our last new member workshop held in November 2014

 

Area 35 International Speech and Evaluation contests - results

From Jenny Taggart, Area 35 Governor

A great night was had by all and speeches were of a high standard.

Results were International Speech Contest

First Place: Sabrina Williams

Second place Robert Wyatt

Evaluation Contest

First Place: Jason Barnes

Second Place: Sabrina Williams

Winners from three clubs will therefore represent our area at Division K on 23 April 2015

In the Autumn humourous and table topics contests we did really well at Division level. Both winners were from Area 35 so let's see how we go in Canary Wharf next month!

Area 61 International Speech and Evaluation Contests - results

A very enjoyable Area 61 Contest afternoon was held on Saturday 7 March.

Area 61 comprises: Croxley Communicators, Harrovians Speakers, HOD Speakers TJExpressions, Watford Speakers.

The winners of the contests were as follows:

Area 56 Evaluation Contest

1st Place: Gill Ornstein

2nd Place: Iain Hutchison

3rd Place: Gosbert Chagula

Area 56 International Speech Contest

1st Place: Gosbert Chagula

2nd Place: Bill Dempster

3rd Place: Kavita Dulai

Area 56 International Speech and Evaluation contests - results

The Area 56 contest took place on Wednesday 18 March.  Area 56 comprises: London Public Speakers, NZICA Bank Speakers, WiBF Speakers - City, Blackrock Speaks and Loquacious Londoners.

The first place winner only was announced: Jeremy Robinson - NZICA Bank Speakers won both the Area 56 International Speech Contest and the Area 56 Evaluation Contest.  Congratulations!