The Watford Speakers September / October Speechcraft programme dates have been announced. Learn the basics of public speaking techniques and presentations within a small and supportive group.
Six sessions will run the following Tuesdays:
View our Speechcraft page for more information.
For the first time ever, District 91’s annual conference will be in historic Southampton from 5-7 May 2017. The theme is “Mayflower – discovering new worlds”.
At the conference you can enjoy the District finals of the International Speech Conference when we find out who will be representing D91 UK South in on of the world-semi final in August at the International Convention (Vancouver, Canada). You will see the District final of the Evaluation Contest, and choose from an array of workshops. Toastmasters International President, Mike Storkey, DTM and 1995 World Champion, Mark Brown will also be at the conference.
Early bird tickets are available until 28 February 2017. The event will take place at:
Grand Harbour Hotel
Southampton
SO15 1AG
United Kingdom
Southampton’s iconic hotel in the heart of the city
This fantastic event includes:
Keynote Speeches by Mike Storkey, DTM and Mark Brown
Communications and Leadership Workshops including:
Toastmasters in the Community
Succession Planning – what do I do now?
Pathways – TMI’s new education program
Council Meeting
UK South International Speech and Evaluation Finals
Mayflower Gala Dinner
Find out more or register to attend the conference.
On Tuesday, 7th June 2016, Watford Speakers held their Annual General Meeting for 2016.
Kavita outlined the agenda for the meeting and later handed over to Graeme for the formal election of Club Officers and DeFacto Officer. Graeme carefully explained the rules and election process.
1. Minutes of the 2015 AGM were agreed with one amendment.
2. Highlights of the Year:
i. Distinguished Club Program (presented by Kavita)
ii. Vice President of Education Highlights (presented by Jiten in Murali’s absence)
iii. Vice President of Public Relations Highlights (presented by Joe)
iv. Vice President of Membership Highlights (Caroline)
v. Club Finances Update (presented by Matt)
vi. Club Secretary Highlights (presented by Kavita in Piotr’s absence)
vii. Sergeant in Arms Highlights (presented by Jean)
Election of Officers 2016/17. Term to commence 1st July 2016.
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Club Officer Positions 2016/2017 President – Dave Collins In addition, Caroline Haines and Kavita Dulai will take on Mentoring roles for 2016/2017. Kavita Dulai becomes Past President of Watford Speakers. Yogesh Dattani and Sofia Geraghty will help support the club by taking on new roles as Deputies. |
A warm welcome to Sonal Somaia, our newest member voted in during this meeting.
Before the network break, Coralie led a short Table Topics session where Mike had to talk about “learning to swim”, without using any body language. Ranjan had to act out Mike’s answer using body language only.
Alan McMahon led the 2nd part of the evening which was a session on ‘Leadership, Part II: Developing your Leadership Skills‘. Alan facilitated an interactive session in which the below areas were explored:
At the end of the evening, Alan led a workshop exercise, where he split participants into groups of 3.
Each group had to assign a Leader/Coach, a team member and an observer. Teams were then given 1 of 4 case studies which they had to act out.
Leaders/coaches had the task of coaching their team members through a problem. Observers then reported back with summaries of their group’s case study and how the coaching process was used.
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We are pleased to announce that 2 of our members have made it to the level of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)! It’s very much deserved, and an unimaginable amount of work has certainly gone into them both making it to this level.
To honour this occasion, we will be holding a dinner to celebrate, at Donna Theresa Restaurant in Pinner (HA5 4JR). 3 courses will be included for the price of £25.
Interested in attending? All are welcome, simply RSVP to our club president, Kavita Dulai, at Kavdulai@gmail.com .
View the full event details here, and add it to your calendar: Link
Poster:
Watford Speakers
Meeting Theme: Time Management
Our usual Tuesday meeting was hosted by Pamela Attfield who took the role of Toastmaster. she was supported by Murali (Ah Counter), Piotr (Grammarian) and Caitriona (Timekeeper).
After a Table Topics session led by Coralie Frances, we moved to prepared speeches.
Mopani, with his speech ‘Principles of Flight’, helped us to overcome our fears of flying. He was followed by two Icebreaker speeches delivered by Naomi with “Adventures of a Simple Life” and Jibran with “Welcome to the UK”.
This was a special evening for our club, as we ran an open evaluation of the Table Topics session, meaning everyone was able to participate.
Prepared speeches were evaluated by Dave Collins, Caroline Haines and Rebecca Carrera.
After speech evaluations, Donovan presented his appraisal of the meeting.
| Awards | |
| Best Table Topic Speaker | Fadzai Kunaka-Steamer |
| Best Speaker | Naomi Tuttle |
| Best Evaluator | Rebecca Carrera |
| Place | Humorous Speaking | Table Topics |
| 1st | Alan McMahon | Coralie Frances |
| 2nd | Mopani Mkandawire | Matt Hall |
| 3rd | Matt Hall | Pam Attfield |
Today we say farewell to Sandra, one of our most experienced and well established speakers and mentors.
A few words from Sandra…
Thank you so much for the lovely send-off you gave me on Tuesday. I still have a big lump in my throat and a glow in my heart from all the gracious things that were said and all the memories you stirred up for me. I honestly had no idea you were going to do all that for me – and I will treasure that gorgeous Outstanding Member pin for ever. I had never even seen one before – let alone owned one! It means a great deal.
I was touched that so many busy people came to the meeting and the meal – particularly those we do not often see who are inextricably embedded in the history and progress of the club.
I am immensely proud of what we have achieved at Watford Speakers and the way our work there has benefited so many people. I have made so many friends and learned a great deal in the process, as we strove to rise from our humble beginnings to where the club is now.
My time in TM has not been without its challenges but on Tuesday, all those difficulties melted away and you made me feel so special and so happy. You gave me a wonderful memory to hold onto for a very long time.
I am sad to leave the club but I know it is in good hands and on solid foundations and it is time for me to move on to the new challenge of being Chief Ambassador for the REP. I look forward to keeping in touch and learning of the club’s progress and continued success. I am sure you know that if you feel I can even help in any way, I am just at the end of a phone or an email. I will hold you all to the promise to invite me to the Christmas event and I am already looking forward to it.
Please pass on my thanks to the rest of the officers and the club members not just for the lovely event on Tuesday but also for everything that has happened at the club since those tricky days in 2008 with the local youth throwing bricks at our windows!! The club has come a long way and so have I.
My very best wishes.
Sandra