Meeting – Tuesday 17 January 2012
Our president Marlene kicked off the Central Park Toastmasters’ year with a highly spirited and motivational opening address on “Finding life’s balance.” She was closely supported by Ruth who provided further inspiration through a number of soul-enriching quotes:
“After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box”
Italian proverb
“Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. “
Robert Fulgham
Formalities/Notices
Special guest: Marisa
Apologies: Jo, Mohammed, Nick, David
Club Officer training dates:
- Saturday, 4 February at 8:30am at the Fickling Centre, Mt Eden
- Tuesday, 7 February at 6pm at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, Balmoral
Tony Hartigan took the Toastmaster’s promise and was inducted into the club by Clinton. Welcome Tony!
Our grammarian, the witty and wonderful Warwick, brought unity to the fold by promoting the “Word of the day” HARMONY – a word that was well utilised throughout the meeting.
Table topics
During the table topics round, Marlene posed some thought-provoking questions for the year ahead.
Ben spoke of two goals to enhance health and well-being, as well as relationships; Jeremy sought to find more balance through meaningful travel experiences; Steve D shared some of the holiday projects he’s been chipping away at; Tony gave us the secret of happiness from a magic moment on the beach with his son and John struggled to recall ever having a “worst holiday” experience , so naturally he focused on the positive.
Glenn F & Brenda worked in unison to evaluate the table topic participants and provided them with some positive feedback.
Formal speeches
After the break, we marvelled at Marieke’s presentation on coronary blockage. She was in her element. She presented some really fascinating facts, using visuals aids to maximum effect, helping her audience to better understand a fairly complex topic. Impressive stuff! Marieke’s speech was evaluated by Steve D.
Clinton was next up and had us in the palm of his hand from the beginning when he asked the hard questions: “What’s wrong with this picture? Do you work to live or live to work? ” Clinton spoke on the importance of work-life-balance and painted some gruelling pictures to drive the message home. His speech was later evaluated by Nadene.
During his report, our timer Raj added to the theme of balance by sharing the thought: ”Learn how to play.”
Many thanks to our general evaluator Glenn L for presenting his views of the entire programme and evaluating all those who had not been evaluated. Also to Ruth for conducting a fantastic meeting in the Toastmaster Chairperson role.
What a great start to the year! See you at the next Toastmaster gathering folks! Live life and live it in balance!
“The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it.”
Plutarch
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.”
Thomas Merton
Meeting – Tuesday 13 March 2012
Toastmaster Raj provided this quote and facilitated a great meeting at Central park HQ this week. There was a fantastic turn out too. In fact, attendance was so good, we struggled to find seats for everyone.
We had the pleasure of hosting guests, Area A4 Governor – Stephen McPhee, Cassia Bennett-Burkhardt and Rhonda Togipau. Apologies were received from Jo and Nick.
Notices
Table topics
Jeremy presented a challenging scenario. He held photos of items that our speakers had to use in order to escape from a deserted island. Glenn F magically converted his mini matchbox to a life-size boat [and as usual delivered mutiple uses of the word of the day - 'rapturous' by grammarian Steve D], John stayed afloat in his bucket and spade, Mohammed was a master canoe craftsman with his ball of string, Nadene was set to surf on a giant spoon, Ruth made an impact with her stick of dynamite and Stephen McPhee was well informed and equipped with his instruction manual. Providing constructive feedback for our speeakers were our evaluators Glenn L and Brenda. Great job!
After a nine minute spell catching up with the latest goss at half time, we were treated to some great speeches. Eric’s speech ‘HOLD ON’ had us engaged with a telephone conversation about people hanging off the side of an office building [Undoubtedly a Central Park Oscar winner!], Warwick took us on a fun and hilarious ride with his tribute to all the long-lost cars he’s loved in his life time and Steve T gave us behind-the-scenes access to his life as a real estate agent. An entertaining mix of presenters, all evaluated by Tony, Marlene and Ben respectively. Well done!
Special thanks to Raj [great job for his first time in the Toastmaster role], our president Marlene for her warm, delightful opening, our timer Marieke for keeping us in order, Sergeant at Arms John for early morning sustenance and Clinton for stepping in to cover Jo as general evaluator – legend!
This meeting was met with rapturous engagement! See you all at the next one!
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