30th September 2020 - Sucking Eggs and Posting Agendas

 On a quiet evening but reflective evening, some double-jobbing was needed.

Our president, Martin opened and led the first part of the meeting, introducing Frances as Topics Master.

We had an eclectic mix of topics to challenge our impromptu speaking skills, varying from a choice between honesty or kindness and recommendations to alleviate stress; from cruelty in foxhunting to what is your favourite season.

For the prepared speeches we had two very experienced presenters.

In a speech entitled “Being Taught to Suck Eggs”, Pat gave us a potted history of his own self-development with a focus on identifying his leadership styles and how this could vary depending on the situation.  Examples from his work life blended with his Toastmasters experience to give us plenty to think about.

Frances followed with an Icebreaker speech in the “Engaging Humour” path, which focused on her own experiences of Toastmasters over more than twenty years.  Her speech was both light hearted and highlighted the humour in others’ speeches over the years, with reminiscences on the days of sending out agendas by post and comparisons between speaking styles now and then.  

After the break we returned for two excellent evaluations by Martin and Aisling, both giving support an pointers for the speakers.

After officers’ reports and a thorough general evaluation of the meeting by Eugene, we rounded off the meeting with a creative corner by Jenny in which she extolled the virtues of “Hamnet”, a recent novel by Maggie O’Farrell which gives an account of William Shakespeare’s son.

After such a varied evening it remained for Martin to close the meeting and remind us that contest night is next meeting: 14^th October.