Record Attendance at our First Meeting of 2015

Last night shows that the Business Club means business! The new trial location was smart and central.  Thanks Christoph.

With 13 members and 7 guests, 20 attendees makes this our biggest meeting yet.

Asli and Olaf gave their speech project 3, “Get to the Point”.  Asli spoke about tolerance in the face of religious and ethnic diversity, whilst Olaf entertained us with insights into how airlines earn money, and how we as consumers can save it.  Moritz stepped in at short notice, and spoke about the benefits of a positive approach to life events in the wake of recent illness.

Evaluations were ably presented by Ben, Christian M, and guest Karla.

Christian S successfully brought drama and mystery to Table Topics impromptu speaking session, in which Jörg, Isabel, and guest Petros spoke for up to two minutes.

Ivan presided as TME.  His experience as founding member of the club showed through as he ran the meeting with humour and purpose.

We always aim to learn and improve.  For next time, to improve our meeting, we can consider the following (from our General Evaluator and guest comments).

• TME should assign one minute after each speech for written feedback.
• TME could prepare the speakers’ emails in advance for those who use the EvaluateMe App.
• The fridge in this location is noisy.  TME or S@A should assess and address issues before the meeting.
• Timer roll should be on the agenda 3 times, after each speaking section, not just the once.
• CL evaluator can be added to the agenda
• The next meeting location was noted as incorrect (see below).
• Run through the agenda verbally at the start of the meeting.

• Name tags were a great addition.
• Evaluation sheets were on the tables.  Great!
• The TT speakers all took their 30 seconds preparation time. Bravo.
• The meeting was run without clock-watching, which gave an efficient but relaxed feel.
• The Sergeant @ Arms roll is important when we are using floating venues.  Today our TME did it.  We can share this responsibility with advance planning.
• Having a Welcome Host is important, especially in a new location and with so many guests.

No special events

3 new members.  Petros and Chu Ping completed the membership form, and Ivan H is waiting for us to process his application.  We look forward to welcoming them as members at the next meeting.

Membership has been steady through the autumn, so this is an important step for the growth and success of our club.  I encourage all members to bring a guest to each meeting, or to talk up TM in their social circles, to make our club successful.

Our most important task is completed – we have a club contest Event Organiser for March.  Brave, dynamic, active and engaged Asli will take this roll.  Thank you Asli.

• You too can gain leadership credits by stepping forwards as Contest Chair for either, or both, contests, or as Chief Judge.  Emails by return, please.

• Wednesday 18th March club contest.
• Saturday 18th April Area F4 contest, Frankfurt.
• Saturday 2nd May, Division F (SW Germany) Contest, Mannheim.
• Fir-Sun 22-24 May, District 95 (north Europe) Conference, Boras, Sweden.

• Competing is the fastest route to improvement.
• Make this the year to be brave and take the first step.
• For the International Speech contest, you need to have completed 6 speeches from the CC manual. Your speech will be a regular 5-7 minutes.
• The evaluation contest is open to all members. Here, a target speaker gives a speech which is evaluated in succession by each contestant.
  • Please contact Ben or Claire to register for either contest.

Next meetings

28th January: TME Martin, new trial location: Social Impact Lab, Falkstrasse 5, 60487 Frankfurt am Main