Meeting Summary 1st April 2015

Maxim

Participation

The Business Club Frankfurt Toastmasters public speaking club meets twice monthly on Wednesday evenings.

On 1st April the 15 members and 3 guests were (see photos) included, informed, given time to digest, welcomed in making our own contributions, and praised for our achievements.  Just 5 pictures speak volumes about successful meeting chairmanship, here demonstrated by Moritz.

Communication

Club members practice speaking skills by preparing short speeches on specific themes.   Our 3 speakers today were  Andrei giving his very 1st, ‘Ice Breaker’ speech to the club.  Asli gave her 5th speech, with its focus on body language.  And Karla spoke on a theme from one of the 18 advanced manuals (Speeches by Management).

Feedback is given from one person to another.  It is a “perspective” from outside oneself, that lets one perceive one’s own self.  Feedback is give and take.  It occurs between individuals and so is contingent upon being part of a community; tonight we termed this “Interdependence”.  

The evaluations to help our speakers improve were given by Barbara, Jörg, and Area Governor Alan H.

Impromptu Speaking

Our impromptu, off the cuff speaking session was prepared by Petros, and Alan, Martina, Dilek, and Cezar stepped up to the challenge of speaking for 2 minutes on a given subject.  

Words are only one part of communicating a message.  A story is painted, an emotion evoked.  Our hands can tell as much as our words.

Organisation

We always aim to improve.  Our general meeting evaluation and other feedback given during the meeting raised the following points to praise and points to ponder:

• We are getting into the habit of giving lots of good written feedback after each speech.  The chairperson TME, or S@A, could write up the speakers email addresses before the meeting, or add them to the printed agenda, to allow the Evaluate Me feedback app to be used without interrupting the meeting.
• Pictures access our grey matter faster than words.  What better way to give the timers report, as shown by Cezar, than by describing our speaker’s timing in colour: green, yellow, and  red.
• To recognise good use of the ‘Word of the Day’, knock just once on the table.  Multiple knocks can disturb.
• A 5 minute break perfectly allowed networking.
• Feedback.  Bearing in mind the maxim “praise in public, criticize in private”, tonight’s feedback was overwhelmingly, relentlessly, positive & growth focussed.
• Let’s procure sticky flip chart paper that can be stuck and removed easily from a wall.
• Let’s create a laminated sign to signpost our meeting room to visitors.

New Members

Our VP of Membership introduced our two newest members, Andrei and Cezar. And first time visitor Dilek was so enraptured by the positive learning environment that she joined the club on the spot.  Welcome Dilek.  

In summary, the Business Club Frankfurt Toastmasters gives you a new perspective on your speaking skills.  You see?  

Come as a guest, free of charge and commitment.  Drop us an email if you would like more information.