Maxim
The only proper way to eliminate bad habits is to replace them with good ones. Jerome Hines.
Attendance
As predicted in our last meeting summary, the autumn is a time of transition that leads to growth. We had a very large turn out for this meeting, with 15 members and 5 guests. The entire club committee was present, as everyone is back in town and firing on all cylinders.
Communication
The meeting opened with a 2 minute business topic, delivered by Ben. The subject: practical advise for getting rid of nerves before giving a presentation.
We then heard three speeches from the communication manuals. Bertalan spoke on the subject of linking ideas together to regenerate your memory of an event of a place. Mirja spoke about how to work through the communication and leadership tracks of the Toastmasters’ programme, and derive the most fun from it. Finally Chu Ping amazingly just stood up and delivered an impromptu speech, as one of our scheduled speakers was absent. She demonstrated the best way to ensure a positive result, by creating a speech that turns around a personal story.
Impromptu speaking, Table Topics, was presented by Asli, tempting her speakers to speak for two minutes on a given topic. Klaus and Tobias demonstrated their depth of experience speaking extemporaneously, but our highest admiration was reserved for our guest, Ming, who demonstrated skills of calmness and rhetorical techniques, such as humour and good structuring.
Every good speech has a better speech hidden somewhere inside it. Our evaluators gave 3 minute spoken feedback, plus written feedback in the speakers speech manuals. 
Organisation
A Toastmasters meeting is in great just an opportunity to practice skills of presentation, rhetoric, and leadership that can be taken out into the real world of business, conversation, and influencing people.
We try to learn something new each time. Here are some observations from our General Evaluator Olaf, plus other observations on the night.
Set up and organisation were great. Guests were welcomed and involved. Roll holders performed with care and attention to create a good support team for our Toastmaster Running the Evening, Eleonore.
It would be great if we could find a better way to hang the banner, rather than on the coat stand. What is the purpose of a special word of the day (for speakers to use, think about, develop), if no one really uses it? Is word of the day a distraction to focused speech delivery?
For our TME Eleonore it was the first time to run a Toastmasters meeting. She did it with panache, style, and grace. Thanks Eleonore, you were great.
Club News
Club President Moritz announced the two vacancies for the committee, Vice Presidents Membership and Public Relations. Christian S was elected in absentia to the VP PR roll. Our thanks go to Chirstian for being willing to bring his great ideas to the club.
Candidates for VP Membership were sought, and the search goes on in the next few weeks. The benefits include building your own experience and talents, supporting the running of the club, and gaining credits to your leadership awards.
A TED-like event, “Open Stage”, will take place in Russelsheim on 7th November. See our Facebook page for information.
Taunus Toastmasters in Bad Homburg: a new TM club. Ben attended the first ever meeting last week. The next meeting is on Tuesday 27th October, and we would like experienced toastmasters to attend to give the club impetus and weight. Information is also on our FB site.
here’s looking at you…
Next meetings
4th November, TME Petros, 3 speakers announced.
18th November, TME Bertalan, 3 speakers announced.
2nd December, TME Asli, 1 speaker announced, 2 available speaking opportunities remain.
16th December, TME Ben, This is our christmas meeting, and will take place in a restaurant. Already 1 speaker is announced, 2 available speaking opportunities remain.
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