Maxim
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny. Mahatma Gandhi
Attendance
Habit is a powerful force. We discovered the impact of changing our habits when we changed our venue. Last meeting’s 20 visitors dipped to 13 this meeting. It shows the importance of continuity. Nevertheless, the 3 guests and 10 members experienced an exceptionally high standard of meeting, run by our first time Toastmaster of the Evening, Petros.
Communication
The prepared speeches spanned the 10-project communication manual. Natalia completed project 2 (Organise your Speech), Olaf is approaching the final straight with project 7 (Research your Topic), and Tobias crossed the finishing line with project 10 (Inspire your Audience).
Impromptu speaking, ‘Table Topics’, was devised by our Frankfurt clubs’ Area Director, Mirja, on the subject of books that can inspire us. Of the five impromptu speakers, 3 were guests (Sandy, Celia, Sigrid). I am so happy that the club atmosphere is friendly enough that even guests dare to speak and make the most of their visit. Tobias and Bertalan were the two other speakers.
Evaluation and feedback leads to improvement. Today’s evaluations included praise and points for improvement (PIP). They were given by Barbara, Ben, and Bertalan.
Organisation
As has been said before, ‘no one comes to Toastmasters to get better at speaking at Toastmasters’. TM is a training ground, and a Toastmasters meeting is the simulator. The skills we practice here are what we take to the real world of business, family, and social communication.
Therefore we focus on what we could do better. Our General Evaluator, Ben, advised the following points for improvement:
- Some people failed to see there was a change of venue. Club president should mail the entire club in advance, club members should all join Facebook (sorry… but it would be a helpful organisational and communication step forward).
- When we change venue, the TME and Sergeatnt at Arms can decide where the speaking area will be, how to arrange the tables, whether to turn off music playing in the background, and other steps to create the optimal speaking environment.
- We forgot to organise papers and slips on the tables for comments and feedback. Changing venue would be less of a change is we coordinated the room set up between those who will be present.
As it was, these proposals for improvement did not take away from the rather excellent meeting, enjoyed by all.
Club News
Tobias has achieved his CC, Competent Communication award. Congratulations Tobias. This is a milestone for you, and one which the club is happy to have been present for.
Christmas meeting. Save December 16th in your diary. Further details will follow in due time.
Toastmasters in Bad Homburg. Encourage your acquaintances in the Taunus to visit the new and suddenly successful club, Taunus Toastmasters in Bad Homburg. They meet each 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Find the meetings on Easy Speak and on Facebook.
European Toastmasters District Conference, Prague, will take place in a few days on 20-22 November. Follow the event on FB, and on their website.
Next Meetings
18th November, TME Bertalan, all speakers already in place. Saalbau Gallus.
2nd December, TME Asli, all speakers already in place. Saalbau Gallus.
16th December, Christmas meeting – provisional venue, Valentino’s Restaurant. TME Ben, all speakers already in place.
6th January, two speech slots available. Saalbau Gallus.
20th January, two speech slots available. Saalbau Gallus.
See you there
Ben
VP Education & meeting summariser
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