Hello and Welcome to the February  Newsletter  for members and friends of Bloomsbury Speakers!

Quick warning: it’s quite a long newsletter this month – but that’s because there’s lot to say!

If you don’t have time to read the whole newsletter, you can skip to the bottom for a short summary of the main points.

 

What happened last month?

We had a great start to the year with two busy meetings and lots of new guests eager to find out more about the club.

We’ve also had several new members so I’d like to wish a very warm Bloomsbury welcome to Zita, Sheldon and Tadhg and I look forward to finding out more about them at their Icebreakers and seeing them improve their speaking skills and confidence over the coming weeks and months.

 

What’s planned for February?  

We have our regular meetings on consecutive weeks this month as we have a special evaluation workshop, with the usual potent mix of prepared speeches, evaluations and table topics:

• Monday 9th February – this coming Monday and we have a packed speaking schedule but we still need a grammarian and an SAA to do the guest introductions.  Please sign up on Clubplan if you can do either of these roles.  We also need a couple of people to come early and help me set up the room as Swarajit and Michelle who regularly do this are both away.
• Monday 16th February – fully booked again for speakers but we still need evaluators and a SAA to do the guest introductions.

Don’t be shy – book yourself in for one of the spare roles. Remember – all meeting roles provide an opportunity to speak in front of an audience.

The above meetings are on consecutive weeks is so that we can have an International Speech & Evaluation Workshop on Monday 23rd February.  We’re hosting a special event featuring workshops from Simon Bucknall.  See below for the details.

International Speech & Evaluation Workshop – Monday, 23^rd February

In preparation for the upcoming speech contests, we’re very privileged to welcome UK & Ireland Evaluation Contest champion Simon Bucknall to give his special workshop Inspiring Evaluations on Monday, 23^rd February. 

Your ability to evaluate others in a concise, effective and empowering way is a vital skill – not just in the professional world but in our personal lives too. In this practical and interactive session, Simon will share some of the key tips and techniques which helped him become the reigning UK & Ireland champion.

The session includes video footage from both the ‘test speech’ of the contest along with Simon’s winning evaluation. As well as this, you’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice by evaluating some test speakers on the night!

Key take-aways include: – how to make YOUR evaluation stand out from the crowd; – valuable practice before the contest season; – how to evaluate without notes; – how to adopt an empowering mindset for the benefit of all.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to refine your skills for the upcoming contests and give yourself that extra edge for these and future competitions! Unfortunately there are only a limited number of seats available, so please only book yourself in if you can definitely attend (and cancel your booking if you find out later that you can’t make it).

To sign up please go to:

https://inspiring-evaluations-bloomsbury-2015.eventbrite.co.uk

 

What’s on the horizon?  International Speech and Evaluation Contests!

For those who are new to Toastmasters, twice a year every club holds two contests. In the Spring it’s the International Speech and Evaluation contests. In the Autumn it’s the Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests.

Contests are really good fun, a great way to get experience of speaking in a (slightly) more formal environment and also an opportunity showcase and celebrate the various skills learned in Toastmasters during the rest of the year.

As it says above, our contests are being held on Monday 9th March at the same venue as the regular meetings. We’d love as many members as possible to enter these contests. However, there are some restrictions.

Contestants in the International Speech Contest deliver a prepared speech of 5 – 7 minutes:

• You must have completed 6 speeches from the Competent Communicator manual by the date of the contest to participate
• You may use a speech you’ve delivered before – as long as it is original and your own work
• The speech can be on any topic of your choosing (within normal Toastmasters limits – i.e. nothing that would make your Granny blush).

(BTW The reason it’s called the International Speech contest is that it’s a global competition with the winner of UK & Ireland going to the US to compete for the glory of the “world title”. So there’s everything to play for!)

Contestants in the Evaluation Contest all evaluate the same (mystery) speaker. Everyone gets the same amount of time to write up their notes – these are then taken away until it is your turn to evaluate.

Why You Should Take Part

If you are even slightly inclined to participate (and you meet the requirements) then I strongly recommend it. It’s a great experience and although their is an extra layer of formality to make sure everything is fair, it’s still a very supportive environment and conducted with a sense of fun.

And you’ve still got a month to write a speech (or polish your evaluation skills).

(Note: you can book yourself in as a contest speaker or contest evaluator on ClubPlan, but due to a limitation of the software you can’t book yourself in both contests – just book one slot and email Helen at education@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk to say you’d also like to participate in the other contest too).

If you can’t (or don’t want to) compete this time round then why not take on an official role, such as one of the timekeepers or a vote counter? Or you can be a judge at another contest.  Email Helen (education@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk)  if you’re interested. We rely on all members’ contributions to making this contest as successful as our previous contests so please get involved.

 Tip of the Month – throw yourself into the Club!

It’s an often quoted phrase but, when it comes to Bloomsbury Speakers and Toastmasters, it’s definitely true: “The more you put into Bloomsbury, the more you get out of Bloomsbury”.

If you are nervous about public speaking then the better you know the audience, the more you know how friendly and supportive they are.  Try starting a conversation with the people sitting near you at the next meeting or congratulate one of the speakers or evaluators after the meeting.  Come along to one of our socials (we are planning another for March) to meet a few members away from the regular meetings.

If you prefer task -focussed interaction, we also have many small tasks related to running the club which we need help with throughout the year whether that’s setting up the room and greeting attendees at meetings, helping to write meeting reports or helping to organise special events such as the workshop or socials.  If you can spare an hour or two at any point throughout the year to help out with ‘Club business’ then please speak to anyone on the Committee at one of our meetings.

It only takes a small effort from each Bloomsbury member to keep the club going from strength to strength.

 

Key facts – just the stuff you really need to know

• February Meetings: We have our regular meetings on consecutive Mondays this month 9th and 16th Feb.  There are still a few roles available and we also need one (or two) people to be SAA and come early to help set up the room and do guest introductions as Swarajit and Michelle who regularly do this are both away.  Sign up on  ClubPlan.
• Our Evaluation Workshop is on Monday, 23^rd February.  Sign up at https://inspiring-evaluations-bloomsbury-2015.eventbrite.co.uk asap as places are limited!
• Our International Speech & Evaluation Contest will be held on Monday, 9^th March. Invitations will go out to members in the next couple of weeks, but booking for contest places and functionary roles is already open on ClubPlan.
• Tip of the Month – throw yourself into the Club! It only takes a small effort from each Bloomsbury member to keep the club going from strength to strength.  If you can spare an hour or two at any point throughout the year to help out with ‘Club business’ then please speak to anyone on the Committee at one of our meetings.

Newsletter written by Jo

Hello and Welcome to the November Newsletter!

It’s getting colder and the end of the year is approaching.  But there’s still time to tick off another Toastmasters’ goal or two.  We have 4 meetings left in 2014 so whether you want to polish up your table topics, take on a new role or try to squeeze in one final speech this year go to Clubplan and sign up for a role or table topic today.  Note: if you can’t find a speech slot sign up as a reserve speaker.  You may get bumped up to a confirmed speaker if someone else has to pull out in the days before the meeting which really helps Helen fill the agenda without too much stress.  And, as a reward, if you don’t get to speak at the meeting for which you are a reserve, you get first option on speaking slots at the next meeting she sets up.

If you don’t have time to read the whole newsletter, you can skip to the bottom for a short summary of the main points.

What’s happened since the last newsletter?

We had two meetings in October.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend the second but Stella ably stood in as Acting President.  The meeting was also in a different venue to usual due to a last minute change – some of you may have felt you were visiting another club!  However I’m reliably informed that the standard of speaking was as high as ever.

What’s planned for November?  

In November we will be treated to two Icebreakers.  On Monday the 10th our newest member Axel will be speaking and there will be a second Icebreaker on the 24th.

Our GE on the 10th will be David Jones.  For those of you who don’t know him he’s a Table Topics master having been to the Divisional Finals 11 times and won the UK & Ireland Final 5 times.  If he asks nicely we may let him do a Table Topic as well as evaluate us!

***NEWSFLASH***  Bloomsbury Speakers’ members get hitched!!!

Do you know which two of our members were engaged?  They kept their engagement low key but two weeks ago Past President Femi and ex Vice President of PR Rufina took the plunge and married before jetting off to Mexico on honeymoon.  Rufina looked radiant in all three (yes – three!) outfits she wore on the day and Femi matched her with three dapper outfits of his own.  Being the wedding of two Toastmasters members, there was a Toastmaster running the schedule on the day and this was our very own member Ratan.

It was a fabulous day and on behalf of all at Bloomsbury Speakers I’d like to wish them a long and happy life together.

Dates for your Diary – watch this space

We haven’t confirmed a date yet but we will be having a joint Xmas party for Bloomsbury Speakers’, Clerkenwell Speakers’ and St Paul’s Speakers’ members.  Michelle is working hard on the arrangements and as soon as the date is fixed we will let you know.

Tip of the Month:  The End

Effective public speaking isn’t only about grabbing your audience at the beginning.  The way you finish is crucial to the overall success of your speech.  For one thing, your final words are likely to be the ones your audience will remember.  Some speeches lend themselves to a humorous finish, while others require a more serious approach.

Keep in mind that a good speaker doesn’t just talk to his audience.  You may be speaking  to entertain, inform, inspire, motivate, or lead.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Whet your audience’s appetite at the beginning by starting to tell a story. But leave the rest of the story — and the punch line — for your big finish.
• The title of your speech should summarize your main point in a memorable, catchy way.   So if you can incorporate the title into your closing words, that will reinforce your message.
• End with a humorous or meaningful quotation from somebody famous. There are many quotation websites on the Internet, and you will have no trouble finding something suitable.
• Don’t end abruptly.   A hasty “Well, that’s it from me, thanks” and off you go doesn’t create a professional impression. It makes you seem inexperienced and/or unprepared.
• Give your audience a signal that the end is near so they will pay attention to what you are about to say. If you were walking around the stage, for instance, you could return to the centre of the stage and take a solid stance.
• Involve your audience.  Ask them to repeat something after you — maybe a simple “commitment ” you have written.
• Issue your call to action. Tell your audience what you want them to do next and ask them to do it.

Remember, the last thing you say is your last chance to impress the audience and it’s what they will remember about your speech.

Don’t forget to keep your contact details complete and up to date

When we had to change our meeting venue last month just  four days before the meeting, the whole committee swung into action to secure a new venue, let everyone know and arrange to move our equipment.  But we found that some of the speakers and functionaries did not have their phone number listed on our website which meant we couldn’t text them to let them know.  Please can all members check we have a phone number listed on the website.  It’s not publicly visible to other members and the committee won’t cold call you unless absolutely, absolutely necessary.  Log in and check your contact details now.

Also Toastmasters International use the address on their website Toastmasters International to send out their monthly magazine.  When you join Bloomsbury Speakers, Rebecca sets up your record with your current address but, if you move, you need to update the records at Toastmasters International or you will no longer receive the magazine through the post.  Did you know?: You can also get a digital version of by downloading the Toastmasters App from the Apple, Amazon and Google app stores

Key facts – just the stuff you really need to know

• Sign up for the reserve speaking slots on Clubplan – you may get to speak and, as a reward, if you don’t get to speak at the meeting for which you are a reserve, you get first option on speaking slots at the next meeting Helen sets up.
• There are only 4 meetings left in 2014 so, whether you want to polish up your table topics, take on a new role or try to squeeze in one final speech this year, go to Clubplan and sign up for a role or table topic today.
• Past President Femi and ex Vice President of PR Rufina took the plunge and married before jetting off to Mexico on honeymoon.  We wish them happiness!
• We will be having a joint Xmas party for Bloomsbury Speakers’, Clerkenwell Speakers’ and St Paul’s Speakers’ members so look out for the announcement of the time and place.
• Don’t forget to keep your contact details complete and up to date on Clubplan and Toastmasters International and you can also download the Toastmasters App to get the monthly magazine digitally.

Newsletter written by Jo