Meeting Report: 12th February 2018

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Introduction

We met on Monday 12th February at Wedge Issue Pizza and had a great evening filled with engaging speeches and a fun table topics session.

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, kicked off the meeting and shared a very surprising fact: at the start of his career, Winston Churchill was a nervous public speaker! Practising this skill (by being a member of Toastmasters for example) is key to gaining confidence. He then handed over to Toastmaster Andy, who explained the agenda and introduced Timekeeper Paloma and Harkmaster Miro.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Luisa with her Competent Communicator Speech #5 “When in Rome”. Luisa gave us all a crash course in (rude) Italian hand gestures to help us navigate this complicated set of rules should we decide to visit Italy in the future.

The second speaker was Scott with his Competent Communicator Speech #6 “Carl Jung’s Psychic Theory of Archaic Man”. Scott talked us through this psychological concept with useful examples and concluded that what we consider to be fate may not be so random after all.   

Last to speak was Margarita with her Persuasive Speaking Speech #3 “Parklife”. Margarita spoke about the benefits of being outdoors surrounded by nature and proposed that the first Bloomsbury Speakers summer meeting should be held in a park. She even got our President to agree on the spot!

Scott then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Yamina, Swarajit and Matt.

Table Topics Master Sheldon then led a hilarious table topics session centred around setting up his own fictitious rocket company. Highlights included Nigel, the company’s legal representative, announcing that his plans to make the Earth inhabitable as quickly as possible would include accelerating pollution by selling cigars to turtles. Margarita, in charge of the company’s marketing and PR, proposed launching into space Swarajit’s iconic coke bottle to promote Bloomsbury Speakers!

Rupert evaluated all table topics speakers.

Harkmaster Miro then tested our attention by asking us to remember specific points from the meeting, and rewarded correct answers with chocolates!

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Errol evaluated our club and the meeting.

Awards

Best Speaker: Luisa

Best Evaluator: Yamina and Matt

Best Table Topic: Nigel

Next meeting

Our next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 26th February 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk

Meeting Report: 22nd January 2018

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Introduction

We held our last meeting on Monday 22nd January at Wedge Issue Pizza, and enjoyed some great prepared speeches and a hilarious table topics session.

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, welcomed everyone to the meeting and talked us through the many benefits of joining Toastmasters. He then handed over to Toastmaster Margarita, who shared with us the fact that being a member of Bloomsbury Speakers has given her the confidence to speak in English (Russian is her native language) and has helped her to become a part-time tour guide! She then introduced Timekeeper Atul and Grammarian Sarah, who chose “pontificate” as the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Krishan with his Competent Communicator Speech #2 “From the Inside Out”. Krishan illustrated the enormous impact artificial intelligence is having and will continue to have on our lives, especially in the areas of jobs, transport and healthcare.

The second speaker was Chantal with her Competent Communicator Speech #10 “When I Had Wings”. Chantal delivered an emotional and passionate speech about the many benefits of running. Sharing with us her struggle with physical illness, she appealed to us to make the most of our health.

Last to speak was Swarajit with his Speaking to Inform Speech #3 “What Could Possibly Go Wrong”. Using visual aids, he talked us through planning models used during the policy-making process which help to ensure that new policy is thoroughly assessed before being implemented.

Scott then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Michelle, Luisa and Sheldon.

Table Topics Master Andy then led a great impromptu session on the most notable events of 2017, in which both members and guests participated. Highlights included Flemming proposing that the silliest rule to come out of Brexit should be for everyone to sign up for a marathon, and Chantal concluding that democracy is not the way to go and we would all be better off if she became our dictator!

Tracey evaluated all table topics speakers.

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Stella evaluated our club and the meeting

Awards

Best Speaker: Chantal

Best Evaluator: Luisa

Best Table Topic: Flemming and Chantal

Next meeting

Our Toastmasters Evaluations Workshop featuring Freddie Daniells will take place on Monday 29th January 18:45-21:15 at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX). This free event is open to members and guests, so don’t forget to register your attendance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/toastmasters-evaluations-workshop-with-freddie-daniells-bloomsbury-speakers-tickets-42239756248

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.

Meeting Report: 27th November 2017

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Introduction

Bloomsbury Speakers held their latest regular meeting on Monday 27th November at Wedge Issue Pizza. We were treated to three high-quality speeches and an exciting table topics session centred around birthdays and presents!

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and by telling the inspiring story of former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, whose first speech in Parliament was drowned out by his peers’ laughter! Peter then handed over to Toastmaster Lei who explained the running order of the meeting. She then introduced Timekeeper Michelle and Grammarian Chantal, who chose “grip” as the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Sofia with her Competent Communicator Speech #2 “East Meets West”. Sofia explained how moving to London had been somewhat of a cultural shock to her, and she made use of visual props to talk us through a few fundamental differences between the Chinese and British cultures, including how Chinese use their cameras way more than the Brits!

Next to speak was Matt with his Competent Communicator Speech #10 “That Time I Thought the Plane was Crashing”. Matt’s was an inspiring speech about learning to face our fears and using “to do” lists as a way of gradually achieving our goals and empowering ourselves. Fear is a normal and healthy feeling, but should not take over our lives and prevent us from succeeding.

The last speaker was Peter R with his Storytelling Speech #1 “The Moberly-Jourdain Incident”. Peter took us back to the 19thcentury, when two Edwardian women were walking in Versailles and were suddenly catapulted back to the French revolution era through a temporary ripple in time. Of course, nobody believed them!

Swarajit then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Luisa, Rupert and Sheldon.

Table Topics Master Atul then led a fantastic impromptu session on birthdays and presents, which Rachel, Anoushka, Jamie, Miro, Rajeet, Harry, Yamina and Rupert participated in. Highlights included Rachel’s ideal week-long birthday celebration (which of course includes a trip to Hawaii) and Rupert’s devious plan to buy the most boring book in the world as a birthday gift for his worst enemy.

Margarita evaluated all table topics speakers.

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Billy evaluated our club and the meeting.

We were gripped from beginning to end!

Awards
 

Best Speaker: Matt

Best Evaluator: Margarita

Best Table Topic: Rachel and Rupert

Next meeting

The next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 11th December 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.

Meeting Report: 13th November 2017

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Introduction

Bloomsbury Speakers met on Monday 13th November at Wedge Issue Pizza for their latest regular meeting. Three inspiring speeches and a hilarious table topics session later, we were onto the pizza!

Roles

President of the Club Peter R welcomed everyone to the meeting and pointed out that Toastmasters is not just about talking in front of people, but also strengthening our ability to express ourselves and interact with others. Toastmaster Scott took over and introduced Timekeeper Sarah. In the absence of a Grammarian, Scott declared “wedge” (after our lovely venue) to be the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

First to speak was James with his Ice Breaker Speech “Living the Dream”. James gave us an insight into his determination and how fear of heights had pushed him to start a skydiving club. We felt we were there with him as he described the plane taking off and flying higher and higher as he was getting ready for his first jump. We are all looking forward to James’ second speech!

The second speaker was Chantal was her Competent Communicator Speech #9 “Eat More Green”. Chantal used powerful persuasion to convince us to become “flexitarians” and gradually cut meat out of our diets. Meat-heavy diets have a negative effect on climate change and on resistance to antibiotics, and if we all started to diversify our diets we could help tackle these two challenges.

Last to speak was Margarita with her Storytelling Speech #4 “The Second Life of Optimus”. To add a bit of storytelling to the Christmas atmosphere, she took us back in time to faraway Moscow, where a boy (Margarita’s brother) rescued a mouse from an evil magician, and the two forged an unlikely friendship. Mouse Optimus and her brother became inseparable! A very inspiring story of friendship and loyalty.

Peter R then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, three members of the club evaluated the evening’s speeches – Luisa, Rupert and Swarajit.

Table Topics Master Yamina then organised a great impromptu session, during which Rupert, Winsome, Margarita, Sofia, Lewis, Peter R, Stella and Scott discussed the topic of the night – dreams. Highlights included Rupert’s advice to dream small so as to avoid disappointment, and Winsome’s confession about being queen of the snooze!

Sheldon evaluated all table topics speakers.

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Lewis evaluated our club and the meeting.

Awards

Best Speaker: Chantal

Best Evaluator: Luisa

Best Table Topic: Rupert

Next meeting

The next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 27th November 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.

 

Meeting Report: 9th October 2017

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Introduction

Bloomsbury Speakers held their latest regular meeting on Monday 9th October at Wedge Issue Pizza. Four brilliant speeches were followed by a table topics session which got us laughing from beginning to end!

Roles

The meeting kicked off with a welcome speech from the President of the Club Peter R who reminded everyone that Toastmasters is about learning to communicate, but also to interact with people and to inspire others. Toastmaster Matt then took over the reins of the meeting and introduced the theme of the evening – “danger”. He started by describing a near death experience he had on a plane to Panama but stopped abruptly and invited us all to be present for his next speech in November to find out more! He introduced Grammarian Andy and Timekeeper Swarajit.

Prepared speeches

The first speech was by Yamina with her Competent Communicator Speech #3 “All is Knowledge”. She questioned what knowledge is and whether it really all boils down to what we are taught in school. We can learn a great deal from family, oral traditions… even bad dates! Knowledge is all around us and we should accept it in whatever form it comes to us.

The second speaker was Luisa was her Competent Communicator Speech #4 “The Power of Now”. Luisa explored the causes of modern stress and gave us some tips on how to deal with it. She recommended that we all integrate some mindfulness into our lives to give ourselves a break from our constant internal monologue.

Next to speak was Raymond with his Competent Communicator Speech #5 “Things Can Only Get Better”, who described the worst day of his life. After injuring himself during a hiking accident in Canada, getting fined for drinking a pint and walking for miles with a blood-drenched shirt, he went to sleep in his tent happy that the day was over… before a bear entered to steal his stuff!

The last speech was Competent Communicator Speech #7 “Why Good Food is Good” by Julian. Julian took us on a multi-sensory journey whilst recalling the best meal he ever had, which was in Bali at a French-Indonesian restaurant. We were left feeling very hungry indeed! Julian also gave his official goodbyes to the club, as he would be moving to Australia at the weekend – good luck Julian!

Lei then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the four speech evaluators – Sheldon, Helen, Rupert and Michelle.

Chantal then led a fantastic table topics session, in which Andy, Sheldon, Leanne, Julian, Rupert, Ed and Matt participated. Highlights included Sheldon’s explanation of the meaning of the word “bumfuzzle” and the biggest mystery ever existed according to Julian, i.e. who founded the Wedge Issue Pizza all those years ago!

Lei evaluated all table topics speakers.

Grammarian Andy then updated us on  how many times  the word of the day “apocryphal” had been used – unsurprisingly…. not many!

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Alex evaluated our club and the meeting.

To say we did not enjoy the meeting would be an incredibly apocryphal statement!

Awards

Best Speaker: Raymond

Best Evaluator: Helen

Best Table Topic: Leanne

Next meeting

The next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 23rd October 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.