The London Speaker

Congratulations to Early Bird Speakers

Posted by Freddie Daniells

This morning I was dragged out of bed at 6.00 by my alarm clock and thought that I had finally gone mad. Here I was getting ready to go to a Toastmasters meeting that started at 7.20 in the morning - surely this was a mistake!

However, along with 20 or so other mad folks (er...Toastmasters) there I duly was enjoying a fun meeting and experiencing a special moment in the life of Early Bird Speakers. Today, the club held the official ceremony for its chartering. The presentation was made by Nick Benning (last years District Governor and recent DTM - congrats Nick!).

Early Birds Speakers is the brain child of Hillary Briggs. She first dreamed of the Club in 2004, launched it in 2005 and after 21 months was now witnessing the chartering of the club. Today she thanked those people who had helped make this come about - the other members of the club for their support and also Anita Jackson of Canary Wharf Communicators for her help and encouragement.

Nick explained how he was personally excited by the birth of the Club. He also contrasted the situation with a Club in Aylesbury who had just celebrated their 50th birthday. There was much amusement at the thought of the decrepit state we would all likely be in when Early Birds reaches the same milestone!

Personally, I though the best tribute to Early Birds and the Hillary's indomitable spirit came from James Joyce, VPE of the Club and Toastmaster today. He explained how he had originally joined another much larger club but had found it too easy to sit at the back without pushing himself. When Hillary talked to him about Early Birds he offered assistance, expecting to be timekeeper or evaluator for a few meetings. Instead he found himself VPE! Suddenly he had no place to hide. He credited this as being the making of him as a public speaker (and a mighty fine one at that). I can think of no greater compliment to both Hillary and the club as a whole. My congratulations go to Hillary and the other charter members too.

If you would like to learn more about Early Bird Speakers, please go to their website and pop along for a meeting. They will make you very welcome.

(The pic is of Hillary receiving her Charter certificate from Nick Benning)

Holborn Speakers makes the press!

Posted by Freddie Daniells

Well, OK it makes The Metro!

Yes, this Monday Holborn Speakers had an article about it in the Metro paper here in London. The journalist came along, talked to a few people before the session started, joined in Table Topics as a guest and promptly left at half time. As with any footie match she missed the best of the action and perhaps left with a slightly distorted impression. Most importantly she left before receiving the much sought after prize for best Table Topic - shame on her! However, the club certainly had a couple of guests at last nights meeting who had come as a direct response to the article. As they say, all publicity is good publicity!

The article is attached below:

Download metro_article_jul07.pdf

Adding video to your Club meetings

Posted by Freddie Daniells

When President of Holborn Speakers, we discussed several times the idea of video recording speeches for members to watch later. However, we quickly realised that someone would have to take responsibility for taking the video home and making it in some way viewable by the membership. Given our other commitments we decided to pass.

The President of Grosvenor Square Speakers, Carol West, however, has come up with the answer! Nowadays, many cheap video recorders record in PC and MAC friendly formats. Additionally, they
use simple media such as DVDs. At Grosvenor Square, they will buy the camera but tell members that they are responsible for supplying the media. No doubt they will keep a few spare DVDs that they can sell at cost to members (approximately £1-2). This is brilliant! It gives members the facility but doesn't burden the committee with yet more responsibility. Good cameras that suit the need can be had for £200-300. Hopefully we might see a few other clubs adopt this idea.

A chance to see the UK Champion Speaker in action

Posted by Freddie Daniells

On Tuesday 31st July, Lehman Brothers are hosting a workshop featuring Simon Bucknall, the two time winner of the UK and all Ireland Toastmasters Speech contest. Having seen off the first thousand contestants in the UK he is now down to the last few dozen going for the world title in Phoenix, Arizona in August this year. He will perform both of the speeches he will use at those world championships.

Additionally, later in the evening, both Pedro Casillas and Susan Percy will be jointly hosting a workshop on how we can use mind mapping as an effective way of ordering our thoughts for giving evaluations and constructive feedback. Pedro was our London Governor last year and Susan is a recognised (Tony Buzan accredited for you mind mapping nerds!) expert in the usage of mind mapping techniques.

Both these sessions will be fun and highly useful for both beginners and those more experienced too. We are looking to give Simon a good send off so come along if you can. If you can come please, let your committee know and they will get you registered. I have attached the flyer for you below:

Download simon_bucknall_workshop_jul07.pdf

Public Speaking - London

Coming Events

For regular club meeting dates see Club Meeting Calendar on right

Tues 10 Nov 09 7pm Evaluation Workshop at London Athenians, Hammersmith

Tues 10 Nov 09 7.30pm Ware Speakers launch meeting, Ware Herts (Div G)

Wed 11 Nov 09 Excalibur Speakers Debate Night 7pm WC2

13-15 Nov 09 White Rose Conference, York. Inc UK & Ireland contest finals. More info...

Mon 23 Nov 09 7.15pm Memory mapping workshop at Trojan Speakers, Ealing Broadway

If you're a member of Toastmasters International speaking club based in and around London or if you're interested in public speaking in the capital and beyond - you are in the right place.

Thinking of joining one of our clubs? Links to our clubs websites are listed in the side bar. You are very welcome to visit for free to see what we are all about. You will find useful tips on public speaking and leadership here. And information on upcoming events we hope you will want to attend.

If you are a member of a London club, this site will highlight ideas from neighbouring Toastmasters clubs that may be of benefit to you and your club. You will also learn about your fellow members, find useful resources, pick up tips and hear about upcoming events on the Toastmasters calendar.

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Look forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon.

Dorothea Stuart Editor: The London Speaker