Written by Chantal

Introduction

On Monday 27 June we met upstairs at our regular venue, the Clerk and Well, for a regular meeting of Bloomsbury Speakers. We heard from four experienced speakers who inspired and enlightened us in turn while battling bravely against the noise of football supporters downstairs!

Roles

Member Margarita was Acting President for the evening, taking the opportunity to emphasise that whatever role a member carries out at Toastmasters, they receive valuable feedback. Member Henry was Toastmaster for the evening, praising the psychological power-boosting effect of applause, before introducing us to Raymond, Timekeeper. Raymond treated us to the historical fact that Lincoln’s Gettysburg address only lasted three minutes, thus reminding the club of the importance of keeping to schedule.

Prepared speeches

After opening remarks, the first speaker was Abraham, who delivered a No. 3 Speech entitled ‘Emotional Intelligence’. He explained how important emotional intelligence – encompassing skills like self-awareness and empathy – is in the workplace.

The second speaker of the night was Heleana, who delivered a No. 4 speech with the title ‘What Burning Man taught me about Love’. She recounted her experiences of the Burning Man Festival in Nevada and the lessons gained from it, including the joy of giving without the expectation of receiving.

The third speaker was Agnes, who gave a No. 5 speech with the title ‘Lingo Bingo’, launching a blistering argument against corporate jargon and providing the audience with a game to play in their next meeting at work.

The next prepared speech was delivered by Margarita, who gave a No. 8 speech entitled ‘Dolce Far Niente’. She appealed to the audience to revel in the sweetness of doing nothing, drawing on an anecdote of how a quick walk in the park boosted her performance at work afterwards.

After the break, we heard from the four evaluators who had been preparing feedback for the first batch of prepared speeches – Robert, Margarita, Swarajit and Matthew.

We then held a session of table topics, hosted by Peter F. Afterwards, we invited the Table Topics Evaluator, Heleana, to present feedback on each of the impromptu speeches we had just heard.

After the Timekeeper’s report, the visiting General Evaluator from Russian English Speakers, Roman, summarised the evening’s speaking and offered feedback for those who had not yet been evaluated.

Awards

Best Speaker: Margarita

Best Evaluator: Matthew

Best table topic: Piotr

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday 11 July from 7PM to 9.15PM at the Clerk and Well. Please get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions!

Written by Margarita

Introduction

On Monday 13th June we met upstairs at the Clerk and Well, in the heart of the City of London, for a regular meeting of Bloomsbury Speakers. We had two fantastic Icebreakers on the night followed by two speeches from more experienced members and got some news regarding changes in club’s leadership.

Roles

Club’s President Helen started the meeting with the empowering statement that each of us has a voice and we all have something to say. She inspired club members and guests to spread their voice beyond the club as some of the Bloomsbury speakers have done already (Remember Hari giving a TEDxtalk or Janet giving a keynote speech on communication?).

She then introduced the Toastmaster – Clare. It was Clare’s first experience in this role and she did an absolutely fantastic job! She explained the other roles, starting with Timekeeper Stella. An experienced Toastmaster, she reminded the audience of the importance of time-keeping. The meeting then proceeded with the Minute of Silence in tribute to the Orlando victims.

Prepared speeches

After opening remarks, the first speaker was Jack, who delivered a No. 1 Speech entitled ‘Justice for Jack’. He told us about a heartbreaking experience of having his bike stolen, and gave us a thriller on how far he went to get it back.

The second speaker of the night was Chantal, who delivered a No. 1 speech entitled ‘Beating the Pessimism’. She gave an exceptionally honest speech sharing with us her two true passions – literature and environment.

The third speaker was Matthew, who gave a No. 3 speech with the title ‘How to achieve a Duracell bunny success’. He shared with us three components of success – setting high goals, maintaining energy and having proper rest, using great visuals.

The next prepared speech was delivered by Helen, who gave an Advanced Speech with the title ‘Your audience has feelings too – Pathos and the “Appeal to Emotion”’. Helen presented Aristotle’s work on pathos and suggested future speakers connect with the audience through emotions, bearing in mind evocation, appropriateness and action.

After the break, we heard from the four evaluators who had been preparing feedback for the first batch of prepared speeches – Sebastian, Peter F, Ahmed and Margarita.

Table Topics

We then held a session of table topics, hosted by Sergey. Peter chose the topic ‘News’, and invited Swarajit, Christina, Piotr, Abraham, Matt and Francis to speak. Finally, we invited the Table Topics Evaluator, Sheldon, to present feedback on each of the impromptu speeches we had just heard.

After the Timekeeper’s report, the visiting General Evaluator, Marco, summarised the evening’s speaking and offered feedback for those who had not yet been evaluated. Marco mentioned that he particularly enjoys reading our Meeting Reports, so we hope he would like this one as well.

News

This meeting was very special for Bloomsbury Speakers as it was the last time when Helen acted as Club’s President. After one brilliant year as President she is passing the role to Sheldon, the Club’s VPE.

Awards

Best Speaker: Jack

Best Evaluator: Peter F.

Best table topic: Piotr

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be Monday 27^th June at the Clerk and Well (though the venue may be subject to change). Please get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions!

Meeting Report for 6 June 2016

Written by Peter

Introduction

On Monday 06 June we met upstairs at our regular venue,
the Clerk and Well, for a regular meeting of Bloomsbury Speakers. We heard from four accomplished speakers who gave talks spanning the range of the Competent Communication manual.

Roles

Committee Member Peter acted as Toastmaster for the evening. He introduced us to Robert, the Timekeeper, who conveyed with humour the importance of the schedule. Peter also introduced us to the Grammarian, Stella, who gave a Word of the Day, ‘sunder’, and told us that she would note down any outstanding uses of language throughout the evening.

Prepared speeches

After opening remarks, the first speaker was Francesca, who delivered a No. 2 Speech entitled ‘What Goliath has to learn from David’.

The second speaker of the night was Clare, who delivered a No. 5 speech with the title ‘Get into your genes’. Clare used a Powerpoint presentation as a visual aid to demonstrate the intricacy of the human genome and how apparently minor alterations can change our character.

The third speaker was Heleana, who gave a No. 7 speech with the title ‘Health is Wealth’. Heleana explained that a greater focus on health had positively impacted her life, and encouraged us to do the same.

The next prepared speech was delivered by Olga, who gave a No. 8 speech entitled ‘Big Data and You’.

After the break, we heard from the four evaluators who had been preparing feedback for the first batch of prepared speeches – Swarajit, Abraham, Henry and Raymond.

We then held a session of table topics, hosted by Ash. Afterwards, we invited the Table Topics Evaluator, Helen, to present feedback on each of the impromptu speeches we had just heard.

After the Timekeeper’s report and a quiz on the content of the evening’s speeches from the Grammarian, the visiting General Evaluator from King’s Cross Speakers, Brian, summarised the evening’s speaking and offered feedback for those who had not yet been evaluated.

Awards

Best Speaker: Clare

Best Evaluator: Henry

Best table topic: Piotr

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be Monday 13 June at the Clerk and Well (though the venue may be subject to change). Please get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions!

Meeting Report: 23 May 2016

Written by Peter

Introduction

On Monday 23rd May we met upstairs at the Clerk and Well, in the heart of the City of London, for a regular meeting of Bloomsbury Speakers. We heard from four talented speakers, ranging from those who had just begun their Toastmasters journey to one who gave an Advanced Speech.

Roles

Committee Member Sheldon compered the evening with humour and energy. He introduced us to Sarah, the Timekeeper, who explained the importance of time-keeping clearly and efficiently. Sheldon also introduced us to the Grammarian, Jay, who gave a Word of the Day, ‘vivid’, and promised to record any notable language throughout the evening.

Prepared speeches

After opening remarks, the first speaker was Abraham, who delivered a No. 2 Speech entitled ‘From zero to bingo!’. Abraham used his experience of volunteering at Crisis, a homeless charity, to talk with passion about the difficulties some face in life and the impact such an experience had on his view of the world.

 

The second speaker of the night was Sebastian, who delivered a No. 5 speech entitled ‘Startup Journey’. Sebastian talked eloquently about the function of an ‘innovation hub’ and some of the trials of starting a business.

The third speaker was Ash, who gave a No. 7 speech with the title ‘Wherever I lay My Mac, That’s My Home’. Ash related how she had decided to quit her unfulfilling job and follow her heart by becoming a ‘digital nomad’.

The next prepared speech was delivered by Carrie, who gave an Advanced Speech with the title ‘Preparing to present: 7 tips for mental and physical preparation’. Carrie offered seven useful tips in seven minutes, each relating to overcoming a fear of public speaking and improving performance.

After the break, we heard from the four evaluators who had been preparing feedback for the first batch of prepared speeches – Peter F, Francesca, Heleana and Bronia.

Table Topics

We then held a session of table topics, hosted by Peter R. Peter chose the topic ‘Jobs’, and invited James, Francesca, Matt, Chantelle, Rosie and Sunil to speak. Finally, we invited the Table Topics Evaluator, Clare, to present feedback on each of the impromptu speeches we had just heard.

After the Timekeeper’s report and a quiz on the content of the evening’s speeches from the Grammarian, the visiting General Evaluator, Florian, summarised the evening’s speaking and offered feedback for those who had not yet been evaluated.

Awards

Best Speaker: Ash

Best Evaluator: Clare

Best table topic: Matt

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be Monday 06 June at the Clerk and Well (though the venue may be subject to change). Please get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions!