Toastmasters of Downham Market

29/09/2017

At the meeting last night, we did Table Topics and some exercises for voice production and effective breath control.
Next week, 5th October, we shall practise giving feedback and discuss the different tasks that we need to carry out, in order to run a successful meeting.
The following Thursday, 12th October, we will hold a full meeting, supported by Toastmasters from other clubs in the area.
Come as our guest: we look forward to meeting and welcoming you.

15/09/2017

We had our first meeting last night. 11 Toastmasters came from other clubs and helped to run an excellent meeting. We had four guests, all of whom have promised to come back. Follow up next week.

02/10/2016

I am sad to have to tell you that I am moving away from Marlborough, and will be unable, after all, to work on developing a club here. There will be no further meeting.

17/08/2016

There will be no meeting of Merlin's Mound, until 8th September

02/07/2016

Toastmasters isn't only for people who want to make speeches. I have met toastmasters who found that they got on better with their teenagers, because they had gained skills in giving effective feedback.
You can learn all the leadership skills that will help you to handle workplace situations better.
We have fun, even though we are doing a serious job.
Come meet us on Thursday evening. Find out what we do and how we do it.
You'll love it.

24/05/2015

https://www.toastmasters.org/Magazine/Articles/A-Crowning-Achievement

King’s Speakers Toastmasters Club Helps People Who Stutter.

28/03/2015

If you'd like to see the change from a quivering jelly that I mimicked for my first few speeches, to an advanced speaker, scroll down to the video showing me sitting on a bar stool. Follow this up with the evaluation, above it and you will get an idea of how much you could change and a glimpse of one of the ways we would help you to do it.

11/07/2014

Hi there
I have decided to write about the positive experience I have had from Toastmasters, Marlborough.
I decided to join when I first moved into the area- mainly to make new friends.I didn;t realise it would do so much more!
It has improved my overall confidence in situations I would previously have DREADED..interviews, confrontational children! and standing up in front of people to make a presentation.
I think my children respect me more for what I am doing... by myself for myself: but by doing so other people around me tend to listen more! They think I am more interesting and fun to be with- now thats got to be a bonus!
So I cannot recommend it enough- its time consuming and at times I feel like not making the effort- but when I do I am so glad I did.
So why not think about joining us? It may be the best move you ever make"
Helen

02/07/2014

Joe welcomes Katherine Brooke to the lectern for her second speech from the Competent Communication manual, entitled "It's time for what?!"

02/07/2014

Joseph Anderson opens the meeting. His first time as Toastmaster.

18/06/2014

I have a certificate!
About this time last year, I was handing over to my successor, the office of Governor for Area 46.
This has an improtant role in Toastmasters, providing support and encouragement to the clubs in the area. In my case, there were five.
I thoroughly enjoyed my year, developinng skills in persuasion, communidation and, yes, leadership.
When the next Divisional Competition came round, I was surprised to be asked to stand for congratulations on having steered the area to an Award.
Select Distinguished Area is the middle of three awards. It requires almost all of the clubs to meet the set goals for the year. We could have received the highest award, President's Distinguished Area, if I had been able to start a club and steer it to chartering. A club was started, but did not get enough members in time.
That was six months ago. Now the whole thing has popped up again. Alan Pope, the current Area 42 Governor presented me with a certificate from Toastmasters International, commemorating the achievement.
I love getting certificates and can only thank all the clubs who participated so well and made it possible for me to have this piece of paper.

18/06/2014

This is the evaluation of the speech above. As you can see, evaluations are intended to build a member's confidence, whilst including some recommendations or points for improvement. Although it is good to hear about that which was well done, it is actually through the recommendations that we learn and develop our speaking skills.
The very first speech I did, two years before this one, members could see me shaking from the back of the room. I was talking about crystals and, despite the fact that I knew the names of those that I was showing, I forgot them. I looked at the aragonite and went blank. I left out two paragraphs, so the speech didn't really make a lot of sense. Yet my evaluator managed to find fourteen positive skills that he considered that I had shown. You have no idea how encouraging I found this.
If you have never been to Toastmasters, I do recommend you to find your nearest club and attend a few meetings. Lots of people decide, like I did, to join at their first meeting. There is no pressure, either to speak, or to join. Be aware, however, that we do want you to come and join us.
Come as a guest to our next meeting. You will be very welcome.