Capital Chatterers Toastmasters

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Toastmasters NZ - Lower North and South

From nervous to confident - meet Sidney 💥

“I originally turned up to Toastmasters just to watch a friend give a speech. I fully intended on sitting quietly in the back and escaping unnoticed. Instead, I got immediately hooked by the vibe, the warmth of the people, and the slightly chaotic magic of enthusiastic people who practice public speaking at 7am voluntarily. Four years later, I’m still showing up… and really enjoying it.

Toastmasters has given me so much more than public speaking skills. I’ve grown hugely in confidence across my work and personal life, learned how to give thoughtful feedback, speak off the cuff, and keep to time. Most surprising of all, the version of me from four years ago would be horrified to learn that I now leave early morning speeches feeling energized, fulfilled, and ready to take on the day.

I’d encourage anyone to come along to a meeting and see it for yourselves!”





Toastmasters NZ - Lower North and South

Tēnā koutou whānau

What a lovely morning at Capital Chatterers on Wednesday the 8th of April.

Our newest member Greg gave his very first ice breaker speech and landed on a line that stuck with all of us: 'if you don't take a chance, you'll never know.'

Greg also walked away as Toastmaster of the Day. Well deserved mate.

Curious about Toastmasters? Come join us as a guest one Wednesday morning. You might just find your voice.

Ngā mihi

April’s Word of the Month is tenacity - the quality of holding fast and never giving up. That’s what we’re all about here. Whether it’s conquering your first speech or supporting a clubmate, that’s tenacity in action. What does it look like for you right now?

April Word of the Month: Tenacity ✨
What does tenacity look like for you right now? 💭

🎤 Highlights from our 1 April meeting!

Chris knocked it out of the park as our General Evaluator, sharing some real insights about what makes our club special, especially our commitment to excellence and nailing those little details that make a big difference.

A huge kia ora to Sidney, who took home Toastmaster of the Day! Her evaluation of Malcolm's speech was thoughtful and spot-on. That's the magic of Toastmasters right there. 💚

Feeling grateful for a club that lifts each other up. Keep crushing it, whānau!

What a morning it was this past Saturday at the Division G Toastmasters Contest, held at St Andrew's on the Terrace, Wellington! 🎤

Huge congratulations to Chris Stokes for winning both the International and Evaluation contests, and to Cameron Hyslop for placing third in Humorous! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

A special shoutout to Peter Scholtens for placing as well!

And a big thank you to Juliet Blyth, Andrea Holmes and Trevor for giving up your Saturday morning to support the contest. Your mahi is so appreciated. 🙏

Sydney Dillon, as General Evaluator in today's meeting, recognized Juliet Blyth as Toastmaster of the Day for her impressive ability to speak in four different capacities this morning.

Congratulations, Juliet! Your choice to sit at the front truly reflects your commitment to excellence. 🤣

Another great week at Capital Chatterers Toastmasters in Wellington! 😊 Since July 2025, these photos capture some of our everyday highlights: presenting Toastmaster of the Day awards, celebrating contest achievements, and sharing good conversations over club dinners and breakfasts. It's the regular practice and mutual support that help everyone move forward.

Toastmasters International has been a non-profit organisation since 1924, focused on developing practical communication and leadership skills. At our club, we learn by doing in a supportive environment: members deliver prepared speeches, tackle impromptu Table Topics (1-2 minute talks on random topics), give and receive constructive feedback, and take turns in roles. There's no instructor; we all help each other grow. 👍

Toastmasters International Pathways education program lets you pick a path that suits your goals, with over 300 projects to complete at your own pace. For example:

Presentation Mastery – Build stronger speaking skills, connect with audiences, understand motivation, and lead small groups.
Dynamic Leadership – Explore leadership and communication styles, manage conflict, and resolve issues in teams.
Engaging Humour – Develop your humour to engage and connect with listeners.
Plus Motivational Strategies, Persuasive Influence, and Visionary Communication for negotiation, influence, and strategic communication.

In daily life, it helps you speak more confidently in social situations, listen actively, express ideas clearly, and handle conversations better. Professionally, members often improve at giving presentations, leading meetings, motivating others, delegating tasks, and receiving feedback constructively – all through steady, real practice in a friendly setting.

It's not about starting perfect; we all begin at different points, and the club includes people from all backgrounds and experience levels learning together. Many members notice reduced nerves, sharper thinking on their feet, and real confidence over time.

We meet every Wednesday morning at St Andrew's on The Terrace (30 The Terrace, Wellington Central) from 7:00 am to about 8:15 am. Guests are always welcome to explore. You can simply observe, introduce yourself, or try a quick Table Topic if you feel like it (no pressure whatsoever). Arrive a few minutes early for an agenda and a brief explanation of how meetings run.

If you're in Wellington and think this might be a good step for your growth, send us a message here on Facebook, or visit toastmasters.org.nz for more info. We'd be happy to welcome you one Wednesday morning! 👏

🎄 Capital Chatterers Year-End Christmas Breakfast at Prefab 🎄

We wrapped up an amazing year with a festive breakfast at Prefab on 10th of December 2025, celebrating friendships, growth, and the people who make Capital Chatterers such a special club.

It was the perfect way to pause before our end‑of‑year break and recognise some truly outstanding contributions from our members:

🏆 Malcolm - The Hospitality Hero Award
For greeting every guest, filling every glass, and making sure no one flies solo.

🎤 Trevor - The Creative Conductor Award
For leading the charge on a brilliantly original vocal coach event, with pitch‑perfect planning.

🚀 Chris - The Turbo Toastmaster Award
For racing through Toastmasters levels with such momentum, we’re still checking for clones.

🌟 Erin - The Exemplary Mentor Award
For consistently showing us what great communication, leadership, and character look like. You will be deeply missed.

💪 Andrea - The Behind‑the‑Scenes Powerhouse Award
For the tireless work and coordination that made so many events happen, especially the Humorous Contest.

Thanks to everyone who joined us. We’re proud of this community and excited about what’s ahead in the new year.

📸 Photos from the morning below