“Achievement” was our theme this week as this summer’s Speechcraft program drew toward conclusion. Treasurer Sonja presided over the meeting for her first time.
Dave, the program chair, emceed the meeting.
Prepared speeches:
Mineko gave her final Speechcraft talk on “Ideas for Gift Shopping.” Her main idea: avoid “hedonistic adaptation” — our innate tendency to appreciate a gift less as its novelty wears off — by giving either an experience instead of a material good or an item that provides enjoyable but variable experiences (such as a camera). Speechcraft Project 3, Get to the Point.
Sharon shared on the essential summertime skill of “How to Make Smores.” Sharon demonstrated with great verve how to make a smore without falling into the common pitfalls of flaming dessert syndrome. She had the audience rolling in the aisles with her depiction of Do’s and Don’ts of Smoredom. Speechcraft Project 3, Get to the Point.
Sally, a regular Toastmasters member, shared useful tips on how to control worries based on her own experience dealing with anxiety. Her prescription: imagine the worse that can happen; prepare to accept that result; work on concrete steps to deal with the situation. Sally supported her points with hilarious stories from her daily life. Competent Communication Project 3, Get to the Point.
Dave led the spontaneous speaking session, Table Topics, on the theme of achievements. Questions included “name an outstanding achievement” and “must I attain an outstanding achievement in order to stand out as an individual?” Ray took Best Table Topics with his answer to the latter (even though it wasn’t the question he was asked to answer. . .).
Evaluations: Sharon and Mineko evaluated each other’s speeches (their debut evaluations!) and Ray gave feedback to Sally. Dick stepped up as Timer. General Evaluator Madeleine reviewed the meeting as a whole.
Sonja and Dave closed with a graduation ceremony for Speechrafters Mineko and Sharon.
Comments on Speechcraft:
- Mineko: This program has been incredible! The biggest takeaway is learning from feedback.
- Sharon: This was way more fun than I thought it was going to be!
