How To Prepare an Entertaining Humorous Speech Workshop

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From Craig Moss, Area Director J4
Comedy Workshop – how to prepare a humorous and entertaining speech

Whether public speaking is something on your radar or not, Berkhamsted Speakers Club have a real treat in store for you – a Comedy Workshop being held at the Quakers Meeting House on 22nd March. It’s something new that we haven’t tried before and will be not only unique but extremely fun!

Nick PageNick Page will facilitate a workshop on how to prepare a humorous and entertaining speech using tricks of the trade from stand-up comedy.

Nick Page is a disgraced former Daytime TV presenter and convicted forger who revels in the kind of stories most people would want locked in the darkest cupboard. His unique rapid fire delivery will leave you wondering how anyone can get through so many words so quickly, and how he’s escaped justice, or at least retribution, for so long.

Please RSVP to secure your place and feel free to invite family and friends to this event.  We look forward to seeing you!

More Details:

Tuesday 22nd March – 7:30pm

Quakers Meeting House
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 1AJ

RSVP here

My Robert’s Rules Learning Curve

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My Robert’s Rules Learning Curve

District 91 Director Jean Gamester, DTM

Before I became District 91 Director, I had attended and participated in lots of district council meetings.  I thought I had the hang of it when I took on the District Director role, but it turned out that my predecessors had made it look easy.

roberts rulesI was fortunate to get a clue that I was on a steep learning curve when I ran my first District Executive Committee meeting in September with the Area and Division Directors.  It was fairly light, nothing that couldn’t be handled, but I realised that Robert’s Rules were less of a list of rules and more of a whole new language, especially when it came to handling motions.  And handling motions becomes more complicated when you take into account that we have a detailed set of governing documents in Toastmasters, and we need to make sure that any motion doesn’t conflict with them.

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Club Finances

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Message from Meg Heyworth, District 91 Finance Manager

Tax, Legal Requirements, Club Financial Term and other matters

Questions arising from club queries are welcomed by the finance team.  A recent query was raised by Elizabeth, a club treasurer in District 91, enquiring if there was any particular accounting year end that club Treasurers should use.  The answer from WHQ was that club financial years should run from 1 January to 31 December.

She commented that their club use 1 July to 30 June to fit in with the Toastmasters year.  Meg sent on this query to her contacts at WHQ who sent this answer “To answer your question about the term year, district finance and related bank accounts are handled within the regular term year, July to June.  However, club finances are handled and transferred during the regular calendar year.  This is mainly due to IRS tax reporting and is something we cannot control.”

Perhaps UK accounting qualified members could let us know if they agree with this ruling as it is the responsibility of the individual clubs to determine the tax filing or other legal requirements in their city, state, province, and/or country, and to file proper forms as appropriate.  Failure to comply with tax or other legal requirements may result in the revocation of a club’s charter.

WHQ also commented on the Club Treasurer section of the Club Leadership Handbook, which says that “operating a club bank account is not a requirement, but if the club decides to operate an account it is the club treasurer’s responsibility to turn over all financial records for the club at the end of the calendar year, this includes changing signers on the bank account.  We understand that changing signers once a year can be cumbersome, but this is a control that is set by policy and having ‘senior members’ as designated signers over one year is not allowable.”

If any Treasurers have any other questions that they wish answered then do contact Meg who is happy to assist in finding the answers.

 

A testament to the value of the Youth Leadership Program

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From  Andrew P Bennett DTM District 91 Youth Leadership Adviser, 2014/15 District 91 Toastmaster of the Year

Youth Leadership - Toastmasters InternationalFellow Toastmasters I can remember taking on my first club Presidency and wanting to contribute something of lasting value that other members could then mold and build upon as time progressed. I think we all, be it as club member or officer, are working towards both our personal growth goals and the continued long term development of our clubs, areas,divisions , districts, taking the communication and leadership skills we gain at Toastmasters International out into our daily lives. communities, the world ……….we can and do make a difference!

One aspect of our Toastmasters Program that is definitely making a difference, especially in District 91, is our commitment to the Youth Leadership Program which is inspiring young people in schools and colleges. That is why I am encouraging you today to choose your favourite tea or coffee and sit down for five minutes to read a remarkable post from Paul Olaiya who gave a speech during ballot counting at Tower Conference in May 2015.

It is time for us to feel both humbled and very proud that through the commitment of our District 91 Toastmasters giving their time and skills as YLP Coordinators we are making a difference to young people’s lives. They are delighted to learn and taking their new found skills with them through continuing education and ……out into the world!

Enjoy reading of Paul’s experience ………https://oasessite.wordpress.com/2016/02/13/leadership-gravitates-to-the-one-who-can-talk/