Florida TM: Know your strengths

What leads to happiness is knowing what your strengths are, developing and exercising the virtues of character and strong social relationships. This are the views of the Florida Toastmasters Club.

“At Florida Toastmasters Club we are concerned about the wellbeing of our members.

“Our overall aim is to promote and reinforce the self-satisfaction derived from the ability to share goals and improve communication and leadership skills.

“This cultivated awareness influences people’s wellbeing and may affect that of others positively,” explained Florida Toastmasters media liaison Dawn Hemming.

At their meeting on Tuesday 15 October Margaret Roodt was declared the winner of the Best Prepared Speech with her speech Generations. She captivated listeners as she highlighted the defining differences between the baby boomers, Generation X and Millennial generations.

The generations seem to have wildly differing views on earning, spending and saving money. The younger generations seem more detached in their communication styles. They have come from an age in which society was infused with technology and information.

Guest at the meeting, Merle Ward was declared the winner of the Best Impromptu Speech with her topic The advantages of carrying a Y chromosome. People have a tendency to favour information that confirms emotionally charged issues for deeply entrenched beliefs, she explained.

Tim Knights (immediate past president) was declared the Best Evaluator.

“Listening is not a passive function but rather one that demands your full energy and sensitivity. The results are well worth the effort.

“Barriers to communication are replaced by open pathways to help members to become more confident in their interactions with others at work, home and in the community,” Hemming told the Record.

Do you envy people who are able to express themselves effectively? Then why not do something about it? Visit Florida Toastmasters Club and learn how you can become an effective speaker. Every resident is a welcomed guest.

Florida Toastmasters Club meets at the Huguenot Restaurant in Flora Centre located at the corner of Conrad and Ontdekkers Roads in Florida on every first and third Tuesday of the month at 7.15pm.

For further details visit their website at https://florida.tmclub.co.za or contact Cleone Carter-Smith on 082 415 2820 or via email at cleoneC@joburg.org.za. Alternatively contact Robert de Kramer (president) on 082 823 1387 or via email at robertk@nfp.nedbank.co.za.