Last month was a whole different ‘ball’ game at the Florida Toastmasters Club meeting. Members had loads of fun learning that whether catching, throwing, kicking, or rolling balls or spinning a rotating curve, “life is short, have a ball”.
President Tim Knights extended a hearty welcome to members and guests. He was followed by Toastmaster Glen Campbell, who set the tone for the meeting with an anonymous quote: “It doesn’t matter whether we win or lose, but how we played the game”. Glen kept the members entertained with stories about the Ancient Greeks and Romans associated with the prison ball and chain.
Tim Knights presented an educational talk about “Contest Speaking” based on how to structure your speech for success – introduce a point, support it with evidence and drive it home, he said. He then went on to explain the judging criteria for contest judging.
In her Ice-Breaker speech, Taelo Mokhabela said, “I am successful because of my brains and guts”. She explained the difference between having guts and having balls. Having balls implies that you have bravado, courage and guts. She believes that juggling is the ultimate stress reliever, because it sharpens your focus and attention. Juggling engages your problem-solving skills – you can’t just throw all the balls up in the air and hope everything comes together. This is why juggling is excellent for helping you to master the art of concentration.
Lawrence Makeleni said that the silence and stigma surrounding HIV/ Aids must be broken and replaced by openness, good communication and compassion.“We all care about protecting ourselves and the ones we love. For sexually active people that means practicing safer sex. It is important to prevent the transfer of HIV. No matter which partner has HIV, you can still enjoy a physically intimate relationship. When treated effectively, HIV is much less likely to be transmitted.
Di Sharp opened her speech by explaining that one has to have a clear understanding of product needs when presenting travel products and price sensitivity. “People skills” are at the top of the list to take the chill out of cold calling. It’s not what the client can do for you: it’s what you can do for your client. In a role-play with Dick Hallett, she offered him the benefit of a one-on-one session. She demonstrated how to truly listen to what the other person is saying and be flexible regarding where they want to take the conversation. Don’t be pushy, but do be confident, and be prepared to answer all of their questions.
The trophy for the best prepared speech was awarded to Lawrence Makeleni. Robert de Kramer won the trophy for the best speech evaluator, while Karen Gray was awarded the trophy for the best impromptu speech.
Join the Florida Toastmasters for a life-changing experience every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Huguenot Restaurant, near Entrance 1 of the Flora Centre, located on the corner of Conrad Street and Ontdekkers Road, Florida Park.
For information about the club’s meetings, contact Tim Knights (President) by e-mailing timknights@telkomsa.net or call him on 082 894 7542. Alternately, you can contact Dawn Hemming by emailing gailh@telkomsa.net, or calling 082 330 9215.
For more details about the club’s activities, you are invited to visit its website at https://florida.tmclub.co.za.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
