Conclusion Well that’s it. I am concluding the blog here; my Toastmasters membership rolls onward. Looking back over the last twenty plus years and my Toastmasters addiction has, oddly, been revelatory for me. Yes, it has all been my personal experience but memorable episodes have only come to the fore on occasion, not as aContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 8"

Competitions: After crossing the threshold into, and becoming familiar with, Toastmasters I have never found a reason to leave. Somehow leaving would being equivalent to giving up before it was complete. Similarly with speech contests, try it once and the appeal may fade but never disappears. Before leaving MSC for Kuala Lumpur one of theContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 7"

Holiday Visits You don’t join a Club you join the organisation. Something that you will not realise until you travel abroad. When I was getting an understanding of MSC I heard some members talk of visits to other Clubs while on holiday, usually in the USA. This was bold behaviour in my eyes as theContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 6"

Back to Maidenhead Leaving mostly involves change. Leaving Kuala Lumpur brought change in most of the lumpy things in life: schools, job, accommodation, climate but not Toastmasters. I was going back. Back to Maidenhead. Back to where I started. It took me a while to get my relocated life into a rhythm, this delayed myContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 5"

Kuala Lumpur After arriving in Kuala Lumpur Toastmasters didn’t enter my mind. I had too much on my plate in a new role, in a new city and in a new culture. After having a month or so to find my feet I made enquiries about where a club could be found. From somewhere IContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 4"

Early Progress Belonging to teams, groups and clubs has always given me pleasure despite the irony of not being especially sociable. None of my previous experiences prepared me for being part of a Speakers’ Club. Now what? I’d paid my subscription, got my Competent Communicator manual and been struck senseless by two words ‘Ice Breaker’.Continue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 3"

First Night If you are in Maidenhead go to the library. It functions well in its prescribed role, it’s spacious, roomy and, memorable for me, you can take a look at where MSC used to meet. The room is now designated as the ‘quiet room’ on the top floor. It is a placid place andContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 2"

A Recent Speech Nearly three decades, on and off, Toastmasters has taught me a lot. Some things I have mastered (well almost) while others are as elusive as a mosquito in your bedroom. A few weeks ago I was getting set for a speech to be delivered at the Club that evening, uncertainty and doubtContinue reading "An Extraordinary Adventure: Chapter 1"

Thoroughly enjoyed the show!! What an exciting evening! Audience enjoyed listening to the well structured and well articulated 4 Speeches. It was a tough competition amongst the participants. Evening featured:4 prepared Speeches Contestants with interesting titles and content:Tom Hostetler: The Fortune CookieLorraine Hamilton: Coffee, Tea and MeTony Searby: Double BungeeSteve Catchick: Aim to serve notContinue reading "International Speech and Evaluation Contest 27th Feb.2023"

So proud to announce winners of our Area competition Chris Boden and Tony Searby 2 of our club members participated in the Area competition and both of them won the Area competition! Chris Boden and Tony Searby represented our club on Tuesday 25th October . It was a tough competition amongst the participants. Chris BodenContinue reading "D21 Area Contest 25th October 2022"

On Monday 14th March we held our annual International Speech and Evaluation Contest at St Piran's Hall. Our Contest Chair, Lorraine Hamilton, did a fabulous job in navigating us through the evening and engaging the audience with questions whilst we waited for the final votes to be counted. The competition was fierce and it wasContinue reading "Club International Speech and Evaluation Contest – 14th March 2022"

Matthew Syed's Podcast: 'Tongue Tied' : Image Copyright BBC Radio 4 In Matthew Syed's Podcast this week entitled 'Tongue Tied', we hear Simon Day discuss how he joined Toastmasters to overcome his fear of public speaking. "Matthew Syed examines what happens when we’re rendered speechless, and how we can find words when we need themContinue reading "Matthew Syed’s Podcast : ‘Tongue Tied’."

Maidenhead Speakers: Our first in-person meeting this year (2021) at St Piran's School in Maidenhead. On Monday 8th November at 7.30pm we held our first in-person meeting this year at St Piran's School in Maidenhead. The evening was a chance to test the waters and create a Covid safe environment. We followed and implemented CovidContinue reading "We’re Back!"

Club Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest - 27 Sep. 2021Ian Rees Carefree and amused bearded guy, touching stomach as smiling and laughing out loud ‘Give it a go!’ That was the advice I was given at the dawn of my TM membership. I’m still doing so. On 27 September I found myself being Contests’Continue reading "‘Give it a go!’"

Maria Latronico, the Sergeant at Arms, opened the night and left us hanging with a question, how to build confidence and earn trust in a cat? I think Alistair Morrell, the club president who opened the evening with positive energy, answered the question immediately after by stressing the importance of participation. By participating in anyContinue reading "Participation is Progress"

Toastmaster of the Evening Stuart got the August 24 meeting of 21 strong off to a rousing start with a round-robin session – 15 seconds each identifying what the phrase 'conscious living' meant to them. The warm-up was quickly followed by a very thought-provoking Table Topics session led by Everton, using the various elements ofContinue reading "All of the Elements…"

‘Last year if someone had said let’s hold meetings on line all thumbs would have pointed downwards. Now it seems that we are in the groove, and our screen meetings are running on enthusiasm.   Twenty-three attendees were with us this evening including Diane from Chiltern Speakers and Melanie from Reading Speakers. Clayton conducted theContinue reading "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom"

It was a great Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest held on the  23rd September, everyone who participated did a great job. Plenty of guests visiting the club went away very impressed by the evening. The standard was exceptionally high with lots of laughter in the room. For those of you who weren't able toContinue reading "Humorous Speech & Table Topics contest – 23 Sep 2019"

Annual Tall Tales Contest 2019 A delightful evening at our President's home to celebrate 35 years of Maidenhead Speakers Club.  We held the Tall Tales contest where the contestants told funny and wildly exaggerated stories. There were 4 contestant for the Tall Tales competition which took place after a delicious Texan BBQ. First up wasContinue reading "Tall Tales of Maidenhead"

Once again, this years International Speech and Evaluation contest provided members and guests with a spectacular evening. This years event was organised by Toastmaster Julie Farrell and what an evening it was. The event was attended by no fewer than 30 people and everyone was extremely impressed with the speakers and evaluations. The night kickedContinue reading "Annual International Speech and Evaluation Club Contest – 2019"

The role of Table Topics Evaluator (TTE) is a relatively new one for Maidenhead. Some people may be wondering how to do it. My first club, like many others, has this as a role at every meeting so I’ve had lots of practice. Here are my tips on being the TTE. Scope of the role:Continue reading "How to evaluate table topics"

'Battle of the Sexes', 'Definitely Weird But Is It Funny?' ,'Life Changing Events'.. just some of the humorous speeches delivered on the night. Energy in the room was high when the S@A opened the meeting, the room was buzzing in anticipation.  As well as the regular members of the club there were 3 visitors from otherContinue reading "Humorous Speech Contest, 24 Sep 2018"

Holiday season is in full swing but that didn't stop members from coming down and listening to some great speeches. With some of our regular committee members taking a well earned break, other members stepped in and held the meeting together. Special note to Steve who managed to take on 2 roles at once (timerContinue reading "Holiday Season, 20th Aug 2018"

Maidenhead Speakers New committee brings new ideas to the table This years committee has started work on preparing and planning out the new year. Each year in July, club members are nominated to take up roles that help to keep the club running and aligned to the Toastmasters International mission. We provide a supportive andContinue reading "New Committee, New Journey"

Congratulations to all the contestants and club members who helped make Monday 9/11 a night to remember for all the right reasons.  The stage beckons for our performers who delighted the audience with their wit, insight and enthusiasm to entertain.  Comedy Central, watch out! Table Topic Contest 1st Chris Boden 2nd Sandra Davison 3rd TonyContinue reading "Contest Comment & Results, 11 Sept 2017"

A catch up on the club and area contests just gone. On the 27th March, we held our International Speech and Evaluation Contests. Brave members gave their all, pulling together their learnt skills to show what they can do under pressure. The International Speech contest saw three speakers – Doreen, Tony and Louise – doingContinue reading "Contest Bonanza 27th March and 8th April"

MSC Meeting – Monday 13 February 2017 With Guest Blogger – Doreen What An Absolute Treat! Looking at the original schedule and what actually happened on the night, one would be forgiven for thinking it was a Friday 13th. Chopping and changing going on all over the place, with no less than 7 changes. OnContinue reading "An Absolute Treat!"

MSC Meeting – Monday 12 December 2016 With Guest Blogger – Paul T’was the meeting before Christmas Our final meeting of 2016 began on time with stand-in Sergeant at Arms, Tom, calling the room to order in his usual calm relaxed manner before handing over to our Club President, Chris. Chris spoke with great energy ofContinue reading "T’was the meeting before Christmas"

MSC Meeting – Monday 14 November 2016 With Guest Blogger – Cheryl  Our Childhood Can Be the Making of Us Maidenhead Speakers Club never fails to entertain, educate and inspire and Mondays meeting was no exception. Sergeant at Arms Mike called the meeting to order on time, despite a last minute hitch regarding the timerContinue reading "Our Childhood Can Be the Making of Us"

MSC Meeting – Monday 31 November 2016 With Guest Blogger – Doreen A Very Special Evening: A Night to Remember!   If you debated coming to toastmasters on Monday the 30th of October and choose not to, you missed out is all I can say. It was an extraordinary evening like no other MSC meeting I haveContinue reading "A Very Special Evening: A Night to Remember!"

MSC Meeting – Monday 24 October 2016 With Guest Blogger – Nick The Standards Were High Again at Maidenhead Speakers It was another slick performance by Maidenhead Speakers on Monday lead by ‘Toastmaster of the Evening’ Gerard. After Sergeant at Arms Mike brought us to order, President Chris announced the results of the Division Contest at theContinue reading "The Standards Were High Again at Maidenhead Speakers"

MSC Meeting – Monday 10 October 2016 With Guest Blogger – Tony Another Very Enjoyable Evening   On Monday 10th October Maidenhead Toastmasters enjoyed a high energy evening of public speaking that maintained the very high standards the club has come to expect. Sergeant at Arms Mike opened the evening with a pertinent metaphor that highlighted theContinue reading "Another Very Enjoyable Evening"

Area Contest Saturday 8 October 2016 With Guest Blogger - Richard Area 21 Humorous speaking and table topics contest On Saturday 8th October ’16 there was an afternoon of amusement provided by the Area 21 Humorous speaking and table topics contest which was held at St Piran’s in Maidenhead. The Club level winners from all fiveContinue reading "Area 21 Humorous Speech & Table Topics Contest"

MSC Meeting – Monday 26 September 2016 With Guest Blogger – Lorraine A Very Enjoyable Evening It was good to see so many new faces in the audience for the meeting on the 28 September and good to see the warm welcome our guests received from established members. Mike our Sergeant at Arms banged the gavel toContinue reading "A Very Enjoyable Evening"

Monday 12 Septempber 2016 Humorous Speech Contest Night Acting Sergeant-at-Arms & Acting President - Tom Hostetler Contest Chair - Mike Jones Chief Judge - Steve Catchick Timer - Esther   Humorous Speeches Order of Appearance Speaker 1 - Doreen (Snakes and Ladders) Speaker 2 - Michael (Mamma Mia - The Mother of All Rides) Speaker 3 - Richard (Seize theContinue reading "Humorous Speech & Table Topics Contests Results"

MSC Meeting – Monday 22 August 2016 With Guest Blogger – Richard Make Sure Your Shoes Are Clean   As I walked into the hall on Monday night I read a sign “Make sure your shoes are clean.” Was this a new standard that had been introduced at Maidenhead Speakers Club, or maybe it was justContinue reading "Make Sure Your Shoes Are Clean"

MSC Meeting – Monday 8 August 2016 With Guest Blogger – Mary Summer Nights It was a barmy, summer evening and there we were gathered together for yet another entertaining evening at Maidenhead Speakers Club. An enthusiastic Sergeant-at-Arms, Mike, welcomed and called us to order before handing over to our President, Chris, who conducted theContinue reading "Summer Nights"

  Maidenhead Speakers Blog 26.07.16 With Guest Blogger – Yohan People Power! The evening’s preceding began with Mike the Sgt at Arms bringing his energy to the stage and introducing the night with a personal story. Followed by Chris – President who built on that energy by welcoming all (including the several guests) and providingContinue reading "People Power!"

  Maidenhead Speakers Club – Blog 11th July 2016  With Guest Blogger – Gerard All that is new, and glitters… Summary:  First meeting with new Committee, President promises to ensure meetings end on time,   new video camera available for members,  mentors and mentees best practices,  General Evaluator (GE) recommends:  have fewer chairs and bring attendees toContinue reading "All that is new, and glitters…"