Tag Archives: Public Speaking

PATHWAYS – How To Get Started

by Waverley Communicators

Pathways Learning Paths

PATHWAYS Launch

On Tuesday, 20th March, members will receive an email from Toastmasters International (TI) with a link to access PATHWAYS, TI’s new education system.

If you can’t wait to get started and want access to Basecamp, you will need to select a Path. (The exception is the Basecamp Manager who will have access before choosing their Path).

How To Get Started

Either follow the link in TI’s email or login to www.toastmasters.org, go to ‘Pathways’ then ‘Access my path through basecamp’.

Click on ‘Continue to path selection’ . You can opt for online or print delivery. If you opt for online delivery, you must complete the assessment before choosing your first Path (no need to complete the assessment for subsequent Paths unless you want to). Please note: Members who opt for print materials do not take the assessment and are instead taken to a web page where they can select from five Paths).

The Assessment

The assessment consists of 30 questions and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. Make sure you have a designated time for this because if you are interrupted in the middle of it you will be timed out after 30 minutes and have to start again. The assessment results are not stored.

When you complete the assessment, you will have suggestions for 3 Paths (closest match and 2 other top matches) based on your “needs, interests and current goals” (TI). But, you don’t have to choose one of those if you don’t want to, you can explore the other 7 Paths before making a final decision.

Access To Basecamp

Now that you have chosen your path, you will have access to Basecamp. If you have any questions, please contact your Vice President Education (VPE).

Post written by Moira Beaton

Pathways Guide District 71

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Attention! Club meeting venue change

by RayRay

The Scottish summer has had a shaky start but the draw of the Edinburgh Fringe (world’s largest arts festival) is unwavering. Around this time each year, we swap our regular venue for another to accommodate such events. For two meetings only (6th & 20th August), Waverly Communicators will be held at The King James Hotel, Edinburgh.

Thinking of visiting us? Why not pop in, grab a cuppa and enjoy the circle of support as members challenge their public speaking skills. It’s light-hearted, structured learning with a sprinkling of fun. The agenda for this Thursday’s meeting looks set to teach and thrill as three of our advanced communicators take the stage.

Here’s what you need to know

Temporary venue: Thistle Edinburgh, The King James Hotel (Carleton Suite), 107 Leith Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SW.

Dates: Thursday 6th August & 20th August 2015

Time: 19:00

How to get there

The Thistle Hotel is directly next to St James Shopping Centre. From Waverley Train Station next to the Balmoral Hotel side head pass the statue of Wellington on his horse turn left down Leith Street and carry on down the hill…(don’t go into St James Centre)…hotel on the left hand side about 100m.

See you there!

Annual Tall Tales & Awards Event 2015

by RayRay

We celebrated the end of another successful Toastmasters year with a prestigious dinner on Saturday 27th June. It event which was held at Abden House for the second year running, more than satisfied  the palette with personalised drinks and food which prompted general murmurings of  approval.

 

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President Neil MacLure welcomed the attendees with a special mention for Area Governor  Eoin McDunphy and  2 past members  Reuben Welch who was  the club’s first president and Duncan Thompson a past humorous contest winner.

Between courses the  entries in the Tall Tales contest provided excellent entertainment and votes were taken for true? or false?

We were regaled with a wide variety of stories :-  a  submarine trip to  Saint Petersburg, Roman coins at the bottom of a rabbit hole, buying black market tickets for a World Cup football match, sleeping in kilts and a phone kiosk, hotel room phone sex, teaching Irish dancing to the Chinese, indoor mushroom hunting, a garden treasure trove and a British Rail sponsored nude peep show (yes really, it was true too!)

The winner of the contest  is the one who cons the greatest number of the audience and Rueben did this most cleverly, winning the £30 Amazon voucher,  by enticing our own imaginations take over in favour of listening to what he actually said.

Toastmaster of the year: Paul Bailey (right)

Neil MacLure (Club president) presents Paul Bailey (right) with Toastmaster of The Year Award

The evening ended with the Toastmaster of the Year award which was presented to Paul Bailey.

In his introduction to the award the president cited Paul’s record of activity both in and outside of the club meetings, his willingness to help and advise his fellow club members and his caring attitude for the continued health of the club, a most worthy winner.

It was an excellent evening all round and one which it is hoped more members will take advantage of next year.

 

 

Contributors:
Neil Maclure
Dimitrijs Limonovs (Photographs)

And The Winner Is………..

by Waverley Communicators

Post written by Moira Beaton DTM

Congratulations to the winners of Waverley Communicators International Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest which took place on Thursday 19th March.

Jacek Lasota wins first place in the International speech Contest

Jacek Lasota wins first place in Waverley Communicators International speech Contest

Jacek Lesota came first in the club’s International Speech Contest and

John Wood wins first place in the Evaluation Contest

John Wood wins first place in Waverley Communicators Evaluation Contest

John Wood was first in the club’s Evaluation Contest.

Both Jacek and John went on to the next round yesterday when they represented the club at the Area 30 contest, competing against the contest winners from the other clubs in Edinburgh.

Jacek placed second in the Area 30 International Speech Contest and John won the Area 30 Evaluation Contest.

Because Division S has only 3 Areas (Area 30, Area 43 and Area 60), the first and second placed winners are allowed to compete in the next round. Usually,it’s just speakers who have been placed first.

This means that Jacek, as well as John, will represent Area 30 in the Division S Contest on Saturday 18th April in Falkirk.

Good luck to both Jacek and John!

Moira Beaton is a member of Waverley Communicators and Thistle Speakers Advanced Club. She is also assistant Division S Governor.

Tall Tales and Awards at Abden House

by Waverley Communicators

DinnerGroup

It was one of the best, if not THE best social event we have had at Waverley Communicators. Held in the comfort and splendour of Abden House in Pollock Halls, Edinburgh, the Annual Awards Dinner was a fitting end to the a very succesful year and the club’s fifth anniversary.

DinnerEileen2Congratulations to Eileen Scott who was awarded Toastmaster of the Year for ‘the member whose educational accomplishments, club service, dedication and enthusiasm are exceptional’. This year, Eileen gained her CL and ALB; won both the Humorous and International speech contests at club and Area level; and was our hardworking SAA always making sure that the room was set up for every meeting, remembered to buy milk for the tea and provided us with superior biscuits. Eileen is handing over the SAA’s duties to Graeme Buck when the new committee takes over on 1st July to concentrate on speeches.

DinnerPaul2Paul Bailey was awarded the Waverley Communication Achievement Award for the member whose speaking skills have improved most over the past year. This award usually goes to a new member but although Paul has been a member for several years, the committee felt that his improvement overall, his success in club contests, the amount of speeches he has delivered, and the improvement in his overall speaking skills made him a worthy winner. Congratulations Paul and we look forward to more  speeches.

DinnerRichardEvery year the President awards  The President’s Award to the member who they think has shown dedication and hard work above and beyond the call of duty. This year, that award went to the club’s VPE Richard McMahon who has managed the meetings, filled roles, encouraged members to follow the communication and leadership tracks, organised club contests and generally worked hard. Congratulations to Richard who will hand over the VPE’s duties to Aideen O’Malley on 1st July. Richard will take over as Mentoring Co-Ordinator.

The Annual Tall Tales Contest is always an event to look forward to at the dinner. This year there were six contestants – Duncan Thompson, John Wood, Paul Bailey, Moira Beaton, Eileen Scott and Kevin Miller with tales ranging from being a film extra in Italy; thieving raccoons with a liking for shoes and beer in America; a brush with the Russians and nearly becoming the reluctant owner of an aeroplane;   a gambling cat with her own online gaming account; the disastrous consequences of an unplugged freezer; being chased by dragons and tigers in Leith.

The contest was organised and chaired by Patrick Bundy who was a very amiable host, managing to keep the hilarity under control long enough to count the votes and announce a winner – Kevin Miller, with his sad tale of a freezer unplugged and the resulting consequences.

DinnerPatrick

Patrick introduces the Tall Tales Contest

DinnerDuncanDinnerJohnDinnerMoiraDinnerEileenTTDinnerPaul

DinnerNeilandKevinAt the end of a very enjoyable evening, Kevin handed over the Presidency of the club to the new President for 2014-2015, Neil MacLure who, with the new committee, takes over the running of the club on 1st July.

Dinner4Presidents

Four Presidents l to r: Moira Beaton, Neil MacLure, Reuben Welch, Eileen Scott

 

Post written by Moira Beaton DTM

VPPR Waverley Communicators

Photographs: Dimitrijs Limonovs