Flag of Fiji

Have you ever been to Fiji?

One of our members, Jim, is from the Pacific, paradise island of Fiji. If you had to trade places where would you move to? Hull, of course! And, of course, if you are like Jim, you’d complete your experience by joining Hull Speakers and get involved in the speaking fun we have here.

Jim was one of three new members who delivered their first ice-breaker speeches at our meeting on November 9th.

Not all members give formal speeches at every meeting. But they still develop other skills. What roles do they perform? We need a Toastmaster to chair the meeting, Evaluators to evaluate the speakers, a Timekeeper to time that everyone is within time. Also, we have an Ah Counter to guide speakers where they use filler words and the Grammarian who records the very strong uses of English and rhetoric.

Our Three Exceptional Ice-breaker Speeches!

PAULA proved to be a first class story teller! She delivered a well-constructed, thoughtful speech on how the ‘three dots’ in her life helped her resolve problems and start a crafts business.

JIM made us envious telling us about his Pacific paradise homeland of Fiji. Jim told us about traditional clothing wear in Fiji and how it plays an important part in Fijian culture. He used visual aids with great effect too. Hey, Jim, you are ahead…visual aids are introduced at a later stage. 😀 We were very impressed.

AARON used chronology techniques to chart his life from school and through university. He described some fascinating research he is doing at university around complexity in decision making in challenging situations. It’s clear that joining Hull Speakers and Toastmasters was a good decision!

Opportunities Everywhere!

The Toastmaster

The Toastmasters role, like the others, changes for every meeting. The Toastmaster effectively chairs the session which is a critical role for the meeting to function smoothly and is usually taken on by an experienced member. The Toastmaster keeps the meeting to time and takes any decisions affecting the meeting.

You can find out more about the Toastmaster’s role and others too by clicking HERE. Don’t worry about offering to do the role; once you have everything clicks into place and it really is an enjoyable role.

Red was Toastmaster


Red performed the role with all her passion, fun nature, usual wit, and humour. Put simply, Red has a super-relaxed but very energetic style. This put everyone at ease and made the meeting just flow along. Well done Red for chairing an exceptionally successful meeting.

Evaluators

Every formal speech is assigned an evaluator to listen to the speech and give feedback against set criteria based on the skills the speaker is intended to develop.

Well done to our three evaluators: Faisal, Jan and Lincoln

Supporting Roles: Ah Counter and Grammarian

A huge well done to all of our speakers for delivering a range of speeches, one thing that stood out was their openness in the challenges they faced and how they were able to overcome them!

Table Topics – Impromptu Speaking

Jan DTM
Jan was Table topics Master

Jan was Table Topics Master.

Jan is one of the club’s most experienced speakers. She is the (Hon) Regional Director for Toastmasters International clubs in our area and the VP Education for Hull Speakers. She even finds time to do her full time job. Jan is also a DTM – Distinguished Toastmaster. That is as far as you can go in Toastmasters. Even though Jan has achieved this, like many other DTMs, she started again! This lets Jan share her expertise and develop new members as well as ensuring that she is always on top form for public speaking events.

This was a brilliant table topics session and well done our TT master Jan to come up with such insightful questions. Also a special well done to our guests who stepped up for the first time to speak, enjoy your first timers ribbon and it only gets easier!


Murali was Table Topics Evaluator…as well as taking part!

Table Topics are evaluated so that every speaker receives feedback. Murali wore two hats and evaluated as well as took part. There’s enthusiasm for you.

Some of our members spoke on the following:

Murali talked about the simplest truth in life – let your actions speak louder than your words! (and also, don’t eat yellow snow!)

Lincoln talked to us about his evolution as a public speaker in his time at toastmasters from when he joined 5 years ago to today – and beyond!

Red talked about the challenges of being a dog- mommy and how it difficult to manage work-life balance between the things you love and work

Alex told us about how public speaking has helped him with the confidence to talk on new and challenge roles at work!

Our visitors joined in too!

We were delighted to see our visitors join in too. You may wonder how many of them thought that they would be giving an impromptu speech….in front of total strangers….at their first meeting? That’s the fun of Hull Speakers and other Toastmasters clubs. You find yourself trying and having a go, getting feedback and amazing yourself….then returning for more!!

Adam talked to us about who inspires him – himself! It was fascinating to hear the obstacles he has faced and the adversity he overcame – inspiring!

Chris talked to us about what inspires him – his kids!

Kehnide described where he would like to go – or more accurately why he doesn’t like to travel!

We are back on 23rd November at 19.00 at the Holiday Inn Express on Ferensway. For any questions please get in touch with us at contact@hullspeakers.org

Come free as our guest and join in. Let us know you are coming by returning the form on https://hullspeakers.org/reservation/ so that we know to look out for you.

image sources

  • Fiji: Pixabay | Thank you Kuya Andy
  • Fiji-Flag: Pixabay | Thank you Jorono
  • Paula: Hull Speakers
  • James: Hull Speakers
  • Aaron: Hull Speakers
  • Red: Hull Speakers
  • Toastmaster Faisal giving his second speech from the Presentation Mastery Path: Hull Speakers
  • Jan DTM: Hull Speakers
  • Speech Timer Clock: Hull Speakers
  • Jan DTM: Hull Speakers
  • Murali: Hull Speakers
  • Lincoln: Hull Speakers
  • Red: Hull Speakers
  • Alex Presenting on November 9th: Hull Speakers