|
When? 19-21 November 2010
Where?
New Plymouth International Hotel
Cnr Courtenay and Leach Street
New Plymouth
Enquiries to novconvention@toastmasters.org.nz
Other Accommodation options
New Plymouth has a wide variety of accommodation within walking distance of the venue, here are some:
Results - Evaluation Contest:
1st - David Templeman
2nd - Banu Pasaqpanizadeh
3rd - Barbara Curran
Evaluation Contestants
Results - International Contest:
1st - Robin Grieve
2nd - Ross Bennett
3rd - Pablo German
International Speech Contestants
Presentations:
Convention Report
The Beehive Buzz convention easily lived up to the exciting expectations its theme evoked. There were two excellent keynote addresses. Communication and Leadership award recipient Mike Sabin spoke about the lessons he has learned while educating the public about methamphetamine and building his successful business MethCon. Past district governor Chris Matthews gave a wide ranging reflection on his time at Toastmasters and in particular the power of the leader as a servant, a philosophy originally developed by Robert Greenleaf.
The standard at both Evaluation and International Speech contests was extremely high. Speeches in the International contests ranged from humorous to thought provoking and all carried a superbly delivered message which captivated the audience's attention.
It's a measure of the strength of Toastmasters that a number of the District Officer positions were contested this year. Candidates had the opportunity to showcase their skills on Friday evening before decisions were put to the vote at Saturday’s district council meeting. Congratulations to Murray Coutts, LGM elect and to all the other district officers elected.
Participants were able to choose from a range of educational sessions covering topics including membership, leadership, evaluation, speechcraft, the power of words and the fear of public speaking. By all accounts all of these were well worth attending.
Master of Ceremonies and Queen Bee, Caro Raven, kept proceedings in hand with a beautifully understated humour and a clear calm presence. Congratulations to Judy Love and her team for putting together an excellent convention.
Prepared by District PRO Wayne Webley
Table Topics Contest
- 1st Tess Bayly of Division F
- 2nd David Clarkson of Division G
- 3rd John Twaddle of Division D
Humorous Speech Contest
- 1st Graeme Valentine of Division B
- 2nd Elise Broadwith of Division A
- 3rd Ros Lee of Division D
Long Service Certificates (and Toastmasters lapel pin) were awarded to:
- Peter Altmann ACS (30 years) of Remuera
- Dave Stonyer ACG, CL (30 years) of Petone
- Craig Robinson DTM (25 years) of Napier
The May 2009 convention, was held in Christchurch at Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue, on the 16th and 17th of May, 2009. The theme for the convention was "Crusade to Confidence", which follows on nicely from the "Courage to Conquer" theme of our International President for 2008 / 2009, Jana Barnhill DTM A.S. (pictured on the left).
Read the Convention Summaries below, prepared by Wayne Webley, District Public Relations Officer.
Notes from Convention Day 1
The convention opened with the traditional banner parade, the singing of national anthems and a formal opening by the deputy mayor of Christchurch, Norm Withers, who skillfully wove the convention theme (Crusade to Confidence) into an engaging speech about his experiences and life.
International president, Jana Barnhill presented a keynote address around the theme of courage illustrating her skills of an accredited speaker as she captivated the audience with personal stories that illustrated her speech – the horrors of an aircraft crash, the fear of flying that resulted and finding the courage to conquer that fear as she took us along on a tandem skydive form 13,000 feet.
The recipient of this year’s communication and leadership award recipient, Dr Rod Carr, also spoke informatively on the subject of confidence, and about overcoming obstacles
Competitors in the evaluation contest evaluated Leonie Murray’s speech "Three things to take to India". All presented excellent evaluations that highlighted Leonie’s structure, clarity, pacing and subtle humour (among many commendations) while find ways for her to improve an already excellent speech. The placings were:
First: Arun Chaudhari
Second: Neil MacInnes
Third: Sarah Scott
The district council meeting presented delegates with a nail biting experience as the selection process for Lt Governor Marketing proceeded through three ballots to the final selection of Steve Bullock DTM for the role. All four candidates participated in the well attended candidate’s showcase on Friday night where they had the opportunity to make a brief presentation and then faced a series of questions about the role, presented in a Table Topics style format. Well done to Kevin Prohl, Ellie Young, Murray Coutts and Steve Bullock for putting themselves forward to serve the organisation at the district level.
Jana Barnhill also took the time to explain the proposal to changes to the structure of Toastmasters International and encouraged club presidents to return their proxies to our District Governor, Chrissy Meyer so we can be represented on this important issue.
The formal part of the day's program ended with participants breaking out for educational sessions on "Club Building and Membership Growth" (Sean Joyce), "How to Bring Your Speech Alive" (Rachel Prosser) and "Keeping Yourself Employed in this Economic Environment" (Cam Brinsdon).
Well done to the organising team for putting together an excellent first day.
Notes from Convention Day 2
The first day of the convention concluded with a dine and dance at which District Governor elect, Alun Chisholm presented his theme for upcoming Toastmasters year: "Look, listen, then speak". Participants enjoyed excellent food, excellent company and excellent dancing.
International President Jana Barnhill opened Sunday's proceeding with a question and answer session touching on issues such as leadership, speech contests and the new manuals for the Youth Leadership Program and club and district officers.
Jana then spoke about the core values of Toastmasters:
- Integrity
- Respect for the individual
- Service to the members
- Dedication to excellence
Participants were treated to seven superb speeches in the International Speech Contest with honours being awarded to:
- First Place: John Reimers: "Communication Breakdown"
- Second Place: Linda Miller: "Uncle Mockey"
- Third Place: Pablo German: "Dreams Never Die"
Past International President, Bob Barnhill, DTM, AS, presented an educational entitled "If not you, then who?" in which he explored various aspects of effective leadership noting that "effective leaders inspire people to do what they are capable of doing but wouldn"t do without you."
An excellent convention and a credit to Phil Gourdie and the team who organised it.
View a selection of photos in our Photo Gallery.
! Goals, Opportunities, Leadership, Direction, Reassurance, Understanding, Support, Help
Held in Dunedin on 14-16 November 2008
Convention Notes - by Wayne Webley, District PRO
The convention opened with a bag piper leading the banner bearers into the auditorium. Dunedin’s mayor Peter Chin welcomed delegates with a magnificent song in praise of his fair city. He stressed the importance of public speaking and the role of Toastmasters in promoting this in a witty and entertaining speech that had the audience in fits of laughter.
District Governor Chrissy Meyer officially opened the convention using the convention’s gold rush theme to urge participants to open doors of opportunity.
The keynote address from Professor Mark Henaghan, the Dean of Law at the University of Otago was entertaining and informative. He tastefully drew out the parallels between public speaking and sex – why do it if you don’t enjoy it - and urged the audience to consider his ten commandments of public speaking, illustrating his theme with stories taken from his experience in teaching law.
During the convention Immediate Past District Governor Geoff Trotter presented a range of awards to clubs and individuals who had excelled during his term while District Governor Chrissy Meyer presented 11 Toastmasters with their Distinguished Toastmaster award.
Table Topics contestants were faced with the subject "We live in a PC world" and all skillfully constructed brief exposes to illustrate their views. David Hatchuel placed first, Mark Baker second and Astarte third.
Humorous speech contestants had the audience in fits of laughter. Adrian Humphries took first honours with 'Wax On – Wax Off' a speech about having his back waxed, Barry Edwards placed second recounting his experiences as the winner of the wooden spoon award in junior rodeo, and Dominic Philips recounted the childhood horrors of being passenger in a car driving up one of Britain’s busiest motorways in the wrong direction.
About Us | Benefits of Toastmasters | Join Toastmasters | Club Finder | Contact Us | Enquiry Form | Ask a Toastmaster | News
Events | Speaking Resources | Programmes | Clubs | Club Celebrations | Contests | Online Forms | Promotions
Leadership | Mailing Lists | District Supplies Catalogue | Photo Gallery | The Toast Rack | Crumbs | Executive Members Only | Policies
Search Site
|
May 2009