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 Former world President of Toastmasters International in 2007/2008, Chris Ford of Ottawa, Canada recently visited The Gourmet Toastmasters Club, in Abel Smith Street, Central Wellington, for its 'Go for Gold' speech marathon evening.
He is now retired from his role as a former brigadier-general in the Canadian Forces but remains active in that sphere as Director-General of Alternative Dispute Resolution. It was in this latter role that he was in Wellington for several days of bilateral talks with the New Zealand Defence Force.
Chris likes to meet local Toastmasters whenever he is away from his home territory. The speech marathon was fortuitously scheduled for the time he was visiting the Capital; and he was invited by The Gourmet Toastmasters Club to attend. Chris and a number of Wellington Toastmasters gave prepared speeches that contained inspirational messages, humour and poignancy. In addition a range of impromptu speeches, with an Olympics theme, was delivered and evaluated by local Toastmasters.
The gathering of about 40 people was well satisfied with a successful evening of learning, amusement and conviviality. The group then repaired for dinner and informal discussions, as is usual, at a nearby restaurant.
Story and Photos by Colin Perfect DTM, member of The Gourmet Toastmasters Club.
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Paul Beres of the Gourmet Toastmasters Club
looks for divine inspiration when delivering
his Table Topic to the receptive audience.
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Chris Ford, Immediate Past International President,
enthusiastically launches into his speech
'My life as your President'.
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L-R Paul and Jocelyn Crisp of Kapi Mana Toastmasters Club;
Arthur Norgrove of Karori and Ohariu Toastmasters Clubs;
and Kent Stevens of Te Aro Toastmasters Club getting ready for the speeches.
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Chris Ford, DTM (L) greets Denis McCord, LGM;
Joy Ackrill, Past District 72 Governor and John Ackrill.
Paul Beres, at rear and a Gourmet member, checks out the meeting venue!
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Bert Gray (L), Denis McCord, LGM and Trish Gray,
President of The Gourmet Toastmasters Club in convivial discussion.
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The Spinnaker club hosted three guest speakers at its Tuesday 29 July meeting.
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Rob Julian DTM
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Lt Gov Marketing Denis McCord DTM,
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NZ International Speech Champion Sanjiv Jetly
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Distinguished Toastmaster Rob Julian presented a shortened version of his popular "Spice up your Speech" presentation which he gave at the District 72 Convention in May. Following the presentation, Rob invited everyone to prepare a 2 minute table topic to the subject: "I knew I was in trouble when ..."
Newly appointed Lt Governor Marketing, Distinguished Toastmaster Denis McCord presented his thoughts on his role and his road to the top as District Governor in 2010.
The highlight of the evening was District 72 International Speech Champion Sanjiv Jetly from the Business Breakfast club who presented one of his three speeches for the Inter-District Speech Contest to be held in Calgary, Canada in August. The speech was recorded, and the audience offered feedback for Sanjiv.
Over 25 people attended the meeting, including visitors from various clubs around Wellington.
The Table Topics Evaluator Malcolm said it was a most enjoyable session and gave everyone the opportunity to put into immediate practice what we had learnt in Rob's session.
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