|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Please be upstanding for your New CommitteeWith the 2008 / 2009 Public Speaking season underway, I thought I'd remind you who does what on that august body we call "the committee".
President - last year of course it was Ian Watts and this year it's.....Manisha Sharma. You may remember that Manisha stepped in as Vice President last season when Roy Gibson had to stand down. Evidently Manisha was so impressed with the speed and efficiency of the committee that she has decided to stay on as President......that's what she told me!
Vice President - Our Vice President this year is a new name for the committeee.....Carol Bullimore. Although she now lives in Solihull Carol is originally from coventry. When Carol was in the lower sixth, one of her teachers told her that one day she would savour the sweet smell of success.....and she is now an aromatherapist.....how spooky is that?
Education Director - I think we all know the terrible toll that being Education Director took on Lilian Watts' health last year. Missed assignments, last minute cancellations and producing a balanced programme all add to the pressure of organising a club evening. Thankfully.....Lilian is now out of rehab and this year she has agreed to up the dosage of her medication and carry on. A brave decision Lilian.
Secretary - we had a number of applications for this post but after a series of written and verbal skills tests, Mark Valente was offered the position. Mark impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge of formal debating procedure as set out in "Citrine" and he was the only candidate who could spell Sons Susi Sans Souci. Did you know?..... Mark comes from a long line of circus performers and his father and uncle have thrilled audiences across europe working for Chipperfield's circus under the professional name of "The Flying Valente Brothers".
Treasurer - Fresh from his great success at turning round the club's finances, Lindsay Macdonald has agreed to stay on as Club Treasurer. Now at this point I could draw a few connections between Lindsay being a Scotsman and his prowess with money, but I think we should rise above such media driven stereotypes. Oh I nearly forgot, Lindsay has asked me to tell you that programme's will now be 20p each, a glass of water will be 50p and those nice free sweets we all fill our pockets with.....will no longer be free.
Have you paid your subs?Lindsay will be contacting members by email to remind us all about subs and how we go about paying them. I'm not sure of the details.....I think my concentration had waned by the time we got to subs at the AGM.....but Lindsay will tell you all you need to know. Let's make an effort and pay those subs. And if you are thinking of holding out, don't forget.....we know where you live!
Changing Demographics.....Once upon a time all of the Sans Souci Speakers Club members came from Solihull.....but not anymore...we are slowly taking over the whole of the West Midlands. We now have members from Stratford, Coventry and Birmingham.....and still plenty from Solihull. Fastest growth areas are Coventry and Birmingham, but wherever you live, if you think we can help.....just contact us or pay us a visit.
Sans Souci Speakers Club Facebook Group launchedSans Souci Speakers Club has launched a facebook group. Why not join and take a look? |
The King is Dead - Long Live the Queen
The handover went well apart from a small incident when Ian refused to let go of the flowers (see photo) but matters were resolved when he was assured that we had bought him a little something. Ian was last seen heading for the back row, smiling and quoting from Martin Luther King "Free at last, free at last". Manisha now steps into the frame and as a pharmacist she is ideally suited to the job..........she has unlimited access to the pills, potions and lotions for the headaches, stress, blood pressure and sleepless nights ahead.
New South Midlands Area President
We are all very proud that Hilary has been selected for this position. As well as keeping the Sans Souci name on the map, it will be another chance for Hilary to hone often neglected skills such as debating and meeting protocol. All part of a good public speakers armoury! Good Luck Hilary ....... and don't forget about your friends at Sans Souci!
Most Improved Speaker
Mark has progressed steadily through the Speakers Guide giving us his slightly offbeat perspective on life but he has also pushed himself in other areas. He has given evaluations for individual speeches, taken on the role of topics evaluator, chaired a club meeting and is now on the Club Committee as Secretary. Makes me feel tired just thinking about it.
With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock
But on April 26th in that Mecca of public speaking ..... Blackpool ..... Keith Davis walked out to represent the Midlands District, South Midlands Area and of course Sans Souci Speakers Club. Eight speakers took part, on behalf of the various Districts and Keith was.....runner up. A great result for which he was presented with the Wilkinson Trophy.
Club Topics Contest 2008
Apparently....no one has explained this to Ann Harding because she's won the club topics contest after being a member for only two months! What can I say but well done Ann...a superb performance and good luck in the next round. Alison Bell was runner up, another new member and another impressive performance...next year Alison? The whole evening had a great atmosphere, which was added to by a visit from Tony Williams, one of Sans Souci's founder members. Tony was chief judge and he was so impressed with the new members, that he threatened to rejoin. Promises, promises......we'd love to have you back Tony.
Perfect Faces for Radio
One of Ed's researchers, Anna Winkles, took a topic - "gardening" and she was brilliant. Les Ross popped into the studio and confessed that he finds after dinner speeches difficult - so it's not just us! Hilary and Dilwyn sounded relaxed, confident and extremely knowledgeable. A great advert for Sans Souci and the ASC. Well done to both of you. |
Home | About Us | Dates | News | Contact Us Other Public Speaking Clubs | Public Speaking Courses and Resources Sitemap Sans Souci Speakers Club - Building Confidence through Public Speaking |
Two years as Club President have taken their toll on Ian Watts and as he handed over responsibility to new President, Manisha Sharma, he looked every bit of his 35 years! 
Hilary Davis, a former President of Sans Souci Speakers Club, has just become the President of the South Midlands Area of the ASC. She will represent Sans Souci club and the four other clubs in the area at ASC Midlands District events.
Mark Valente has been voted this years most improved speaker and was presented with the Lindsay Macdonald trophy.
It's a long road to the National Finals. From Club to Area, from Area to District and from District to the National Finals. More of an exercise in stamina than speaking prowess. 
Let me explain...this is the way it's supposed to work: you join the club, you follow the Speakers Guide, you work hard, and after three or four years, if you're lucky, you win one of the club contests.
If you were listening to radio WM on Friday 4th Jan, you may have recognised a couple of familiar voices. Our own Hilary Davis and National Education Director Dilwyn Scott took part in a half hour slot on the Ed Doolan show.