Above and Beyond the Call....
Lilian Watts thought that she had gone to the Midland District Autumn Council Meeting to give a seminar... and she had, but there was another reason she had been lured there.
Before she began her seminar, she was presented with the "Certificate of Outstanding Service To The Speakers Clubs of the Midlands District", which has been given to date, to only four other members.
Lilian was presented with her certificate by Midland District President Peter Sterry who obviously enjoyed his role... in fact when I took the photo, I had to ask them not to stand so close together!
National President at 2008 Souffle Contest
Judges at this year's Sans Souci Souffle competition were Sylvia Gwynn (Stourbridge SC), Brian Micklethwaite (Wolverhampton SC) and National President Joe James (Tyneside SC).
The judges introduced themselves to members, chatted along and generally took part in the evening. By the close, we felt that we had made three new friends and were sad to see them go..... just a minute whilst I get a hanky.
As Chief Judge, Joe gave a great summary of the strengths of the competition and provided valuable feedback for the contestants. And on a personal note, might I say, that as I watched Joe standing resplendent in his regalia I remember thinking ..... "there are so few men who can wear jewellery."
Thanks to you all for coming so far on a cold and windy night and helping to make it a great occasion.
Our President, Manisha, chaired the event with poise and aplomb - a perfect example of the confidence that can be gained from membership of Sans Souci Speakers Club.
The King is Dead - Long Live the Queen
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.
The handover went well apart from a small incident where 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 access to the pills, potions and lotions for the headaches, stress, blood pressure and sleepless nights ahead.
New South Midlands Area President and Midlands District Vice-President
Hilary Davis, a former President of Sans Souci Speakers Club, is this year's South Midlands Area President. She will represent Sans Souci club and the four other clubs in the area at ASC Midlands District events.
She has also recently taken on the role of Midlands District Vice-President of the ASC. She will assist the District President in his duties and will chair the Midlands District contests in March 2009.
We are all very proud that Hilary has been selected for these positions. 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!
Public Speaking Tip
Use quotations to liven up your speech.
“ If it squirms, it's biology; if it stinks, it's chemistry; if it doesn't work, it's physics and if you can't understand it, its mathematics. ”
Magnus Pyke
Most Improved Speaker
Mark Valente has been voted this years most improved speaker and was presented with the Lindsay Macdonald trophy.
Mark has progressed steadilly through the Speakers Guide giving us his slightly offbeat perspective on life but he has 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.
Well done Mark.
With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock
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.
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.
Well done Keith!
Public Speaking Tip
Speak eyeball to eyeball.
“ To accomplish this, you must eliminate from your very thinking that you ever talk to a group of people. Never talk to an audience. Never talk to a class. Never talk to a meeting. Never talk to the PTA.
You talk to 1,000 people.....one at a time. ”
Hal Persons
Club Topics Contest 2008
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.
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.
Public Speaking Tip
Use quotations to liven up your speech.
“ No man who has wrestled with a self-adjusting card table can ever be quite the man he once was. ”
James Thurber
Perfect Faces for Radio
If you were listening to radio WM recently, 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.
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!
If you are reading this Anna and Les, we'd love you as members.
Hilary and Dilwyn sounded relaxed, confident and extremely knowledgeable. A great advert for Sans Souci and the ASC. Well done to both of you.
Please be upstanding for your New Committee
As we start the 2008 / 2009 Public Speaking season I thought I'd remind you who does what on that august body we call "the committee".
President
Carol Bullimore
Vice - President
Pam Moore
Immediate past President
Manisha Sharma
Joint Education DirectorsAlison Bell
Nick Parkes
Publicity Officer
Dave Fenlon
Secretary
Rosemary Hakesley
Treasurer
Lindsay Macdonald
Social Secretary
Elaine Hemming-Allen
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 launched
Sans Souci Speakers Club has launced a facebook group. If you are a facebook member, take a look. Or you could join and take a look.