Holbornites,

Due to the size and success of the club over the last several years we have developed a reasonable surplus of funds in the club bank account. As a non-profit organisation this is less than ideal so the committee have decided to look at ways to use the surplus constructively and lower it. To this end a few things are happening:

Firstly Bloomsbury speakers has been given a handsome startup fund. Secondly fees are going down. At the next renewal (end of March) fees will be a fair bit lower than previously.

And finally, and this is the really interesting bit, we are offering incentives. Namely, any member who completes their Competent Leader, Advanced Leader Bronze or Silver, Advanced Communicator Bronze, Silver, Gold or DTM will be eligible for 6 months free membership. So, how is that CL manual going?

The club contest is on the 16^th March. There are a number of key CL manual projects that are most easily done during a contest … just saying.

Filed by: chrisboden | Category: Committee, Competent Leader, Contests
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 9:43 pm

Report by Graeme Conn.

Chris Boden and Ola Aralepo took the respective honours in the Area 34 Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest final. David Jones from Holborn speakers finished as runner-up in both disciplines. Ian Duthie took the final podium spot in the Humerous Speech discipline, whilst Kenneth Adei took the bronze medal in the table topics contest.

Contest Chair for the evening, our very own Joga Bains. Joga’s warm-up routine, allowed the entire audience to answer the question “What do you mostly like about Toastmasters ?” The replies went something like this, “The people”, “The Guinness”, “The contacts”, “The Guinness”, “The Support”…. you guessed it “The Guinness”. A great warm-up for what would inevitably be a very successful evening at London’s finest. Well done Joga.

The humorous speech contestants for the night were David Jones, Ian Duthie, Kenneth Adei and Ora Aralepo. David Jones’s “Green Man” speech had clearly won the club competition, he knew that with the competition he had to step it up, that he did – it was definitely funnier and better delivered on the night. Ian Duthie gave us a humorous account of looking at life through a child’s eyes, a masterful and well delivered speech – he too was a definite contender for the title. Kenneth Adei explained how you don’t need to be 6 foot 4 to attract a partner, as long as you have the right chat up lines and you’re a good dancer then that’s all you need. BUT, Ora Aralepo’s “You look better on facebook” took the coveted first prize. He is obviously a seasoned stand-up comedian. He was allowed 7 minutes and 30 seconds, he was clocked at 7:27 and was so accurate with his timing, it seemed he knew he had a massive 3 seconds “buffer” before disqualification.

Personally, I would have happily paid good money to see every one of these contestants. Where else can you be entertained for free ??

The Table topics question, a very topical one “Isn’t it time we showed going green the red card ?”

David Jones produced a funny, but more serious answer to the question. What a question to ask a man who is probably greener than most, he rattled of facts, figures and key information and told us to be confident that scientists and governments are working towards a solution. Kenneth Adei asked “Who is this, who is this even thinking that we should be showing green the red card”. He delivered humorously aggressive attack on those people thinking that “going green” is a fad, and encouraged all to become greener. Our president, Chris Boden, on the night produced a faultless table topics display. Faultless not only because it won the competition, but it is still being talked about some weeks afterwards. Once again he demonstrated his natural ability to deliver a totally contrasted view of the question, in green he saw “Aliens” and in the red card he saw the “Red Planet”. Well done to the other table topics contestants for taking part.

As would be expected, the evening continued in the Rugby tavern downstairs until time was called, no red light this time, just the familiar sound of the last orders bell.

To quote David Jones, “I take part in every single competition, it is the finest way to improve”. So Holborn, get involved, get ready for your next club competition. Thank you to all the contestants, the timers, the counters, the guests, the judges, the contest chair, the president and to Holborn speakers club for another well hosted area final.

Filed by: chrisboden | Category: Contests
Tuesday, October 20th 2009 1:08 pm

As you will have noticed I don’t go in for hyperbole. That was without doubt the greatest club contest in the history of Toastmasters. Holborn Speakers once again proves that we know how to turn it on for the big events.

Firstly, let’s talk numbers. Eight humorous speeches, eleven table topics contestants. Sensational. And I think everyone there will agree the quality was amazing. Not to mention diversity – we had everything from self help, talking dogs and in-laws to scoring free food, running to look good and lying to your children. But the battle came down to Riad “Dr Love” Hamada and David “I’ve been to a festival too” Jones. As my father always told me, old age and experience beats youth and enthusiasm every time. And so it went. David reclaimed his title from the young French challenger, reversing last year’s result! Craig Reid’s dissection of the self help genre netted him a well deserved third place.

Table topics saw another showdown of skills. We love our topics and tonight was no exception. Saj gave the provocative question “Everyday we see reports of feral youth running wild. Is there anything we can do about it or is it too late?”

As I was speaking second last I didn’t see most of the speeches, but I am assured they were brilliant. Once again experience won the day and David Jones was placed first, with yours truly a close (I assume) second. And a big well done to Rosalind Oakley, one of our newest members, who took third place with a bold and confident speech.

Now due to our reduced area size this year there are only three clubs competing in next week’s area contest. Therefore each club is sending two representatives for each contest, yay!! Area final is being hosted by us, at the Rugby Tavern next Wednesday the 7^th October. Be there and cheer on your club and enjoy a night full of surprises.

And the winner is ... David Jones

Filed by: chrisboden | Category: Contests
Thursday, October 1st 2009 11:41 am

So what’s the story?

We are holding two contests on the 29^th September – Table Topics and Humorous Speech.

Can I enter?

Yes! Only requirement is that you are a club member, go for it.

Humorous speech, is that like a stand up comedy routine?

No. It is still a speech, it needs a structure and a purpose. But it can be about absolutely anything, given in any style you like and yes, you are meant to make people laugh. Timing is the standard 5/6/7 minutes.

So what makes a good speech?

The usual + humour. The judging criteria are available here

http://cid-c0b976c87fb66ee3.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Toastmasters/Humorous%20Speech%20Judging%20Form.pdf

I’m not sure if I can be funny.

Neither is anyone else. Give it a try, it’s your best chance and a great challenge.

Table topics contest, how does that work?

Well you all answer a table topics question (usual 1/1.5/2 minutes length) and the best one wins.

But what if someone gets an easier question than me?

Everyone answers the same question. Contestants are corralled in the bar downstairs and enter the room one at a time to be given the question.

Doesn’t it get boring listening to the same answer again and again?

Well it would if everyone answered the same. Try to be original.

Does it have to be funny?

No. Just like in regular meetings table topics can be serious, funny, silly or whatever. Mind you getting a laugh can go a long way.

Ok sounds good, how do I enter?

Just book yourself in on clubplan as you would a normal meeting role. You can enter either or both contests. If you want to enter both then email the VPEs and it will be set up for you.

Isn’t there something in the Competent Leader manual about organising and chairing contests?

Yes there is. For a couple of projects helping to organise a contest is a way to complete the project. Ditto for being a contest chairperson.

Is it too late for that?

We already have contest chairs for this one, but I could still use some help organising. Email me (chrisboden1@gmail.com) I will have jobs for you. However we are also hosting the Area contest in the 7^th October which needs organisers and chairpeople. Let me know if you’re interested.

Area Contest, tell me more

Ok then. Winners of the club contests go the Area contest and do it again. Winners from there goes to the Division B final (that’s London basically), then from there to the UK and Ireland championship.

If I’m not competing, what else can I do?

I’m glad you asked. We need timers and vote counters for our contest. And every other club in London is running a contest as well and will need judges from other clubs. There is a calendar here: http://thelondonspeaker.typepad.com/weblog/hsttschedule.html

Contact the club and offer your services. Plus, most importantly of all we need an audience! Contest night is always a lot of fun so come and watch and cheer and have a good laugh.

Filed by: chrisboden | Category: Competent Leader, Contests
Saturday, September 5th 2009 2:26 pm

Some dates for your diary:

20th August – New Club Development Forum. Learn what it takes to start a new Toastmasters club. The Cheshire Cheese, 5 Little Essex Street, London WC2R 3LD from 7-9pm

2nd September – Improvisation and Humour workshop. A great way to get some tips for the upcoming contests. Book your ticket at

http://www.thelondonspeaker.com/weblog/2009/08/draft-2nd-sept-john-cremer-booking.html

29th September – Holborn Speakers Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest. Sign up now and try your hand at making people laugh or speaking off the cuff, or both! Book your place via Clubplan.

7th October – Area 34 Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest final. See the winners of our club contest take on contenders from the rest of Area 34. Hosted by … us!

21st October – Division B Final of Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest. The winners of each Area contest battle it out for a place at the UK and Ireland Championships. Further details closer to the date.

Filed by: chrisboden | Category: Contests, Meetings
Thursday, August 13th 2009 11:08 pm