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

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

For those of you who are looking to complete the Competent Leadership manual this year, I have created a one page overview of the manual that summarises the roles within each project that you will need to perform in order to get the Competent Leader award.  I have uploaded the matrix as a PDF to the Holborn Speakers website.

http://www.holbornspeakers.org.uk/competent_leader_matrix.pdf

Thanks to St. Paul’s Speakers for the original.

Filed by: sramay | Category: Competent Leader
Saturday, August 29th 2009 4:39 pm