In response to change and the prevailing socio-economic trends, the South Lancaster Speakers Club, which is to become a new 2022 chartered Association Speakers Club, is to evolve into a hybrid organisation by delivering physical and online meetings using Zoom.
After a review and evaluation process, led by the new President, David Knox, the technology to deliver the change process will be based on the Meeting Owl Pro 3 integrated video and audio computer. Trials will be carried out in early September before the club's opening event later in the month.
Other ASC hybrid clubs have informed consultations. Careful consideration will be given to the successful running and organisation of meetings to ensure high-quality member interactions using this new hybrid format. Ongoing reviews and audience feedback will inform future developments.
Do your YouTube search for Meeting Owl. What did you find?
These YouTube videos may help gain insights into the simple plug-and-play experience that the South Lancaster Speakers Club is seeking:
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
The President welcomed all those present in the hall and on Zoom and a special welcome to James W attending his first meeting. The Chair for the evening was John who outlined and explained the program for the evening.
TRAINING SESSION
A Training Session on Evaluating Speeches was conducted by Diana after which there was a 6-8 minute speech entitled “Not my Cup of Tea” outlining the various contrast in the country of Sri Lanka which was then evaluated taking into account all that had been learnt from the training session. Those others present were then given the opportunity to express their thoughts on the speech and the evaluation.
TOPICS SESSION
The Chair for this session was James D and the theme was what needs to change in the world and a few of the subjects discussed were:- ‘Car Racing should be banned’ ‘Should the population of the world eat less meat’ and ‘Should bonfires and fireworks be banned’
The Meeting ended at 9.24 Date of next Meeting Wednesday 9 th November 2022
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
There are many aspects to public speaking. The Association of Speakers Clubs, ASC, and the South Lancaster Speakers Club (SLSC) ,deliver training and support to develop confidence and key skills for nurturing expertise.
The framework is based on their handbook which has been updated with a new edition:
Hard copies of the old and new publications are available - contact the secretary.
The SLSC Vice President John Entwhistle
Here is an example of the Topic section transcript:
B2 The Topics Session Purpose
The purpose of the Topics session is to encourage and develop the speaker’s ability to speak spontaneously without any previous preparation. The term 'Impromptu speaking' is used to cover the situation in which as you rise to your feet, you are beginning to consider the form of words with which you will begin to express your thoughts.
The session is a vitally important part of your training and should never be considered as a form of light relief from what has sometimes been referred to as the serious part of the evening. Your reputation as a speaker will be substantially enhanced by your ability to rise to the unexpected occasion.
Most new members regard the topics session with varied degrees of apprehension. This tension, the butterflies in the stomach, is quite normal when the body prepares for a special effort. Rather than overcoming your nervousness what you should be aiming for is to control it, channelling your nervous energy into the effort you are about to make.
A Good Topic
Take your time and remember to breathe. Silence at the beginning of a topic is preferable to a hackneyed cliché. The opening sentences can be of a general nature enabling you to gather your thoughts. You do not need to spring into action immediately with profound statements of opinion. You are thinking on your feet. Try to keep the audience guessing. Develop your theme and try to be thinking of a strong ending. Remember all the speaking skills of voice, body language etc and use them to full effect.
Just as when a topic of conversation arises in a social situation, you do not reach for your notes or keep everyone waiting while you marshal your thoughts, so it is with the Topics session. You can embellish, adapt, alter and bend reality a little in order to enjoy the topics session.
Hybrid meetings developed during the COVID epidemic
A topic should be a mini-speech in itself, with a beginning, middle and end. It should be well constructed with balance and a logical flow through to a conclusion. Try to start and finish with a memorable statement. Although this is not always possible, it is something to aim at - the first and last words you speak are the ones your audience will remember.
Another factor that must be considered is time. Within ASC most topics have a time limit of up to three minutes. The aim is to use that time to best advantage in speaking on the subject. There is no need to use all of the time - it is far better to stop short rather than waffling on to the allotted time but spoiling the balance of the topic. There is a vast difference between the first two minutes of an hour-long speech and a two-minute speech. The aim in topics is to combine clarity with conciseness; to match what needs to be said with the time allowed. With this in mind, you should consider the topics session timing device as being there to help you, not to rule you.
There is not the slightest NEED to be funny in speaking to a topic. Humour suited to the subject and tone of the speech is helpful, but unrelated jokes and wisecracks should be left out.
You must also bear in mind that an audience is a group of individuals. Try to address phrases to individuals in every section of the audience. Establish eye contact with each of them, but watch that this does not lead to jerkiness.
No one pretends that it is easy, but it can be done with practice and it is essential if you are to achieve a successful rapport with your audience.
Topics provide an excellent opportunity to practise the presentation of your speech. You don't have a script and are not tied to notes, so your hands and body are free to demonstrate gestures. You can see your audience, and can involve them visually. Concentrate on your voice by developing variation in pace and volume. When you are stuck for a word, then you can experiment with the length of the pause.
Diana Dougles's training sessions provide another example of the advice, guidance, and training delivered by the South Lancaster Speakers Club:
Evaluation is part of the very heart of the aims and objects of the ASC.
Good evaluating is a skill. Not learnt overnight. It is a skill which should develop you, and for you, as your ASC membership proceeds.
The most important essence of evaluation is to be sensitive. We don’t want to lose members because we were insensitive. Be constructive not destructive. Strive to enable someone to go home happy and happily thinking, I learnt something to-day from an evaluation which will help me in my future speech delivery.
We are all here to learn. The evaluation is delivered to the entire audience. Therefore we don’t refer to the speaker by forename. The whole audience learns from an evaluation. Sometimes it may be one or more points raised by the evaluator which we had never thought about or an aspect where we too felt the speaker could improve. Or perhaps we realise how not to give an evaluation.
So down to basics. Start with praise. Don’t we all like to be praised? There must be something good you can find to say. A new speaker may have made an enormous effort to give a speech. Praise them just for that. No need to fawn, just be convincing that you appreciate the effort it took to speak to us, the audience.
We have all heard the speech so there is no need to re-tell it. Comment briefly on the content in the sense that it was an appropriate choice of subject, perhaps it was topical, well researched, interesting, colourful, enchanting, sobering. Pick out a few points, quoting examples, which worked - such as alliteration, humour, effective word pictures, suitable gestures but do not re-tel
l the speech. The points to look for are all mentioned within the assignments in the Speakers Guide. Surreptitious use of notes to enable good eye contact, good use of the pause, changes in the voice from loud to soft, varying tones. These are some of the points which can be praised, yet without re-telling the speech.
As the evaluation develops, mention a few points which did not work as well as they could. Too quiet a voice, too monotonous, intrusive and large sheets of notes which were fiddled with. Too few gestures, too many gestures, even too dramatic a performance …
So we come to the most valuable aspect about a good evaluation. To give advice. We all learn from advice given. Mention up to, but no more, than 3 points. Explain, with examples if possible, how the delivery could have been improved. But above all, be sensitive.
Club evaluations tend to be for 4 minutes. Competitions 6 minutes. In a competition there are no penalty points for over-running because you are stopped by the Chair at 6 mins. Either way, at club or competition level, the evaluator should strive to give a well-rounded evaluation, which is itself a speech, within the time limit.
As your membership of the ASC continues you will find yourself evaluating other people all the time. The hotel receptionist, the waiter, the bank clerk, shop cashier, your friends. Hmm! You will be so much more observant of other people and their behaviour. Not necessarily a good thing.
For newer members, initially evaluating can be daunting. When you start to evaluate to an audience, you may feel you have no right to criticise another speaker but you are not trying to criticise but help someone improve. How else can we progress? But to see ourselves as as others see us.
For your first evaluation just refer to one or two pleasing aspects which struck you about the speech and then try to mention one or two points which could be improved upon. Finish.
Evaluation is one aspect which many Clubs do not do well. Members so often just re-tell the speech. Let SLSC be a Club which gives beneficial evaluations. Beneficial to us all.
Call and contact David Knox, President, South Lancaster Speakers Club now.
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
Reciting a speech allows for preparation. But what about those people who sound rehearsed in everyday exchanges?
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South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
Jane opened and closed the meeting in the absence of Louise and John
Diana chaired the meeting and also the timings.
The subject was to speak about an object you had brought.
James spoke about a lighter he had been given from a girlfriend in times past.
Joyce spoke about some war medals of her uncles.
Carol spoke about some figures her son had brought from Argentina.
Jane spoke about a Davie Lamp she had converted into a light.
David spoke about his wooden parrot.
Eddy used his car key to illustrate using a “ key “ ie, to open up opportunities, key to the future, biometrics.
Diana spoke about a pad of beautiful papers and what she had used them for.
The evaluations were done by James and Joyce
Carol was topic chair and they were evaluated by Eddy and David.
David teacher who I disliked
Jane the worst garden decision you ever made.
Eddy the household task you most dislike.
Joyce your worst cooking disaster
James your worst holiday decision
Diana an item of clothing you have never worn.
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
12 members met at the Galgate Chapel for out twice monthly meeting – we meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm
After a welcome by the President of the Club, the meeting was chaired by Carol who laid out the programme and clarified the timings for the light in the 4 minute speeches we were about to do on the subject :
Choose a word with four obscure meanings
Eddy spoke on his take on NIRVANA and gave us several different meanings. This was evaluated by James
James then spoke on the meaning of the word Retrogradation. Was it describing the orbit of the planets, the illusion of going up hill when actually going downhill or did it refer to the London sewers. The first meaning was the correct one. This speech was evaluated by Jane
Jane spoke about the meaning of the word Bressener. Was it describing an early version of the Bra or was it a Timber Load bearing Beam or, was it the name of a Scottish Country Dance. After some discussion this word was identified correctly as a Load Bearing beam. Joyce evaluated Jane
Joyce described the word Strobilus. The three meanings Joyces gave us was that a, it referred to Bellringing; b, a strong beam of light and c, a Fruit or vegetable with overlapping scales. It was, of course, the later description. Lara evaluated Joyce
Lara described the word Limerence. Was it a state of Foolishness, a state of Narcissism or a state of Obsession. The last meaning was deemed correct. Albert evaluated Joyce
Albert then gave four meanings of the word Tendentious. Firstly, was it a pain, an inflammation of tendons; was it the defence of Imperial measurements; was it an Amazonian Porcupine ; was it a bias in an argument. Clearly the last meaning was deemed correct. John evaluated this amusing presentation.
John then described three meanings of the word Gift. Avoiding the obvious one, he asked whether it was a the German for Poisson, Serbo-Croat for a poisonous snake or was it Hebrew for Faith All chose the last description but the German meaning is correct. David evaluated John
David introduced us to the word Fonticulus. After saying that meanings change over time, he put three meanings to us. Was it a Harry Potter spell, the study of typeface or the depression just below the breastbone. This last meaning is correct. Eddie evaluated David
After a tea/coffee break we went into the Topics session but with only 2 minutes given to each speaker. Diana gave to topic to the different speakers.
Eddie spoke on the choice between Latin or French and decided Latin was definitely the one to study
Lara spoke on Home Education v. Schools and conclude that after the Pandemic, the benefits of a school were overwhelming
Carol spoke on Red or White. Her take on this was wine and recommended a Vouvray white
Jane was given the topic – Short stories or the Long novel. She thought it may depend on the journey one is taking but came down firmly on the side of the long read – the novel
Time then demanded the remaining speakers only spoke for one minute.
James spoke on Bungalows or Houses and showed his preference for a Bungalow.
Louise was given the choice of River or Sea and though liking both, preferred the sea.
John was given the alternatives of a Camper Van or a Tent and was firmly a tent person
Joyce had to assess the merits of a Microwave v. an Oven. She preferred the Oven
David spoke on Fiction or Non fiction and saw merit in both
These Topic speeches were evaluated by Albert and a general evaluation was given by Jane.
The President wrapped up the meeting with some notices concerning :
the Annual dinner ( to be held on Wed 10th August at the Royal Oak in Garstang)
the AGM to be held Wed 25th May
Garstang Speakers have invited one of us to tell a tall tale (Jane offered her tale)
The meeting ended at 9.30
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
Here are insights and solutions to developing effective communication skills? Can you hack it?
Notes on South Lancaster Speakers Club live meeting
on Wednesday 09 February 2022 at Galgate Methodist Chapel Hall.
The President opened the meeting.
The Chair for the evening hastily re-arranged the programme as some members who were scheduled to speak had sent in their apologies because of illness.
Visitor, Andrew, was welcomed and spoke a few words about himself.
As an innovative warm-up session the Chair gave attendees, in turn, a different letter of the alphabet to speak about, without any preparation, for 1 minute. It was highly successful.
(Andrew Hawkes felt unwell at this point. He assured us he was Covid-free but felt it better that he should leave. He hoped to return in 2 weeks.)
The Topics session included subjects such as “Is the High Street dead?”, “Are driverless cars a thing of the future?”, “Would you survive without your TV for a sustained period of time?”, Is the BBC losing out to such as Netflix?” John Entwistle evaluated.
Jane Entwistle was invited to tell the Club about the recent occasion in London at which she was inaugurated as the President of the National Institute of Structural Engineers. At the event Jane had delivered a 42-minute presentation.
Finally a General Evaluation by Diana Douglas rounded off an excellent eve.
Members were reminded they would be welcome at the West Pennine Area Conference on Sat 26 February at Morecambe Golf Club at 10 am. Cost £10. Prior booking essential and thro’ Club Treasurer, David Knox. Lunch can be ordered (and paid for) on arrival.
The Treasurer informed attendees that the application to become an ASC Candidate Club had been sent, on 06/02/2022, to the ASC National Secretary, Michael Cox.
Next meeting Wednesday 23 February 2022. 7.30 pm. (Meetings are 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, most months from Sept to May.) Check out the Facebook page.
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South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
ASC expert trainer delivers essential public speaking and communication skills in Lancaster
Hybrid meeting at Galgate Methodist Chapel Hall.
S Lancaster Speakers Club. Wednesday 26 January 2022
Past National ASC President Dilwyn Scott zoomed in from Stourbridge to present an educational session on giving a Vote of Thanks. The PowerPoint lists of Do and Don’t were useful to note and enhanced his chat. An excellent session. During an 8-minute lull, everyone wrote their own version and then several members delivered their efforts; Dilwyn evaluated them.
Topics followed-with members who had not spoken contributing by way of speaking about certain games. Subjects varied from Monopoly and Scrabble to tennis and hockey. They were evaluated. Finally, a General Evaluation rounded off an excellent eve.
Members were reminded they would be welcome at the West Pennine Area Conference on Sat 26 February at Morecambe Golf Club at 10 am. Cost £10. Prior booking essential and thro’ the Club Treasurer. Lunch can be ordered (and paid for) on arrival.
The Treasurer reminded attendees that the application to become an ASC Candidate Club will soon be sent to the ASC National Secretary, Michael Cox. Attendees were told that a database of members’ names and email addresses might be needed to be sent too.
Next meeting Wed 9 February 2022. 7.30 pm
Members who had not delivered their V of T will do so.
Lara, Luisa and Lewis will give speeches.
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
The President opened the Meeting by welcoming those present to the fifth meeting of the new season.
The Chair for the evening was Diana Douglas
SPEECHES
The contributions for this session, consisted of four minute speeches, partly prepared at last meeting, under heading
“quick speech preparation “
Louise -
The ‘seaside’ was the subject matter in this speech and included a description of a Victorian seaside. The speaker also talked about ice creams on a hot summer’s day as well as people enjoying the waves
the Evaluator was Albert..
Albert –
Albert talked about is ‘space exploration a waste of time’ A brief history of space exploration was given including unmanned, animals and human flight. Mention was also made to the recent launch of a rocket for the purpose of experimenting changing the trajectory of an asteroid that might strike earth at some time in the future.
Evaluated by David
David - “It’s a knockout”
This speech dealt with the theme ‘should boxing be banned.’ The speaker talked about the merits and demerits of boxing as well as the consequences of other contact sports.
Evaluated by Joyce.
Joyce
‘Flowers’ was the choice of this speaker and included such matters as using flowers as a teaching aid for early years pupils.
Evaluation was carried out by Carol
Carol –
‘ Singing’ was the area for Carol’s speech which included information on how singing was a feature in the history of various countries as well as being good for your physical and mental health.
Evaluated by James.
James –
‘is space exploration a waste of time’ The Speaker felt that space exploration should be banned and that these resources would be better spent on looking how to improve planet earth given the problems we are currently experiencing and that space be looked at when things have improved here or at least stabilised.
This speech was Evaluated by Louise.
Lewis gave an amusing speech about the ‘seaside’ and although many people like the seaside and the beach he hated it. The sand going everywhere , as well as the putrid smell of seaweed. Reference was also made about the constant battle with some people from Continental Europe commandeering the sun loungers round the pool.
Evaluated by Diana
Luisa spoke about why we should be curious about what is around us and that the exploration of space was not a waste of time or money. The speaker suggested that there were some extremely useful side benefits of space science ie gadgets and technology that we might not have had if the program had not taken place.
Evaluated by Diana
TOPICS SESSION
The Chair for this session was Carol Kershaw.
Eddy- “The place where I grew up”
Luisa – “Should all 18 year olds go to University”
Lewis-“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”
Lara – “Should the Internet ever have been invented”
The Topics were Evaluated by James and Eddy was the General Evaluator.
BUSINESS SESSION
For the next Meeting, Lara would make her Icebreaker speech and Lewis and Luisa would speak to Assignment F4
The question of having more Training Sessions was raised. Members were informed that at the next meeting of the Management Committee to be held on 6th December there was already an item on the Agenda for training to be discussed.
Diana reminded those present about the meal at The Fleece, Dolphinholme on Wednesday 15th December and that those attending should let her know their menu choices on or before Sunday 5th December.
The President closed the Meeting and thanked everyone for their contributions especially Lara, Lewis and Luisa
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
As part of the ongoing education program to help self-evaluation, the Zoom recording below has been uploaded to YouTube.
If you need advice, guidance, or support in public speaking contact the South Lancaster Speakers Club.
The meeting program includes feedback to members.
Scroll through to find your speech now.
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.
Daisychain evaluations, the person picked out of the hat evaluates
the previous speaker and then delivers their own speech.
The first one will be Simon giving an introductory speech about
himself. Evaluated by Diana. Chair pulls out next person before
Diana gives her speech. Continues until everyone has evaluated
and spoken. ( Joyce will be absent, sends apologies )
Break for refreshments.
Topic chair Albert
Topic evaluator Eddy
General evaluator Louise
Closing remarks Louise
SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB
WEDNESDAY 27th October 2021
Methodist Chapel, Galgate
In attendance:- Diana Douglas, James Douglas, Jane Entwistle, John Entwistle, Eddy Jackson, Louise Jackson (President) Albert Kelsall, Carol Kershaw, David Knox, Luisa (1) and Lewis (1) Garth Entwistle and Fiona Entwistle.
Apologies:- Joyce Meiring and Simon Gelderd
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
The President opened the Meeting by welcoming those present, especially the Guests to the third meeting of the new season.
The Chair for the evening was Carol Kershaw
SPEECHES
Each Speaker was given 3-4 minute to talk about “Decorating, a Landmark or an Advert”
Daisy chain evaluations then followed, the person picked out of the hat evaluated the previous speaker and then delivered their own speech
Diana Douglas – Don’t, don’t, don’t
This speech was about different types of adverts including the power and cost of same.
Jane Entwistle –
Decorating landmark cakes was the subject matter of this speech eg Birthday and Wedding cakes together with different types of icing used.
Albert Kelsall – talked about various landmarks.
James Douglas -
This speech was about landmarks and in particular various lighthouses including the Ancient Lighthouse at Alexandria.
Louise Jackson – Decorating for a new arrival
The audience was treated to a very interesting speech on the preparations required for a ‘new arrival’ but the arrival was not a baby, as might have been expected but ……. A dog!!!
John Entwistle –
John talked about various elements of internal and external decorating and how to avoid potential ‘marital’ disharmony.
David Knox –
This speech was about the decoration of a ‘landmark’ that had not been painted for a very long time and needed to have a great deal of preparatory work carried out before this high, well known example could be painted a single colour of sky blue …. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
Eddy Jackson had a completely different approach to the subject of ‘landmarks’ and put forward the suggestion that this word could be treated not only as a noun but also as a verb.
Carol Kershaw talked about adverts and how things had changed from the 1940’s and 50’s very few goods available. Carol made reference to several adverts which included, but not restricted to, the Guinness advert with the multi coloured toucan.
TOPICS
The Chair for the Topics Session was Albert Kelsall and the theme was the effects and repercussions of various well publicised events in recent times.
John Entwistle – Interruption to Clubs due to Covid
Eddy Jackson – Global Warming
Louise Jackson – Respect for the NHS
James Douglas – Global Warming
David Knox – Debt
The Topics were Evaluated by Eddy Jackson and the General Evaluation of the evening was given by Louise Jackson.
BUSINESS SESSION
The Treasurer reminded members who had not paid their £10 Membership Subscription Fee that it was now due.
South Lancaster Speakers Club meets 7.30pm most 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Galgate Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, Galgate, Lancashire. LA2 0PN.