Kilcoy Toastmasters

Wednesday evening a group of gypsies ventured into Kilcoy, their sole purpose was to steal! Fortunately, the town residents were safe; these gypsies were not concerned with domestic items. The purpose of the visit was to steal the travel gavel from the Kilcoy Toastmasters.

Kilcoy Toastmasters had recently obtained the gavel when they rode their horses into Toowoomba and in true cowboy style rounded up the Darling Downs Toastmasters escaping with the gavel.

The group of gypsies were from the Maleny Toastmasters group who joined in Christmas celebrations with the Kilcoy group. Islander Toastmasters from Bribie Island have already challenged Maleny, intending to visit the club and steal the gavel in the New Year.

Toastmaster clubs are encouraged to join one another in friendship and leadership. The travel gavel has certainly sparked a lot of interest, rivalry and camaraderie as clubs become creative in finding ways to “steal the gavel”.

Donna Sheehan, President of Kilcoy Toastmasters, attempts to stop the Maleny Toastmaster gypsies, Ed Heinisch (President) Dianne Schiemann, Margie Richter and Norm Siemon from stealing the gavel.

A group of Kilcoy Toastmasters recently travelled to Toowoomba to steal the gavel from the Darling Downs Club. What a surprise the Darling Downs Club received when the Kilcoy Cowboys/girls arrived with guns blazing.

The travel gavel began as an idea to promote Clubs integrating and partaking in further friendships, camaraderie, fun and sharing of ideas. Darling Downs Club had visited Glass house Club to steal the gavel and have now had it taken right out from under their noses by Kilcoy. Unfortunately, we anticipate we won’t be holding onto the gavel for very long with Maleny already challenging us and preparing to storm our meeting for the steal.

The members who participated in the steal, Donna, Bonnie, Allie, Steve and Brenda proudly presented the gavel to their club at the club meeting the following evening after the steal. Bonnie who is also club provedore, made a message in cup cakes for supper.

Gravel Grab: Allie Lovett, Darling Downs toastmaster, Brenda King, Steve Fisher, Bonnie Morgan and Donna Sheehan (front) steal the travel gavel.

To be entitled to take the gavel away, Kilcoy Toastmasters were required to take part in the Darling Downs meeting. Steve presented a speech, Allie a speech evaluation and Brenda a table topics evaluation. These are some elements of a general meeting.

Kilcoy Toastmasters will be breaking for the Christmas period, if you need a new year resolution why not makes it that you resolve to do something for yourself in 2011 and become a more confident speaker? See you at the Christian Outreach Centre on the first or third Wednesday of the month in the New Year.

Donna Sheehan, president Kilcoy Toastmasters with gavel

Members of Kilcoy Toastmasters recently participated in community events by providing an emcee. Donna Sheehan and Brenda King took the microphone at the recent Wood Wine and Art Show announcing the various events throughout the day as well as giving information on stall holders. Donna emceed the fashion parade at this event in addition to the Kilcoy Kindy ladies night – cocktail party.

If you feel a little daunted and worried about speaking, then Toastmasters is the place to start. In a warm, friendly, encouraging environment you will learn to take the steps to give you more confidence or to polish the skills you have already developed. There is no pressure at the meetings; you choose your own projects. We meet at the Christian Outreach Centre on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, starting at 7.00 pm.

Area 3 Governor Visit

At our most recent meeting we were privileged to have our Area Governor, Gary Kuss, in attendance. Gary praised our club for the initiatives we have taken and for our progress. Prior to this meeting the club had a “Red” theme where members wore red and brought in something to be read.

Red Theme Toastmasters Meeting

It was with great sadness that we farewelled one of our charter members, Kay Avery who passed away on September 3^rd. Kay understood the importance of communication and worked hard to gain members so that a club could be chartered in Kilcoy. All those who knew Kay recognised how important communication was to her, she was a great ambassador for our club and we will all sadly miss her.

Members who won our club competitions are finalising their speeches for the Area 3 Speech contests held at Glasshouse Mountains on Sunday 17^th October. They will be competing against the best in the area so will be sure to have some stiff competition; we wish them all the best.

Sunday 17 October saw a small contingency from the Kilcoy Toastmaster’s Club travel to Glasshouse Mountains to compete in the area competitions. The finalists from Club competitions earned the right to progress to the next stage of competition.

Brenda King represented Kilcoy in both the Evaluations Contest and the Humorous Speech Contest. Brenda was very pleased to be placed third in the Humorous Contest. Judy Wallace spoke in the Table Topics Contest and Donna Sheehan spoke in the International Speech Contest. Unfortunately, these speakers did not place but certainly brought home a wealth of knowledge gained from the experience.

All contests have specific criteria which must be addressed by the speaker. A panel of judges appoint points to each individual according to the set criteria. Speakers are also given a specific time frame to do their presentation eg five to seven minutes. If the speaker speaks for less than four minutes thirty seconds or more that seven minutes thirty seconds they are disqualified.

All speakers did an excellent job and pushed their own personal boundaries during the day.

Competitions are only one very small aspect of Toastmasters and each individual makes personal choices on their own involvement. The Kilcoy Club will be hosting one of the competitions in April next year which will give our community opportunity to view first hand the skills involved.

Kilcoy Toastmasters meet the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Christian Outreach Centre, 7.00pm. The Club welcomes all new members, so if you are looking for a personal challenge or want to improve your own self confidence, come along and join in a meeting.

Toastmasters can be a fun way to meet new people, extend your own abilities and learn new skills. Good communication is the key to success. You need good communication skills in the workplace, within the family and in social life.

Wednesday 18 August Kilcoy Toastmasters held their club competition; winners are able to progress to compete at Area level.

Four competitions were held, the first being International Speech which can progress to international level. Speakers choose a topic and present a five to seven minute speech which is judged using specific criteria. The second contest, Table Topics involves speakers being given a topic and developing an impromptu speech, speaking for two to three minutes. The Humorous contest was the third event for the evening, this involved presenting a prepared speech with an element of humour and the final contest involved a speech evaluation.

Winners for the club were as follows: Donna Sheehan, International Speech – Donna chose to speak about “The Magic of the Cold”. Judy Wallace won Table Topics, speaking on the topic “It’s Time to Decide” and Brenda King was the winner of both the Humorous and Evaluation contests. Brenda spoke about “The Joys of Technology” in the Humorous section and evaluated a speech, “Dining a Le Fresh”.

Winner of both Humorous and Evaluation Competitions - Brenda King

If you sometimes find the butterflies in your stomach are creating havoc when you are called upon to speak in front of a group you should try the experience of Toastmasters. The contestants in the competitions will tell you that they still experienced some degree of anxiety, but the trick is to manage those butterflies so they are flying in “V formation”.

The judges for the evening commented on the high quality of all speeches, not only the winners so congratulations must go to all Kilcoy Toastmasters for the efforts they put in to make this competition such a success. Kilcoy Toastmasters is a relatively new club being just two years old and many of the speakers are relatively new to the club. Toastmasters meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7.00pm at the Christian Outreach Centre, Kilcoy.

Members of Kilcoy Toastmasters met for a night of camaraderie and ceremony on Saturday evening. This was the “Changeover Dinner” for members of the executive held at Woongaroo Estate Winery. Outgoing executive members were presented with certificates for their valuable contributions over the past twelve months and the incoming executive took oath to perform their new duties to the best of their ability.

Special awards presented at the evening went to Bonnie Morgan – most improved Toastmaster, Karen McNab – President’s Award and Brenda King – Toastmaster of the Year.

Invited guests at this gala function included Coral McVean – District Governor, Judith McConnell and Allie Lovett- Area Governors.

Toastmasters is an International organisation that aims to give individuals opportunity to expand their own abilities in public speaking. It doesn’t matter what your background or your experience, Toastmasters has something to offer. At the dinner, Coral McVean shared that ten years ago when she stood up to do her first table topic she opened her mouth and nothing came out. Her club supported her and offered her experiences so that now she has the confidence to speak in a wide range of situations both formally and socially. Judith McConnell joined Toastmasters because a friend asked her to go and when she went to a meeting she enjoyed the meeting so much: it was fun and educational and the people were so friendly they made her feel good about herself.

Toastmasters meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7.00pm at the Christian Outreach Centre, Kilcoy. Visitors and new members are most welcome. Contact Donna Sheehan, President 5422 0856 if you would like any further information.

Kilcoy Toastmasters is a relatively new club in the region but is able to hold its head high in District competitions, we recently won the best club website – District 69 thanks to webmaster Dan Sheehan take a look for yourself http://www.kilcoytoastmasters.org/

Kilcoy Toastmasters turned super sleuths last Wednesday at their Murder Mystery night at Woodford.  Members and guests were celebrating the marriage of” Becky” (Denise Fisher) with “Stanley” (Steve Fisher) when Becky was unexpectedly murdered. Playing their roles and using all those Toastmaster skills, the culprit, Brutus aka member Kevin Wright was finally exposed by security officer Chris Constable aka Donna Sheehan.

What a fabulous night! – proving again that Toastmaster is as much about sharing fun with friends as developing public speaking skills. “This was an enjoyable way of interacting with other members and guests and sharing a meal. “I never thought it would mean that I’d get married and become a widower all in the one night,” said Steve Fisher, one of the Kilcoy Toastmasters.

Kilcoy Toastmasters social calendar is an integral part of the club, which encourages members to practise their public speaking skills in a fun and non-threatening environment. Our two recent new members, have both commented on their increased confidence since participating in the meetings held every 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday night at the Christian Outreach Centre at Kilcoy (starting at 7pm). Contact Debra on 5422 0104 or Dan on 0434 002 708. Visitors always welcome.

What a fabulous night! Kilcoy Toastmasters celebrated a years achievements last Wednesday at their Christmas Dinner at Chantilly Blue restaurant in Kilcoy.

President, Dan Sheehan congratulated all the members for their achievements in public speaking. “You could never imagine how much confidence that the newer members have gained since joining our club”, he told the audience of nearly forty local and visiting members.

Kilcoy continues to be a favourite club with Area, Division and District Toastmaster Officials. These high ranking dignitaries traveled far and wide to yet again support our local club.

“2010 promises to be a busy year starting with speeches at the Kilcoy Australia Day festivities and other inter-club activities.”. Dan urged all members to spread the word on the benefits of joining Toastmasters, especially since Kilcoy is so supportive of those wishing to improve their public speaking while making new friends. Visitors are welcome to attend the next meeting at 7pm on the 16^th December 2009 at the Christian Outreach Centre, William St Kilcoy.

Kilcoy Toastmasters is held on the first and third Wednesday each month at 7pm start, finishing at 9pm. For more information please contact: President- Daniel Sheehan on 0434 002 708

Visitors free with supper supplied, all welcome. Come and join us at Kilcoy Toastmasters!

with sincerest apologies to A.B. “Banjo” Paterson

It was somewhere up the country in a land of rock and scrub,

That they formed an institution called the Kilcoy Toastmasters Club.

They were enthusiastic locals from the rolling countryside,

And the speech was never written that the Toasties wouldn’t try;

But their style of giving speeches was irregular and rash -

They had mighty little science, but a mighty lot of dash:

And they spoke on topics varied in the vernacular and strong,

Though their style was quite unpolished, their stories and tales were long.

And some used to train their voices telling yarns in the pub:

They were demons, were the members of the Kilcoy Toastmasters Club.

Now my readers can imagine how the meetings ebbed and flowed,

When the Kilcoy Toasties got going it was time to clear the road;

And the meetings was so terrific that ere half the year was gone

The Sergeant-at-Arms’ globes was broken – just from merely flicking on.

For they encouraged one another till the agenda was strewn with awards,

Recognition – the prize they cherished and had worked so hard towards.

Then the abinitio president, when he handed the reins to his mate,

Was the proudest toastie leader – on his Hunting Lodge Estate

As new president Dan staked his oratory ground,

Though his new term had just started, he fiercely gazed around;

“I’ll lead from the front” he thought – all the rest were in a trance,

He gave his “roasties’ speech – he knew they had no chance,

For he meant to make an effort to inspire his mottly crew;

So he went to comp – and won it – what more could a President do?

By the old Kilcoy Creek, where the breezes shake the grass,

There’s a Christian Outreach Centre that the locals always pass,

For it bears a crude inscription saying, “Stranger, drop a tear,

For the Kilcoy Toastmasters Club regularly meet here.”

And on misty moonlit evenings, while the yowies howl around,

You can hear their voices straining as the vowels get flown around;

You can hear their loud vernacular as the Kilcoy Toatsies meet,

And the rattle of the gavel, as the speakers rise to their feet.

Though terrified new members “um and er” to the plebian hub -

They’ve been inspired by the camaraderie of the Kilcoy ToastMasters Club.

By Steve Fisher

Kilcoy Toastmasters has made an exciting start to the year with a fresh new executive team, fantastic competitions and many great speeches covering an amazingly broad spectrum of topics.

Recent and upcoming highlights include:

• Two competent leader manuals completed. Congratulations to Brenda King & Dan Sheehan. These are the first CL awards for our new club!
• Successful competitions run over two meetings with 3 or more competitors in each event.
• Three DCP points already achieved. The other 7 points are mapped out in the club success plan and are achievable.
• We’ve had a run of guests visiting over the past few meetings which means our marketing is working well. We recently added to our marketing efforts with the purchase of 5 signs which are placed in strategic places around our town and surrounding towns. Other marketing that is working well is regular articles in the local papers and word of mouth.
• We are planning a demonstration meeting to be held in Woodford (nearby town with larger population). The purpose of the meeting is to demonstrate what Toastmasters is all about and the benefits to all. The goal is to gain some new members from the Woodford area.
• There has been a big focus on the TM manuals, especially the leadership manuals. We have large charts up at each meeting so that members can monitor their progress. This strategy has worked well and raised the CL awareness in the club. Thanks to our new VPE Karen McNab for her hard work in this area.
• Membership – Whilst our current membership stands at 23 we are losing our 4 mentors/sponsors which was to be expected and is a sign that we are capable of standing on our own two feet. Currently our actual active members is at 17, we also have 3 potential new members from our last 2 meetings. We expect the marketing efforts mentioned earlier to bring in 8 new members over the next 9 months bring our membership to the mid 20’s for the end of the 09/10 year.

The Kilcoy Club continues to retain it’s ‘new club’ freshness and vitality which is commented on often by Toastmasters visiting from other clubs. Our members are keen, enthusiastic and interested in ‘Discovering Their Best’.

Dan Sheehan – President Kilcoy Toastmasters Club