Sandgate Toastmasters Blog: Change Over Dinner 2019 "Ladies & Gentlemen"

Meeting Open

Darryl

Darryl got an early start taking over his role as Sergeant at Arms and gave a truly inspiring rendition of the Toastmasters Mission Statement.

If that's the way we're going to be starting every meeting this year we will be the most inspired and inspiring club in the world...Amazing!!!

Welcome

Christiane

With placemat

Christiane gave her final speech as President of the club and was grateful to have finally made it to her first change over dinner since joining the club.

Guests and a couple of husbands who came along were all welcomed to the meeting.

Then Christiane explained the beautiful placemats we had in front of us which detailed where Sandgate Toastmasters Club sat in relation to the entire organisation. It also contained details of important dates including when fees are due, as Christiane explained there are now no excuses for missing any important dates for Sandgate Toastmasters.

Toastmaster

Chris was Toastmaster for the evening and lead by example being a pin up for the perfect gentlemen, as you can see in this picture he was well presented and demonstrated impeccable manners.

Invocation

Trish

Trish gave a powerful invocation, uniting all members and guests to enjoy their blessed food.

Round Robin

Leanne led the Round Robin segment and asked members and guests to tell everyone why they joined Toastmasters and why they have stayed?

The most popular reason for joining was a fear of public speaking and many stayed for the community they had become apart of.

We also had the privilege to hear from some veteran Toastmasters who told tales of starting clubs in the outback many moons ago just for something to do, another who followed his fathers footsteps in becoming a Toastmaster and the most inspiring of all a determined woman who wouldn't back down when told she couldn't join Toastmasters because she was a woman. Thank you Annette for leading the way for the rest of us ladies.

Dinner

I regret to inform my readers that anyone who was interested in seeing the blessed food that was served during the evening are out of luck, Marlene had devoured the entire plate before realising she had forgotten to take a photo. Needless to say it was a lovely meal, with the Pork being the winning dish of the evening (well on our table anyway).

Toast to Toastmasters International

John

John gave an inspiring toast. Reminding members and guests that Toastmasters empowers people to find their voices.

"To Toastmasters International that helps us all"

Table Topics

Smiling Assassin (Table Topics Master) #1

Stephen

Paul

Stephen bravely stood up and described the attributes of a lady.

He melted the hearts of the audience when he told us the reason he knew the attributes of a lady was because his mother was one.

Marlene was asked to describe the attributes of a gentlemen. She did this and rounded it off by telling us that we can tell if someone if a gentlemen by the toilet they choose to go in when out in public "if they go into the gents, then I guess that makes them a gentlemen."

Paul entered confession and admitted that he was guilty of having a hand in the deterioration of standard etiquette, however he defended his behaviour by declaring a lot of "'standard etiquette" as "old fashioned notions." From what we have seen of Paul during meetings I'm sure we'd all agree Paul does his fair share to uphold etiquette standards in our society.

Eileen

Casey

Eileen stated that it may appear that social niceties are disappearing but with gender equality becoming the norm, old traditions that can be chauvinistic are not the proper thing to do now.

Casey was asked how we could return to a more refined time. Casey explained that with the theme of the evening she had decided to act like a lady during the Round Robin and refrained from talking about bowel habits

Table Topics Master#2 Blake

Our second Table Topic Master Blake had topics for Trevor, Peter, David, John and Trish.

Sorry, I can't tell you what the topics were. Can't find my notes! (But they were funny!)

Trevor

David

John

Trish

Peter

Area Director David presented the club with a "45 Years" ribbon. President Christiane received it on behalf of the club. (We will be celebrating our 45th Birthday in August.)