Carlisle and District Speakers Club: 2014

RED LETTER DAY FOR CARLISLE & DISTRICT SPEAKERS CLUB

Sunday 16^th November was one of the Red Letter Day’s in the Speakers Calendar

All the clubs in the Border Area being;

Annan, Carlisle, Cockermouth, West Coast and Stranraer clubs, having had their individual club contests, sent their chosen representatives to compete against one another. The finalists of these competitions go through to the National Semi Finals, this year in Motherwell, Nr. Glasgow

The day consisted of 3 contests;

· The Speech contest involving the delivery of a 6-8 minute prepared speech.
· The Evaluation Contest, involving a 4 minute Evaluation of an 8 minute speech delivered on the day. With only 8 minutes preparation time.
· The Topics Contest, involving the delivery of a 4 minute speech on a surprise subject with just 10 seconds thinking time! On the day the Topic was ‘Live and Let Live’.

The three Judges for this contest came from Renfrew Club in Scotland together with the speaker that presented the speech for the Evaluation Contest.

These contests have a role in that they help to maintain standards, and give contestants the opportunity to speak to a larger audience not very well known to them. Also, the competitions provide judging opportunities for those that wish to learn this skill.

Bruce Pilling ably represented Carlisle Speakers Club in the Prepared Speech Contest, his title being: ‘Tinder’.

This was Bruce’s first experience of a Public Speaking Competition, he said that;

““Only a year ago I would have been intimidated, nervous and ill at ease when faced with the audience at the Area Contest. I would have worried about the prospect of delivering a speech week in week out for some time prior to the event.

When I arrived at the venue I felt relaxed and confident and had not worried about the contest to the extent I felt almost ill prepared! I believe the practice at the club delivering both prepared and off the cuff speeches have given me the confidence to be more spontaneous in my delivery.”

Susan Trafford represented the club in the Evaluation Contest and then the Topics contest, which she won.

Susan will go through to the National Semi Finals in the Topics section.

New Experiences for Carlisle Speakers

During October Carlisle and District Speakers Club held some ‘Introduction to Public Speaking Classes.’ Aimed at improving speaking skills in the workplace. Susan Trafford delivered training on subjects such as Meeting Skills and Chairmanship, Speech Delivery, Presentation Skills, and Spontaneous Speaking in situations such as Media Interviews and Cold Calling.

Participants came from a wide variety of backgrounds, from students to the Business Sector and both the Third and Statutory Sectors were also represented.

Sue Steele (Left) conducted

a Cold Calling Exercise.

Whilst Sarah Rayson (Right)

gave a Presentation for Evaluation

Participants felt the training given was excellent and some useful tips were learnt. Some hope to return to the next club night. They will be most welcome.

The classes involved existing members in a range of new experiences. From the planning to delivery, there were opportunities for some members to be involved at all stages. From going out to speak to business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and Cumbrian Women in Enterprise, to contacting organizations to offer them the opportunity to participate. Opportunities for members also involved the development of the class programme together with preparation of handouts and certificates. All these experiences reflect workplace skills that members will draw benefit from.

COMPETITIVE TIMES at Carlisle and District Speakers Club

2^nd. October saw our members taking part in Informal Speech and Topics contests.

This was a real learning curve for our members because we decided that all the members would take part in the judging. Using the judging sheets normally used at formal ASC contests all the members set to, marking the individual contestants.

Judging training had been given during the previous meeting and members found that it was helpful to quickly put into practise all that they had learnt.

All the skills we learn at Carlisle Speakers Club are directly transferable to the workplace. Judging is a useful skill, learning to compare like with like in numerical form, teaching the need to listen to the very essence of something and therefore, can be usefully employed in workplace, for example during the interview process.

There was a tie for first place in the Speech Contest between Abi Lindsay (pictured to the left of the photo) and Sarah Rayson to the right, with Jess SInclair Acting President, presenting their certificates. Their Speech titles were

“What makes us Motivated?” and “Real or Not Real?”.

After a well-earned refreshment break the contests resumed with the Topics Contest. Often viewed by many members with apprehension, Topics is a real test of ‘thinking on your feet’. With only 10 seconds thinking time, contestants are expected to make a 3 minute speech on any subject. This time the topic was ‘Seasons’. All the contestants managed their 3 minutes, some with powerful descriptions of colourful leaves. However, ON THE NIGHT, Abi was judged, winner, drawing on her recent experiences of seeing the different stages of Autumn as she travelled the USA.

Acquiring the skills required for topics can be useful for sorts occasions, particularly improving Interview Skills.

No Speaking Contest can be managed without Timekeepers, so we were grateful to former members, and now Friends of Carlisle and District Speakers Club, Christine Shuttleworth and Nora Cooper who came to manage this aspect of the evening.

Chairperson for the evening was Susan Trafford.

Carlisle Speakers look to the future with a

FREE ‘INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING IN THE WORKPLACE’ COURSE

Carlisle & District Speakers Club is offering 2 free training classes on the skill of improving effective speaking in the workplace.

The course is for ANYONE that feels the need to improve how they communicate verbally in any situation.

· At work,

· Giving Presentations,

· Chairing meetings,

· Putting over their point of view,

· Cold calling – either selling or introducing themselves/their organization/their role,

· Speaking up for a local cause.

· Interviews & Media skills

· The social bit, Vote of Thanks/Wedding Speech etc.

This short FREE course, taking place on the 9^th and 16^th October, will provide tips on speaking well spontaneously, as well as tips on Presentations & Chairmanship.

To book a free place;

PHONE 01228 526883

E’MAIL carlislespeakersclub@googlemail.com

Carlisle & District Speakers Club is a member of the Association of Speakers Clubs

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