From Timaru to Philadelphia

 

Toastmasters gives you so many opportunities! And traveling and connecting with Toastmasters around the world 🌎 was something that I did not even contemplate when I first joined!

As a District leader, I am privileged to get the opportunity to attend training, twice a year as well as the International Convention. Here are some of the key take aways from the experience.

☆ The main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing!

This statement refers to the Toastmasters District mission ' We build new clubs, and support all clubs in achieving excellence'. It is a reminder to not be distracted by other issues, and to concentrate on the district mission.

☆ See it, own it, solve it, do it!

This phrase is part of the Oz Principle accountability model, a well-known framework.

1. See it – Recognize and acknowledge the problem, challenge, or opportunity.

2. Own it – Take personal responsibility for addressing it (instead of passing the blame).

3. Solve it – Come up with solutions and figure out how to fix it.

4. Do it – Take action and follow through on the solution.

☆ When you stop understanding your impact, you start thinking you don't matter.

This was a statement during a dismantling burnout session by Cait Donovan. She broke down everything into small pieces which made it a lot easier to absorb and understand 💯 

As well as all the training sessions, I had the opportunity to share ideas with other District leaders. Having this time is so valuable, and I am looking forward to sharing my learnings with my club and beyond 💙 😊 

Speechathon & 4 New member Inductions!

 

We have had another special meeting last night with 20 plus guests and members braving the cool Autumn night to attend.

We started the meeting be Inducting 4 new members into our club! A big welcome to Sonya, Lo'i, Tess & Akesa! It's lovely to have you all as part of our growing club.

We also held a Speechathon. With many new members joining our club recently, we thought it was a good opportunity. Holding a Speechathon gave them the chance to start their Toastmasters journey by delivering their first ever speech project. We had 5 outstanding speeches, which were both inspiring and heart wrenching giving us a glimpse of their life experiences. Having members share these touching personal stories is a real credit to the environment and club culture that we cultivate in our supportive club 💙 

It was a memorable night, and personally I can't wait to see these new members gain their wings and start flying! 

New Members Galore!

We have had an influx of new members at our Alpine Toastmasters Club this last month, with 4 new members joining in March, and another 5 set to join in April. And we are only half way through the month!

We are however sad to farewell Amber Lee, as she moves to Christchurch. But we are hoping she'll stop by online now and then to say hello.

Our new members have brought with them lots of enthusiasm and positive energy into our club. And we can't wait to get them started on their journey.

In a couple of weeks time we will be holding a Speechathon, to help get them all started. A Speechathon is a special meeting where we do more prepared speeches than we normally do. We are aiming for 6 or 7 instead of 2 or 3! Our new members will be challenged to present their first prepared speech to the club called the Icebreaker. This project is designed to practice speech structure, and have the members introduce themselves to our club. It's always a special milestone, and we look forward to hearing their stories.

Here we are as a group at our last meeting on the 1st of April with our members and guests. 

Interested in coming along for a look? Get in touch, we'd love to show you what Toastmasters is all about!

Exciting News! New Venue for Our Toastmasters Meetings!

We are thrilled to announce that our Toastmasters meetings will now be held at the Trust Aoraki Tennis Centre in Timaru! This fantastic venue, located at 27 Benvenue Avenue, offers a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere perfect for our gatherings. After spending the last 7 or 8 years at our previous venue, having a change has been a nice opportunity to refresh our club.

Why Trust Aoraki Tennis Centre?

Spacious and Modern Facilities: The centre boasts a spacious meeting room with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and productive environment for all our members. We have Wi-Fi, with a screen that can be used to share presentations, as well as being able to use it as a white board for brainstorming activities.

Convenient Location: Situated in the heart of Timaru, the venue is easily accessible and within walking distance of several motels, making it convenient for everyone. There are also some fantastic parking facilities that are well lit for safety on those winter evenings. And there is a lift for those that need it.

Beautiful Surroundings: Enjoy the stunning views from the Pavilion over Caroline Bay, adding a touch of inspiration to our meetings.

Community-Oriented: The Trust Aoraki Tennis Centre is known for its strong community focus, aligning perfectly with our Toastmasters values of support and growth.

We look forward to seeing you at our new venue and continuing our journey of personal and professional development together. Join us for our next meeting and experience the wonderful new setting!

Welcome to Timaru Toasts!

 Welcome to Alpine Toastmasters Timaru: Your Journey Begins Here! 

 At Alpine Toastmasters Timaru, every speech is a step toward personal growth, confidence, and connection. In this inaugural blog post, we’re thrilled to introduce you to who we are, what we stand for, and why we’re so passionate about empowering individuals through public speaking and leadership development.

We’ll share:

• Our Story: How Alpine Toastmasters Timaru began and the milestones we’ve achieved.

• What We Do: A behind-the-scenes look at our meetings, activities, and fun moments.

• Why It Matters: Stories from our members about how Toastmasters has transformed their lives.

• Our Vision: Where we’re headed and how you can be part of this exciting journey.

Stay tuned for tips on communication, recaps of our most memorable speeches, and highlights from our thriving community. Together, let’s inspire each other to reach new heights!