A special thank you to the speakers who took on a somewhat daunting task: studying a piece of work by a poet unknown to most of them. Then to provide a reading, using their best vocal variety and further helping us understand what the poet was trying to tell us!
Starting of the evening in proper attire.
Many thanks also to Thomas, who brought both light-heartedness and seriousness into his Toast to the Lassies. Your example of Jane Goodall, whose monumental work with primates shames our efforts into nothingness, was a superb choice. To Vanessa for her Toast to the Laddies, and finally to Yesi: who captured the spirit of Burns’ Address to the Haggis, and made it personal as well as clear to the audience what this was all about!
To the Haggisthe Haggis, in case you were wondering.
Huge thank yous to our team of bard interpreters: Denisse – you captured the essence of what Robert Burns tried to tell us. Samira, your eloquent embracing of Burns’ Mountain Daisy was outstanding. And, Roland, old faithful: who was already familiar with Burns, chose one of his most illustrative poems to share with us!
Thank you, also, to the Evaluators, Timer, and Vote-counter who rounded off the evening.
I’ve had many messages of thanks and congratulations from fellow members since yesterday evening! So, I think we can safely say the event was a success!
Join us for a special Toastmasters meeting celebrating Burns Night, an evening dedicated to the great Scottish poet Robert Burns. Embrace Scottish culture, enjoy Burns’ poetry, and enhance your public speaking skills.
Date: 30th January 2024 Time: 6.45 pm Theme: Burns Night
š„ Special Features:
Burns Poetry Recitation: Experience the magic of Robert Burns’ poetry.
Scottish Traditions: Learn about Scottish culture and enjoy traditional dishes.
Themed Speeches: Share stories or speeches inspired by Burns’ works or Scottish heritage.
Featured Quote: “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns
Dress in tartan or come as you are, and prepare for an evening of eloquence, inspiration, and Scottish charm. Whether you’re a Burns enthusiast or new to his work, this meeting is a perfect blend of cultural celebration and Toastmasters’ spirit.
Worldwide, the 25th of January each year is dedicated to the memory of Robert Burns, the son of Scottish farmer parents. Born in 1759, Burns died in 1796 at the relatively young age of 37. In that short period of time he wrote more than 550 poems and songs. Translated into at least 43 languages, including Hindu, Urdu, and Russian. Leaving behind a legacy considered unparalleled in the literary world by some.
Some of his poems denounced āthe immorality of the rich, fighting oppression with āChristianā valuesā, and attacked the corruption and incompetence of the governing elite, as depicted by the card-playing landowners in āThe Twa Dogsā. Especially after his death, he became a source of inspiration for liberalism and socialism. So it should come as no surprise that in Russia he became known as the āpeopleās poet during the revolutionary period. Later, his work was endorsed by the Soviet Communist Regime, who described Burns as a āprogressiveā.
But it was perhaps as a pioneer of the āRomantic movementā – characterised by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of nature – that his poetry became best known!
On Tuesday, after the initial club business has been dealt with, we will follow a traditional Burnsā Night programme. Weāll pipe in our dinner, say our toasts (with Whisky) to the food. Haggis for the non-vegetarians, and a ragĆ¹-type dish for the rest. Accompanied by neeps, and tatties. After dinner, weāll follow with more toasts, first to the immortal memory of Robert Burns, and then by a toast to the lassies, to which a lassie will reply with a toast to the laddies.
During the final part of the programme, three of our members will contribute poetry readings, before we close our Burnsā Night celebration.
So, come and learn more about this inspirational Scot, and watch our members take on challenges beyond the ordinary speaking projects we normally encounter, while entertaining us with the unforgettable poetry of Robert āRabbieā Burns.
I am thrilled to recap the remarkable events of our last eveningās Club Speech Contest, an evening filled with the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and exceptional speeches. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the incredible individuals who organized and facilitated the contest, elevating the experience for everyone involved.
impressions ofour newvenue
Alice, Kevin, and Richard, our dedicated contest chairs, and Chief Judge, demonstrated outstanding leadership by taking on these challenging roles. They ensured that all rules were followed meticulously, fostering an environment of fairness, and allowing our contestants to shine. Their inclusion of humor and engaging interviews seamlessly integrated fun into the formal framework of Toastmasters contests.
A special mention goes to the magnificent Zunftsaal at Zimmerleuten, providing a historical backdrop that added a unique charm to our public speaking competition. Competing in such an inspiring medieval setting, in the heart of Zurich where significant decisions once shaped the future of the city, enhanced the overall experience.
Winner table topics ThomasWinner international speech contest Vanessa
SpeakersĪ Highlight
EliasĀ shared a poignant personal story of his childhood in the south of Argentina, illustrating how those experiences continue to influence his professional and personal life. His well-structured, authentic, and conversational style earned him the well-deserved second place in the International Speech Contest.
Myself, VanessaĀ embarked on a journey to enhance my public speaking skills and triumphed with the first-place award. The speech was crafted with a clear structure, empowering language, and a conscious focus on vocal variety, aimed to inspire.
Table Topics Speech Contest
The Speech Contest Type is, Zuribergās absolute favorite! It showcased the impromptu speaking skills of eight participants.Ā Thomas, a history enthusiast, transported us back to Napoleon’s coronation in Paris, December 2nd, 1804, claiming the first-place prize.Ā Christina, exploring the concept of time travel, delivered a powerful message about living in the present, earning her the second spot in the area contest.
Closing thoughts
As we reflect on the success of the Club Speech Contest, let’s not forget the unsung heroes behind the scenes. A heartfelt thank you to our judges and visible contest officials,Ā Emilio,Ā Svetlana,Ā Hugo,Ā Anna, and ourĀ Area Director SanthiagoĀ for their invaluable support. Managing formalities may not be easy, but it enriches our educational journey by providing insights into what makes a speech excel at the competition level.
Contest Chair AliceContest Chair Kevin
To all members, I encourage you to consider stepping up and taking on a role in the upcoming season contests. Whether it’s as a judge, timer, ballot counter, or any other vital position, you will undoubtedly grow and contribute to the success of our Toastmasters community.
In closing, let’s celebrate the success of our recent contest and look forward to the growth and inspiration that future contests will undoubtedly bring. Who knows, perhaps a Zuriberger will represent us at the District Level Competition in Istanbul on May 11th!
Thank you all for making the Club Speech Contest Zuriberg 2024, a truly memorable event!
Get ready for an exhilarating challenge at our upcoming Toastmasters Club Contest! It’s time to showcase your speaking prowess and compete with the best.
Date: Tuesday, 23. January 2024 Time: 18.45 Event: Toastmasters Club Contest
Featured Quote: “A good speech is like a pencil; it has to have a point.” – Anonymous
Join us for a thrilling evening of competition, where eloquence meets excitement. Witness our club’s finest speakers, engage with captivating speeches, and be part of the vibrant Toastmasters community.
š In the spirit of friendly competition, let’s come together to celebrate talent, hard work, and the art of public speaking. Ready, set, speak!
What a truly enchanting start we had to the new year at our last Tuesday’s gathering, set against the historical backdrop of the medieval Guild of the Carpenters in Zurich!
Stepping into the medieval guild hall was like taking a journey back in time. The rich history of the Guild of the Carpenters provided a unique setting for our meeting. Sabina, our Toastmaster of the evening, skillfully guided us through an entertaining journey, seamlessly navigating the challenges posed by the new venue with her excellent preparation.
SpeakersĪ Highlights
Keynote in Evaluations:Roland, in his eloquent keynote, likened evaluation to the essential fertilizer of our growth. He outlined nine guiding principles, with the first and foremost being to listen carefully and observe the speaker’s objectives.
Yani elucidated some Artificial Intelligence (AI) aspects with the creative story- telling elements, while bringing Alan Turin to life throughout her speech.
Path Reflection: Harry shared an inspiring reflection on his extensive public speaking journey, starting at the tender age of seven. His key advice? To become a better speaker or conversationalist, one must begin by learning to listen. His remarkable achievements earned him the best speaker award.
Zsolt seamlessly integrated his speech with the theme of the day, providing valuable insights on hacking ourselves to turn learning into an entertaining journey.
Icebreaker: Congratulations to Marco for his icebreaker! With vivid descriptions and body language, he took us on a captivating journey to Italy. What added to the speechās quality? His authentic sharing of his public speaking objectives.
The Art of Evaluations
Evaluations, being a form of speech themselves, demand engaging openings, structured content, and effective time management. All evaluators applied some of the nine principles shared in the keynote, granting them the skill of effective listening! Christina, with her constructive examples, was rightfully awarded the best evaluator.
What Awaits on the Horizon
– 23rd of January: Club Speech Contest with Alice and Kevin as Contest Chairs.
– 30th of January:Cultural Enrichment with Burnās Night hosted by Harry. Spoiler alert: Expect Scottish ambiance, poetry, whiskey, and the opening dedicated to our general assembly.
Here’s to more captivating evenings at the Guild of the Carpenters, where each gathering becomes a page in our own historical narrative.
Join us for an exciting Toastmasters meeting where the theme is “Entertainment!” This session promises engaging speeches, lively participation, and a valuable keynote on the craft of evaluations.
Date: Tuesday, 16th January Time: 18.45 CET Location: ā¼ļøZunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten (new location) Theme: “Entertainment”
š Keynote Focus: Discover the art of evaluations. Our keynote will guide you in providing feedback that entertains and enlightens, transforming evaluations into an art form.
Featured Quote: “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.” – Danny Kaye
Prepare to be both the entertainer and the entertained, enhancing your speaking and evaluation skills in a vibrant atmosphere. It’s not just a meeting; it’s a performance where every word counts!
š In the world of ‘Entertainment,’ every speech is an act, and every feedback a highlight. Be part of this exciting journey!
What a fantastic way to close out the year! Our celebration was infused with the perfect blend of fun, creativity, and a festive atmosphere, creating the recipe for a truly successful party.Ā Anna and IĀ took great pleasure in orchestrating and hosting this memorable evening! A special shout out toĀ SamiraĀ andĀ ThomasĀ who engaged as our croupiers for the night, full in style!
Table Topics Highlights
The Table Topics segment showcased that expression in any form, be it improvisational speeches, storytelling, body language, or even drawing, has a magical effect on engaging the audience. When these elements are harmoniously blended, the engagement scale reaches its peak, leaving the audience captivated.
Beyond the entertainment, we uncovered hidden talents among our members! Gabriele and Hugo claimed the spotlight, walking away with cinema tickets to the picturesque art kinos of Zurich as the prize! Joran struck Bingo, leading to a short impromptu award acceptance speech, much to the delight of the audience. Meanwhile, Michelle earned the grand casino night award, revealing the depth of talent within our Toastmasters community.
What is on the horizon?
Looking ahead, the horizon is promising! The new year kicks off with three diverse meetings designed to enhance our public speaking skills.
Join us:
– January 16th for a regular meeting,
– January 23rd for the Club Speech Contest (last registration roundāreach out to Alice!),
– January 30th for a Cultural Enrichment Meeting hosted by Harry featuring a Burn’s Night celebration.
Let’s embark on this journey of growth and eloquence together as we set our New Year’s resolution to elevate our public speaking prowess.
Cheers to a year filled with compelling stories, confident speakers, and shared success!
We’re thrilled to extend an exclusive invitation to our dazzling Toastmasters Zuriberg Christmas Party. Mark your calendars for an enchanting Casino Night set amidst the chic ambiance of The Blue Monkey.
Date & Time: December 19th, Starting at 18:45, members only
Venue: The Blue Monkey
Dress Code: Formal Attire (Or Christmas Jumpers)
RSVP: Kindly confirm your attendance by 16th December in easy speak. Let us know if you bring a guest to share in the festivities.
Get ready for an unforgettable night of elegance, excitement, and Toastmasters’ spirit. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the festive season with your fellow members in style.
In a world where the last minute is often associated with stress, our last Toastmasters meeting took a refreshing perspective on the theme “Last Minute.” The evening unfolded with a blend of insights, creativity, and laughter, proving that the last minute isn’t always as daunting as it seems. It may also allow for a creativity boost!
Meeting Highlights
Christina and Fereshteh, our Toastmaster of the Evening (TME) and Table Topics Master respectively, navigated the theme, offering diverse perspectives on how we handle the last-minute. Kevin stood out with his creative take on a last-minute situation, earning him the Table Topics Best Speaker award.
Speaker Highlights
Tatyana: Completing the Engaging Humor Pathways, Tatyana shared the wisdom gained in her 3.5-year journey. Her key lesson? The best humor often stems from ordinary situations.
Richard: With the mantra “Per aspera ad astra,” Richard emphasized the value of audience feedback in the journey of public speaking while reflecting on his Persuasive Influence Pahways. His well-crafted speech drew inspiration from a favorite movie, engaging the audience with elements of inspiration.
Gabriele: Blending his speech seamlessly with the theme, Gabriele explored the benefits of abandoning a last-minute lifestyle as we progress in life. Drawing parallels with the Toyota “Just in Time” approach, he skillfully connected real-life examples, captivating the audience.
Andrea: Introducing himself with an authentic and humorous style, Andrea left us eager for more of his future speeches.
The Art of Evaluation
Michelle demonstrated the challenging art of evaluation, taking home the Best Evaluator award. Her empathetic and constructive feedback on Tatyana’s speech highlighted that in the pursuit of humor, authenticity and passionate storytelling can also be as impactful.
Conclusion
As the year comes to an end, our Toastmasters journey taught us the importance of pushing boundaries in prepared, last-minute, and improvisational speeches. Exchange, constructive feedback, and a nurturing environment for experimentation create a recipe for individual and collective growth. As we reflect on the past year, let’s set new resolutions for improvement.
What’s on the Horizon?
– The Christmas party and year-end closure meeting are just around the corner. Get ready to celebrate in festive attire!
– Don’t forget to register for the speech club contest in Januaryātime is running out!
In the spirit of Toastmasters, let’s continue to embrace the unexpected and grow together. Cheers to a year of learning, laughter, and last-minute triumphs!
Warmest wishes,
Vanessa Stournari
President Zuriberg Toastmasters club
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