🌟 Toastmasters Meeting Announcement: “Strategic” 🌟

Prepare to engage in the art of strategic thinking at our upcoming Toastmasters meeting. This session is dedicated to exploring the depths of strategic communication, planning, and execution through the power of speech.

Date: Feb 20th 2024
Time: 6.45 pm
Theme: “Strategic”

🔍 Meeting Highlights:

  • Themed Speeches: Discover how strategic thinking can be applied in various aspects of life and work.
  • Table Topics: Test your quick strategic responses to unexpected questions.
  • Evaluations: Learn to provide feedback that targets strategic improvement and growth.

Featured Quote: “Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different.” – Michael Porter

Dive into the discussion on how strategic thinking influences our decisions, leadership, and the path to achieving our goals. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or just starting to explore this vital skill, this meeting is your opportunity to sharpen your mind and your words.

🚀 Join us for a night of insightful speeches and strategic thinking. Let’s navigate the complexities of strategy together!

🏃‍♂️ Toastmasters Meeting Announcement: Speech Marathon! 🎙️

Gear up for an exhilarating Speech Marathon at our next Toastmasters meeting! Dive deep into the art of public speaking with back-to-back speeches, constructive evaluations, and boundless energy.

Date: February 13th
Time: 18.45
Event: Toastmasters Speech Marathon

🚀 Event Highlights:

  • Non-stop Speeches: A lineup of speeches across a variety of topics and styles.
  • Rapid Evaluations: Quick, insightful feedback to help speakers grow.
  • Endurance and Skill: Test your speaking stamina and learn from others.

Featured Quote: “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” – Arthur C. Clarke

This is your moment to challenge yourself, refine your speaking skills, and enjoy the supportive atmosphere of our Toastmasters community. Whether you’re speaking, evaluating, or cheering on your fellow members, the Speech Marathon is a fantastic opportunity for growth and camaraderie.

🌈 Join us for this marathon of words and wisdom set against the beautiful backdrop of Zurich. Let’s inspire and be inspired!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Toastmasters Meeting Announcement: Burns Night Celebration! 📜

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

🔥 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.

Also, have a look at Harry’s deep dive into Burn’s night.

🌟 Celebrate Burns Night with Toastmasters and discover the timeless wisdom of Robert Burns’ poetry. Slàinte mhath! (Good health!)

An entertaining Night at Zurich’s Guild of the Carpenters – meeting January 16th

Dear Zuriberg Toastmasters,

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.

Speakers΄ 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 ReflectionHarry 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 speech’s 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 Burn’s 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.

Warmest wishes,

Vanessa Stournari, 

President Zuriberg TMC

🎭 Toastmasters Meeting Announcement: “Entertainment” 🌟

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: ‼️Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten (new location)
Theme: “Entertainment”

🔑 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!

🌈 In the world of ‘Entertainment,’ every speech is an act, and every feedback a highlight. Be part of this exciting journey!

Zuriberg Casino Night – Christmas party December 19th

Dear Zuriberg Toastmasters,

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. Anna and I took great pleasure in orchestrating and hosting this memorable evening! A special shout out to Samira and Thomas 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 round—reach 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!

 Warmest regards,

Vanessa Stournari

President Zuriberg TMC

🎉Toastmasters Zuriberg’s Casino Night Christmas Party at The Blue Monkey 🎰✨

Dear Toastmasters Zuriberg Members,

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.

Embracing the Last Minute: A Toastmaster’s journey – meeting December 12th

Dear Zuriberg Toastmasters, 

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 January—time 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

📢 Toastmasters Meeting Announcement: “Last Minute” 🕒

Join us for an exhilarating Toastmasters session where we embrace the thrill of the ‘Last Minute.’ This meeting is a blend of impromptu speaking and prepared speeches, offering a dynamic and diverse experience. 🎤

Date: December 12th
Time: 18:45
Location: The Blue Monkey
Theme: “Last Minute”

🌟 Featured Quote: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Whether you’re delivering a prepared speech or diving into impromptu speaking, this meeting is the perfect platform to refine your skills. Our ‘Last Minute’ theme encourages spontaneity, quick thinking, and the art of eloquence under pressure.

🔔 Embrace the unexpected and showcase your prepared speeches in a vibrant atmosphere. Join us next Tuesday at The Blue Monkey for an unforgettable Toastmasters experience!

RSVP: for Members and Guests

A Toastmasters Extravaganza: Award Dinner with Inspirational Toasts – October 31st

Dear fellow Zuriberg Toastmasters, 

What a better occasion to raise your glass for an empowering toast rather the Zuriberg Toastmasters Award dinner? Last night we got up to the mood for social speeches, where four speakers raised their glass to acknowledge and toast members who have been the guiding stars, the silent motivators, and the unsung heroes of our Toastmasters journey. Our beautiful Blue Monkey guilt adorned in the elegance befitting an award dinner.

Our Toastmaster of the evening, Roland, not only set the mood with the importance of social speeches, but also he fused the evening with Voltaire’s timeless quote and weaved it beautifully with the speakers introduction and the theme of day:

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing – It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well”

Speakers’ Highlights

Christina – With built-up suspense and eloquence, Christina raised her glass to Joran, the master of humorous and tall-tales speeches, bringing laughter to our meetings.

Harry – Offering a gracious and concise toast to Roland, Harry highlighted the inspiration he drew from Roland’s leadership and feedback exchange, educating the audience while honoring the toast receiver.

Hugo –to Ben, the multi-talented member, Hugo presented a toast filled with vivid visualization through expressive body language, acknowledging Ben’s efforts in uniting the Dutch expat society.

Elias – a toast immersed in creativity. Samira and her genuine presenting style, fusing emotions with authenticity, inspired Elias to raise a glass to her using the alphabet: a reason for appraisal for every letter! Elias’s unique approach earned him the Best Speaker award.

The Art of Evaluation: Nicola, our General Evaluator, provided insights into effective evaluations, emphasizing close summaries for memorable takeaways, engaging delivery, and constructive feedback. Myself, Vanessa was honored to take the best evaluation award home.

Creativity of Table Topics: Yani won the Best Table Topic, explaining why the ant would be the most suitable mascot animal for Toastmasters. Table topic master, Gabriele showcased inclusive, easy-to-answer topics fused seamlessly into the overarching theme.

Reflection and Inspiration

In summary, our traditional award dinner-themed Toastmasters Zuriberg meeting promises an unforgettable blend of sophistication and sincerity, as members come together to celebrate the unsung heroes who make our Toastmasters experience truly remarkable. Cheers to inspiration, camaraderie, and the power of a well-deserved toast!

What is on the horizon? 

As we immense in winter and festive atmosphere, we continue to grow and thrive in our public speaking journey, learning from one another and setting last minute milestones for 2023.

Contest announcement – connect with Alice to register for speech or organisation support!

December 12th – regular meeting with theme Last Minute

December 19th – Christmas party (confirm or decline attendance) in Easyspeak

Warmest wishes, 

Vanessa Stournari

President Zuriberg TMC