What to expect at a typical meeting
The typical Newcastle Speakers Club meeting follows a standard agenda. Of course we hold special meetings and variations from time to time to provide new challenges and interest, but if you want to know what to expect then this is a pretty clear guide.
Meeting Opens at 1:05 pm
General Business (5 Minutes), allows members and committee to update each other on matters of relevance, apologies and introduce guests.
Speeches
'Stir the Pot' (3 mintues)
First up we have a 'Stir the Pot' speech which is an opportunity to get the meeting moving with a personal rant for or against a topic of the your choosing. Whether you wish to rail against the tyranny of the cost of car park spaces, irresponsible dog owners or the latest government policy that is going to ruin or restore our way of life; this speech should get us all in the mood for more speeches. As a learning opportunity it provides the speaker with the challenge of making a point on a matter of importance in less than 3 minutes.
Main Topic (4 speeches, up to 7 minutes each and on a given topic of the day)
The 4 main speeches then take up the bulk of the meeting time. The speakers are rostered to speak in advance the day (so they have time to prepare), and are given a topic about which they must speak. All four speakers speak to/about the same topic.
For example, a recent meeting provided the topic: 'Should hunting be allowed in our National Parks' and the four rostered speakers all gave their view on the subject. Some for, some against and all interesting.
These speeches provides the audience (other members) with very interesting and thought provoking entertainment, and the speaker with the opportunity to practice building and delivering a speech that makes a point and adds value to the audience.
Impromptu Speeches (5 minutes each)
If one of the four rosters speakers is unavailable the Chair will invite members to be a replacement and give an impromptu speech on the topic of the day. This improves the skills of members at being able to deliver a speech with little or no preparation. We also hold, from time to time, meetings which are designed to practice impromptu speaking.
Thank You Speech (2 minutes)
Following the main speeches, a member of the club is asked to thank the speakers on behalf of the Club. This provides an opportunity to practice this tricky little speech.
Critique (10 minutes)
Finally the critic is invited to provide their view of the meeting. The Critic is an experienced member of the club who has the job of providing constructive advice about how to improve the meeting. Don't let the title 'Critic' alarm you the term is used in its neutral sense, all evaluations are provided in a highly supportive and positive manner. The club is about improving your speaking and presentation skills, and the critic provides a perspective on how we all might be able to improve.
Meeting Closes (2pm)
During the meeting, the members enjoy a light lunch with sandwiches, fruit, tea/coffee and juice. The meetings cost $15 per person.
Please see some sample agendas from some of our recent meetings:
Meeting Number 428
Meeting Number 559
Meeting Number 382
Meeting Opens at 1:05 pm
General Business (5 Minutes), allows members and committee to update each other on matters of relevance, apologies and introduce guests.
Speeches
'Stir the Pot' (3 mintues)
First up we have a 'Stir the Pot' speech which is an opportunity to get the meeting moving with a personal rant for or against a topic of the your choosing. Whether you wish to rail against the tyranny of the cost of car park spaces, irresponsible dog owners or the latest government policy that is going to ruin or restore our way of life; this speech should get us all in the mood for more speeches. As a learning opportunity it provides the speaker with the challenge of making a point on a matter of importance in less than 3 minutes.
Main Topic (4 speeches, up to 7 minutes each and on a given topic of the day)
The 4 main speeches then take up the bulk of the meeting time. The speakers are rostered to speak in advance the day (so they have time to prepare), and are given a topic about which they must speak. All four speakers speak to/about the same topic.
For example, a recent meeting provided the topic: 'Should hunting be allowed in our National Parks' and the four rostered speakers all gave their view on the subject. Some for, some against and all interesting.
These speeches provides the audience (other members) with very interesting and thought provoking entertainment, and the speaker with the opportunity to practice building and delivering a speech that makes a point and adds value to the audience.
Impromptu Speeches (5 minutes each)
If one of the four rosters speakers is unavailable the Chair will invite members to be a replacement and give an impromptu speech on the topic of the day. This improves the skills of members at being able to deliver a speech with little or no preparation. We also hold, from time to time, meetings which are designed to practice impromptu speaking.
Thank You Speech (2 minutes)
Following the main speeches, a member of the club is asked to thank the speakers on behalf of the Club. This provides an opportunity to practice this tricky little speech.
Critique (10 minutes)
Finally the critic is invited to provide their view of the meeting. The Critic is an experienced member of the club who has the job of providing constructive advice about how to improve the meeting. Don't let the title 'Critic' alarm you the term is used in its neutral sense, all evaluations are provided in a highly supportive and positive manner. The club is about improving your speaking and presentation skills, and the critic provides a perspective on how we all might be able to improve.
Meeting Closes (2pm)
During the meeting, the members enjoy a light lunch with sandwiches, fruit, tea/coffee and juice. The meetings cost $15 per person.
Please see some sample agendas from some of our recent meetings:
Meeting Number 428
Meeting Number 559
Meeting Number 382