On the day that Perth’s cold clear days was broken by wild and windy weather a new venue was used for Club Officer training and very popular it proved too. The new Victoria Park Club hosted the event at their venue at The Homestead in Mackie Street in Victoria Park. An attendance of up to 100 was anticipated but Club Officers kept rolling in throughout the event.
The Hall is set up and ready
Sgt at Arms Maree Pickens got things underway introducing the Toastmaster for the evening Peter Law whose sartorial elegance set the tone for the night.
- Robyn Richards conducted the first session, “Creating a Buzz” which emphasised how important it was to get that essential ’something extra’ into your meetings to make them fun and enjoyable. Robyn provided lots of useful advice to all assembled.
- Mark Richards followed his wife to the front of the audience and used the IT display set up by Martin Lindsay to show Club Officers how to log onto and navigate around the TMI Website. Mark’s presentation was especially relevant to Club Officers who have to log returns with TMI.
Mark Richards shows us how to Navigate around the TMI Website
Inner City Divisional Governor Kristin McIntosh then explained to us all what the 10 goals were in the DCP (Distinguished Club Programme) and why they were so important to running a successful club. Like Robyn Kristin gave some hints and tips as to how the goals could be achieved and illustrated how easy some of them were by pointing out that everyone present was contributing towards their club’s DCP by attending COT!
That's goal number two that Kristin is telling us about!
Martin Lindsay as the Perth Governor then presented a Workshop on how to run Speech Contests. With the Club, Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests due in August this was very timely advice for the many new Club Officers in attendance. Martin pointed out some of the extremely good resources available and advised Clubs on how they could get their own members ‘up to speed’ on acting as Judges.
The last presentation before supper was given by David Nicholas and David told everyone about toastmasterwa.net and what resources were available on the site. With only 15 minutes to present David was only able to brush the surface but he certainly whetted the appetites for information if not for food!
David Nicholas enthralled the audience with his sales technique for toastmasterswa.net
After a splendid supper, and you could tell it was splendid because there was nothing left, we were treated to an introduction to a “Swansong on the Swan”. Lynette Delane presented a talk about the 2011 District Convention, the last of District 73 with Western Australia included, which is to be held in Perth, hence the title.
Lynette Delane tells us all about the "Swansong on the Swan"
The meeting then moved on to a series of ‘break out’ sessions for each Club Officer Role. This proved to be the real ‘meat and veg’” for the new Officers as they were able to leverage off those who had performed the role before.
We were then welcomed back by Ross Wilkinson who told us all about “YOUR Future in Toastmasters” and Ross set out very clearly where the path towards becoming a better speaker, a leader and ultimately a Distinguished Toastmaster lay. Ross reminded everyone that by becoming a Club Officer they were on the first steps of this exciting leadership journey.
Ross Wilkinson reminded everyone of the importance of working to their Manuals and getting them signed off
Public Relations both within the District and within Clubs was covered by the ubiquitous Pascale Amberville-Colby, the man with more clubs than Tiger Woods. Pascale reminded everyone of the importance of their Website as a promotional tool and ensuring it was up to date. Pascale also related some initiatives that were being taken within WA.
Pascale sought an affirmation from everyone that they would promote their club
The information and fun packed evening was wound up by Mark Richards relating the future Training opportunities that were available over the coming year.
Overall a fantastic evening packed with information and with Club Officers. Well done to everyone but especially to Robyn Richards for her wonderful organisational abilities.
