SEX!

Given that one of last week’s evaluators concluded that any topics with the word ‘sex’ in it are bound to increase curiosity and attention in an audience, why not boldly test the hypothesis in the title of this post and see if we make the news… 

The meeting began with Marion Chevalier’s words – who was fulfilling a double role that evening both as President and Toastmaster. We had both new guests as well as people coming from other clubs; after their introductions and having the Timekeeper, Ah-Counter and Grammarian explain their roles, we were set for departure.

Isabel Valdivieso delivered the first of the evening’s speeches – an Ice-Breaker titled ‘Moments in a life’. Her positivity and optimism filled every minute of it, and we learned how she is addressing the challenge of having lost her job by redirecting her past knowledge and experience into the nutritional coaching business. Speaking of which, we were kindly invited to attend a Calçotada at her home village: we like that sort of nutritional advice Isabel, thanks indeed!

There’s a famous latin proverb that reads, ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’; so after nurturing our body we were ready to cultivate the mind with Javier Macias, delivering the second speech of the advanced communication manual. Javier was able to get us all involved in ‘This is not about sex’ by group chanting the Om mantra (pronounced Ong, as we would learn). His speech pointed out how, with practice and patience, one can transcend a basic sexual interaction into something more spiritual and fulfilling. Thanks Javier, that was definetly some food for thought.

At this point, Marion decided to carry out an interesting exercise – a mental mapping on the word ‘Mentoring’, given that the club is in need of those. One by one, we all went to the blackboard and wrote a word related to it. The results? Check the picture below to see what we came up with! It should be a good reference map to understand what members and guests consider this role to imply.

The evaluators did an outstanding job pointing out the strengths of the speakers, as well as parts that might be done differently in the future. Isn’t this one of the richer moments in Toastmasters? When fellow members carefully evaluate each other’s speeches, giving feedback that is meaningful while keeping constructive and reassuring. The fact every member –and guest! – gets a chance to do so in writing means a huge wealth of thoughts and tips for the speaker with which to keep developing his/her skills.

The table topics for the evening were presented by Luis Alberto Lopez, who chose ‘sports’ – but not exactly the typical ones. Toastmasters carried out impromptu speeches on activities such as ‘Envelope throwing’ –political corruption, ‘Springboard jump’ –trials on royalty members – and outright ‘Doping’ –related to the latest findings in road cycling.

After the General Evaluator and his team detailedly reviewed the entire session, the President adjourned the session until next week, where there will be new opportunities for people to keep addressing and successfully dealing with public speaking and leadership improvement. 

Oh, last but not least: The word of the day was ‘Dream’. How you relate it to the first word in this post is entirely up to you!