Tag Archives: Toastmasters

Learning through Improv Comedy with Chris Neilson

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We had a wonderful Zoom session learning how to use the principles of improv comedy to help us to be better leaders. Leadership Coach and “Fear-Less Speaker Coach” Chris Neilson led us through his 7-step process and we had a wonderful time.

Chris Neilson

Chris is an American trainer and coach based in the U.S. He’s helped numerous corporations and non-profits including the Alzheimer Association of San Diego to improve how they do things using his techniques.

He certainly invigorated our meeting, and we agreed it was an enjoyable and informative afternoon. We had visitors from around New Zealand including a number from Wellington Toastmaster club Capital Chatterers zoom into our meeting of Christchurch Women’s Toastmasters. Thank you Chris!

We will continue meeting on Zoom as required, but are looking forward to returning to socially-distanced meetings at our regular venue The Village on Frank Street in Papanui on Friday 17 September at 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

If you’d like to contact Chris Neilson you can visit his website here.

“Tech and Technique”: Laura Bruce’s tips for humorous speaking and how to win in Toastmasters online contests

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An invitation to be a guest speaker at another new club can be an exciting, albeit somewhat daunting prospect! Having triumphed at the 2020 District 72 Humourous Speech Contest, I was invited by Boaters Toastmasters in Christchurch, New Zealand to present my tips on humorous speaking and online competing.

Only problem is, they meet at 7am! Yes, Boaters Toastmasters is one of a handful of breakfast clubs in the Garden City.

“Never fear, Laura is here!” I got up early, found the venue in plenty of time, and had a wonderful time, meeting new people and going for coffee with a group from Boaters after the meeting. What fun! It was worth getting up very early after all!

If you’d like to watch the video of my presentation, “Tech and Technique”, here it is, courtesy of Louise Landess at Boaters Toastmasters.

Competing online is part of the brave new Toastmasters world post-March 2020. This presentation was in October, 2020. Toastmasters clubs in New Zealand resumed in-person meetings in July 2020 after we returned to normal life on the islands. Unfortunately, clubs all over the world have had to meet online to cope with various regulations around social distancing.

At the time of writing (July 2021) Toastmasters Clubs in New Zealand continue to meet in-person. At Christchurch Women’s Toastmasters, we relish the opportunity to visit with our friends, go for coffee afterwards, and enjoy all the ancillary benefits of being a Toastmaster — part of a worldwide community of people committed to becoming better speakers and leaders.

Free communications skills workshop for businesspeople

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A Christchurch public speaking group will host a free lunchtime seminar Friday March 26th.

Become a better business speaker: free lunchtime seminar 26th March in Papanui

A local public speaking group is hosting a free seminar for business people.

Sheila Hailstone, MBA, DTM
Sheila Hailstone, MBA, DTM

The 40-minute lunchtime seminar by Christchurch Women’s Toastmasters in Papanui will help anyone who needs to do presentations at work, or speak about their business in public.

Distinguished Toastmaster Sheila Hailstone MBA, a former European Training Manager and CEO, will present this free seminar at Christchurch Women’s Toastmasters’ Open Meeting Friday 26th March from 12.30 to 1:30pm. 

The workshop will be held at The Village, 460 Papanui Road at the corner of Frank St. Free parking is available at the rear of the venue. Everyone is welcome. 

Attendees will discover tips and techniques to improve their effectiveness when presenting in a business setting, including how to capture your audience’s attention in the first few moments, how to structure your presentation, and how to ensure you are communicating something of value.

Registration is recommended and can be done via Eventbrite here.