At our next meeting there will once again be four speeches but this time with a slightly different twist. Christian will take a further step towards his Advanced Communicator Bronze with project number four while Wendy will give her final speech as part of her Advanced Communicator Silver. Then we will have an educational speeches by Christian S. who will tell us more about goal setting as part of his Advanced Leadership Bronze and finally Charles will round off the evening with an informative speech. It's extremely rare to have a mixture of all these projects in just one evening so don't miss it!

The cake of the day will reflect the summer colours and flavours and after some much needed refreshment, Sabine will make her debut as Table Topics Mistress, the part of the evening where any of us members (and also willing guests!) can be called upon to answer a question on any given subject for 1-2 minutes. It can be nerve wracking but still enjoyed by all.

The particular flavour of our meetings changes according to what's on the agenda but there's always the supportive and inspiring atmosphere for us to try things out in and improve our communication skills so why not join us next time?

For more details about what will hapen during the evening, please use the link below to et our agenda (please check it for last minutes changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

After our election last Wednesday, I'm pleased to announce the upcoming board from July onwards:

President: Ramin G.

Vice President Education: Emily V B. (ACB, CL)

Vice President Membership: Christian S. (CL)

Secretary: Waltraud P.

Treasurer: Alin S.

Sergeant at arms: Christian K. (CC)

Immediate Past President: Emily V B. (ACB, CL)

I feel the new board represents an excellent mix of experienced and new members and that this will be a strong team to lead Mercury onto even bigger and better things over the next year. Unfortunately, our nominee for Vice President Public Relations could not be with us that evening so we will have the election for this position at our next meeting. Stay tuned for an update!

On the schedule next time, we have three speeches scheduled. New member Lisa will make her Mercury debut and break the ice. Then Wolfram and Adam will continue working towards their Advanced Communicator Bronze by delivering speeches which aim to persuade but with very different emphases. Wolfram will focus on a hot topic, the financial crisis and its causes, while Adam will delve into the workings of the mind with a speech about spirology. All in all, a rich and extremely varied speaking section which you wouldn't want to miss.

As a change to our regular format, there will be no Table Topics next time to get our pulses racing but instead the election of Mercury's new board for the beginning of the Toastmasters year which will start 1st July. I know that I'm very much looking forward to seeing the new line-up.

As a guest, you're free to come along to our meetings as often as you like. There's no need to register beforehand and no pressure from us to join. Experience for yourself the unique atmosphere we have here at Mercury which makes it an inspiring and supportive place to practise and develop your communication skills. For more information about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches): 

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

Once more, we have a packed agenda lined up for our next meeting. Lisa will make her début at Mercury with her icebreaker speech, Christian will present his seventh project, focusing on research while Jan will become a Competent Communicator and inspire us with his tenth speech. Finally, I will complete the final stage in my Advanced Communicator Bronze with the final project from the Interpretive Reading manual which will be the oratorical speech. We will be covering the whole spectrum of experience and speaking skills so please join us for this rich and varied evening.

There will be the cake of the day as always followed by some table topics to keep us on our toes. This is the part where it's possible to hand over the floor to the guests for 1-2 minutes while they do their best to answer some tricky or entertaining questions on various subjects.

Guests are always welcome at our meetings; you can come as often as you wish and there's no need to register beforehand. You can learn how to develop your communication skills in a warm and constructive environment as well as having fun.

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

At our next meeting ,we currently have two advanced speeches lined up. Wolfram will make his Mercury comeback and present his first speech as part of his Advanced Communicator Bronze while Charles will power on towards completing his with project number six. This will be an exciting opportunity to see two great speakers presenting challenging projects.

The cake of the day will contain a lot of chocolate and cream because the arrival of spring means we should all be getting healthier After that, Romain will step into his role as Table topics master, our impromptu speech section. If they wish, guests can also accept the challenge and take centre stage for 1-2 minutes while they try to answer a question on any given topic.

It may be a shorter working week with Ascension but why not take advantage of the extra time and come along? It's always a pleasure to have guests at our meetings. It's also a great chance to find out how to build on and develop your existing communication skills. There's no pressure to join, no need to register beforehand so what have you got to lose?

For more information about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

For our next meeting, we have four speeches on the agenda. New member Christopher will make his debut at Mercury by breaking the ice, Gregor will present his fourth project focusing on language and the use of rhetorical devices while Johanna will shift the emphasis onto vocal variety with project number six, all from the basic Competent Communicator manual. To finish with, I will present my fourth project from the Interpretive Reading manual which this time will be a one act play.

After last meeting's culinary table topics, there will just be one cake to enjoy next time but I can promise you it will be something very British and sweet. After that Ramin will put our impromptu speaking skills to the test with some table topics. This is the part of the evening also open to guests and one which offers everyone, aside from speakers and evaluators, the chance to speak. It's generally the most feared but also the most enjoyable section!

The manuals offered by Toastmasters really do offer something for everyone, regardless of your personal goals and background. At Mercury, you'll find a warm and supportive atmosphere to help to build upon and develop powerful communication skills. Guests are always welcome so please don't hesitate to come along.

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches:

 http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

Unfortuntely our Vice President Public Relations, Katharina, had to resign from her position on the board due to work commitments. I'm pleased to announce that Johanna offered to return to this role again and that she was successfully elected at our last meeting. Welcome back Johanna!

So here's another update on our board:

President: Emily V B.  (CC, CL)

Vice President Education: Wendy H. (ACB, OCL)

Vice President Membership: Christian K. (CC)

Vice President Public Relations: Johanna M.

Secretary: Waltraud P.

Treasurer: Matthias H.

Sergeant at Arms: Ramin G.

Immediate Past President: Dorothée P. (CC, CL)

System Operator: Olaf B. (CC, CL)

 

At our next meeting, we have three speeches lined up. Waltraud and Gregor will present their fourth projects from the basic Competent Communicator manual, focusing on the use of language and rhetorical devices. To finish off, we will then have an advanced speech from Dorothee who will be taking the first step to achieving her Advanced Communicator Bronze.

After the break, I will be in charge of Table Topics. This is our impromptu speech section, also open to guests, which gets us thinking on our feet by giving us a limit of just 1-2 minutes to answer a question on any given subject. Next time it will have a slight twist however, since the emphasis will be on taste and memory as each participant will taste a different piece of cake blindfolded and explain what associations it conjures up for them. Don't miss this unique opportunity to take part!

Our meetings offer you the chance to learn powerful communication skills and build confidence in a supportive atmosphere without any of the risks or pressure you have in a professional environment. Guests are always welcome so please feel free to come along next time and find out for yourself how Toastmasters can benefit you.

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches)

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

After the drama and excitement of our contest, we'll return to our regular format for the next meeting. There are three speeches lined up; Jon and Romain will aim to organise their second speeches, while Christian S. will focus on body language with his fifth project. This is a great opportunity to see how differently the same projects can be presented and how working through the Toastmasters manuals hones and develops core communication skills.

There will, as always, be the cake of the day in the break, this time with seasonal fruits. After that there will be the Table Topics to look forward to. Waltraud did an excellent job last time so we can surely expect more of the same.

Guests often comment not only on the organisation involved in our meetings but also the enjoyment we clearly have from them. This is something that is so important for us and it'd be nice to have you with us to share that. For more information about what will happen during the meeting, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches)

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

Spring is finally in the air and our next meeting will have a different format because it's our International Speech and Evaluation contest. Ingo will be our contest master and we'll kick off the evening with the speech section in which Christian and I present our speeches on the topics of our choice. It can be informative, entertaining, humourous or persuasive.

Some things never change though and there will be, as always, the cake of day to enjoy as the contestants from the first part take a well earned break and those for the second one prepare themselves for the challenge of the evaluation contest. Johanna has bravely volunteered to be our target speaker and will then have the privilege of getting four evaluations from Dorothée, Jan, Christian and myself. It's always fascinating to hear how different feedback on the same speech can be and for the contestants, it's the ultimate challenge in organisation and quick thinking.

Don't miss this great opportunity to be part of an exciting and rewarding evening. Our contests take place just twice a year and are always full of unexpected twists and drama. Guests are always welcome at our meetings but especially at contests to help provide a warm and supportive atmosphere to inspire and help the contestants. It'd be great to see you there.

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our detailed agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

 

For our next meeting, we have three speeches scheduled. Our first three speakers will continue working their way through the basic Competent Communicator manual: Johanna will present project number four which focuses on language and Susan will deliver her seventh speech which is all about researching a chosen topic. To round off the speaking section, I will present an informative speech about the mentoring system. It's always great to have a mixture of newer and more advanced speakers and if you come along, you'll see for yourself that each project presents its own particular challenges while always helping us to build on our existing communication skills and gain confidence. 

After that, there will be the cake of the day as always which will be a speciality from Britain (but good British cuisine!) to enjoy in the break before Christian S. takes charge of the Table Topics. This is our impromptu speech section also open to guests; take part and find out why it's comparable to jazz!

Our meetings are always full of unexpected twists and also really entertaining but most of, you can count on a warm and supportive atmosphere. Guests are always welcome so please join us next time for what once again promises to be a really great meeting. For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

At our next meeting, we have four speeches scheduled. From the basic competent communicator manual, Gregor will present his fourth speech, focusing on how to say it, Christian S. will focus on body language as he reaches the halfway point with project number five and Jan will focus on vocal variety with his sixth speech. To finish with, our new Vice President Education Wendy will make her speaking début at Mercury and inch ever closer to completing her Advanced Communicator Silver with project number nine from the Speaking On Television manual. For members and guests alike, it's a wonderful chance to witness the progression of the different speech projects and how they can develop your confidence and communication skills.

After the break with our homemade cake of the day, Matthias will challenge us with some Table Topics. This is our impromptu speaking section which offers guests, as well as members with smaller roles the opportunity to have some time on centre stage by asking them to answer a question on the given topic in just 1-2 minutes. In order to lose the feelings of frustration and being at a loss for words whenever we need to think on our feet, there truly is no better practice.

As ever, guests are most welcome  - there's no need to register beforehand, simply come along and be part of a rich and inspiring evening which can make you a better speaker.

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php 

At our next meeting, we have three speeches scheduled but with a slightly different twist. Charles will be our TME and guide us through the evening but he will also be working on the fifith project from an advanced manual, Speciality Speeches, with his introductions for each speaker, Christina will make a welcome return to Mercury with her second speech from the Competent Communicator manual and to finish with, I'll give my eighth speech as part of my Advanced Communicator Bronze, once again from the Interpretive Reading manual which involves presenting a monodrama. This promises to be a rich and interesting evening with three very different projects to offer you a glimpse of how varied Toastmasters can be.

Next meeting will also be the 40th cake of the day so you'll have to come along to find out what it will be... After that, Pamela will take over Table Topics, the fast paced and nerve racking impromptu speaking section where she will ask participants a question on any chosen subject and they then have 1-2 minutes to answer. As always, guests are very welcome to take part and it's well worth taking the plunge to discover speaking skills you never knew you had.

One of the best points about our club is the atmosphere and it's always great to have new members and guests to share that with us. Why not find out for yourself what Toastmasters can do for you, and how you can develop powerful communication skills while still having fun?

For more details about what will happen during the evening, please use the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php

After the resignation of our VP Education, Jan, I'm happy to announce that Wendy was elected as his successor last meeting. Her strong experience in Toastmasters and enthusiasm make her an excellent choice and I'm very much looking forward to working with her. Here's an update on our board:

President: Emily V B. (CC, CL)

Vice President Education: Wendy W. (ACB, OCL)

Vice President Membership: Christian K. (CC)

Vice President Public Relations: Katharina A.

Secretary: Waltraud P.

Treasurer: Matthias H.

Sergeant at Arms: Ramin G.

Immediate Past President: Dorothée P. (CC, CL)

System Operator: Olaf B. (CC, CL)

Our first meeting in a brand new year, in a brand new decade! It certainly feels fresh and exciting and we already have a packed agenda with four speeches. To start with new member Romain will break the ice with his very first speech, followed by visiting toastmaster Tijmen who will give his third speech (both from the Competent Communicator manual). Then to finish off the evening, Charles and Christian will take another step closer to finishing their Advanced Communicator Bronze with projects 3 and 4 from their respective manuals. This offers us a chance to see a wide range of speakers at very different stages in their Toastmasters careers and also helps us understand that the educational programme goes far beyond the first ten speeches of the basic manual and offers something for everyone to become a better speaker, regardless of their experience.

Their will be the first cake on 2010 to enjoy, followed by Table Topics from Gregor who is taking over this job for the first time. This is our impromptu speech section which trains us to think fast and creatively. Participants have 1-2 minutes to answer a question on any given subject and guests can also take part in it if they wish, though it's not an obligation! Actually, once you get past the initial nerve wracking moments of being asked, it's hugely rewarding, most of all really fun and is often the favourite part of the evening of many members. 

Although the ratio between newer and more experienced members at the club may change, one thing always remains the same; the warm and inspiring atmosphere. That comes from the contributions of all those involved but also from the guests so it would be a great pleasure to see you at our next meeting. Join us for this evening and find out how Mercury can benefit you. For more details about what will happen during the evening, please click on the link below to get our agenda (please check it for last minute changes regarding speeches):

http://www.mercury-toastmasters-berlin.de/public/agenda.php