Laughter was the predominant aspect of another Florida Toastmasters meeting at the Humorous and Impromptu Speech Contest on Thursday 17 September.
Florida Toastmasters public relations officer Dawn Hemming says laughter is a natural stress reliever “and humour is the spice that will add interest and excitement to any speech”.
Meeting at the Huguenot Restaurant in Flora Centre as per usual, Florida Toastmasters competition contestants Mia Wessels and Victor Silas set out to win.
With Mia’s speech Cinderella, the Beast and Maybelline Mascara she managed to keep the audience amused.
“They were wide-eyed and pleasantly surprised as she sketched vivid images in their minds,” Dawn told the Record.
“She entertained them with unexpected twists of humour and had fun with the audience as she suggested that beauty is actually how you feel inside.”
According to Mia, there is no beauty without strangeness, and with this concept she was declared the winner of the Humorous Speech section.
When asked whether he’d rather be rich or happy, Impromptu Speech contestant Victor Silas quickly responded that he needs to become “smart about [his] money”.
“We go to church, pay our taxes and are responsible for our financial future.
“If I don’t get smart about my money, I’m liable to spend my golden years in a cardboard box over a heating grid.”
His fast answer, quick wit and belief that happiness is an attitude earned him the Impromptu Speech winner title.
Dawn describes the meeting as “a great evening, providing good memories and a great educational experience, and fit with the prospect of doing the same next year”.
Toastmasters International is the world’s largest education organisation that is dedicated to communication and leadership.
The Florida Toastmasters meet at the Huguenot Restaurant in Flora Centre on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7.15pm.
For more information about the club, visit www.florida.tmclub.co.za or contact Cleone Carter-Smith on 082 415 2820 or via email at cleonec@joburg.org.za.
Alternatively, contact Robert de Kramer (president) on 082 823 1387 or via email at robertk@nfp.nedbank.co.za.
