TV programme ‘The Speaker’ inspires local Interest (Contributed)

THAME’S very own Speakers Club is watching BBC Television?s new reality series, The Speaker, with great interest.

“The programme is clearly highlighting the important role that conquering the fear of speaking in public can play in helping people build confidence and enhance achievement,” says Club President Jean Gamester. “As a club devoted to helping ?ordinary? people acquire strong speaking skills, we are ourselves learning from the programme.”

Filmed during the summer and autumn of 2008, The Speaker follows the fortunes and misfortunes of a group of teenagers from across the UK as they set out to demonstrate that ?ordinary? people of whatever age can achieve extraordinary things. With the right coaching, encouragement and mentoring, the teenagers at the centre of The Speaker are competing to be recognised as the best speaker in their peer group, developing remarkably as individuals as the experience unfolded.

Thame Speakers Club meets at 7:45pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in Thame Snooker Club, St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, OX9 3WT. If you enjoy The Speaker you will also enjoy the finals of the Toastmasters South of England Division speech contest at Thame Snooker Club on the April 19, 2009, at 10:30am.

The show ? perhaps best described as an Xfactor or Pop Idol for public speaking ? makes fascinating viewing, and is sparking off a wave of interest throughout the British Isles in the underlying subject: public speaking. Some people regard Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit international organisation, as a de facto University of Public Speaking for adults (18 and over). It is active in your area, and open to all, regardless of sex, creed or colour.

Sean Kennedy, a committed member of Toastmasters International, acted as programme consultant on The Speaker, and was involved with it from conception through production to broadcast.
He is even firmer than ever in his belief that one of the keys to success and happiness lies in having the confidence to speak in public, and in Toastmasters International as a first-class way to acquire that confidence. “I have had some wonderful experiences over the past 8 years since I sold my business, but over that time the most significant and life changing decision I ever made was to walk into a Toastmaster club. I have seen, read about and experienced dozens of personal development concepts – hand on heart, the Toastmaster programme is the single most effective and value-for-money personal development tool out there.
“The biggest lesson I have learnt from TM is that anyone can become a competent speaker, IF they are willing to put in the time. I have seen hundreds of people including myself, grow from nervous to natural and from self-conscious to self-confident.”

Member of Thame Toastmasters, Richard Moore, said: “I only wish I had known about Toastmasters International in general and Thame Speakers in particular several years earlier.
“It is no exaggeration to say that in many respects in has changed my life, much for the better. I know I am not alone in that. Companies ? and governments- would pay thousands of pounds of pounds for this training, which takes place in a positive, constructive, supportive environment. We offer it for pounds a month!

“I agree wholeheartedly,? added Mary Walters. “As I worked my way through the basic project manual and took on different responsibilities at our regular club meetings, I was acquiring not just speaking skills that I could never have dreamed of but also a confidence that I never believed I could have. As a by-product, I have also acquired new organisational and leadership skills. Oh, and a fantastic social life. And not just in Britain/Ireland. There are Toastmasters clubs all over the world; visiting one when travelling on business can be a much better to spend downtime than sitting in a hotel room watching television.

“We have regular social gatherings and I have made so many new friends,” says John Feore. “I would recommend it to anyone as a way of boosting the enjoyment of everyday life.”

“Toastmasters is not just an incredible personal development tool; it is also a great social experience,” continued Sean Kennedy. “As the son of an Irish publican I never thought I would say this but forget about the pub, join a Toastmasters club!”

If you would like to know more about Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit global group founded to help ?ordinary? people acquire essential speaking and leadership skills, contact Richard Moore directly on 007789902388, or email him at richardmoore@thamesperakers.co.uk.

Further information is available from www.thamespeakers.co.uk. The group actively welcomes new members looking to acquire or improve public speaking capabilities and leadership skills awareness.

NB Thame Speakers is the local branch of Toastmasters International. Meetings are held at the Thame Snooker Club, St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, OX9 3WT on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. There is parking if you enter the club from Wellington Street, or you can walk through the short lane beside Delphine Art at 27 Upper High Street.

Photo: (Courtesy of The BBC) The three judges, Jeremy Stockwell, Jo Brand and John Amaechi who must now whittle down from the final eight, the young winner of The Speaker.