Renfrew Speakers Club

Achieve Speaking Confidence

		A Typical Club Night Members and Guests try to arrive by 7.30 pm to permit a prompt start at 7.45 pm. This short period allows that night’s Chairman to make any last minute changes to the programme. The Club President, this position is an annual one, opens the Meeting and calls on the Club’s Social Convener to give a short Welcome. He then hands the Meeting over to Chairman who then invites the General Evaluator and Time Keeper to join him at the top table. The General Evaluator’s role, towards the end of the Meeting, is to give an overview of the general conduct of the evening with a view to maintaining good standards and commenting on any points not previously covered. The Timekeeper gives a demonstration of the lights system, green, amber and red to assist the speakers keep to their allocated time. The Chairman then invites the first of three to four speakers to take to the lectern and give his speech, generally lasting six to eight minutes on the night’s theme and on a section of the Speakers Guide. After the speeches session, the speakers are given a three-minute evaluation by another Club Member, who gives advice for improvement or encouragement. Following a tea/coffee break the Meeting resumes with a Topics Session. The Topics Chairman randomly requests members to speak on an undisclosed subject for three minutes. This in effect is to give training in creating a mini speech to help with ‘thinking on your feet’. Over both our autumn and spring Sessions the Club endeavours to create wide and varied Programmes to fulfill our aim of Achieving Speaking Confidence. Over these Sessions, Members take on the various Club Night Roles as a way of broadening their experience. Additionally we have occasional joint Meetings with the Renfrew Ladies Speakers Club that are very enjoyable. Come and join us or even as a free non- speaking Listening Member!