Letter from the incoming president

The 2007-2008 year is full of promise for more growth and fun in Rivonia Toastmasters Club. I am confident that our ongoing attraction of new members to the club will continue, and that we will all derive benefit from this. What thrilled me during the recent voting-in of the new committee, was the desire for so many members to participate at this level; as Dave Stadler put it, "wanting to give something back to Rivonia". I would like to see all those members who are keen to do so in any feasible way: maybe by acting as seconds-in-command for specific committee posts, or as stand-ins for anyone who temporarily cannot fulfil their roles. One area that I would like to focus on is to encourage more members to make prepared speeches more often. It is all too easy in our hectic lives to let other priorities rise above this activity. But with more speeches being made, not only the speakers will grow, but the other members and the club as a whole too. I am sure that with the support of the new committee, and all the other club members, this coming year is going to be a very enjoyable one.

May all of your TM aspirations become reality.

Steve Stevenson
Rivonia Toastmasters
Club President Elect 2007-2008

New Roles 2007/2008 Toastmaster year

Congratulations to Jacques de Villiers for becoming the new editor for On a Point, the weekly newsletter for Toastmasters Southern Africa.

A big thank you to all our past committee members for doing an outstanding job:
President - Peter Ahmad
Vice President Education - Steve Stevenson
Vice President Membership - B-J Jonker (John Constable)
Vice President Public Relations - Melanie Cavanagh and Sascha Mohr (Erica Saunders)
Treasurer - Patricia Lawson-Smith
Secretary - Lauren Krog
Sergeant at Arms - Paul Smith
Assistant Sergeant at Arms - Frank Peachey
Committee members without portfolio - Kathy Kay (Tracy Frankel)
Immediate Past President - Trina McKinley

Our new committee that will be leading Rivonia Toastmasters into the 2007-2008 year, is as follows:
President - Steve Stevenson
Vice President Education - Patricia Lawson-Smith
Vice President Membership - B-J Jonker
Vice President Public Relations - Jacques de Villiers
Treasurer - Lauren Krog
Secretary - Melanie Cavanagh and Sascha Mohr
Sergeant at Arms - Paul Smith
Immediate Past President - Peter Ahmad

Congratulations to our newly-elected committee.

Peter Ahmad has successfully led Rivonia Toastmasters through the 2006/2007 year. On behalf of all the members we would like to thank him for his time and efforts in keeping our club the well-run and motivated club that it is.

Impressive Impromptu

Congratulations to Patricia Lawson-Smith who, after winning Rivonia's impromptu speech contest, went on to represent our club at area, division and then district level. At Bankon on 10 May, Patricia, with her quick wit and excellent speaking skills, became Southern Africa's 2007 impromptu speaking champion.

This is the first occasion where a member of Rivonia Toastmasters has won at district level. We are all very proud to have Patricia as a member of Rivonia Toastmasters Club and hope that she will inspire other members to aim high.

Speakathon - 31 May 2007

Rivonia Toastmasters hosted a Speakathon on 31 May 2007. This was an excellent opportunity for our club to showcase the calibre of our meetings. There were many visitors from other clubs, some presenting speeches and others evaluating. It was truly an educational meeting for all present. The speeches were all passed. Special congratulations to Marius Grobbelaar from 4th Dimension for completing his tenth speech and thus becoming a Competent Communicator.