THERE is some belief that some people who might be interested in joining Moruya Probus Club are held back because they don't like the idea of having to stand up and speak. However, there is no such obligation at our meetings ... but even if there were, according to the February guest speaker, it would be nothing to be afraid of.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Amanda Annabel was there to talk about the Toastmaster organisation, of which she has been a member for 17 years, letting slip also that she is a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, of which she said nothing more.
There were times in life, Amanda said, when someone may be required to stand up and speak. "If that happens," she went on, "you want to be effective."
There were a few tricks in that she said, including: Gestures are half of the message. It is important for the voice to have vitality. Language should be appropriate to the audience. Overcoming adrenaline. Also ways of maintaining the listeners' attention.
And, Amanda added: "The only way to improve public speaking is to stand up and speak.
Twenty-nine of the club's total membership of 52 were there to hear Amanda ... much less than the usual attendance.
The meeting was opened by president Di Montgomerie who made some mention of the recent fires in the area. The microphone was then passed around for members to speak of their experiences in the emergency. There was frequent mention of the good work by the Rural Fire Service, the electricity supplier and the organisation Blaze Aid.
Some spoke of how their properties had been saved by a last-minute change in wind direction, others of communications problems that included much misinformation such as "the airport is on fire". Others talked about their experiences in evacuation.
There was also some discussion of the annual meeting, to be held on March 24. Apart from the election of officers, members were told, there would have to be some decisions on a proposal to change the name of the Club to "Probus Club of Moruya", leaving out "Combined", and to increase the annual membership fee from $25 to $35.
Morning tea, or coffee, was then taken before welcoming the guest speaker. Moruya Probus meets at Moruya Golf Club at 10 o'clock on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
There are many advantages to being a member of Probus. Apart from meeting new friends, and sometimes some old ones, there are opportunities of being involved in outings. There are discounts for some members with restaurants and hotels and more reasonable travel insurance rates than seniors may otherwise be offered. And there are no obligations to give talks. Anyone considering membership should call President Diane Montgomerie on 4471 8629. Or turn up at a meeting.