This is usually the time we pause,stop and reflect on what we have done in the past year and to set some new directions for the new year. As a member of Bradford Speaks I have been building my confidence in becoming a more accomplish speaker. I took on some new roles at the club. This year I spoken at several different events to audiences of 200 people. In November 2023 I chaired the question and answer session at a business conference which I helped organised for business owners and people wanting to become entrepreneurs.

What goals are you going to set for the New Year? And is this goal something Bradford Speaks can help you with? If so get in touch.

Remember there and some things you need to learn and BS can help. Let me end with this quote.

“If you’re not comfortable with public speaking – and nobody starts out comfortable; you have to learn how to be comfortable – practice. I cannot overstate the importance of practicing. Get some close friends or family members to help evaluate you, or somebody at work that you trust.” Hilary Clinton. BS exists to help you with your practice so you can become masterful.

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Do you feel you could be a better communicator? Or be even more influential in you personal and professional life?

Bradford Speaks offers you a range of opportunities to develop and enhance your communication skills. That means you will be able to easily take your place in the world, stand up and be counted-learn to make a difference through the power of speaking. We are meeting on 6th September 2023 why not come along and gain the skills you need to take your life and career to the next level.

“It is not enough to do your best”;, says Edward Deming, “you must know what to do, and then do your best”. Bradford Speaks exists to support you to achieve your own dreams.

Does your work or other activities you participate in require you to speak in public? Are you afraid of public speaking? Do you believe you can learn to be comfortable with public speaking if you had a safe, supportive and friendly place to practice and get useful feedback to progress swiftly?

If you are looking for a place where you can develop your speaking skills with easy and get the practice to grow then why not come along to our meetings so you can learn.

As Hilary Clinton says “If you’re not comfortable with public speaking – and nobody starts out comfortable; you have to learn how to be comfortable – practice. I cannot overstate the importance of practicing. Get some close friends or family members to help evaluate you, or somebody at work that you trust.” Come along to Bradford Speaks where we can help you.

In March 2020 Bradford Speaks made history by becoming the first Toastmasters International club in Bradford, however, due to the Coronavirus Crisis we had to move our meetings online ever since.

The 6th October 2021 at 6.45pm for 7pm start will be our first face to face meeting since becoming a fully-affiliated club and we know that our members can’t wait to get back together again in person.  We have received so many enquiries from potential new members who have been waiting for us to announce a date of our intention to re-establish face to face meetings.

Our use of online technology has allowed us to stay in touch and continue on our learning journey, and whilst some clubs have thrived online, you cannot beat the real experience of speaking in public, getting that instant feedback from your audience and feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

We’ve also changed our start time to 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

Come and join us, catch up and have some fun.

Tonight, Wednesday 15th September we hosted our first ever local competition for the Humorous Speech and Table Topics categories.  The meeting was our last ever online.

The Contest Chair, Tina Norbury DTM led the inaugural event ensuring a strict and fair competition took place.

It was a fun and interesting evening with some great funny speeches and a table topics competition which as always throws members into a little panic as they have to apply their impromptu speaking skills at lightening speed to deliver a 1-2.30 minute speech.

Our Area Director, Dan Massarano, ACB ALB attended the event and announced the winners.  Janice George-Pinard won the Humorous Speech contest with Philip Cavalier-Lumley and Hauwa El-Marzuq coming second and third place respectively.  Janice also picked up a win for the Table Topics contest which means that she will be representing Bradford at the Area 15 ONLINE competition on 30th October 2021.

Congratulations not only to Janice on her success, but to all members who took part.  Competing in public speaking certainly stretches you, your skills and confidence.  It is one of the great features of being a member of Toastmasters International that members get to put into practice their new found confidence, speech writing and communication skills in a safe and friendly environment.

A grateful thanks to members from around the TMI network who logged in to join us and help run the meeting.

Our next meeting is FACE TO FACE on 6th October 2021 at our NEW START TIME 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

On Wednesday 19th May the committee for July 2021- June 2022 were appointed as follows:-

Janice George-Pinard, President

Tina Norbury DTM, Vice-President of Education

Mo Subhi, Vice-President of Membership

Philip Cavalier-Lumley, Vice-President of PR

Hauwa El-Marzuq, Secretary

Andris Berzins, Treasurer

Sarah Yaccabe, Sergeant At Arms