Control of the Meeting
All meetings are controlled by one person at any one time.
People wishing to comment from the floor should always address their comments through this person. It is not correct to turn around and start to address your remarks to others on the floor.
Our meetings are controlled by three people at different times - The President, The Chairman and The Topics Chairman. They sit at a separate table in front and should be clearly visible by all.
You address the role - e.g. Mr. Chairman - and then you go on to make your point, speech, evaluation or give your report. If you are given control you must give it back.
New members will either give a speech or a topic first so the following example will help and is based on a speech.
The member is introduced and called up to the rostrum by the Chairman. The Chairman is in control. He will not sit down until acknowledged. The speaker arrives at the Rostrum, faces the Chairman and acknowledges him verbally - "Mr. Chairman". The Chairman sits down to indicate that the speaker now has control.The speaker delivers his speech. When he has finished and the clapping and whoops of excitement have died down, he turns to the Chairman and acknowledges his again - "Mr. Chairman". The chairman will stand to receive this acknowledgement of control being passed back to him and the speaker will return to his chair.
The purpose of control being so structured is to stop members interjecting whenever they feel like it and destroying the programme and its structure. It also stops any heated issues being discussed becoming personalised.
Respect
Good relations between people are based on respect. Good manners are an outer manifestation of respect and the desire to put others at ease.
Humour will be good natured and positive.
Other people's opinions are not challenged.
To this end the club does not speak on matters that cover religion, politics or sex. In life these areas are very important but if not handled well can offend. We are keen to help people to develop speaking skills. Offending people just gets in the way of this goal.
Judgement must be used. The changing role of women from Victorian times to the present could make the subject of a great speech. Commenting on how similar the codes of ethics are between the major religions could also be quite appropriate. However, even a scholarly approach to Viagra, an "old firm" match or current political trends in the various parties are likely to be inappropriate.
If in doubt, leave it out!
Evaluation & Content
People expose their beliefs with the content they use in their speeches. It is not the purpose of this club to comment on content other than in a technical manner relating to speaking skills.
Evaluations should help a member improve and this is best done with supportive motivating language. Avoid phrases like…
my only criticism is – there were 3 things wrong – what needs to change
and use alternatives like…
moving forward you might consider – the following could strengthen the power of the point you are making