29/11/07 - Harrovians speaking champion
Harrovians Speakers Club wins area Humorous speaking competition.
Alan McMahon of Harrovians Speakers Club won the Area competition of the humorous speaking competition, and was a finalist in the East of England regional final at his first attempt.
NW London, UK, November 2007 – After winning the club competition in October, Alan McMahon of Harrovians Speakers Club went on to win the area competition, representing Speakers Clubs in Harrow, Stanmore and Hertfordshire. He represented Harrovians at the regional East of England final, covering Speakers Clubs from Harrow to Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex.
Tony Lazar, President of Harrovians was delighted and expressed the club’s pride in a seeing a new member do extremely well in this competition. “The standard of competition was very high, with many very experienced speakers taking part. This is fantastic for the club and for Alan - to beat many of these experienced speakers in this competition. We are obviously doing something right if someone like Alan, who had little public speaking experience just over a year ago when he joined us, can go on to win competitions and reach the regional finals.”
Reflecting on the experience, Alan said “The whole competition was a great experience and a real boost to me to know that in little over a year at Toastmasters I was able to get so far and to know that I was competing on equal terms with others who had a lot more experience. To see the looks on people’s faces and to hear people laughing was fantastic.”
On a personal basis, for Alan the Toastmaster experience has been “brilliant”. Just over a year ago, he had difficulty in overcoming nerves speaking in public - now he has no real problem. “Of course, I still get a twinge of nerves before a speech, however, that is good as it gives a certain edge to my speaking. In addition, the people I’ve met at Toastmasters are great, from a wide range of backgrounds, and several are now very good friends.”
Professionally Alan has always been confident in meetings but did have a problem presenting before an audience. He chose to come to Toastmasters to help solve this. “If I can stand up and make a humorous speech in front of a hundred people as I did for the competitions, then presenting in the ‘normal’ work environment in front of 10 to 20 people is a breeze” Alan is admiring of the Toastmasters structured programme and strongly recommends Harrovians to his friends. Although he did have one observation to make “Toastmasters hasn’t improved my spelling though!”
For more information please contact Mr Mandip Sohal or visit www.harrovians.org.uk.
About Harrovians Speakers Club:
One of 11,300 clubs in the Toastmasters International global network, a not-for-profit organisation operating in 90 countries. Toastmasters International began in 1924.
The mission of Harrovians Speakers Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills through a structured programme, which in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth. Membership is open to anyone over 18.
Contact:
Mr Mandip Sohal
Harrovians Speakers Club
info@harrovians.org.uk
http://www.harrovians.org.uk