Brecon Speakers Club Events 2009-2010
[2008] Monday 8th September General meeting.
Monday 22nd September General meeting.
Monday 13th October General meeting. Readings of some past District Short Story winners by their authors.
Monday 27th October General meeting. Club Short Story contest.
Wednesday 5th November Special meeting with ASC President Joe James: 'Prescription Speaking'. Presentation of the transformed Trophies for all five Club contests.
Monday 10th November Club Topics contest. Preparation for District Short Story finals.
Sunday 16th November District meeting. Short Story final. District Topics final. (Possibly in Swindon)
Saturday 22nd November ASC Speaker of the Year Dinner in honour of Lord (Digby) Jones; Kensington, London.
Monday 24th November General meeting.
Monday 8th December Tutorial on 'Speech Preparation' by Dilwyn Scott, the ASC's National Training Officer. Awarding of Certificates.
[2009] Monday 12th January General meeting. Club Speech contest.
Monday 26th January General meeting. Club Evaluation contest.
Monday 9th February General meeting.
Sunday 22nd February 1.30 pm at the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre: we are the hosts for the South Wales Area Speech and Evaluation Finals.
Monday 9th March General meeting.
There are 10 basic assignments in the Association of Speakers Clubs' Certificate programme and, at each Brecon S.C. general meeting, there will be a tutorial on a particular assignment, which members may then attempt at the following meeting.
Making a Start - your first speech may be on any subject you choose, introducing yourself to your fellow Club members.
Mean What You Say - how to speak with sincerity, conviction and persuasiveness.
Speech Construction - arranging what you want to say in a logical, consistent manner.
Use of Gestures - use your hands, face and whole body to improve your effectiveness.
Use Your Voice - this is your most powerful weapon, so vary the pitch, pace and volume.
Vocabulary and Word Pictures - how to emphasise your message with superb language.
The Use of Notes - prepare and use notes that facilitate the smooth flow of your speech.
The Use of Humour - explore different types of comedy, finding just the right style for you.
Audience Rapport - connect and convince: which is what all speakers are aiming for.
The Masterpiece - completing a speaker's basic training, demonstrating all the skills that have been developed along the way. This speech will be strictly evaluated and, once this is achieved (and more than one attempt may be necessary), the ASC Certificate is awarded.
Beyond the Basic Certificate
For ASC's Advanced Certificate, there is a range of more challenging assignments: The impromptu speech; The outside assignment; Use of visual aids; and two of the following: Chairmanship skills; Using public address systems; Business presentations; The after dinner speech; The written speech; or Speaking without notes.
Members also have opportunities to learn the skills involved in, for example, debating, evaluating other speakers, dealing with hecklers and coaching novices. The Club also supplies speakers to local groups and provides judges for school and other competitions.