CLUB INFORMATION

Club 11 celebrated its 50th year since inauguration in October 2008.  Several members have over 30 years service in the Club and bring a wealth of experience to the Club.  The new members bring a fresh approach to the Rostrum ideal. This creates a well balanced membership whose main aim is to learn from each other and enjoy doing it. Speaking programmes are entertaining and thought provoking. The Club always has the benefit of excellent Critics to guide and mentor the membership throughout the Rostrum year. A meal is available during the meeting but it is not obligatory to participate in the meal.  Prices range from $7 to $20. Visitors are always welcome. The membership fee is currently $60 for each six months.

Meetings are in two parts with a separate chairman for each part.  This allows more members to develop their leadership and organisational skills as well as practise meeting procedure.

The first part of the meeting is the speaking section of Program.  Here members have the opportunity to practise their communication skills with speeches, impromptu speeches and readings.  Members are allocated speech topics by the Club Program Director or can choose to present on subjects of their own choice, which could be a practice run for a function that they are planning.

The second part of the meeting is the business section.  This is generally shorter and covers the minutes from the previous meeting, reports from Office Bearers and minor speaking exercises.

In conclusion, the Club Critic evaluates the meeting and members’ contributions. This is an extremely important part of the meeting.  The Rostrum Critics are trained to provide encouragement and constructive criticism.  They are helpful in offering advice and suggestions as to how to improve skills for future exercises as well as recognition of strengths.

 SUMMARY