Wonderful news! We are meeting at 12:15 BST on Sunday, June 28! We are meeting on Zoom! Click on this text to join the chat room. If that doesn’t work on your device, the Meeting ID is 631 522 4568 and the password is speakers.
We had a lot of fun this academic year, and we are excited to transition into the next one. To make the transition as smooth as possible, we need to assemble a committee of dedicated, lively, and trustworthy students. If you will be an Imperial student or staff next year and you wish to be in the committee next year, please apply by clicking the button below.
If you wish to apply, please briefly explain why you would like to serve Imperial College Speakers and which role you would like to be considered for. The following roles are still available:
- Vice President of Membership
- Sergeant At Arms
- Secretary
Descriptions about the roles outlined above can be read by clicking the button below.
Our last meeting’s Word Of The Day was:
Definition: excellent.
Example: you look fantabulous today!
Table Topics
Rahul Jain completed a Pathways project by facilitating Table Topics Master. What is a Pathways project, you might ask? Find out by clicking this sentence.
Chuka said that he had more time for his family due to lockdown. “SWITCH!” He acknowledges that many people may be depressed or worried because they can no longer do their normal activities.
Raj claimed that when we have online meetings “we are just sitting” and unable to properly simulate the sense of physical interaction. “SWITCH!” Sure, there are pros and cons to everything, and some people will certainly prefer the added convenience of online meetings.
Rubab (Best Table Topic) believes that money is vital, for example, to treat the disease of a loved one, or to look after your basic needs well. “SWITCH!” “Poor people on the streets” can still be happy. In general, Rubab believes we should make the most of what we have to be happy.
Beatrice believes that CEOs “need to look good” so they are not paid too much. In fact, they may not be paid enough! “SWITCH!” This is a problem because Beatrice feels she isn’t paid enough either, and she’s not a CEO.
“Social media has improved human connections.” That’s why we’re having Zoom meetings, argues Umar. “SWITCH!” Echoing Raj, the impact and energy are different compared to in a physical meeting.
Prepared Speakers
In Dialogue in the Dark, Seema Rizvi replaced her apprehension with gratitude. In hindsight, she encouraged us to count our blessings.
First she tested our listening skills by asking us to raise our hands. This was to grab our attention so we could better envision the very special experience that changed her outlook. The Dialogue in the Dark exhibition in India was extremely exciting and nerve-racking.
To experience a completely pitch black world with a white cane and guide was difficult for Seema, and she did try to sneak a little torch as a crutch! Soon, her son held her arm and asked, “Mama don’t you want to see my world of darkness”? Suddenly, Seema felt “very, very blessed” and now believes that “gratitude is an attitude”. We need to teach our children to have a growth mindset.
Rishi Kumra delivered a captivating – yet somewhat controversial – motivational speech with the goal of Redefining education.
Who would have preferred to go to Cambridge or Oxford? Why, though? If not being at Cambridge or Oxford makes you feel not good enough, stop! Rishi warns that this is a “dangerous thought process” . “Our conception of human capacity” should not solely be determined by what we have been able to achieve academically.
Children “learn far quicker” because they may be the most creative innovators. Yet, education “is stifling creativity” hence it is difficult to be appreciated for a creative passion. The problem is that science and humanities are often treated as more valuable than arts. Now, degrees are worth less because employers are taking a more holistic approach to the hiring process.
Lead Your Own Path. Jenny Haka (Best Speaker) told her remarkable story in leadership. Toastmasters played (and continues to play) a major part in her success.
Jenny invited us to close our eyes and reminisce about our first Toastmasters meeting. Then, she asked us to flash forward and be grateful for all the conferences attended, roles taken, and people met. Her beginning was typical. She had a “fine” job that got boring over time. She tried some new things like dance and gym, but they didn’t last. Then, she discovered Toastmasters.
After trying it out (after all, she had nothing to lose), she realised how “fantabulous” it was and it soon became her “favourite hobby”! The best thing about the Competent Manual, for instance, was that she only ever received positive feedback. After completing her second Icebreaker, she noticed an opportunity to challenge and develop her leadership skills. She started competing in Contests and she organised events. She is still growing and was the first club in her District to go online after the COVID-19 outbreak was announced in the UK.
Evaluations
Kenny evaluated the Table Topics.
Chuka had plentiful content. SWITCH! He could have injected more emotions when he was talking about the cons of his proposition.
Raj “didn’t really falter”.
Impressively, Rubab sounded like she gave a prepared speech!
Beatrice used “powerful” repetition when she said CEOs are miserable, miserable”.
Kenny could not see Umar’s body gestures properly. Perhaps he can try positioning his camera better.
Miracle evaluated Seema’s speech.
She had a “catchy opening, body, and conclusion”.
SWITCH! She could have “made a strong statement first” to “entice” her audience.
SWITCH! “She also began with a personal anecdote.”
Judith evaluated Rishi’s address.
Judith resonated with Rishi’s topic.
SWITCH! Perhaps there were too many quotes, and he could have made his speech more concise.
SWITCH! His speech was very current and relevant.
Rubab (Best Evaluator) evaluated Jenny’s story.
Her energy, clarity, and delivery were all fantabulous and kept Rubab “hooked”.
SWITCH! She could have used visual aids such as a PowerPoint with a few slides and pictures to amplify the impact of her story.
SWITCH! Her structure was… well… “well-structured”!
Sadia evaluated Rahul’s performance during his Table Topics session.
His “pace and timing” were “timely” and “consistent”.
SWITCH! Hand gestures would help him feel more “animated and more engaged”.
SWITCH! He commented on the speakers and appeared to demonstrate genuine interest.
Paula acted as our General Evaluator.
She particularly liked the Table Topic Master’s novel “Switch” mechanism.
She was impressed by the Timekeepers flashing red background to indicate the speaker had exceeded their upper time limit by 30 seconds.
She remarked on the use of list or “power of three” used by the third evaluator. It is a simple but highly effective tool that anyone can use.