Speaker for Tuesday 17th September 2013 - Mr Derek Ewing MBE
20/09/13 18:38
Photo: President Graham Kane meets Derek Ewing and NI Rotary Liaison Officer Mary Sinnamon with Rally Chair, Jim Gordon
Talk by Mr Derek Ewing MBE on ‘Being a Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies’
Club President Graham Kane welcomed club members and guests Mary Sinnamon (our NI Rotary Liaison Officer and Rally advisor) and Paddy Kirkpatrick. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning, Mr Derek Ewing MBE, who gave a highly entertaining talk about 'the life and times of a professional Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies'.
Derek began his talk by giving a brief run down of his early years, and then explaining how he became a Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies (TM&MC), and being only one of three in all of Northern Ireland.
Derek's career began after he 'retired' from the RUC after 20 odd years in that service (and thanks to Mr Patton's need to reduce numbers and a 're-training' scheme). We then had a 'back-track', as Derek gave us some details (and many jokes) from his Police training in Hendon, North London. Derek was then posted to Londonderry, where he worked with 'some of the finest Police Officers in all of Northern Ireland'. Derek was then transferred to Coleraine, where he worked as a crime prevention officer, until his 'retirement'.
It was in Ipswich that Derek received his TM&MC training. There he learnt the skills, ceremonies and techniques for his new trade, as well as essential tips on vital elements of formal occasions, like how to stay sober (when giving ten or so 'toasts') and who takes precedence over whom.
The members were told about the 'correct' formal attire, the 'correct' form of addressing dignitary, the 'bible' of 'correctness' itself - 'Debrett's A-Z of Modern Manners' and their 'Peerage and Baronetage'. As well as the myriad of form required for Civic and Council formalities.
Despite the wealth of information in Derek's talk, he still had plenty of time to include many jokes and anecdotes , which had all the members chuckling right up to the Question and Answer session. This included 'why do you have a hammer' - It's part of the 'uniform' and very good for getting people's attention. 'What's the correct procedure for the 'Loyal Toast' - The words 'The Queen', nothing else. 'Is there a difference in precedence when people are 'on duty' or 'off duty' - Yes, so you have to check carefully first. And finally the inevitable, 'Have you ever made a mistake' - Yes, but if you look like you know what you are doing, no one notices!
A vote of thanks was proposed by Ross Torrens spoke for all members, when he summed up the talk as very enjoyable, interesting and 'great craic'. The thanks were passed on by the President, and the members showed their appreciation for a lot of good humour, at the Coleraine Probus Club.
Talk by Mr Derek Ewing MBE on ‘Being a Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies’
Club President Graham Kane welcomed club members and guests Mary Sinnamon (our NI Rotary Liaison Officer and Rally advisor) and Paddy Kirkpatrick. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning, Mr Derek Ewing MBE, who gave a highly entertaining talk about 'the life and times of a professional Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies'.
Derek began his talk by giving a brief run down of his early years, and then explaining how he became a Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies (TM&MC), and being only one of three in all of Northern Ireland.
Derek's career began after he 'retired' from the RUC after 20 odd years in that service (and thanks to Mr Patton's need to reduce numbers and a 're-training' scheme). We then had a 'back-track', as Derek gave us some details (and many jokes) from his Police training in Hendon, North London. Derek was then posted to Londonderry, where he worked with 'some of the finest Police Officers in all of Northern Ireland'. Derek was then transferred to Coleraine, where he worked as a crime prevention officer, until his 'retirement'.
It was in Ipswich that Derek received his TM&MC training. There he learnt the skills, ceremonies and techniques for his new trade, as well as essential tips on vital elements of formal occasions, like how to stay sober (when giving ten or so 'toasts') and who takes precedence over whom.
The members were told about the 'correct' formal attire, the 'correct' form of addressing dignitary, the 'bible' of 'correctness' itself - 'Debrett's A-Z of Modern Manners' and their 'Peerage and Baronetage'. As well as the myriad of form required for Civic and Council formalities.
Despite the wealth of information in Derek's talk, he still had plenty of time to include many jokes and anecdotes , which had all the members chuckling right up to the Question and Answer session. This included 'why do you have a hammer' - It's part of the 'uniform' and very good for getting people's attention. 'What's the correct procedure for the 'Loyal Toast' - The words 'The Queen', nothing else. 'Is there a difference in precedence when people are 'on duty' or 'off duty' - Yes, so you have to check carefully first. And finally the inevitable, 'Have you ever made a mistake' - Yes, but if you look like you know what you are doing, no one notices!
A vote of thanks was proposed by Ross Torrens spoke for all members, when he summed up the talk as very enjoyable, interesting and 'great craic'. The thanks were passed on by the President, and the members showed their appreciation for a lot of good humour, at the Coleraine Probus Club.
(Secretary, Mike Turner)