The ASC Works with our Conference Sponsors - BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. In the UK, it serves around 20 million businesses and residential customers, as well as providing network services to other operators. In January 2007, it signed up its 10 millionth broadband customer.
BT has kindly sponsored the Association of Speakers Clubs National Conference 2007 in Hammersmith to the tune of £10,000. As part of the sponsorship deal, Michael Ronayne and Vince Stevenson, both members of ASC clubs, are pictured here facilitating communication skills workshops with delegates from BT’s elite talent pool.
Members of BT's Talent Pool at the Croydon Communication Skills Event
Members of BT's Talent Pool at the Hemel Hempstead Communication Skills Event
(L) Michael Ronayne prepares to video a session
(R) Keith Dickerson, BT's Standards Manager, with Vince Stevenson
Niranjan, John and Palvinder preparing for their ice-breaker session
Here’s what the BT talent pool had to say about the workshops:
‘I learned some really useful techniques that I can apply immediately. There was an effective mix of both tools and practice opportunities. The video is a brilliant tool for immediate feedback.’
Palvinder Pooni
‘It was a very useful opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection.’
John McKay
‘It was very good and fun too. I learnt some strong do’s and don’ts of speaking. I appreciated the tips and advice with regards to improvement. There was lots of variety in the exercises.’
Paul Neville
‘I felt very uncomfortable about attending this training course, but I found it extremely useful.’
Ian Johnston
The Speaker of the Year Dinner 2006
The Speaker of the Year Dinner was held on 14th October 2006 at the Victoria Thistle Hotel in London. Attended by more than 100 ASC members and their guests the Guest of Honour was Esther Rantzen CBE, the ASC Speaker of the Year for 2006. Previous Speakers of the Year since its inception in 1989 have included Sir Peter Ustinov, Terry Waite, Tony Benn, Patricia Routledge and Simon Weston.
The evening began with a very warm welcome to the City of London from Katherine Inglis, of Wimbledon S C; this was a professional and humorous delivery highlighting some elements of Esther Rantzen’s career.
Katherine Inglis welcoming Esther Rantzen
Gwyn Redgers, National Vice President said Grace before diners enjoyed wild mushroom soup, roast sirloin of beef and upside down caramelised apple tart. The Loyal Toast was proposed by Gwyneth Millard, National Secretary.
The Master of Ceremonies, Rosemary Harris, National Development Officer, was joined by Esther Rantzen to cut the cake baked in her honour by the hotel.
Esther Rantzen and Rosemary Harris, National Development Officer, cutting the cake to celebrate the honour
After a short interval an auction in aid of Childline was well run by Mary Medcalf of Garstang Ladies SC. It was extremely well supported by everyone raising the sum of £565. A huge thank you to all those who contributed.
Mary Medcalf, Auctioneer
Next on was Suzanne O’Brien of Wimbledon SC who proposed the toast to the ASC. This was an impassioned speech about the benefits of the ASC.
Suzanne O'Brien, proposing the Toast to the ASC
Tony Coleman our National President presented Esther Rantzen with the Speaker of the Year Trophy, a magnificent silver salver with the names of previous holders engraved on it.
Esther Rantzen receiving the Speaker of the Year Trophy from Tony Coleman, National President
In response Esther took to the floor to give a superbly entertaining address using the ten ASC speech assignments as a basis. Taking each in turn she included both humour, from a life of television and entertainment and serious notes associated with her charity, Childline. With extraordinary professionalism she enthralled all those present for 40 minutes, even going so far as to invite a Topic from the floor and proceeding to talk, and make everyone laugh, on the subject of dating.
At the end of Esther’s address Rosemary Harris declared that this was truly a “Masterpiece”. This was met by unanimous approval from the audience.
Our final speaker of the evening, June Ford of the Speakers of Bromley SC proposed a vote of thanks before Rosemary Harris presented Esther Rantzen with a bouquet of flowers.
June Ford proposing the Vote of Thanks
Rosemary’s closing remarks included a special thank you to Neil Harvey, all the speakers, the auctioneer and everyone for attending and contributing to a very enjoyable and successful evening - an evening of true speaking excellence.
Having declared Esther Rantzen's speech a Masterpiece an Honorary Certificate of Achievement was sent to her. Esther Rantzen in her reply to Rosemary says:
"I was thrilled to receive the Honorary Certificate and the wonderful silver tray. Please thank everyone on my behalf for the honour you have given me - and for the great pleasure of the evening we spent together. I was tremendously impressed - do let me know if there is any way I can help in the future. With best wishes."
Credits
All photographs Tim Wyatt of Wimbledon Speakers Club. More photographs are available from the Wimbledon Speakers Club website. To order prints please contact Tim at http://www.tjwmedia.com/contact/contact.php