Author Archives: Vancore Toastmasters
The Thriller on Pender
Why contests? Because most of us find our best selves when the stakes are raised. This week, we departed from our usual format and devoted the meeting to a Table Topics competition – with the winner to advance and represent … Continue reading
Funny Strange or Funny Ha-Ha?
Have you noticed nobody tells jokes anymore? Maybe it’s because they’re so dangerous. What one person finds hilarious another may find grossly offensive (and it’s hard to predict these things in advance.) Plus which, they’re hard to tell well. Get … Continue reading
What’s the Good Word?
Not every Toastmasters club features a “Word of the Day,” but VanCore does. Each week, one member floats a relatively uncommon but useful word, with a view to building everybody’s working vocabulary. The challenge is then for people to use … Continue reading
House Beautiful
When you throw an “Open House” there are usually mixed feelings. A new phase of life is nigh! But a stream of strangers just questioned your taste in wallpaper, and now you have to get your carpet cleaned. Fortunately, there … Continue reading
Laying Out the Welcome Mat
We at VanCore love it when new people drop by. Guests, walk-ins, friends-of-friends, lost people trying to find their gastroenterologist’s office: all are welcome. But we feel especially privileged when a TM governor attends a meeting. This week, Area Governor … Continue reading
You’re Invited! Vancore Open House, Aug 29th at Coal Harbour Community Centre
Feel free to come alone, or with a friend.
Sand in your Hair, Sand in your Swimsuit
Sometimes we think Toastmasters should be called TableTopicsMasters. After all, toasts are a pretty small part of most TM meetings, and a small slice of the public-speaking spectrum. But Table Topics! This no-time-to-prep segment is the pumping heart of the … Continue reading
Higher, Faster, More Eloquent
Raise a glass to the Canadian Olympians! This week’s meeting of VanCore toastmasters began with a toast to the Olympic ethic: perseverance, courage, and extremely low body fat. That’s Toastmasters’ credo, too, of course. (Minus the body-fat part.) Cory, our … Continue reading
Lessons From A World Champion Public Speaker
In 2001, Darren LaCroix outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to become the World Champion of Public Speaking. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. “When you humorize, you humanize,” he … Continue reading
Hitting the Sweet Spot
VanCore is like those (increasingly few) doctors who still accept new patients. We’re still accepting new members. If enthusiastic newbies keep showing up and dazzling with their charm and laying down membership fees, we might have to cap it. But … Continue reading
VanCore Toastmasters 