CLUB FORMED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPEAKING

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32060, 7 August 1969, Page 2

CLUB FORMED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPEAKING

A luncheon elflb was formed in Christchurch yesterday to raise the standard of public speaking and to ensure correct procedure, of chairmanship at meetings. ‘ The men and Women who 1 attended the inaugural meet--1 ing had all attended courses in public speaking run by the 1 Workers’ Educational Asso--1 ciation, which sponsored the meeting. The club was formed, however, on the initiative of Mrs Doreen Grant, who has been conducting classes for two years, and some of her students. Mrs Grant is a former national president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand and is the present convener of the press and public relations standing committee of the International Council of Women. FOR PRACTICE

The aim of the club was to give members constant practice in public speaking, Mrs Grant said. In the W.EA. courses they bad gained confidence in expressing themselves and had learnt what a chairman and secretary should do at meetings, but unless they had regular opportunities to practise their knowledge they might become hazy and nervous again. “For many years it has been a dream of mine to see

more competent women in policy-making—-women working and co-operating at this level with men, bringing to it not only a woman's point of view but also their special qualities of compassion, forebearance and a concern for the Individual life. “This gathering seems as if that dream may come true. I had begup to think it would not happen in my lifetime,” she said. “But I have gathered fresh hope in seeing so many men here." Although the club was not at "policy-making level" it could become an important and powerful group, with men and women working for the good of the community. Subjects discussed by the club would be topical and of interest to both men and women, Mrs Grant said. W.E.A. SUPPORT

Mr N. A Parsloe, tutorial classes secretary of the W.E.A., said the formation of the club fulfilled one of the purposes of the association. One of its basic principles was to let students decide for themselves what they would study and to let them have a voice in the affairs of the W.EA. This had been the policy for 50 years. The new group was starting on its own initiative with the full support of the W.EA., he said. Although only about 20 were expected at the meeting, nearly 50 attended. They

included businessmen and women, housewives, a union secretary, and a nursing sister. They decided to meet twice a month, elect officers and probably choose a name for the club at the next meeting. It may be necessary to form two groups because of the numbers showing interest. The club Js open only to those who have done courses in public speaking. MORE ARTICULATE

Members interviewed after the meeting agreed that the club was an excellent idea to help them become more articulate and confident in public speaking. Most of them said they had been called upon to speak at times and had been found wanting.

“I felt my nervousness let me down badly,” one businessman said. “I decided I had to do something about it.” A housewife said she had decided to educate herself further when her children finished their degrees at university. “1 belong to many organisations but my nervousness used to make me inarticulate," she said. “I always remembered what I really wanted to say after I sat down again." Another woman said she knew she waffled when speaking at meetings because she worked herself up into such a state before rising to her feet. “This is the kind of thing

women are criticised for so much, so I thought I would take myself in hand," she said. “I intend to keep it up.” The photograph shows Mr Parsloe and Mrs Grant at back with Sister Juliana or Calvary Hospital and Mrs Pat Warham, before the meeting was opened.