It’s good to talk...
The message from East Kilbride Speakers Club secretary Paul Munday is loud and clear – let’s hear your voice.
Having joined the club in 1985, Paul became secretary two years ago having also served as treasurer.
The Gardenhall man, who has lived in the town for 43 years, worked as both an engineer and a careers adviser, for youngsters looking to get into that profession.
It was a determination to improve communication skills at his work that led to him becoming a member of the speakers club.
“I joined because I wanted to improve my speaking ability at work,” he told the News.
“I was 35 at the time and I had to do presentations in schools because I was in a careers advisory role for the engineering industry.
“I had to stand up and do various things; give my talk, stand tall and project my voice. “It’s not that easy for anyone. “Someone at work suggested that I join the speakers club and I thought it was a good idea. It didn’t cost much and it was great training.
Paul admits he was “dead nervous” when he started speaking to the members.
At the end of every session other members will rate you – and tell you where you can improve.
Despite the early days proving daunting, Paul believes it was the best move he made.
He said: “If you ask the average person to speak in public they will always say ‘oh no, get someone else’.
“We’re not all politicians who speak out regularly; most of us don’t want any kind of speaking role.
“That’s why speakers clubs exist really.”
He added: “People say they don’t have a lot of time to do speeches.
“But with computers you can look up things and pin things and spend more time practicing. It’s a lot easier now. To people thinking about trying it I would say come along. It is a good laugh.
“It can seem a bit formal and that can make it daunting,but there is a camaraderie that is second to none.
“Although there is a chairman and a president, it doesn’t get away from the fun aspect.” Do poor speeches get panned? “We’re very gentle at the speakers club,” Paul adds.
“We don’t give criticism without good cause.
“After a speech, the evaluator stands up for two minutes and gives a critique.
“The main point of the evaluation is to concentrate on the plus points if someone is a nervous speaker or new to the club.
“You can make it constructive and the person can go away and think about the things they can do better. Most of the members now are at the age where they don’t mind about the criticism anyway!
“If you want to practice and get a genuine critique it’s good to have a friendly group.
“Sometimes if you’re with family they don’t give you an honest critique.”
Paul hopes to say it clearly for those at the back of the room – the club is a great resource and boost the membership.
“I’m normally a shy person,” he said. “You can’t change your characteristics. A shy person will always be a shy person.
“But in the old days I wouldn’t do anything like this.
“We’ve got less members now than when I started. At one point there was a waiting list but it’s more like modern life now. People don’t join things.
“We want to stand up and express clearly what we do – what we can do for people and how we help them.”
To people thinking about trying it I’d say come along. It’s a good laugh...there is a camaraderie that’s second to none.