I want to start a speaking group

John cycling

John cycling

Healthy Person
Location
Central Coast California
I'm planning to start a new group at the Senior Center for Seniors to join and express themselves.
Last October I had joined a grief support group (details here < ) for a month or so, then changed to
some of their other activities. I rejoined the group this past May and have been attending since then.

This afternoon I met with the helpful woman in charge of the schedule who told me the leader of
that group will be moving to a different day and time by the end of the month (a secret at this point).
This is perfect for me, as I can take over that same day and time slot for the new speaking discussion group.

My idea is to have the group somewhere in between the grief group, and a formal Toastmasters meeting,
as I went through TM but want this one to be more casual where we can all speak up about our daily activities,
goals, objectives, how we are dealing with our lives and the time we have left.

I would love to get your comments, ideas, and suggestions on a title for the group and a general description.
The woman who's preparing the notice told me today that wants this as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow
but at the latest well before Friday, so she can include it in a Senior's Marketing Campaign at the end of September.

Here are some of my ideas on a name for the group:
Speaking group, Discussion group, Seniors discussions, Seniors speakers. I'm quite open for suggestions. Thanks. :)
 

Last edited:
John cycling said:
I'm planning to start a new group at the Senior Center for Seniors to join and express themselves.
Last October I had joined a grief support group (details here < ) for a month or so, then changed to
some of their other activities. I rejoined the group this past May and have been attending since then.

This afternoon I met with the helpful woman in charge of the schedule who told me the leader of
that group will be moving that group to a different day and time at the end of the month (a secret at this point).
This is perfect for me, as I can take over that same day and time slot for the new speaking discussion group.

My idea is to have the group somewhere in between the grief group, and a formal Toastmasters meeting,
as I went through TM but want this one to be more casual were we can all talk about all of our daily activities,
goals, objectives, and how we are dealing with the time we have left.

I'm posting this here to get your comments, ideas, and suggestions on a title for the group and a general description.
The woman who's preparing the notice told me today that wants this as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow
but at the latest well before Friday, so she can include it in a Senior's Marketing Campaign at the end of September.

Here are some of my ideas on a name for the group:
Speaking group, Discussion group, Seniors discussions, Seniors speakers. I'm quite open for suggestions. Thanks. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. I'll start with "Speak Up, Seniors!"
 
I think it is a great idea. I can be somewhat of an introvert so going to similar events does help me get out of my "shell" and more importantly out of my head. My first thought of a name was "Silver Tongues" but that kind of hints that it would be for experienced speakers. "Seasoned Thoughts" is another thing that popped up in my head. All the suggestions so far a good ones.
 
Great idea!

A suggestion might be to have themed-topics as conversation starters just in case people don't have much to say. They could be really broad topics. I found some from table topics from Toastmaster's.

Since it's not a grief group anymore, it might be nice to have something to laugh about too. Laughter is a great icebreaker.

Hope you have a fun time.

– Who was your favorite childhood teacher?
– Who did you most look up to when you were younger?
– Who do you most look up to now?
– What is your favorite quote and why?
– What is your favorite outfit?
– What is your favorite color?
Click to expand...
141 Fun Table Topics Questions For The Best Conversations - Bold & Bubbly
 
How about Silver Speakers? Kind of playing off Silver Sneakers which is a name most seniors recognize and name recognition goes a long way with helping be successful.

Definitely need a topic for most meetings, with the ocassional anything goes meetings. Could also have guest speakers on ocassion.

Sounds like a good idea, good luck.
 
Here's the tentative title, description and footnote for the flyer, which is due by tomorrow.
- - - - - - -
Discussion group

A relaxed and inviting atmosphere for us to get together and express ourselves, where we can speak and share about our daily activities, goals, objectives, how we are dealing with our lives, the time we have left, and anything else that we're interested in. This group is led by an experienced public speaker.

Let's get together and chat
- - - - - - -
Alternative group titles:
silver seniors
silver speakers

Alternative footnote: What's on your mind?

Note to self: bring a list of questions.
- - - - - - -
Let me know of your ideas for improvements.
Thank you for all of the helpful suggestions. :)
 
Last edited:
John cycling said:
Here's the tentative title, description and footnote for the flyer, which is due in the next 2 hours.
- - - - - - -
Discussion group

A relaxed and inviting atmosphere for us to get together and express ourselves, where we can speak and share about our daily activities, goals, objectives, how we are dealing with our lives, the time we have left, and anything else that we're interested in. This group is led by an experienced public speaker.

Let's get together and chat
- - - - - - -
Alternative group titles:
silver seniors
silver speakers

Alternative footnote:
Speak up seniors! What's on your mind?

Note to self: bring a list of questions.
- - - - - - -
Let me know of your ideas for improvements.
Thank you for all of the helpful suggestions. :)
Click to expand...
I think this is a great idea and wish there was something similar where I live. I hope you'll post updates as this progresses.
 
Seriously, you hit the nail on the head at your speaking group. The best therapy is being able to talk and share your grief or problems. It's a real morale booster for many. I have been through it, although not because my wife died, but because I missed my parents very much. Every year around the holidays, I would get seasonal depression. When I would fly at that time, I felt very close to my parents being up in the Heavens. I would find myself sometimes speaking to them mentally. Talking or speaking to or with others is great therapy. JMO.
 
That sounds like a great idea, @John cycling !

I used to go to a Toastmasters and it was something I looked forward to every week or so. I didn't like the critiquing part of it, but getting up in front of a bunch of people and speaking was fun — especially since I used to suffer from severe public speaking anxiety. I even did a comedy routine once. :ROFLMAO:

You could expand it so musicians could get up and perform a song or two for a little variety.
 
Monday the 23rd was supposed to be the last Grief Support Meeting before it was moved to Friday. I got to the Senior Center early to talk with the woman who prepares the schedule. A woman at the City had not approved the new group, had changed the name to add "coffee and conversation" and also changed the description.

I was going to opt out, but the woman said it would still be on the schedule, just not advertised like the other groups but hopefully would be for November. The changes were annoying, but she said she'd been working hard and I could run it how I wanted, so I agreed to try it for October.

Then none of the regular people showed up for the Grief Support Meeting. The paid Hospice woman who ran it had cancelled the meeting but hadn't told me. Aha, maybe she was behind the changes. Two people showed up anyway, and the three of us chatted together for the hour.

None of the changes are going to matter overall except to take the group a bit longer to get started. Overall the way this has been handled has been annoying but I'm just going to do my own thing and see what happens. The 1st meeting of the new group will be tomorrow.
 
I can't really help, but I have an observation.

Speaking is easier than listening. So teaching people how to listen, how to truly give someone else an undivided piece of your attention, is important. We learn more by listening than speaking. So yeah, that.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top