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** The official monthly e-newsletter of the National Speakers Association of South Africa **
Your Board of Directors (BoD)
Please note - unsubscribe procedure at the foot of this newsletter
May 2006
[last issue – February 2006]
In this issue:
1. Speaking: From Good To Great
2. AGM 2006 - 1 August at Hackle Brooke Estate
3. NSASA National Board - nominations
4. Local speakers recently
5. Upcoming speaker events
6. Story of the month
7. Other national speaker conventions this year
8. Subscribe to member newsletters
9. How to apply to join the NSASA
10. Quote of the Month
11. Thought for the Month
** footnote: How to apply to join NSASA **
Note: For additional information, please click on the hyperlinks (usually in blue) which will take you to a special web page, email address or suchlike. For easy navigating, it suggested that you stay online to access the relevant links.
1. Speaking: From Good to Great – First NSASA National Convention 23 – 24 April 2006 Mount Grace
Our very first National Convention is behind us. If you were with us at Mount Grace, the moment in our history when IFFPS Immediate Past President, Paul Bridle, congratulated our President, Paul du Toit, on overseeing the entrance of NSASA in to the International fold as the 8th full member of the IFFPS will be etched in your memory forever.
The final attendance exceeded our most optimistic expectations, with three Botswana delegates arriving unexpectedly to add to the African flavor of the event. The programme, which ran impeccably to time was fast and fabulous, the food fantastic, the views inspiring, the company gracious and entertaining and the whole convention proceeded like clockwork. Even the weather conspired to play ball as the dark, threatening clouds, mysteriously parted to reveal a dazzling sun literally minutes before we commenced!
The delegate feedback has been extremely encouraging. Perhaps a measure of the milestone achieved was the feedback from international participating speaker W.Mitchell CSP CPAE as he was leaving when he said "Some of the other more established associations could learn a few things from the way you organised this event." His sentiments were echoed by other established speakers and guests who vowed to be back soon.
International speakers like W Mitchell (USA), Reg Athwal (Dubai) Catherine Palin-Brinkworth (Australia) Steve Simpson (Australia) David Koutsoukis (Australia) made valuable contributions. Local stars Helen Nicholson, Ian Thomas, Stef du Plessis and Steve Barnett did us proud, while our President Elect, Billy Selekane produced a rousing vision of things to come. Our brilliant MC’s, Hector Motau and Michael Jackson ensured a professional pace of events, and Robin Banks, Trevor Duffy and Riaad Moosa had us in stitches during the Gala evening while Gary Sletcher soothed us into a state of calm relaxation with his saxophone ballads.
Steve Simpson from Australia wrote: "You guys did a brilliant job for your first conference - really well organised and some great presentations. The venue was also great."
Suzanne Burgess’ opinion is: "Exceptional conference in terms of content, organization, speakers and entertainment."
Grant Driver wrote: "Congratulations on a well-organised, stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable conference. I think you did the industry proud."
Roney Ndala said: "I think the conference was a resounding success."
Christine Greeff wrote: "I am delighted to have joined the organization at this early stage to be part of this memorable event."
It is with a sense of gratitude and great satisfaction that we acknowledge the work of Ice Solution to ensure a highly successful, well organized National Convention at Mount Grace. With support of this quality, Sam and Tracey orchestrated a rousing success and the consensus is that we picked a winning team.
Hanlie Joubert, our administrator, who seemed to be fazed by nothing, worked like a trojan for the months leading up to the event, and received a standing ovation from "her delegates" when she was called up to be recognised for her key role in making sure that all pre convention arrangements were made. Her son, Jacques stroked the piano keys with rare mastery, and Knowledge Resources were on hand at the bookstore during the event.
To our Board of Directors, thank you for the excellent choice of speakers and topics and the many hours and long nights deliberating and debating the format and content of the event. The foresight of our Founder and immediate Past President, Stef du Plessis was incredible. He played a major role by hosting our international guests, and unselfishly gave of his time in making them feel welcome in our country, and organising business introductions.
Paul du Toit, our President, deserves a standing ovation for brilliant leadership, amazing organizational skills, and the ability to turn even the smallest procedure into a slick and elegant move! We are fortunate to have someone of this calibre as a role-model and pace setter in our organization. Thank you Paul, for demonstrating that even a very busy speaker and business owner can contribute to other people’s lives, by making personal sacrifices for a worthy dream! We are proud of you.
** Convention Newsflash ** The Board has decided that our 2007 National Convention will be held in Sandton on 20-22 April - venue to be announced.
It has also been decided that our 2008 Convention will be in Durban.
2. AGM 2006 - 1 August 2006: 06h30 to 20h30
Our 2006 Annual General Meeting will be held at Hackle Brooke Estate, corner Conrad Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue, Randburg, on Tuesday 1 August 2006. We have every intention of ensuring that this AGM is as relevant, information - packed and well attended as our last one. We need a quorum of 25% of the members in order to proceed and require that members arrive on time.
In order to add value to this important date on our calendar, Justin Cohen and Graeme Codrington will kick off with an interesting and highly informative half hour mini-workshop session titled "How to Raise Your Speaking Fees and Get More Bookings!" Who better to hear this from than the top guys who are actually doing it already?
Please make every effort to attend this important annual event.
3. The NSASA National Board
At our upcoming AGM on 1 August we will be looking to appoint three new National Board members to serve in portfolios that have recently become vacant or will do so at the AGM. If you are a professional member and are interested in serving and available to do so, please advise Hanlie Joubert. New Board members will be elected by ballot.
4. Local Guest Speakers Recently
March 2006 - Roger Knowles (Contracts) Johannesburg. Roger delivered an entertaining and very valuable session to members and their guests at Hacklebrook Estate on 15 March. It was not only valuable to understand how important it is to have some form of contract, but to see how a professional speaker can turn a subject that most would consider boring in to an entertaining experience using charm, skills, humour and good stories. Well done Roger - and thank you.
Ronnie Muhl (Demo videos and DVDs) Cape Town meeting. No feedback received in time for publication - see why in item 6!
5. Upcoming Speaker Events
16 May Tony Finley (The Four Ingredients of Successful Coaching) Cape Town Meeting - cancelled
June Paul du Toit (How to Organise & Run Profitable public seminars)
July – Speaker will be advised
Aug Ray Laferla - Balancing Your Speaking Business Stresses with your Family Life - how stress can have a hugely negative impact on your business
See you there!
6. Story of the month - Our Everest Man
While some of us are busy training and speaking, others are taking up challenges of a different kind – like climbing mountains and conquering dizzy heights. Ronnie Muhl, NSASA Cape Town Chapter President, aspires to become the 10th South African to reach the summit of Mount Everest. You can contact him on (your international outgoing code) + 8816 315 826 88. For South Africa this code is 09.
Part One: He writes on 3 May 2006:
"Since my last communication a lot has happened on this Everest expedition. On Wednesday last week 3 of us walked down to the Rombuk Monastery and rather unexpectedly witnessed a ceremony which was taking place in the monastery. I stood in awe as I listened to the chants being delivered to the sound of drums and cymbals of the Tibetan Horns. I have waited many years to see this and it was amazing and a privilege to experience this occasion. The following day a group of us moved up to the Intermediate Camp and the day after moved up to Advanced Base Camp. We had a rest day and then the Puja Ceremony was held. One of the Lama's had come up from the Rombuk Monastery to bless all our climbing gear and ourselves. Before we all began to mover higher up the mountains. The sherpa's will not move out of Advanced Base Camp until the religious service has taken place. This took about an hour and once again I though this was incredible.
Soon after I had the opportunity of choosing my personal high altitude sherpa. How does one do this when so much can depend on him on the upper reaches of the mountain? I used my intuition in this process and chose Bawa Tenzing sherpa, based on his presence, the look in his eyes and the smile on his face. He has been on the summit twice and he is a very capable mountaineer.
Straight after the Puja Ceremony, a group of us prepared to ascend the North Col which is a deep snow and ice wall of about 500m and which can only be climbed by using the fixed ropes and jumar, which is a mechanical device which assists with climbing the ropes. The climb from Advanced Base Camp took 5 hours in total; we took 4 hours on the ropes. Some sections were 80º steep. We spent the night at the North Col (7 050m). The serious climbing has now begun.
We are now in Base Camp for 4 days rest before we move back up onto the North Col and then hopefully a bit higher to 7 700m before retreating for our final big rest before our summit bid."
Part Two: Greetings from the North Col ( 7050m) of Everest 9 May 2006
I'm lying in my tent which is precariously positioned on the North Col. As I gaze at my watch I see that it is 3:30 pm and I am absolutely exhausted. I've been lying here for almost an hour having just climbed above the North Col with Bawa Tenzing sherpa to about 7 500m, fours days ago we were at 5 200m. I am beginning to feel the workload. I have 1 350 metres to climb before reaching the summit of Everest but those metres will be climbed with oxygen. I am absolutely exhausted and in desperate need of a rest. Fortunately we descend the fixed lines tomorrow to make our way to base camp for some well deserved time off. Our acclimatisation is almost complete.
The next time we head in this direction it will be with the summit in mind.
A number of our climbers descended today because of sore throats, terrible coughs and overall fatigue. I'm hanging in to spend one more night above 7 000 metres. The higher I go the more challenging and demanding I realise this mountain becomes. It is very tough indeed. By the time I arrive in Base Camp I would not have washed, changed any clothing or seen my face in a mirror for 6 days. So you can imagine how sort after base camp is. Brushing my teeth every now and again reminds me of the freshness that all of you enjoy on a daily basis.
Namaste from the North Col
Ronnie
(This newsletter was phoned through to the office via voicemail and transcribed by Antoinette). Ronnie is interviewed by Nic Marais of the KFM Breakfast Show (94.5) every Wednesday morning just after 7am for weekly updates. You can also go to www.7summits-club.com for updates on the progress made to date.
7. Other International National Conventions coming up this year
Please click on the relevant hyperlinks (you need to be online) for information on forthcoming national conventions taking place worldwide in the next year. Of particular interest at this time is the big one of the year - the NSA Convention in Orlando, Florida. If you intend going - now is the time to book!
Please note that our professional members get to attend these Conventions at Member rates - a substantial saving. Book well in advance to qualify for the early bird savings.
8. Member newsletters
If you have a newsletter and you would like to provide a url link from the NSASA website for members to subscribe, please forward the same to Justin Cohen mailto:webmaster@nsasouthafrica.co.za or mailto:justin@justinspeaks.com
9. How to apply to join the NSASA
Please visit our website, http://www.nsasouthafrica.co.za for information about the organization, membership application forms and debit order forms. Step by step instructions are given. If you have any questions, please contact Hanlie on 08600 NSASA.
10. Quote of the month
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Courage - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
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Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires...courage.
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11. Thought for the Month
Did you know that as a member of NSASA you can post your profile on to the NSASA website database so that prospective clients can find you? Please contact Hanlie Joubert on 08600 67272 and she will be happy to guide you through the process.
Until next time - adieu! If you have any newsworthy stuff you feel our members would like to hear about (or suggestions, thoughts, even criticism), please send to me, your newsletter editor mailto:news@nsasouthafrica.co.za.
Annie Greeff
Editor
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