When we are rewarded or recognised, the brain sends a ‘feel good’ chemical – dopamine to the brain (Small et al. 2003; Cameron et al. 2014); It’s a natural high. Toastmasters achieve this when they overcome a challenge – like speaking in front of a group of people or socially interacting in a positive environment. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Tropic City rewards every person that builds a wonderful atmosphere each meeting AND for yearly contributions.
OUR WEEKLY MEETING AWARDS
Click or tap on the boxes below to see what they looked like!
ET Award
ET stands for Enthusiastic Toastmaster. In 1986, a trophy was donated to Tropic City by 1986 by Lorna Fazldeen. It is a miniature model of ET from the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This trophy is given to a member who contributed something special at each meeting. It is awarded at the end of each meeting by the General Evaluator. Consideration is given to the person who performed with enthusiasm, created a wonderful vibe, and/ or assisted beyond their role.
Golden Gavel Award
We have a session called ‘Table Topics’. This is an opportunity for members and guests to practice impromptu speaking for approximately two minutes. The Golden Gavel is given by the Table Topics Evaluator for who gave the most cohesive speech in the challenge.
Timers Award
This award replicates ‘Big Ben’ which is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, England. Known as ‘Little Ben’, it is presented by the timer of the night. It goes to the member or guest who spoke closest to the assigned time.
Golden Oscar Award
This award is given by the Chairman of the night. The trophy was like a Golden Oscar that was awarded for movies. It is awarded to any toastmaster that did an outstanding performance.
Mini Monitor's Award
While all the large and exuberant efforts to make the night are appreciated, we ensure that minor roles do not go un-noticed. Minor roles for each meeting include: Timer, Grammarian, Joke Master and other minor but important roles. This award is handed out by the Toastmaster. The Toastmaster’s role is general host for the night.
The Golden G
The Grammarian of the night assigns a word for members to familiarise themselves with. This important role extends the vocabulary of the group. The Golden G is an award that goes to the person who embraced the use of this word in many opportunities throughout the night.
OUR YEARLY AWARDS
- Best Attendance Award is awarded to the person who shows unwavering commitment to Toastmasters by showing up.
- Spirit of Success Award may be given to up to three people for passion shown in their efforts.
- Most Improved Award is for the Toastmaster that has made a remarkable improvement in their ability.
- President’s Award is given to a strong supporter. This is handed out by the President.
- Executive of the Year Award is for an executive that demonstrated extreme professionalism and dedication throughout the year.
- Toastmaster of the Year Award is awarded to the person that demonstrates all round high performance traits of a Toastmaster consistantly.
- Minadarpwap Award – In Aboriginal tradition, the history of each tribe was contained in the song and the dance. Each Corroboree is accompanied by song and beat. In each tribe, one family has custody of the songs. The duty of the song man is to tell the stories of the tribe in song form and the men dance to this. The song man passes the songs on to his son. If for some reason he does not do this, the history of the tribe can be lost. The totem sign of one song man is the Minadarpwap.This trophy was originally presented by Col Sutcliffe, a charter-member of Tropic City Club. Like the song man, this trophy is passed on by the person who last received it and it is intended that this tradition remain. Improvement and Contribution are essential elements in Toast mastering and so the person who improves and contributes most in each year wins the Minadarpwap Award and is responsible for passing on the trophy.
Spirit of Success Award
Minadarpwap Award
REFERENCES
- Small DM, Jones-Gotman M, Dagher A (2003) Feeding-induced dopamine release in dorsal striatum correlates with meal pleasantness ratings in healthy human volunteers. Neuroimage19:1709–1715. 10.1016/S1053-8119(03)00253-2
- Cameron CM, Wightman RM, Carelli RM (2014) Dynamics of rapid dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens during goal-directed behaviors for cocaine versus natural rewards. Neuropharmacology86:319–328. 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.08.006
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