The Tribune

IT was the quintessential, pre-Valentine girls’ night out event, complete with laughter, witty repartee, a male auction and prizes and surprises.

Toastmasters Club 1600’s annual ladies’ night event was held last Thursday at Superclubs Breezes under the theme “1600 Shades of Grey”, a nod to the popular E L James book and the newly released movie.

“The purpose of our ladies’ night event is to honour women.

“We invite them to this forum to shower them with appreciation for their contributions to our families and communities.

“This has also proven to be an innovative tool in our recruitment efforts,” said Club President Valentino Munroe.

“Not only does it help attract persons to the Toastmasters’ organisation, it also provides an avenue for our newer members to showcase their suave and debonair speaking skills. Furthermore, for those in attendance it’s a chance to view the inner workings of a Toastmasters’ meeting.”

The ladies turned out in droves for the event which has grown in popularity over the last five years.

A new feature added this year was a members’ auction which saw eight club members sold to the highest bidder. Female participants won the opportunity to be pampered and catered to during the event. The fundraiser supports the club’s community outreach efforts.

“Every year we like to raise the stakes with regards to making the event bigger and better,” said event organiser, Carlos Palacious, the club’s vice president of education.

“The member auction proved to be a hit. We had persons racing down the aisle to plunk down their money and get the guy of their choice.

“Our auctioneer, Dwayne Davis really had fun with how he pitched these guys. It kept the ladies in stitches and tied into our overall theme of keeping our audience engaged and having a light-hearted and fun event.”

Aside from the men, other prizes up for grabs included tickets for Bahamas Fast Ferries, a cell phone and phone cards from BTC, dinner for two at Curly’s, tickets for Rum Fest Bahamas and gift certificates from Derek Donathan Professional Massage Services, Noveltease and Cable Bahamas.

Chairman Chervez Brown kept the event lively and built anticipation for the main event – love and relationship inspired speeches delivered by Rodney Bain, Stefan Bonimy, Deon Gibson and Troy Strachan.

Mr Bain’s speech, “Amen,” encouraged men to “love women as Christ loved the church.” On the flip side, he urged women to stop choosing the wrong guys.

“Do you know why worthless men thrive,” he asked. “Because women give them worth. Women, you allow the beautiful liars to catch you.

The speeches served up humour and seduction in equal measures.

In his “Rolling in the Deep”, speech Mr Bonimy urged women to delve deeper into their relationship expecting respect and loyalty from their partner.

“I’ve been noticing these couples around me celebrating one-year Valentine, five-year anniversary and they end up 12 years a slave because none of them actually figured out what love really is,” he joked.

According to the third speaker, Mr Gibson, a farmer is the best man a woman could ever hope to find.

“We know all about nurturing from seed to harvest,” he said, in extolling the virtues of a farmer.

In his “You need a Farma” address he likened men to various types of land.

“If you want a short-lived relationship with some quick fun go for that shallow, rocky land, but be careful because these type of men will cause you pain and heartache,” he advised.

Capping off the night was the raciest speech, Mr Strachan’s “One Round” which described how one goes about pleasing a woman.

“See men, what most of you don’t realise is household chores is the equivalent of 11 rounds,” he quipped, to a rousing round of applause from the women.

Mr Strachan won Speaker of The Night, while Mr Bonimy won the Ladies Choice Award.

“I loved how the speeches appealed to the women,” said Karina Rolle.

“It was a well-organised show that really showcased the speaking talents of the men.”

Toastmasters Club 1600 will take its ladies night event on the road for the first time this year.

On March 12, a similar event will be held at Our Lucaya in Grand Bahama.