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Fellow 598r’s!  “Many Happy Returns” was our theme this week, in honor of April 15^th.  Lou Stifter opened up with some great thoughts and then turned control of the meeting over to our President, Howard.  We welcomed two guests this week – one is a long-time member, Marion W. coming back for a quick visit and our other guest, John, wants to improve his speaking skills due to a promotion at work.  We hope to see both of them again real soon!

We had a full evening with four speeches, but our Toastmaster Shags calculated how many Table Topics our Topic Master Barbara could run through and run she did!  Barbara quickly and adeptly ran five, including two of our guests,  table topics.  Questions ranged from “What is one of your happiest memories?” to “Could you survive alone in the Wilderness”.  I think it is safe to say that the responses were wild and well-done!  No one eschewed (WOD – meaning to avoid or shun) their creativity and fun during table topics.

Shags then offered us a jocose moment from Rosalynn, our Jokemaster.  Rosalynn easily entertained us with a cute “Can of peas” joke.  Jolly good!

After our break, we started into the educational portion of our meeting.  Shags introduced our first speaker, Christine.  Christine worked on her 9^th project, Persuade with Power, by encouraging all of us to enjoy the benefits of Pomegranate juice.  After a sample swig of this potent potable, eyes were brighter and these folks were anxious to run out and purchase some Pomegranate Juice of their own.  Great speech Christine and good use of your visual aids!

Shags presented our second speaker, Ashley.  Ashley’s speech objective was to accept an award.  Shags presented Ashley with an award that had previously been awarded to him at the last Regional Training.  Ashley’s education and training programs were recognized for their innovative thinking within District 57.  Ashley graciously accepted the award and spoke highly of the organization and provided kudos to those that have aided him in his efforts throughout the year.  If only all award recipients could be so well spoken and generous!

Our third speaker, Bill informed us of the S.M.O.G. process.  This is useful to every driver that ever has or ever may receive a moving violations ticket.  This acronym stands for Signal – Mirrors – Over the Shoulder – Go!  This beneficial information should aid each of us in making safe and legal lane changes.  Thank you Bill for the SMOG check!

Ron, our fourth speaker, asked for some practice for the upcoming Table Topic Contest.  Our Toastmaster presented Ron with two table topics and Ron aced both of them, (as always).  His first response gave insight into the impact his father has had on Ron’s outlook and ability to commit to success.  The second reply was focused on how Toastmasters has changed Ron’s comfortableness with speaking and leading and how important it has been to him.  Well done and good luck Ron! 

We changed our typical evaluation format to further assist Ron.  We immediately jumped in to a ‘Round Robin’ evaluation of Ron’s Table Topic performance.  The feedback was dutifully noted and on target to help Ron advance to the next level of competition.  Good luck Ron!

Our ‘back to the regular program’ evaluators, Joe, Alice and first time evaluator, Denise gave effective and supportive evaluations for each of the other three speakers, focusing on key strengths and one or two improvements.  The remaining evaluation team members provided their Grammarian and Ah-Counter reports with great panache. 

Pat, our evening’s General Evaluator gave her thoughts on the overall meeting.  She was pleased with the overall conduct throughout the meeting, but was kind enough to show us how to properly shake hands and turn control of the speaking area over to the upcoming speaker (the person leaving should shake and walk behind the person accepting control).

Our Sparkler / Faux-Pas Judge, Carie, presented her Faux-Pas award to Lou.  During Lou’s performance as Assistant Toastmaster, he had a few small missteps but the piece de resistance was omission of the Pledge of Allegiance!  The Sparkler award was presented to past member / current guest Marion for bringing her usual mirth and merriment to the meeting. 

Okay, folks, time for our drumroll now . . .TTRRRRTTTRRRRRTTTRRRRRTTT, the night’s winners are:                      

Best Table Topics – Carie

Best Evaluator - Denise

Best Speaker – Bill

Sorry to those that couldn’t make it can’t get the full fun and frolic that we actually experience in our Thursday evening at the Sizzler, but this will have to do.  Hope to see you in person next week at our meeting! 

So remember, where else can one have so much fun while learning to speak and listen and lead, than right here in our own club where superb speakers and leaders we do breed!  Carie

Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm | Category: Uncategorized | RSS Feed: RSS 2.0 feed.
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