Meeting Synopsis - October 21, 2015

Toastmasters Meeting October 21, 2015

Meeting Theme

Unforgettable Mentors

Word of the Day

Sprightly

Speeches

There were two wonderful speeches today.

Patricia is on Project 4 – How to Say It, entitled “The Christmas Story.” Patricia took us back to a Christmas she had on January 7, 1980 in Canada, which is Christmas according to the Julian Calendar. She spoke about the snow on the drive and wearing her boots and scarf. It was negative 30 degrees. When she entered the kitchen she could smell the coffee brewing and the bread baking. She could see the homemade cookies and red wine. She also spoke about her grandmothers sister, who is a nun, taking pictures with a Kodak instamatic camera with the square flashbulb and temporarily being blind. Throughout the story, Patricia mentioned some black, speckled stuff, which was boiled wheat berries, poppy seeds and honey. Patricia used some very specific detailed words, which made you feel you were there celebrating Christmas and you could smell the wonderful food. She also told us the Ukrainian words for grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, sister and uncle.

John is on Project 7 – Organize Your Speech, entitled “Research For Fun.” He started his speech talking about AB532 and how the Legislature has encompassed different heritages, including Japanese, Chinese, Guatemalan, etc., but did not include German, Norwegian, Scottish, Irish, Dutch, etc., so he chooses white. John explained how plundering was out of style and kilts were outrageously priced. He sang us a limerick in German translated to “Beer here … or I will fall over.” He then described how to make your own beer and as long as there were two adults in the household, it was legal. John provided us many detailed facts concerning brewing one’s beer, including the specific XXX code regarding how many gallons of beer a household was allowed yearly-John advised us this number translated into two beers each for two people a day. John explained that when making beer, it must be kept between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the fermentation process. How ever, John also explained that varying from that standard will only result in a difference in taste, but will not usually have a bigger impact other than that.

Both speeches went over on time, but there was still a contest and John won the Best Speaker ribbon.

Table Topics Master

Kori

Kori’s questions were related to the theme of the day. Corinne chose question number 3, which was how to mentor someone at work. Corinne’s first offer of advice was to run. If you chose not to run, then behave in a sprightly manner; don’t focus on how you didn’t run. Encourage that person to do the best that they can. Figure out the job and it will all come together. Shnita chose question number 2, which was an experience as a mentee that did not turn out as you had hoped. Shnita explained that when someone leads you the wrong way, take a positive attitude, if you have questions about the direction, do your research, don’t trust everything. Be very sprightly. The downfall is negativity. Linda chose question number 1, which was would you rather be a mentor or mentee and why. Linda would rather be a mentor because she has had plenty of experience of mentors who are not the best, but how to turn it around and make it a positive experience. All three candidates said the word of the day. Shnita won the Best Table Topics speaker ribbon.

General Evaluator

Renee

Evaluator 1

First Sarah spoke about Patricia’s speech and the very descriptive words she used to describe the smells and people, along with the carolers. Sarah mentioned because the black speckled stuff was said several times during the speech, spending a little more time on it would have been great, but the speech was wonderful.

Evaluator 2

Second Rosie evaluated John’s speech and spoke about several things mentioned in his speech and how wonderful it was. Rosie noted that John’s speech was very informative, but not boring at all! John used subtle humor throughout his speech, and also varied the tone of his voice to keep us interested. He also intermittently spoke German, which was a lot of fun, and engaged the audience by asking us the rhetorical question regarding pricing a kilt lately. Rosie also mentioned that John had very appropriate and natural body movement and hand gestures that were fitting to the speech-his hand movement emphasized points of his speech only, and were not distracting.

Both Sarah and Rosie went over during their evaluations, but there was still a contest and Sarah won the ribbon for Best Evaluator.

We started on time and ended on time. The speeches were great in that they both brought another language to their speech, yet it wasn’t planned. In table topics, the questions stuck to the theme and everyone used the word of the day. The theme was good, but it would have been nice to hear more about the toastmasters “Unforgettable Mentor.” The word of the day “sprightly” reminded me of a game that I am playing that is taking place on St. Patrick’s day, and sprightly took me there.

Club Business

The toastmaster party is on November 14 from 3:00-7:00 and the flyer will be coming out again. The club officer meeting is Monday October 26. Please remember to bring your leadership manuals to every meeting and let Christina know if you are getting close to completing it.


Best of the Best award went to Christina.