Meeting Synopsis - January 6, 2016

Toastmasters Meeting January 6, 2016

Meeting Theme

Being of Service

Word of the Day

Jubilant




Anita, Toastmaster of the Day, reminded that a positive aspect of “being of service” is that you leave your troubles behind when you are present to be of service to others. That can be refreshing. Also, how often do you find, that when serving others, you have a personal experience that comes from serving others that ends up serving us unexpectedly. Great theme! Grammarian Shinita selected the word of the day, “Jubilant,” which is to show great joy, or satisfaction.




Inspiration Master Patricia recalled the first time she volunteered, when she was 11 years old, at a Tony Harris Armenian benefit. At the benefit, attendees pledged money in favor of the performers they liked which were ultimately provided to charity. Most of the other performers were children performing upbeat, jubilant musical productions, skits and children’s choirs. She played the flute and was allowed to select her own song. To her father’s surprise, Patricia elected to play “MacPherson’s Scottish Air,” a melancholy piece, a lament, which probably more appropriately performed at another event, like a funeral or grave site. Although her father worried over her song choice, but Patricia’s excellent performance garnered the most donations for the benefit. Did you know this amazing fun fact about Patricia? Good to know, eh?

Table Topics Master

David




David jubilantly led table topics, asking questions about customer service. First he asked Christina what her best customer experience was, and Christina recalled watching a busy, jubilant waitress assigned to serve too many people at one time, in fact several parties at once. It was too much work for one waitress, but she did her best, didn’t blame anyone but herself, and she comped people who complained. David then asked Corinne what her worst customer service experience was, and she said that she was pleased to say that she doesn’t recall a terrible experience that stands out in particular with any one person. She also said automated telephone-tree customer services, without actual , jubilant, live people, offer the worst customer service experiences. She enjoys watching her husband, who has a strong East-coast accent, try to enunciate words that automatic phone-tree services cannot seem to interpret. Congratulations goes to Christina for winning the the best table topics competition at this meeting! Thank you also David for leading table topics so well!

Speeches

Bob gave his speech “Sacramento Freeways-Blame Jerry Brown.” Bob gave a history of the events of freeway development in California and in Sacramento. Sacramento was building freeways at a time when the environmentalist movements were beginning in the 1960s, about ten years after prominent Los Angeles and Pasadena freeways were built, during Jerry Brown’s first term in office as governor. Jerry Brown preferred public transportation systems back then, so many existing circular freeway project proposals did not advance. The subsequent development of areas originally intended to be freeways effectively made building the circular freeway systems at a later time impractical. Bob said that in the future, he expects that traffic delays will continue. Perhaps more people will telecommute or try public transportation. Bob effectively managed a short question and answer session following his presentation. Nice speech Bob!




Sarah gave a speech about “Making a Murderer.” Sarah is not sure why, but she is very addicted to binge-watching crime scene shows. Indeed a new television show, the most binge-watched show on Netflix, “Making a Murderer,” effectively put Christmas Eve plans on hold while Sarah was watching the show… The show begins with a person who was found innocent after he served a lot of prison time for one heinous crime. The person is then convicted of a second heinous crime, and much of the show is dedicated to the question of whether a poor, uneducated man in Wisconsin is in a criminal justice system that is flawed. Sarah had many interesting facts about the development of her new favorite crime scene show, and of course about the neuroscience that causes everyone to be interested in such crime scene shows generally. Sarah opines that new years’ resolutions for good health can be achieved by watching crime scene shows. If you want a healthy body, and mind, she
suggests that you throw out your useless ginko-biloba supplements, and instead stimulate your thought processes and healthy mind by watching Making a Murderer. Congratulations to Sarah for winning the best speaker, and the best of the best award, for this effort!

General Evaluator

Renee

Evaluator 1

First Adam evaluated Bob, and Adam commented that Bob’s speech was well organized, the speaker was knowledgeable on the subject matter, he used the visual aids very effectively, and that his Q and A session was well done with humor. Adam liked the way Bob engaged everyone within the discussion early in the beginning of the speech. Congratulations also goes to Adam for winning the award for best evaluator. Great job!

Evaluator 2

Second John evaluated, and he commented that Sarah had a great conversational, folksy, authentic and relaxed style of speaking. John complimented positively on Sarah’s use of understated humor as a speaking tool, and that Sarah does an excellent “deadpan” delivery method that is funny. Everyone was thankful for John’s effective evaluation of Sarah’s speech. Way to go!




General Evaluator Kori commented that the meeting was well run, and how much she appreciated Timer Steve’s use of colored folders as a way to clearly achieve the timer’s roles and duties.

Club Business

Reminded officers of upcoming officer trainings offered this weekend. Christina asked all toastmasters to let her know which contests they will compete in for February (International Speech and Table Topics).




The next meeting is January 13 and the toastmaster is Kori.




Best of the Best award went to Sarah.