Time for another installment of UTF! Last night turned out to be a solid meeting. I came in a bit early or so I thought! The place was already a-buzzing with getting set up. Our VPE (Carlos) and new Sargent at Arms (Emanuel) were getting things together. Toastmaster (Robert K) was en route and the air was filled with that electricity that comes before a great meeting.
Carlos was going over some educational goals with members (if you haven't had that review yet schedule it with Carlos. Without it, its like taking a road trip without a map. You'll move, but have no idea where you'll end up. Let Carlos reset that compass and put you on the right track) He was also able to give me a teaser on the new member orientation presentation. He'd be delivering to our newest member Olivia after the meeting was over. SPOILER ALERT! OLIVIA OUR NEWEST MEMBER JOINED!! SHE'S AWESOME 'NUFF SAID!
Gavel smacked down at 7pm and the show was in FULL motion.
Table topics were Inciteful dealing with milestones --I was even brought into the mix( I thought folks would get sick of my mug as presiding officer-but you love me you really love me! =P ) Lyndsey, James W and Praj delivered with gusto - Praj has that natural presence in speaking too--It seems our new members are coming in pre-seasoned these days-AWE----SOME!
Speeches were fantastic. Learned about Crimestoppers from Henry. I didn't know it was a volunteer (.org) organziation. He did a great job presenting sans his PowerPoint! He really stepped up and improvised without visual aids. WTG Henry! I still have to ask him if he's involved with crimestoppers and any stories--New topics for conversation with a fellow toastmaster--(I do the mental happy dance Now! =D )
Next up we had Peter giving a moving performance--(Yes his speeches are always performances and I'm lucky I don't have to pay TUTS prices to see them!) He spoke about seizing the moment when it comes to daring feats of love, and how he's been studying Love for years! Peter always brings energy to his speeches. It just snaps you up and forces you to listen intently. He's also a master at painting a picture for you in his speeches--I could see myself at the dock being a bystander and seeing his future grandfather set eyes on his future grandmother for the first time.
Emmanuel,our new Sargent at Arms, gave a humorous and informative speech on the stages of obtaining a skill. In this case, it was riding a motorcycle. Emmanuel has a natural speaking presence about him too (like Praj--see what I mean about preseasoned), a quick thinker (a natural at Table Topics-look out come contest time). There was more than one laugh in the speech my favorite was when he said he had bought his motorcycle, but could not ride it yet. So he had to get it towed from the dealership to his house. Lol! That still cracks me up just thinking about it. =D
Yen was last, definitely not least though. She gave a wonderful inspire your audience speech. Speaking about the issues of stuttering. There was humor, some sadness and overall triumph. She also gave a shoutout to toastmasters and the PSST too! RIGHT ON! I didn't get to mention it to her last night although I did write it in her eval. I strongly believe if she goes through the other projects strengthing her skills, and acquiring new ones through completing the cc, her speech could definitely win during the international speech competitions come this spring. I definitely would love to see it done again with more speech tools under her belt from finishing the Competent Communicator manual.
Our new members hit it out of the ball park in the prepared speeches portion. All of them using the word of the day --alacrity. Kudos to them! (and Tammy pllllllllllleeease forgive me. I forgot to get the"Best" photo taken last night, I'm adding it to my closing meeting check-list.)
Social Announcements were that we need more socials and of course celbrating the turn out that we've been getting so far . Robert K is getting something together this Friday and I'm definitely going to be there. Be on the lookout for that. Also make sure you RSVP in meetup for meetings, café express and socials. It's extra effort, I know, but makes a HUGE difference in letting guests know that there's not just 1 person showing up.
If you haven't heard yet,we will be giving out the Social Butterfly award at my roast in January for members who host the most event's. It's going to be a cool trophy! Bragging Rights! and a special secret prize (trust me you'll love it).
Also, we will be rewarding the "ShutterBug Award". During socials snap a few shots of the action and post them up to our facebook page. There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize for the best and memorable shots.
(As a side note, We have cleaned up (95% done) our closed facebookpage--restricting it to district officers, current members, past members, and guests who have visited our club at least once. In order to discourage any Facebook Lurkers.)
We have some fantastic special events coming up this term. Contests of Humorous Speech and Table Topics in August, of course. We're looking at our own Table Topics meeting on July 27th Next Week!
-Masquerade Ball Meeting and potluck
-The Greatest Hits Speeches.
I also plan on having my roast sometime during the first 2 weeks of January. Our Social chair is getting details worked out, but It's going to be a DOOZY a meeting/roast,potluck dinner/awards ceremony/ dance/karaoke night at Spotlight! OoooH I can't wait!
Got any ideas, want to particpate more let me know!
Leave comments or questions in the facebook posting - I haven't quite figured out how to get comments to these blogs working in Easy-speak yet.
So MUCH! More to talk about, but I'll cut the ramblings now, Besides, you got to always leave them wanting more no? Enjoy your day! PSSters! Have a GREAT DAY on PURPOSE!
