Saturday, November 28, 2009

24 November 2009 EarlyRisers Toastmasters Meeting Minutes

Josie here covering for EarlyRisers Secretary, Nik, who was out for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

EarlyRisers moved gracefully into action at this meeting. Relatively new member, Eileen, did her ice breaker speech. Way to go! She had us transfixed with a conscious and deliberate use of "common mistakes" speakers make to make her points. It was a great performance. We also had two guests, Steve and Vishal. We look forward to your return!  Lastly, we welcomed and swore in two new members, Ericka and Phillip.  It was a full day for the ones that rise so early. 

Meeting brought to order at 6:30 AM sharp by Josie

Attending: Kelly, Phillip, Eileen, Stephanie, Kathy, Kathleen, Theo, Mark, Jane, Ericka, Joe, Josie, and two guests: Vishal and Steve. Welcome! We are so glad you joined us for this morning meeting!


Toastmaster of the Day: Kelly

Theme for the day: Identity. What are the 100 things you reveal about yourself in a public blog?

The Prepared Speeches at this meeting:
1) Eileen, "Six Decades," Competent Communicator project #1, time 4-6 minutes.  Evaluated by Mark.

2) Stephanie, "Speech Openings", Communicating on Television, project #3, time 8-10 minutes. Evaluated by Jane.

Note: All speeches and evaluations were delivered within the specified times.

Other Roles at this meeting:

Inspiration: Kathy, "If you are sick, be glad you are not dead." Whoa! Cheery thought! A relief and an inspiration.

WordMaster: Kathleen brought us this word: discern, and most of us discerned uses for this word and slipped into comments and conversation.

Timer: Kathy

Ah Counter:  Theo
Grammarian: Theo

Table Topics Master: Josie and there were some hard questions about identity and how to present yourself to a room full of Toastmasters so early in the morning. Here are some examples of how some EarlyRisers Toastmasters and guests chose to reveal themselves: Coffee person or tea person? Neither!  Manage the perceptions to impress a date? I am who I am. Cat vs. dog vs fish vs. reptile? Cat all the way. What my driver's license says about me is my biography, and I sometimes hand over my driver's license to people, like bankers, who can affect the course of my life. My other name is Crouching Tiger. I came to Toastmasters to be with people who are going somewhere in life. To protect your identity, dispose of your bank and credit card statements carefully. My favorite color is a different color every day. Hey, man, I drive a Prius for the sticker that lets me drive in the carpool lane!

General Evaluator: Joe. Joe's report included comments on the energy of the meeting and its pace.  Table Topics was challenging today. Functionary reports on Ah-counting and grammar were especially on target with the Ah-counting. Word of the day got some good use.

Joke of the Day: Brought to you by Joe. A bit of dialog that went like this:

Doctor: You have six months to live. 
Patient: Doctor, I want a second opinion.
Doctor:  Okay. You're ugly, too!

Awards at this meeting:
Best Table Topics: Mark (the Prius driver!)
Best Evaluation: Jane
Best Speech: Stephanie


Club Business:  Two new members, Phillip and Ericka were sworn in. We read the Toastmasters promise as a promise to our new members, and our new members made the promise to the club members. This is always a great moment of mutual support of one another.  
Other Club  business: We have an "election"/sign-up for New Club officers going on. At this club, we have six-month terms in this club. Each member, including new members, qualify to be an officer. We passed around a "reverse sign-up sheet," where you crossed your name off the list for the officer role position you would rather NOT fill. During the first couple of weeks of December, the lists will go around a few more times to account for those who were not present. Thanks all for participating and being clear about your role and contribution to this fine club. Your presence, participation and contributions of energy and time make this club what it is.

Meeting adjourned at: 8:00 AM

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