Toastmasters meeting recap from Feb 5, 2009

Toastmasters meeting recap from Feb 5, 2009

Meeting Theme – “Why Toastmasters”

Table Topics (Mark Forsberg) - Health

Larry Everett served as Toastmaster, Presiding Officer and Sergeant-at-Arms, and selected a theme for the meeting “Why Toastmasters”. It is good to ask a rhetorical question “Why”, and then ponder the question with how to respond positively. Toastmasters program is a positive meeting forum to learn – learn to communicate more effectively, and also how to listen. We sometimes forget that communications consists of both speaking and listening. It is also important to note that having fun while learning creates a positive environment.

Betty gave a wonderful talk, "Read Out Loud," from the Specialty Speeches Advanced Manual. The purpose of this project was to improve storytelling skills through an interpretive reading of the material she has selected. She gave a 12-15-minute reading, which included an introduction of the story, from the Young Adult novel, "America," by E.R. Frank.

Dr. Shaun Jamison gave a speech from the Vocal Variety #5 CC Manual. His title was “Why I (Re)Joined Toastmasters”. Knowing why we are in Toastmasters helps us focus both on our goals and helping others achieve theirs. He completed the distinguished Toastmaster award, and is restarting the program using the basic Toastmasters CC manual.

We learned from our guests that they had found Marsh Winds Toastmasters via the Internet, and had visited the club web site and the club “blog” web site maintained by Dr. Shaun Jamison. This is positive feedback with the importance of the Internet to attract new members.

We had two people submit membership applications and two great guests! Please be sure to come next week to welcome our new members as they are inducted.

Larry Everett