FS Toastmasters

Table topics were comfortably, effectively run at four tables for the thirteen in attendance that included two guests.  It was a great time to become better acquainted in the delivery of one to two minute responses to the prompts that were randomly drawn from the center of each table.  Each response was timed and then reacted to with grows and glows. Mary Beth Dallman and Carole Kitchen told of graduating from leadership training at Pardee earlier in the week.  They joined Caitlin Owens in each giving a speech before a gathering of over 30 people. They were in a select group of only five people giving speeches of about four minutes each.  It was a great use of the skill they'd been learning in Toastmasters.  Josh Gravley, at Mary Beth's table,  had returned from a week before showcasing his speaking skills as well with a visit to Winston Salem representing our club in the Humorous Speech Contest.  The next contest at our club is a quick...

"Home for the Holidays" was the theme of the meeting with Karen Alexander as Toastmaster.  Candy canes served up a second prompt for table topic responders like Jeanne Resen.  Karla Reese was the Table Topics Master.       Don Groff was the impromptu joke master and Carole Kitchen was the word master with the holiday choice of "gingerly."        Karen Alexander had planned out a great program for an open house, but the weather was not at all inviting for any guests that may have planned to visit.  Judy Groff gave a mentoring moment that recounted the leadership through the years, memories of Lake Pointe, and all the quality people involved in the club.         Stan Coss spoke on project two of the Humorously Speaking manual on "What's in your Bucket?"  He gave three stories to reinforce points of advice on filling the bucket list.  He pulled out various props that cannot be viewed here ...

Josh Gravley didn't just represent us well.  Henderson County has never even been represented before at so high a level as the District (state) level; that's not for for the Humorous Speech or the Table Topic Speech. Only Tucker Cox made it to District in the Evaluation Contest some time after 2010 and Moose Penfold from the "old" New Dimensions sister club made it in 2014 in the International Speech Contest. Josh's journey began only two weeks after his Ice Breaker speech when he accepted the invitation to compete and got first out of five contestants in our local contest of September 20th.  From there it was first place in the area in mid-October and then a round-robin back at our club to help propel him through the division on November 9th.  This statewide audience of December 13th was quite massive in comparison, going from only about 40 members  in the area and division to well over 200.  Josh's competition in the district were mainly f...

Naturally, "Parade" was the theme of this meeting with Wendy Whitaker as Toastmaster.  The parade itself was the very next day and photos below show the outcome.     In reverse order, the mysterious woman in black had returned from an African safari and shared a great story about being faced with a tremendous bull elephant.  Fortunately, her small but spirited tour guide intervened and allowed Jeanne Resen to survive and come share her experience.  Karen Alexander was Jeanne's evaluator.      Josh Gravley was unable to share but a minute of his speech before he was overcome by his bout with the flu.  (He was in great form by the next Friday at the contest and will be reviewed in next week's blog.) Just as Wendy gave transitions on the parade, the parade itself gave opportunity to move among the swarms of bystanders and hand out candy and flyers about the open house. Table Topics Master Sally Jones supported the parade th...

If you think you're scrolling through a fashion catalog, well, you are partially correct.  Some of us will want to be in fashion as Toastmasters in the upcoming December 6th parade.  This above is the hoodie style that Judy Groff is taking orders for now.  She is modeling the small size above but without the Toastmaster logo.  Just look at her email to see more details. Another available color besides blue is the maroon color below.  The close-up logo is in blue. Now, on with the meeting of November 22.  President Susann Swan was the note-taker.   The meeting theme was "Synchronicity."   8:00 Sergeant at Arms Melinda Lowrance 8:01 President Susann Swan 8:03 Toastmaster Susann Swan 8:05 Wordmaster Melinda Lowrance 8:08  Jokemaster Jally Jones 8:10 Speaker Danielle Messer 8: 16 Mentoring Moment Karen Alexander 8:28 Table Topics Master Don Groff 8:41 Evaluator #1 Judy Groff 8:44 Eyes and Ears Word...

President Susann Swan, in arriving early, found tables moved together, so she decided to move them to make a new configuration.  It allowed the format of the video conference room but with far more space.  Nice!  Toastmaster Jeanne Resen (and later Table Topics Master Betty McCallister) gave us even more to be thankful for with a Thanksgiving theme. Don Groff set the record straight as Word Master with the word "Pilgrim."  He pointed out that Pilgrim is not only a person that journeys to a sacred place but also the maiden name of Melinda Lowrance.  Melinda has improperly been addressed as Melissa in the past, so it was duly noted that Melinda does not identify with Melissa but with Melinda, Lowrance, and Pilgrim. Speaker Hoyt Griffith and Speaker Danielle Messer smoothy presented interesting powerpoints. Hoyt  explored epitaphs that have added special meaning to tombstones.   His evaluator was Molly Garnett. ...

Here are two "denizens" of Four Seasons Toastmasters: Ron Climer as Toastmaster and Karen Alexander as Table Topics Master.  The Toastmaster is not normally an impromptu role, but our experienced club ventured forth with just an "invisible" agenda and guidance from Ron.  Karen could be counted on to give prompts that elicited the upmost adventure from each recipient. Wendy Whitaker as joke master had her chief character prod under a bed for laughs and Susann Alexander occupied her space well as word master. Jeanne Resen spoke on "Positive Attitude" and encouraged members to be less harsh on themselves and reverse negativity.  In her speech adventure she explored "whymeitis," identified limitations, reframed for a more positive outcome and emphasized the power of simple listening.  Karla Reese was her evaluator. Molly Garnett took us on an adventure in introducing herself with the ever-enlightening ice-breaker.  She spoke on "Conne...

Of the five characters, please put a 1 and a 2 by your favorites:  Santa___; The Grinch___; Max __ Olaf ___________; The Wimpy Kid ___________ This will be on a ballot on Friday.  The top vote-getter may be part of our Christmas greeting to parade watchers with a plug for Toastmasters. No, Pikachu is not one of the choices but it does demonstrate the teamwork involved in putting on a parade or even a parade entry.  Our entry for Toastmasters will include a banner or two, a vehicle, some members walking behind to hand out a brief plug for Toastmasters with a candy cane or red and white striped mint.  And ????.   Your ideas and participation are welcome. We will be trying to have a positive presence that may become a tradition and a sales tool. Our audience will be unlike what we've ever faced as speakers before! The original Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in 1924 was named the Macy's Christmas Parade to inspire C...

This above incident really did happen. But as it was of no consequence, it is best to just focus on the meeting itself, for that is what is really important.  Toastmaster Stan Coss did use the trick or treat theme since the next meeting was to be November 1st.  Susann Swan gave a wonderful joke about Beethoven composing in reverse.  You had to be there to hear the whole story.  No spoiler here. Wendy Whitaker prepared her ice-breaker on "Who Am I and How Did I Get Here?"  Wendy admitted she is a big procrastinator, and she expressed a fascination with birthdays.  She said she is at Toastmasters to sharpen some speaking skills.  She may have been pleased to have exceeded the six minute time limit, as normally her speaking in table topics falls far short of the half-way point.  Karla gave the evaluation (and practiced for the evaluation contest she will enter at the division level). Josh Gravley gave his humorous speech, "Eating Season...

Some absentee members may have wanted to avoid the first frost of the season.  They missed some great tips on how to warm up with business prospects.  Ron Climer, based on his many years in selling and teaching real estate, spoke about establishing rapport.  Toastmaster Carole Kitchen used the theme of "The Colors of Autumn."  Joke Master Hoyt Griffith gave some humorous quotes about public speaking. Ron in his speech said a salesman has to get people to like him or her because people do business with people they like.  You have to get them to talk more than you do because people love to talk.  The salesman has to be a good listener and show interest is what a person is saying and doing.  Ron said it helps to practice being a good listener in everyday occasions.  It also helps to put a big smile on your face.  Josh Gravley gave an evaluation of Ron's speech using the See, Hear and Feel formula. Sally Jones was table topics master with ...

Not every Toastmaster likes to be awakened to the fresh smell of a table topic, the sensation of having to speak on the spur of the moment before a somewhat sizable group.  But this was gently ushered in for three tables of Toastmasters doing table topics.  We'd choose a prompt from the pile and proceed to a delve into responding to it before the three or four audience members around the table. This informal setting allowed members to get to know one another in a conversational way, instead of the usual "performance" in the center of eyes.  VPE Karen Alexander opened and closed the meeting with some comments.  Otherwise, it was all speaking before the small groups.  The most formal air was lent by the full-size flag; usually we have only a small replica. Those in attendance are obvious in full profile or full frontal except for one person at each table:  Stan Coss was table one photographer,  Danielle Messer faces away at table two, ...