Proceeding on to Pardee!

It was the first meeting that resonated with its new location.  Toastmaster Karla Reese spoke on the theme of renewal, letting things go, exercise, breathing Audrey Hepburn, and people needing to be revived and restored more than things.

The Grammarian and Word Master was Sally Jones.  The word of the day was: restoration

Joke Master Michael gave a tale of a genie that was not restorative but retributive, based on the wishes of an ex-wife.  The Ah Counter was Jeanne Resen and the Timer was Don Groff.

22 people attended this meeting; 18 members have now officially paid up for the April-September cycle.

Judy welcomed the members and visitors.  Today was the last of a series of end-of-the month meetings held at the orientation room of Pardee Hospital.  Next week, on April 5, we will begin our official relocation to Pardee to hold our meetings at 8 am on Fridays at the adjacent video conference room.

Don Emon and Melinda Lowrance were the official speakers for this meeting.

In his speech, “Using Evolutionary Psychology to Better Understand Religion”, Don described how people trust people form their own tribe more automatically than then do people who are different from them.  He proceeded to show a parallel concept in peoples’ minds regarding religions which were different from their own.  He urged people to reflect on this concept.

Melinda Lowrance spoke about “The Martha Complex: A Woman Understood.”  She gave her interpretation of the Biblical character, Martha, and how she interacted with Jesus.  She also spoke about another famous Martha, Martha Stewart.  Melinda described in vivid detail how people get caught up in saying “yes” to please people.  She offered seven strategies to lessen this tendency as she concluded her speech.

Karen Alexander served as Table Topics Master.  Her questions:

·        Tell us one thing that brings a smile to your face.  Susann spoke about meeting a border collie puppy yesterday at her knitting group meeting.

 ·        If you were 16 years old again, what warning or advice would you give yourself for the        future?  Joseph gave warnings to his older self not to worry as much and take chances.

·        Describe w/as much detail as possible, your favorite meal.  Mary Beth did a pivot on the audience and had us guess what her favorite meal is, based on her description of it.  They readily answered: Peanut butter!

·        Tell us one thing that we may not already know about you:  Stan talked about wanting to be an editorial cartoonist in his younger years.  

·        Tell us about your favorite vacation.   Molly spoke about her recent trip to NYC for her birthday.

Amy Sahf evaluated Don’s speech.  She was drawn in by his topic.  She suggested adding more to his final statement about how to apply the concept to our own lives and religion.  She liked how he made the topic understandable and suggested minimizing the use of the word okay.

Judy Groff evaluated Melinda’s speech.  She delighted in Melinda’s entertaining us.  She suggested telling the audience up front about the contrasts that she would be showing us in the speech.

Stan Coss served as the General and Table Topics Evaluator for the meeting.  He expressed appreciation for people adapting to the meeting on this site.  He discussed transitions and the need to applaud and complimented Karen on her encouraging that.  He praised the table topics speakers’ presentations.  He acknowledged Michael’s unique use of dark humor.

Judy expressed appreciation for the returning members.  She asked the guests if they planned to return.  She asked the newcomers if they planned to return.  They did. 

Karla, the Toastmaster of the week, will feel right at home at Pardee.  She is the Volunteer Coordinator at Pardee Hospital.  As VP of PR, she was instrumental in helping Judy, the president, coordinate with Mary Beth (the Director of Professional Development of Pardee) the plans for a new partnership.

Members present: Judy Groff, Don Groff, Karen Alexander, Karla Reese, Sally Jones, Amy Sahf, Don Emon, Jeanne Resen, Joseph Girmann,  Michael Thompson, Betty McCallister, Susann Swan, Brad Dienst, Melinda Lowrance.  The meeting was enhanced by the return of Hoyt and Brad!

Visitors: Randy Dunn, Carole Kitchen, Vicky Balson, Mary Beth Dallman,  Deanne Emon, Molly Garnett.