Ice Breakers Create Global Warming!

Two amazing ice-breakers were given by two young Toastmasters that would have inspired a global audience.  Sadly, just the Four Seasons audience was available at the time.  But what a time it was!  Toastmaster Stan Coss had chosen the theme of "evaluation," and both speeches were aglow with glows and had very few grows.

Hoyt Griffith had us all "ponder" on using his word of the day.  Vicky Balson gave a very nicely paced, well-described joke that drew immediate laughs at the punchline.

Ice-breaker Caitlin Owens spoke on "Networking- the Uncomfortable Key to Success."  She said the keys to making a connection and building community were to have confidence, intuition, and communication.  Evaluator Judy Groff gave numerous glows, saying Caitlin had "nailed it."  She did suggest Caitlin cut down on the movement or pacing.

Danielle Messer, whose three images emblazon this site, broke ice about topics of her past, present, and future.  She deftly moved through her power point while speaking of her endurance in cross country, her start as a nursing major, her rounding up contractors, her two dogs, her desire to continue building on leadership skills, and her strict compliance with OSHA guidelines.  Evaluator Jeanne Resen praised Danielle's comfort level and organization and suggested slowing down the pace and using gestures just for special emphasis. 

Ron Climer, as table topics master,  encouraged at least a semi-factual accounting of some semi-famous people:  Orville Wright, Susan B. Anthony, Governor Tryon, Marion Morrison, Yogi Berra, Betsy Ross, and Commodore Vanderbilt.  Carole Kitchen, Molly Garnett, Karla Reese, Wendy Whitaker, Jeanne Resen, and Susann Swan did their best imitation of "To Tell the Truth."  If there was a prize, certainly Hoyt Griffith would have been a top contender.  His "Morrison Code" with expanded dots and dashes and emojis gave flight to fancy.  Take that, Wright brothers!

The eyes and ears team was complete with Karla Reese as grammarian, Wendy Whitaker as ah-counter, and Melinda Lowrance as timer.  Don Groff concluded with his GE and table topics report.  Susann Swan as president then had Karen Alexander get confirmations of contestants and workers for next week's contest. 

Present were the following:  Don Emon (greeter), Sally Jones, Susann Swan, Stan Coss, Hoyt Griffith, Vicky Balson, Caitlin Owens, Danielle Messer, Carole Kitchen, Molly Garnett, Ron Climer, Judy and Don Groff, Jeanne Resen, Karla Reese, Wendy Whitaker, Melinda Lowrance, Karen Alexander, and Nick Ronningen (guest).

Here Don Emon gives recognition near meeting's end to Caitlin Owens for a performance at an earlier Pardee performance.  Both ice-breaker speakers deserve recognition for an outstanding introduction.  We look forward to more such effective speeches as these speakers continue their journey with Toastmasters.

President Susann Swan presided over an officer meeting directly afterwards. 

• There was discussion about seeing if there might be humorous speech contestants in a separate contest on Sept. 13th, now that an extension had been granted.

• From the member survey collected thus far, the following goals for the year are being considered: Wendy Whitaker, one level; Caitlin Owens, two levels; Susann Swan, two levels; Carole Kitchen, two levels; Stan Coss, DTM; Don Groff, two levels.. . . .

•  Business cards with the new address need to be printed

• The status of new member packets needs checking.

• It was suggested a checklist of pointers be compiled for new members and as a refresher for present members as well.  One thought was to print this on the back of the agenda.  Also, the agenda might need to be referred to in the meeting for the description of roles and procedure for the benefit of guests.