FS Toastmasters

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, ...

Here's the meeting from start to finish, with Toastmaster Wendy Whitaker launching into the theme of "Fall Food" and Betty McCallister recounting from her notes the general evaluation of the meeting and the table topics. Table Topics Responder Joseph Girmann is loading up a crock pot, and Jokemaster Don Groff is making way for a bed frame. Speaker Ron Climer presented his views and called for audience response on "You've Come a Long Way Baby, but You still Have a Long Way to Go."  He remarked on improved race relations but brought up instances of dehumanizing.  He concluded with a call for polite correctness over ever-changing political correctness.  "Being right is no excuse for being rude," said Ron.  Stan Coss was Ron's evaluator. Karen Alexander gave a Mentoring Moment on "Mentoring." She said there was a wealth of information on the subject on the toastmasters.org site.  She encouraged mentors to find out the g...

Ron Climer as Table Topics Master watches the parade of august men and women that take on his prompts.  We learn from Toastmaster Betty McCallister, as part of the theme on autumn, that the weather of fall and winter cools down due to the earth tilting away from the sun. The Word Master, "august" Nick Ronningen, provided that respectful word of the day, and his son Caleb was one of the table topic responders.  Joke Master Sally gave a story a patrol officer had never heard before.  Here below left Susann Swan speaks about mentoring, as in her learning about nameology, and Betty continues her Toastmastering transitions on the fall season. Susann spoke on "Why Should I Have a Mentor?" from Pathways Level 2.  Her evaluator was Melinda Lowrance. Josh Gravley spoke on "Preach On" from Pathways Level 1.  His evaluator was Judy Groff.  Below rigth Josh opens his speech and Brad Dienst finishes his table topic.  Brad later announced that...

Here are the Humorous Speech Contest Winners:  Susann Swan, third place; Ron Climer, second place; Josh Gravley, first place. (Photo courtesy of Carole Kitchen.) A special thanks goes to these above contestants and the other two contestants: Karen Alexander and Don Groff.  There was one time disqualification. All the speeches were quite entertaining. Special thanks also to the contest team that mounted the contest, from Contest Master/Chair Stan Coss to Head Judge Judy Groff, to Ballot Counters Nick Ronningen and Betty McCallister, to Timers Sally Jones and Don Glovan, to Sergeant at Arms Melinda Lowrance, to the anonymous judges. Ron Climer's speech, "Put some Humor in your Presentation," gave some helpful humorous tips and anecdotes on adding levity.  His dramatic opening dealt with a toe truck. Susann Swan's speech, "Take Me back to the Ballgame," gave some interesting characters that filled out the team roster of her softball team when Susann ...

From L to R, Wendy Whitaker, Nick Ronningen, and Josh Gravley read the new member pledge under the direction of Caitlin Owens, the VP of Membership. Carole Kitchen as Toastmaster led us on a rollicking good time.  She introduced and transitioned with information on fairs, which was the theme.  Word Master Mary Beth Dallman introduced the superb "rollicking" word, and Danielle Messer read us a joke as Joke Master. Shortly after his new member induction, Josh Gravley introduced himself in a memorable ice-breaker.  It was in the tradition of a stand-up comedian, with great humorous content and smooth delivery.  Betty McCallister was the evaluator. Don Emon gave a speech on his "Cancer History." It traced his continual misdiagnosis and some heroes that persisted in pinpointing the cause and treatment needed.  Don said the lesson was to "be your own hero."  Sally Jones was the evaluator. Table Topics Master Judy Groff reinforced the "f...

a Starring Jeanne Resen and Ron Climer, with a supporting cast including Melinda Apple, Mary B. Gardner, Hoyt Zone,  Karen Cake and Countess Danielle Messer.  Director Sally Jones, Executive Producer Susann Swan, Grammartographer Molly Garnett, and Timarian Don Groff. Sally Jones opened with the theme of fall and gave Carole Kitchen the role of  Joke Master and that of Word Master to Stan Coss.  It was a "delightful" meeting up until the end when Susann Swan had to play casting director for the next meeting.  Filling roles can be so much easier if members would simply go online and sign themselves up! Jeanne Resen's leading role was to speak in a persuasive and credible way about a topic.    She did use the "delightful" word of the day at the opening but then focused her content on a somewhat unsavory subject: food that may not be good for our bodies to process.  She had on  display nicely packaged snacks and cereals. (Insert disclai...

The Evaluation Contest was won by Molly Garnett, a relative newcomer.  Former Toastmaster Nathan Garnett would have been especially proud to see his mom speak so eloquently, and that after just five minutes of preparation time!     Veterans Judy Groff and Karla Reese also performed very ably, winning second and third place respectively.  Two other relative newcomers, Carole Kitchen and Caitlin Owens, also evaluated effectively in the short time frame allowed.  Unfortunately, one had to be disqualified in running just short of the time minimum of 90 seconds.     Karen Alexander acted as Contest Master, orchestrating all the various movements and directing all the supporting players into one smooth-flowing composition.     Chief judge was Susann Swan. Sergeant at Arms was Sally Jones. Timers were Don Glovan and Don Groff.  Ballot-counters were Melinda Lowrance and Stan Coss. The test speaker was Area Director Bryan Smith.  He d...