The theme was “Earth in the Balance”, and it was a “first” for NPS Toastmasters… no speeches; all Table Topics! Yes, we had the normal functionaries, but the better part of the meeting was taken up by three separate Table Topics sessions with 15 brave members and two guests in attendance.
The first session, led by Angi Anderson, was a regular set of four topics, which was won by Robin Walker. Other brave souls answering questions were Ned Powley, Ryan Squires and Karen Woodson.
The second session, led by Glenn Woodson, consisted of two panel discussions / debates with presentations and rebuttals. These panelists were all cynics! The first panel delved into the subject of how the Monterey Peninsula should grow. Andrew Kennedy said we should pave over the Peninsula, kick out the residents, and establish an Olympic site! Fred Sadler insisted on a squash court as well. And Brian Anderson said we needed to “go vertical” with skyscrapers - “The future of Monterey is looking up”! Panel #2 dealt with how we should balance the competing themes of endangered species and economic growth. Panelists Scott Ceremuga, Carl Thormeyer ranted and raved about everything from whales to tigers to the sand gilia plant on Fort Ord! Brian Anderson won Best Participant in the overall session - possibly because he seemed to be the most calm and collected.
The third session was an exercise in storytelling and listening…. Six members came up front and generated a collective story line about what Earth would be like in 2067, as Topics Master #3 Mary Lineberger stopped and started individuals in mid stream! This was hilarious - if you weren’t listening as a participant you were in trouble - we were all in tears from laughter by the end of the session. Once again, Robin Walker walked away as Best Participant. Other players were Karen Woodson, Warner Howser, Angi Anderson, Ned Powley and Glenn Woodson. Karen ran away with the “Most Improved” award for the entire meeting.
It was great to shake things up and have a change of pace - it was “finals week” at NPS and that way no-one really had to prepare very hard for Toastmasters. Just getting those speeches ready for “Smedley Saturday” the next day!
COMING UP 31 Mar: Area A1/A2 International Speech and Table Topics Contests, also at the La Mesa Community Center from 1300-1630. Plan now on attending to support Fred and Angi as our contestants in the respective contests.
Submitted by:
Carl Thormeyer, DTM
NPS TM Club Historian
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