May Smedley Saturday

Another thrilling Smedley Saturday! We had 10 members present and four prepared speeches. Brian Anderson had the reins as TMoD and expertly guided the meeting.

Scott Wilbur led off with an outstanding #2 speech "The Google" that touched on topics from marriage to the challenges of a MySpace page. He was followed by Robin Walker's advanced "Interpretive Reading" of the rousing "St Crispin's Day" speech from Henry V. Speaking from the advanced manual on Entertaining Glenn Tolle kept us completely entertained and laughing. Finally, Arnie Buss gave a speech from the "Interpersonal Communications" manual on a reflective technique called "tracking," ably assisted by Angi Anderson in a role play.

Evaluations were led by Robin evaluating Arnie, Glenn evaluating Scott, Brian evaluating Robin, and Angi evaluating Glenn.

Scott was awarded "Best Speaker" and Angi "Best Evaluator." Mash and Rosetta took turns being timer and ah counter. Also present were Elie Ishag and Fred Sadler.

Scott's "The Google"


Robin's St Crispin's Day Speech:


Glenn's "The Truth"

Memories and Memorial Day

With 22 members and one guest present we once again had a great meeting, with Shenequa Mitchell doing an outstanding job as a first-time Toastmaster of the Day as she shepherded the three speakers pictured below through the program. Best speaker was Eric Timmerman (see You-Tube link below), while Best Evaluator was Brian Anderson.

Ned Powley led a great Table Topics session with five participants discussing subjects related to memories. Ilie Ishag was the winner of Best Table Topics with his description of his most memorable historical figure, who was Menachem Begin (former Israeli Prime Minister). Mash Otgonbayer won Most Improved for his 3-minute plus dissertation on memorable memorials he had seen in Rome! Great job, Mash... Another interesting "must know" tidbit... never offer Karen Woodson a piece of chocolate cake!

The Speakers...

Andrew Kennedy expounds on emotional pain and friends who have made tragic choices. (#2 speech - Andrew's doing the manual again!)

Glenn Tolle Reading Rudyard Kipling's "If". (This was an advanced speech from the Interpretive Reading Manual.)t

Eric Timmerman on the Three Phases of Fishing (#3 in the Competent Communicator manual).

"A Few of My Favorite Things"

(Sung to the melody of “These are a few of my favorite things” from the Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein)

These are a few of my favorite things

Statues with ribbons
And bright colored banners,

Name tags and ballots
World Bank and timer,

A lectern and gavel
And ahs that go ring.

These are a few of my favorite things!

Hands that go clappin
And words that go tappin,

No time for nappin
Table topics is happnin,

Speakers that fly
With a song on their wings.

These are a few of my favorite things!

When the fear strikes
When the words go
When I’m feelin sad:
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad!

Adapted by Fred Sadler for his #10 speech entitled “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” – NPS Toastmasters Club #2032 - May 18, 2007

Angi Takes Second at District!

Our very own Angi Anderson, the Division A representative to the District 4 Table Topics Contest, took second place Friday night in Foster City.

Competing against a tough field seven other winners of their respective divisions, Angi fielded the question "What is your mission in life?" with humor and wit.

Friday was also the Anderson's eleventh wedding anniversary - we all offer our congratulations to Brian and Angi!

Thank you Angi for representing your club, area, and division so effectively!

A Road Less Traveled...

Eighteen members and two guests witnessed several unique events at our 11 May meeting... specifically:

Robin Walker (below) served as acting president as we voted in four new standing rules (soon to be posted on the Web site).

Glenn Woodson (below, left) was TMoD par excellance while conducting a semi-"grab bag" meeting! All but the major functionaries received their roles at the meeting by a drawing. Glenn brought along a dictionary, paper, and marking pens for impromptu Wordmaster Shenequa Mitchell, who did a great job in her unexpected role! Glenn's theme? "A Road Less Traveled".

Mash (below, left) explaining how the weather in Mongolia is slightly different than Monterey, delivered his #4 speech on "The Environment, Nukes and Mongolia". He was voted "Most Improved".

... and Shahid Abrar ul Hassan (below, left) telling us more about the different forms of the English language in his final meeting at NPS Toastmasters. Shahid won "Best Speaker" with this #6 speech. A new graduate of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Shahid is leaving the U.S. for his new position in Kuwait much closer to his home in Pakistan. He expects to find a Toastmasters club to join there!

Ned Powley (below left) presents his #7 speech, which was a discussion of his current research efforts.

Karen Woodson (below, left) as Table Topics Master ran an outstanding session which was won by Robin Walker.

And last but not least, Cathy Lee was chosen "Best Evaluator" for her critique of Shahid's speech.

NEXT UP:

18-19 May: District 4 Spring Conference in Foster City. Come support Angi as she represents our club and Division A in the Table Topics contest Friday night!

26 May: Smedley Saturday. Specifics TBA.

9 June: Evening Pot-Luck social event at the La Mesa Community Center.

Survey Monkey Results

Smedley Saturday Druthers

1. Which Saturday works best for you?


12 May
22.2%
2

26 May (Memorial Day weekend)
33.3%
3

I can't make either date--perhaps later!
44.4%
4
Total Respondents
9