Although the electricity was out, there was no shortage of star power, when a fearless band of Toastmasters from Club # 2032 met in the third floor hallway of Glasgow Hall using the natural light available from adjacent windows.
TMoD Fred Sadler opened the meeting with some historical information on TM's dedicated founder Ralph Smedley.
Speakers included Cathy Lee presenting a fascinating advanced speech on "Hardwired for Happiness", Rachelle Onishi demonstrating the game of "Balderdash", also an advanced manual speech and Arnie Buss giving his #5 speech from the basic manual (his third time through) entitled "Listen". Evaluations were by Emilie Staryak, Cathy Lee and Art Testani.
Arnie Buss was awarded best speaker by vote counter John Armstrong, Cathy Lee won most improved and new member Art Testani won best evaluator. Donna Cunningham was the timer. Elie Ishag and one distinguished guest - Nancy Buss provided support and kept the sparks flying.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Celebrate!
With 21 members and 2 guests, Donna Cunningham's first time as TMoD was to a well-attended, full, and fun-filled meeting. Choosing a theme of "Celebrations" in keeping with today being graduation day at the Naval Postgraduate School, Donna expetly guided us through the various parts of the meeting smoothly - one would hardly know this was her first time doing it. Congratulations!
We began the meeting with Acting President Fred Sadler inducting Art Testani, our newest member, into the club. Art has been in Toastmasters for a number of years before moving to San Juan Batista. Welcome Art!
Margaret Stevens led a rousing Table Topics, putting Glenn Woodson, Art Testani and Elie Ishag on the spot. Glenn carried the day winning Best Table Topics speaker.
Three outstanding speeches followed. First Rosetta Ishag gave her #4 speech Profits of the Journey, painting eloquent word pictures of a twenty year journey about growth as a mother - from the "oyster bed" of an empty nest to a spiritual awakening that has been made manifest in her relationship. Rosetta was voted Best Speaker for this wonderful account of her journey over the past 20 years.
Next, Leena Oh gave her #4 speech The House on Silver Springs Lake. She related her fond memories of a beloved vacation house.
Finally, Emilie Saryak gave her #3 speech Lessons Learned in Napa about the anniversary weekend of wine tasting she and her husband went on, in which they learned to love wine tasting. She won Most Improved speaker for her entertaining and informative peek into wine tasting and Napa Valley.
Three excellent evaluations were given by Arnie Buss, Eric Guttman, and Alex Bein, with Arnie being given Best Evaluator by GE Elizabeth Guzman.
The meeting ended with Arnie being acknowledged for having won the Area A1 speech contest and also for having been selected Toastmaster of the Year for Area A1. Congratulations!
We began the meeting with Acting President Fred Sadler inducting Art Testani, our newest member, into the club. Art has been in Toastmasters for a number of years before moving to San Juan Batista. Welcome Art!
Margaret Stevens led a rousing Table Topics, putting Glenn Woodson, Art Testani and Elie Ishag on the spot. Glenn carried the day winning Best Table Topics speaker.
Three outstanding speeches followed. First Rosetta Ishag gave her #4 speech Profits of the Journey, painting eloquent word pictures of a twenty year journey about growth as a mother - from the "oyster bed" of an empty nest to a spiritual awakening that has been made manifest in her relationship. Rosetta was voted Best Speaker for this wonderful account of her journey over the past 20 years.
Next, Leena Oh gave her #4 speech The House on Silver Springs Lake. She related her fond memories of a beloved vacation house.
Finally, Emilie Saryak gave her #3 speech Lessons Learned in Napa about the anniversary weekend of wine tasting she and her husband went on, in which they learned to love wine tasting. She won Most Improved speaker for her entertaining and informative peek into wine tasting and Napa Valley.
Three excellent evaluations were given by Arnie Buss, Eric Guttman, and Alex Bein, with Arnie being given Best Evaluator by GE Elizabeth Guzman.
The meeting ended with Arnie being acknowledged for having won the Area A1 speech contest and also for having been selected Toastmaster of the Year for Area A1. Congratulations!
NPS TMs from the Monterey Institute Weigh in on Sudan Conflict
Hello fellow TMs!
I am posting to share that I observed and evaluated Joyce Laker this week in her #3 Speech: Public International Law & Diplomacy: Case Study of Darfur.
Joyce presented a well-organized speech on the complexity of this conflict: including the roles of the various political and diplomatic bodies. It was a very professional and informative speech. I truly wish it had been recorded because I learned so much and was very inspired by her presentation. We can expect to see many more powerful speeches from Joyce as she shares her passion about humanitarian issues in Africa with us.
And on another exciting note, I have just received an update from past NPS TM member and Monterey Institute graduate, Fumie Nakamura. She came to the us as a shy pastry chef from Japan. She found her passion at the Monterey Institute, but she found her voice at the NPS Toastmasters Club. She has gone on to work for the United Nations, and just recently completed an assignment in Darfur. Here is a link to an article that was published about her work in Sudan in the newsletter of the United Nations Development Programme. She is now back in New York at the United Nations Headquarters and she tells me she will join the UN TM club there!
Friday, March 21, 2008
New Beginnings
With 23 members and 6 guests, Glasgow Hall room 389 provided a "packed house" for Alex Bein in his inaugural venture as TMoD. And what a fantastic meeting Alex ran! Alex's theme of "New Beginnings" was appropriate on many levels. At this meeting, we said goodbye to Zeki Yildirim, and wish him all the best in his return to Turkey, his beloved home.
From the inspiring opening remarks by Joyce Laker about "new beginnings" and a mother's love...
...to the thorough and positive evaluations, the meeting sizzled with energy and excitement.
Adopting a prepared speakers-first format, we were treated to Zeki's #4 speech Goodbye in which he gave a heartfelt summary of his time in Monterey and specifically his appreciation for NPS Toastmasters. He finished with an invitation to come to Turkey to visit him - be careful of what you ask for Zeki, we might just take you up on that! Zeki was voted "Most Improved" speaker for his farewell effort.
Alex Metz conducted a clinic on Table Topics with great questions, which were followed by terrific answers. Robin Walker narrowly won Best Table topics speaker.
The program concluded with the kind of quality evaluations we are accustomed to hearing. Leena Oh evaluated Zeki and gave encouragement and some good suggestions for improvement.
Don't forget:
From the inspiring opening remarks by Joyce Laker about "new beginnings" and a mother's love...
...to the thorough and positive evaluations, the meeting sizzled with energy and excitement.
Adopting a prepared speakers-first format, we were treated to Zeki's #4 speech Goodbye in which he gave a heartfelt summary of his time in Monterey and specifically his appreciation for NPS Toastmasters. He finished with an invitation to come to Turkey to visit him - be careful of what you ask for Zeki, we might just take you up on that! Zeki was voted "Most Improved" speaker for his farewell effort.
Alex Metz conducted a clinic on Table Topics with great questions, which were followed by terrific answers. Robin Walker narrowly won Best Table topics speaker.
The program concluded with the kind of quality evaluations we are accustomed to hearing. Leena Oh evaluated Zeki and gave encouragement and some good suggestions for improvement.
Don't forget:
- Dues are due - get your check for #39.00 to club Treasurer Warner Howser
- Tomorrow (March 22) - the Area Table Topics and International Speech Contests, to be held at the Salinas Agricutural Center on Abbott Road in Salinas.
- Smedley Saturday is March 29, and will be held in Glasgow 389 at 1 pm (our usual club meeting room), not at La Mesa. Please contact Fred Sadler if you have a speech to give, or if you would like to complete a role in your CL manual (Evaluator, TMoD, Timer).
- Last week's blog was late in getting posted - be sure to check it out. Just scroll down a bit!
Friday, March 14, 2008
What's in a Name?
Chance Litton has returned - and our meeting was full of his energy, humor, and enthusiasm (some sample "Chance-isms are below)! Epitomizing the attitude of our remarkable members, Chance stepped in to be TMoD and ran a thoroughly entertaining and fun-filled meeting. With a theme of "What's in a Name," we learned many things about the origins of our names. Not the least of which was our TMoD's official name being Charles (Carlos) Chance Litton. And that one must be verry careful when Googling his name!
Eric Guttman ran table topics with a creative game where the participant drew a card with a well-known personality and had to give an introduction as that person. Brian Anderson proved why he is our current club champion at table topics with his impassioned rendition of Col Jessup from "A Few Good Men," Emilie Staryak was charming as Blessed Mother Teresa, and Bill Gibbons was super as superman. Chance Litton won the day with his hilarious rendition of Borat.
Three fantastic speeches followed. In his #3 speech Corban Spraker presented a compelling case for optimism about the future of democracy in the world of Islam.
Next, Masami Maeda, in her #3 speech described her experiences as a "Japanese woman teaching English to Spanish-speaking students." Masami was voted most improved speaker.
Elie Ishag finished the prepared speeches with his #5 Are We Headed for, or Are We Now in a Recession, in which he made a very complicated topic accessible to a lay audience. Elie got the nod as best speaker for his eloquent expounding on the economy.
The speeches were followed by three excellent evaluations. Alex Bein evaluated Corban, Brian Anderson evaluated Masami, and Cathy Lee evaluated Elie. For her positive feedback and constructive suggestions, Cathy was awarded Best Evaluator by General Evaluator Angi Anderson.
Another fabulous meeting!
Eric Guttman ran table topics with a creative game where the participant drew a card with a well-known personality and had to give an introduction as that person. Brian Anderson proved why he is our current club champion at table topics with his impassioned rendition of Col Jessup from "A Few Good Men," Emilie Staryak was charming as Blessed Mother Teresa, and Bill Gibbons was super as superman. Chance Litton won the day with his hilarious rendition of Borat.
Three fantastic speeches followed. In his #3 speech Corban Spraker presented a compelling case for optimism about the future of democracy in the world of Islam.
Next, Masami Maeda, in her #3 speech described her experiences as a "Japanese woman teaching English to Spanish-speaking students." Masami was voted most improved speaker.
Elie Ishag finished the prepared speeches with his #5 Are We Headed for, or Are We Now in a Recession, in which he made a very complicated topic accessible to a lay audience. Elie got the nod as best speaker for his eloquent expounding on the economy.
The speeches were followed by three excellent evaluations. Alex Bein evaluated Corban, Brian Anderson evaluated Masami, and Cathy Lee evaluated Elie. For her positive feedback and constructive suggestions, Cathy was awarded Best Evaluator by General Evaluator Angi Anderson.
Another fabulous meeting!
- Don't forget that dues are due - bring your check ($39 for six months payable to NPS Toastmasters) or send it to the treasurer, Warner Howser.
- Next Saturday, March 22, is the Area A1 Contest - come support Brian and Arnie as they compete in the Table Topics and International speech contests. It will be at the Salinas Agricultural Center on Abbott St. in Salinas, starting at 9:30 a.m.
- The next Smedley Saturday will be Saturday, March 29 at 1:00 at Glasgow Hall, Room 389. Let the VP Education Fred Sadler know if you wish to give a speech. This is a great opportunity to accelerate your progression though the manual! Remember that Icebreaker and #10 speeches are to be given in the club; anything else is fair game for Smedley Saturday.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Daylight Saving Time
We had 16 members, but no guests, so President Angi suggested, bring a friend to the next meeting! It would have been a fantastic meeting for any visitor to observe - Emilie Staryak was just brilliant in her maiden voyage as TMoD!! With a very timely theme of Daylight Saving Time (no 's'), she smoothly and expertly guided us through a fun-filled and action-packed program.
Emilie welcomes the next speaker:
After the requisite introductory procedures, Emilie turned to Elizabeth Guzman to conduct Table Topics. Elizabeth challenged Masami Maeda, Leena Oh and (returning after a too-long absence) Chance Litton. All three gave excellent responses, and Chance won best Table Topics with a hilarious reminder of why he is the reigning District 4 humorous speaker!
Welcome back Chance!
Three prepared speeches followed. Bill Gibbons gave an eloquent and moving Icebreaker, The Day I Changed My Name, about how he went from being known in college as "Wild Bill" for his partying ways to "Bible Bill," when he found his faith path with the encouragement of a friend. Margaret Stevens entertained us with a hilarious #2 speech How Not To Write a Speech that gave explicit and detailed instructions about how to avoid that next speech - something we all can use! ;) Cathy Lee finished with a poignant and informative #8 speech about color blindness Seeing Green. For her efforts, Margaret was voted both best speaker as well as most improved speaker. Congratulations Margaret!
Three great speeches received three great evaluations. Michael Barksdale gave a compassionate and insightful evaluation of Bill's Icebreaker, throwing in a well-placed reference to St. Augustine in the process. Arnie evaluated Margaret's nearly flawless performance and managed to find a few suggestions for improvement, and finally Angi Anderson gave thorough and thoughtful feedback to Cathy, topped off with a very useful suggestion for the mechanics of running a Powerpoint presentation. Michael was selected best evaluator by General evaluator Fred Sadler, who also gave a terrific summary of the meeting as well as encouraging feedback to Emilie.
Bill Gibbons' Icebreaker speech The Day I Changed My Name.
Margaret Stevens' #2 speech How Not to Write a Speech
Cathy Lee's #8 speech Seeing Green
Don't forget:
Emilie welcomes the next speaker:
After the requisite introductory procedures, Emilie turned to Elizabeth Guzman to conduct Table Topics. Elizabeth challenged Masami Maeda, Leena Oh and (returning after a too-long absence) Chance Litton. All three gave excellent responses, and Chance won best Table Topics with a hilarious reminder of why he is the reigning District 4 humorous speaker!
Welcome back Chance!
Three prepared speeches followed. Bill Gibbons gave an eloquent and moving Icebreaker, The Day I Changed My Name, about how he went from being known in college as "Wild Bill" for his partying ways to "Bible Bill," when he found his faith path with the encouragement of a friend. Margaret Stevens entertained us with a hilarious #2 speech How Not To Write a Speech that gave explicit and detailed instructions about how to avoid that next speech - something we all can use! ;) Cathy Lee finished with a poignant and informative #8 speech about color blindness Seeing Green. For her efforts, Margaret was voted both best speaker as well as most improved speaker. Congratulations Margaret!
Three great speeches received three great evaluations. Michael Barksdale gave a compassionate and insightful evaluation of Bill's Icebreaker, throwing in a well-placed reference to St. Augustine in the process. Arnie evaluated Margaret's nearly flawless performance and managed to find a few suggestions for improvement, and finally Angi Anderson gave thorough and thoughtful feedback to Cathy, topped off with a very useful suggestion for the mechanics of running a Powerpoint presentation. Michael was selected best evaluator by General evaluator Fred Sadler, who also gave a terrific summary of the meeting as well as encouraging feedback to Emilie.
Bill Gibbons' Icebreaker speech The Day I Changed My Name.
Margaret Stevens' #2 speech How Not to Write a Speech
Cathy Lee's #8 speech Seeing Green
Don't forget:
- Dues are due!
- Saturday March 22: Area A1 Contest, Salinas Agricultural Center at 9:30 a.m. Come and support our club's speakers Arnie and Brian
- Saturday March 29: Smedley Saturday, La Mesa Community Center, 1:00 p.m. Come and give that speech you've been dying to give, try your hand at evaluating, or just come for the fun and companionship!
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