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:

• 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!