Candy Bars!

With today being graduation and the last meeting before Christmas, Tonya Holloway in her first time as TMoD led a small (but mighty) meeting of 9 members and one guest. Tonya also proved her mettle by serving as Wordmaster and filled in as Table Topics Master. Choosing the sweet theme of "Candy Bars," she gave us fascinating information about the history of candy bars and the various companies that make them. Introducing each member by way of their favorite candy bar added sparkle without calories - and Cathy Lee provided some additional excitement by actually bringing chocolate Doves.



Elie Ishag returned from his travels to win best Table Topics:


Malia Esteban was inspiring in her Icebreaker "Double Vision" and won Best Speaker:


Kate Daniels Kurz gave her #3 speech "We Have an Opportunity" and was selected Most Improved Speaker for her dynamic rendition:


Cathy Lee evaluated Malia's Icebreaker:


Carl Thormeyer gave an outstanding evaluation of Kate's speech and was selected Best Evaluator by GE Arnie Buss:


Our next meeting will be January 9, 2009. We wish everyone a happy holiday season however it is celebrated.

For better thinking, listening, and speaking...
NPS Toastmasters Club 2032

So Long, Farewell!

It was so appropriate that our beloved Angi Anderson was TMoD for her last official meeting at the club! She expertly led 15 members (once Pam Walker had been inducted by club President Fred Sadler) and 1 guest through an exciting meeting whose theme was "So Long, Farewell." Unfortunately the video blogger left the camera in his other pants, and so you will just have to use your imagination about how awesome the meeting was!

Serving as her own opening remarks person, Angi gave perhaps the shortest opening remarks on record..."Bye!"

Tonya Holloway choose "Adieu" as Wordmaster which nearly everyone was able to weave into their speaking. The other functionaries were expertly performed by Margaret Stevens (Ah Counter), Kate Daniels Kurz (Grammarian), David Perez (Timer), and Emilie Staryak(Vote Counter).

Andrew Kennedy led a clinic on Table Topics, calling on newest member Pam Walker, experienced member John Armstrong, and guest Lynn to give their experiences with farewells. Even though he was forbidden to dance, John was voted best Table Topics speaker.


Two great speeches made up the prepared portion of the meeting. Tonya Holloway led off with her #3 speech "How it All Got Started." This was an entertaining and informative exposition of the history of the Christmas tree from its ancient beginnings. Who knew that Christmas trees were originally hung upside down? Tonya was voted Most Improved Speaker.


Arnie Buss finished with his fifth Icebreaker speech "Faking It." He spoke of the fears that he still feels even after acquiring many Toastmasters skills and being able to effectively hide it. Arnie was voted Best Speaker for it.


Art Testani evaluated Tonya's speech, and first-time evaluator Elizabeth Mitchell evaluated Arnie. Elizabeth was selected Best Evaluator by General Evaluator Carl Thormeyer.


Angi gave a heartfelt farewell to the club, expressing appreciation for all the members she has come to know and cherish. She also reminded us that it is very likely we will meet again!

We ended with Fred presenting Angi with the farewell plaque of appreciation for past presidents and Arnie giving her the "Best of Angi" DVD.

And so we bid a fond Adieu to Angi, who has been so instrumental in the club's awesomeness over the past two years. You have been inspiring as a speaker and a leader, and have mentored and helped so many members individually. As a club officer, you have been the heart and soul of NPS Toastmasters. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and Toastmastering!


The post-meeting roster.

Back row (left to right): Carl, Fred, Angi, Emilie, Arnie, John, and David. Front row, Tonya

Gestures - and Another Competent Communicator!

Art Testani took a turn as TMoD and chose a theme of "Gestures," drawing in his Italian heritage. Leading 16 members and two guests in a lively and gesture-filled meeting, we were made more mindful of the iomportance of nonverbal communication skills.

Inspired by the theme, Tito DeJesus gave his Opening Remarks in Charades:


Table Topics Master Margaret Stevens called on Elizabeth Mitchell, David Perez and Glenn Woodson who won Best Table Topics for his response:


Kate Daniels Kurz' started the prepared speeches with her #2 speech Why the WIP is Good for the Women of the World and for Monterey. Kate was voted Most Improved Speaker.


Karen Woodson's #10 speech When Bad Things Turn Good. Karen was voted Best Speaker and got a standing ovation for her completion of the Competent Communication Manual. Congratulations Karen!


Speech evaluations were given by Christina Hicks for Katharine, and John Armstrong for Karen Woodson. Carl Thormeyer also evaluated Art's introductions as a project in the Specialty Speeches advanced manual. However, Christina Hicks' was selected as Best Evaluator by General Evaluator Glenn Woodson: