Teamwork!

Glenn Woodson returned after a hiatus in the east to preside over a fabulous Toastmasters meeting. His theme was "Teamwork" and Glenn expertly led his team through a meeting that the attendees didn't want to end. With 17 members and 8 guests, it was full, vibrant and exciting - the perfect ending to club president Fred Sadler's glorious reign over the past year. The club's continuing success is due both to the inspiring leadership of Fred and his officer team - and to the contribution of all members. We are indeed a team, and we thank Glenn for reminding us of that fact.

For Opening Remarks, Fred led a rousing cheer of "GO TEAM" that pumped up members and guests - a very appropriate response to calls for "BIGGER!"

Although the highlight of the meeting was Emilie Staryak's #10 speech, earning her Competent Communicator, it was also a bit sad as it is her last meeting with the club before she and husband Aaron (in attendance as a guest) ship out of Monterey. Emilie, we will miss you!

A surprise guest, former member and past club president Angi Anderson who now resides in Santa Maria some three hours driving time away, appeared to the delight of all who remember her so fondly. Jim Burlison as Table Topics master gave us one more opportunity to hear one of Angi's Table Topics:

Arnie Buss was voted best Table Topic speaker:


Bruce Lim provided us with another next peak experience, delivering his #3 speech titled Conversation Skills. Bruce demonstrated his skills in public speaking, and garnered Most Improved speaker:


Bruce was expertly evaluated by Wendy Goody:


The pièce de resistance, Emilie Staryak's #10 speech titled Share Your Story inspired and moved all members and guests to tell their own story. We were in fact moved to our feet and gave Emilie a standing ovation. She has been an inspiration to club members and served effectively and faithfully as VP Public Relations and VP Education. Congratulations Emilie!


Emilie was evaluated by incoming club president Art Testani, who was selected Best Evaluator:


Glenn threw in a different ending and a first for the club - a Mad Libs using words generated by the meeting's functionaries:

Juneteenth

Veteran Toastmaster and club president-elect Art Testani led an informative meeting with the theme of "Juneteenth" - the name given to this date of June 19 in honor of the emancipation of African Americans in the state of Texas in 1865. Juneteenth has come to represent freedom for all races and ethnic groups. June 19 is also Natalia Shilova's birthday. Present were 16 members and 2 guests.

Cat Grant was inducted as our newest member - welcome Cat!


Natalie Laudier gave Opening Remarks


Table topics was led by Natalia Shilova, with Elizabeth Mitchell being voted Best Table Topics Speaker:


A superb array of prepared speeches and evaluations rounded off the meeting:

Craig's #2 speech Don't be a Victim. Craig was voted "Most Improved".


Craig was evaluated by Lacey Raak:


Moyara Reuhsen's #4 speech The Economic Meltdown and the Rescue - Explained. Moyara was voted Best Speaker:


Moyara was evaluated by Wendy Goody, who was selected Best Evaluator:


Jim Burlison gave his #3 speech The Age of Our Fathers:


Jim was evaluated by Carl Thormeyer:

The Cold War

In his last time as TMoD (at least for NPS Toastmasters), Tito DeJesus gave a clinic on Toastmastering. He chose a somber theme, The Cold War, and used Ronald Reagan's famous "Tear Down This Wall" speech throughout. With 22 members and 2 guests, it was a full meeting with plenty of energy, including a #10 speech.


Ryan Crais (that's pronounced "Cray") gave creative Opening Remarks, complete with props and costume:


Wendy Goody continued her winning streak at Table Topics:


Kate Daniels led off the prepared speeches with her #4 speech titled My Fear of Public Speaking:


Karen Woodson's evaluation of Kate garnered hee Best Evaluator:


John Armstrong earned his Competent Communicator with his #10 speech titled You Haven't Got Time Not to Relax:


John was ably evaluated by Elizabeth Mitchell:

Spontaneity!

We started by inducting our newest member, Wendy Goody, an experienced Toastmaster having achieved AC-B. Welcome Wendy!

Tonya Holloway was TMoD extraordinaire, filling in at the last minute, yet running a smooth and effective meeting with the appropriate theme of Spontaneity.

David Perez gave Opening Remarks:


Newest member Wendy Goody was voted best Table Topics Speaker:


Natalia Shilova gave her #3 speech Nonverbal Communication, and was voted Most Improved speaker:


Art Testani was selected Best Evaluator for his feedback to Natalia:


Christina Hicks left few dry eyes with her emotional #4 speech from the "Speaking to Inform" advanced manual entitled Demented; she was voted Best Speaker:


Christina was ably evaluated by Joe Tacker: