With a theme woven around the idea of being prepared for the unexpected, Glenn Woodson as TMOD led another fantastic meeting of NPS #2032. Seventeen members and four guests enjoyed a real switcheroo... all persons with roles not requiring significant advance preparation were reassigned to other members as they entered the room via a sealed envelope! For example, Steve Skaggs - originally assigned as Timer - became the Grammarian, while Zeki Yildirim - originally assigned as Grammarian - became the Timer! And so it went.
We voted in and inducted three new members. Welcome to Joyce Laker, Corban Spraker and Eric Guttman!
Eric Guttman won Best Speaker for his Icebreaker, while Karen Woodson was voted Most Improved. Their speeches, along with Alex Bein's speech, are posted below. Best Evaluator was Brian Anderson, while Carl Thormeyer won Table Topics by default as no-one else qualified timewise!
Thanks to Robin Walker as Table Topics Master and Alec Metz as General Evaluator, both of whom had been originally scheduled to perform the other role!
Eric Guttmann's Icebreaker speech, My Wife Says I'm Eclectic, But My Friends Say I'm Doing a Tour of the Services
Karen Woodson's #5 Speech, The Friendly Skies (Or Are They?)
Alex Bein's #3 Speech, The Fair Tax:
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Mentors
With 14 members and 7 guests, we had another full and action-packed meeting! Club President Angi Anderson begin the first full meeting of her reign by turning over the reins to VP Education Fred Sadler to be acting President. Fred began with recognition of Arnie Buss' achieving Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest communication and leadership award in Toastmasters. Arnie was treated to a "hug line" consisting of the club's other DTM, Carl Thormeyer.
Angi, sporting a glamorous new hairdo, expertly guided the club through another fabulous meeting. As TMoD, Angi chose the theme of "Mentors" - people who help guide us and from whom we learn. Toastmasters emphasizes mentoring, and the NPS Toastmasters club is a great example of that. Angi turned the introductory "tidbits" around by ststingwhat qualities she admired and learned from for each functionary. What a terrific theme and message for all the NPS Toastmasters!
Tables Topics were superbly run by Brian Anderson, who asked challenging questions about mentoring, with Carl Thormeyer voted best Table Topics Speaker.
One of our newest members, Zeki Yildirim, led off the prepared speeches with an informative and entertaining perspective on "Procrastination" for his #2 speech ("Organize Your Speech"), for which he was voted Most Improved Speaker. Arnie Buss followed with a #3 ("Get to the Point") in his third time through the Competent Communication manual, titled You're Going to Wear THAT?!?, a look at entrapping questions and how to avoid them, for which he received Best Speaker.
Two superb evaluations were given by Fred Sadler (evaluating Zeki) and Michael Barksdale (for Arnie). In Michael's first evaluation, he demonstrated the sandwich method, offering both encouragement as well as helpful suggestions for improvement. Fred likewise gave a detailed and useful evaluation of Zeki's speech, for which Fred received Best Evaluator.
Zeki's #2 Speech Do Not Procrastinate!
Arnie #3 Speech You're Going to Wear THAT?!?
Angi, sporting a glamorous new hairdo, expertly guided the club through another fabulous meeting. As TMoD, Angi chose the theme of "Mentors" - people who help guide us and from whom we learn. Toastmasters emphasizes mentoring, and the NPS Toastmasters club is a great example of that. Angi turned the introductory "tidbits" around by ststingwhat qualities she admired and learned from for each functionary. What a terrific theme and message for all the NPS Toastmasters!
Tables Topics were superbly run by Brian Anderson, who asked challenging questions about mentoring, with Carl Thormeyer voted best Table Topics Speaker.
One of our newest members, Zeki Yildirim, led off the prepared speeches with an informative and entertaining perspective on "Procrastination" for his #2 speech ("Organize Your Speech"), for which he was voted Most Improved Speaker. Arnie Buss followed with a #3 ("Get to the Point") in his third time through the Competent Communication manual, titled You're Going to Wear THAT?!?, a look at entrapping questions and how to avoid them, for which he received Best Speaker.
Two superb evaluations were given by Fred Sadler (evaluating Zeki) and Michael Barksdale (for Arnie). In Michael's first evaluation, he demonstrated the sandwich method, offering both encouragement as well as helpful suggestions for improvement. Fred likewise gave a detailed and useful evaluation of Zeki's speech, for which Fred received Best Evaluator.
Zeki's #2 Speech Do Not Procrastinate!
Arnie #3 Speech You're Going to Wear THAT?!?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Changing of the Guard
The New Year brought in Monterey's worst storm in many years, which knocked out power and forced the cancellation of last weeks meeting. As is our wont, the club simply cranked things up a notch by starting 2008 with a fantastic meeting! With 21 members and 2 guests, we continued the trend of well-attended meetings.
We were convened by outgoing President Robin Walker and quickly held the induction of new officers, ably executed by District Parliamentarian Carl Thormeyer, after which our incoming President Angi Anderson had control of the meeting. The Robin Walker administration achieved all 10 DCP goals, a record for our club at least, and the clear front runner of District 4. Congratulations to Robin and his awesome team of officers! Angi began her term by induction our newest member, Kelley Calvert, who jumped right in by acting as vote counter for the meeting.
Leena Oh was in her first time as TMoD, and ran a smooth meeting with a theme of New Years Resolutions. Eschewing Table Topics due to the officer inductions, we were treated to Masami Maseda's Icebreaker speech, Elie Ishag's number 4 speech and Elizabeth Guzman's #5 speech. Elie got the nod as Best Speaker, while Masami was elected Most Improved Speaker.
Evaluations were expertly given by seasoned Toastmasters Mary Lineberger, Robin Walker, and Glenn Woodson, with Robin getting the nod from General Evaluator Angi Anderson as Best Evaluator.
Masami's Icebreaker Speech, How English Became My Friend:
Elie's #4 Speech, The Decline of the U.S. Dollar:
Elizabeth's #5 Speech, No Resolutions Here!:
We were convened by outgoing President Robin Walker and quickly held the induction of new officers, ably executed by District Parliamentarian Carl Thormeyer, after which our incoming President Angi Anderson had control of the meeting. The Robin Walker administration achieved all 10 DCP goals, a record for our club at least, and the clear front runner of District 4. Congratulations to Robin and his awesome team of officers! Angi began her term by induction our newest member, Kelley Calvert, who jumped right in by acting as vote counter for the meeting.
Leena Oh was in her first time as TMoD, and ran a smooth meeting with a theme of New Years Resolutions. Eschewing Table Topics due to the officer inductions, we were treated to Masami Maseda's Icebreaker speech, Elie Ishag's number 4 speech and Elizabeth Guzman's #5 speech. Elie got the nod as Best Speaker, while Masami was elected Most Improved Speaker.
Evaluations were expertly given by seasoned Toastmasters Mary Lineberger, Robin Walker, and Glenn Woodson, with Robin getting the nod from General Evaluator Angi Anderson as Best Evaluator.
Masami's Icebreaker Speech, How English Became My Friend:
Elie's #4 Speech, The Decline of the U.S. Dollar:
Elizabeth's #5 Speech, No Resolutions Here!:
Friday, December 14, 2007
2007 Holiday Table Topics Gift Exchange
The meeting was filled with holiday cheer in a distinctly Toastmasters way as 14 members (and one guest) participated in the annual NPS Holiday Table Topics gift exchange meeting. Ably chaired by TMoD Carl Thormeyer and timed with great precision by Team Anderson, a festive and fun time was had by all.
We got off to a great start as Emilie Staryak chose a quonset-hut shaped present that turned out to be a leather-covered box with Chesapeake-flavored peanuts. She successfully defended her gift against two strong challenges by Angi Anderson and Carl Thormeyer. Here Emilie expresses delight in the reminder of Maryland:
Sterling helps Glenn choose a gift.
Fred attempts to steal Angi's book of questions.
Angi successfully defends her gift.
Carl unsuccessfully attempts to steal Emilie's gift.
We got off to a great start as Emilie Staryak chose a quonset-hut shaped present that turned out to be a leather-covered box with Chesapeake-flavored peanuts. She successfully defended her gift against two strong challenges by Angi Anderson and Carl Thormeyer. Here Emilie expresses delight in the reminder of Maryland:
Sterling helps Glenn choose a gift.
Fred attempts to steal Angi's book of questions.
Angi successfully defends her gift.
Carl unsuccessfully attempts to steal Emilie's gift.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Vindication and Atonement
A packed meeting was superbly orchestrated by TMoD Alec Metz, on the theme of Vindication and Atonement. With 23 members and one guest, it was a great tournout for the holiday season.
A rousing table topics led by Alex Bein was won by perennial favorite, Brian Anderson who scanned his 100 favorite movies at warp speed, picked a winner and discussed it in the allotted time.
The prepared speeches offered an opportunity for our newer members, with two Icebreakers and a #2. All were outstanding and reveal more talent for our already loaded club. Robin Walker was voted best Evaluator.
December 14 will feature our annual party and gift exchange.
Zeki Yildirim's Icebreaker speech -Traveling:
Steve Skagg's #2 Speech - Happy New Goal:
Alex Simmons' Icebreaker Speech:
The meeting had one bittersweet note as we bid a fond farewell to Ryan Squires, who is graduating from NPS with a Masters Degree in Operations Research and will be heading off for fame and glory. Ryan's wry wit and memorable "West Virginia" grammarian reports will be long remembered.
A rousing table topics led by Alex Bein was won by perennial favorite, Brian Anderson who scanned his 100 favorite movies at warp speed, picked a winner and discussed it in the allotted time.
The prepared speeches offered an opportunity for our newer members, with two Icebreakers and a #2. All were outstanding and reveal more talent for our already loaded club. Robin Walker was voted best Evaluator.
December 14 will feature our annual party and gift exchange.
Zeki Yildirim's Icebreaker speech -Traveling:
Steve Skagg's #2 Speech - Happy New Goal:
Alex Simmons' Icebreaker Speech:
The meeting had one bittersweet note as we bid a fond farewell to Ryan Squires, who is graduating from NPS with a Masters Degree in Operations Research and will be heading off for fame and glory. Ryan's wry wit and memorable "West Virginia" grammarian reports will be long remembered.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Groupthink
Today a number of milestones were celebrated. With 24 members in attendance, we had a full and fun-packed meeting! Milestone #1 was a "first" for Emilie Staryak filling in as acting Sergeant at Arms. She did a great job getting the room set up and starting the meeting. Next, President Robin Walker announced that our own Chance Litton is the District's funniest speaker! He then passed out pins to all NPS Toastmasters for being the first club in District 4 to achieve "President's Select" status. He recognized Arnie Buss for achieving Advanced Communicator Gold, which gives the club its eighth goal out of ten for the year. Congratulations also to Arnie who now qualifies for Distinguished Toastmaster - the highest award given by Toastmasters International!
Brian Anderson as TMoD led the meeting with Marine precision, on the theme "Groupthink"- that mob mentality groups possess that can suppress creativity or encourage dissenting opinions.
Two outstanding speeches followed - a #3 from one half of the globetrotting Ishags, Rosetta, who spoke of her son's dyslexia and how that was a challenge as well as a gift; and Alec Metz, who inspired us to travel the world and learn about other cultures. This was Alec's #10 speech, and with it he achieved Competent Communicator status and our club will have fulfilled its 9th goal (once the paperwork is filed with World Headquarters)! Alec Metz was voted "best speaker", Rosetta Ishag - "most improved" and Fred Sadler received "best table topics" for his response to Luke Lazzari's question about group think.
Rosetta Ishag's #3 speech, Dyslexics are Anything but Dumb!:
Alec Metz'1 #10 Speech, Inspiration Indeed!
In the business portion of the meeting, a new slate of officers was elected for the January-July 2008 term. Our new club #2032 officers will be:
President: Angi Anderson
VP Education: Fred Sadler
VP Membership: Michael Barksdale
VP Public Relations: Emilie Staryak
Secretary: Cathy Lee
Treasurer: Warner Howser
Sergeant at Arms: Steve Skaggs
Congratulations to our new leadership team.
Mark your calendars for December 14 for the annual Holiday Table Topics Gift Exchange meeting! Bring a wrapped, unisex gift costing no more than $10. It is always an hilarious time - hosted by Carl Thormeyer.
Also, Wednesday evening, December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Monterey Beach Hotel will be the Area Holiday Dinner and Table Topics Gift Exchange. This will be a catered dinner, social, and gift exchange. It is a great opportunity to meet toastmasters from other clubs in the area, as well as to enjoy a delicious dinner and have fierce fun! The cost is $30.60 per person - guests are welcome, and are also welcome to participate in the table topics gift exchange, if they bring a gift of course! Bring a check made out to NPS Toastmasters on the 9th-the club will underwrite $5:oo per person.
Brian Anderson as TMoD led the meeting with Marine precision, on the theme "Groupthink"- that mob mentality groups possess that can suppress creativity or encourage dissenting opinions.
Two outstanding speeches followed - a #3 from one half of the globetrotting Ishags, Rosetta, who spoke of her son's dyslexia and how that was a challenge as well as a gift; and Alec Metz, who inspired us to travel the world and learn about other cultures. This was Alec's #10 speech, and with it he achieved Competent Communicator status and our club will have fulfilled its 9th goal (once the paperwork is filed with World Headquarters)! Alec Metz was voted "best speaker", Rosetta Ishag - "most improved" and Fred Sadler received "best table topics" for his response to Luke Lazzari's question about group think.
Rosetta Ishag's #3 speech, Dyslexics are Anything but Dumb!:
Alec Metz'1 #10 Speech, Inspiration Indeed!
In the business portion of the meeting, a new slate of officers was elected for the January-July 2008 term. Our new club #2032 officers will be:
President: Angi Anderson
VP Education: Fred Sadler
VP Membership: Michael Barksdale
VP Public Relations: Emilie Staryak
Secretary: Cathy Lee
Treasurer: Warner Howser
Sergeant at Arms: Steve Skaggs
Congratulations to our new leadership team.
Mark your calendars for December 14 for the annual Holiday Table Topics Gift Exchange meeting! Bring a wrapped, unisex gift costing no more than $10. It is always an hilarious time - hosted by Carl Thormeyer.
Also, Wednesday evening, December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Monterey Beach Hotel will be the Area Holiday Dinner and Table Topics Gift Exchange. This will be a catered dinner, social, and gift exchange. It is a great opportunity to meet toastmasters from other clubs in the area, as well as to enjoy a delicious dinner and have fierce fun! The cost is $30.60 per person - guests are welcome, and are also welcome to participate in the table topics gift exchange, if they bring a gift of course! Bring a check made out to NPS Toastmasters on the 9th-the club will underwrite $5:oo per person.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving Smedley Saturday
Seven members and three guests came out for the November 2007 edition of Smedley Saturday, NPS Toastmasters' monthly speech-a-thon. Ably emceed by Carl Thormeyer, perhaps still a bit groggy from his oh-dark-early stint on the KSBW morning show, the meeting featured three advanced speeches, including one from guest and honorary NPS member Rachelle Onishi.
Arnie spoke of a technique for negotiating a win/win outcome, and followed the speech with a participative demonstration of a couple trying to decide between a baseball game and the ballet. Arnie's speech Negotiating to Agreement from the advanced manual Interpersonal Communication:
Rachelle Onishi's accepted an award as the 1990 MVP of the NBA - a first for a 5'2" (and 3/4!) Japanese woman! Her speech Accepting an Award from the advanced manual Special Occasion Speeches
Finishing off the speeches, Fred Sadler reminded us to breathe from the belly, and showed us how. He was voted "best speaker" for his entertaining and educational presentation. His speech, Ahhhh, the Breath of Life! from Speaking to Inform:
We finished the meeting with three excellent evaluations: Cathy Lee, in only her second evaluation of Arnie's speech, Fred, doing double-duty, evaluated Rachelle's speech, and Robin evaluated Fred's speech, for which he was voted best evaluator.
Robin's winning evaluation:
Arnie spoke of a technique for negotiating a win/win outcome, and followed the speech with a participative demonstration of a couple trying to decide between a baseball game and the ballet. Arnie's speech Negotiating to Agreement from the advanced manual Interpersonal Communication:
Rachelle Onishi's accepted an award as the 1990 MVP of the NBA - a first for a 5'2" (and 3/4!) Japanese woman! Her speech Accepting an Award from the advanced manual Special Occasion Speeches
Finishing off the speeches, Fred Sadler reminded us to breathe from the belly, and showed us how. He was voted "best speaker" for his entertaining and educational presentation. His speech, Ahhhh, the Breath of Life! from Speaking to Inform:
We finished the meeting with three excellent evaluations: Cathy Lee, in only her second evaluation of Arnie's speech, Fred, doing double-duty, evaluated Rachelle's speech, and Robin evaluated Fred's speech, for which he was voted best evaluator.
Robin's winning evaluation:
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Chance Dominates at District!
Today at the District Humorous Speech Contest, NPS's own Chance Litton took first place with his hilarious rendition of The Life and Times of Mr. Spock. Robin, Angi, Carl, and Arnie from NPS all attended for the fun-filled sand educational day, that was of course made all the sweeter by Chance's win. Chance's wife and daughter were also present to cheer him on. Congratulations Chance!
The Bayview contestant in the evaluation Contest, Kristian Crump, also won, completing a sweep of Area A1 in the District. Congratulations to Kristian!
The Bayview contestant in the evaluation Contest, Kristian Crump, also won, completing a sweep of Area A1 in the District. Congratulations to Kristian!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Cell Phones versus Land Phones
Our club Treasurer, Warner Howser led a spirited meeting with a theme of "Cell Phones versus Land Phones." We started the meeting with 17 members and 4 guests present, and finished the meeting with 18 members and 3 guests - welcome to our newest member Alex Simmons! Alex wasted no time jumping right in to the club by being Wordmaster. We were also happy to welcome back Elie and Rosetta Ishag, who will be on the peninsula for another few months still. The both acquitted themselves wonderfully in today's Table Topics, but Brian Anderson was voted the best Table Topics speaker for his description of an extremely annoying gentleman having an argument with his cell phone in public. We also bid a sad farewell to Adam Otto, who has visited the club for the past few months as a guest, and is now off to Seattle, where he plans on joining a Toastmasters club when he arrives.
In yet another return, Elizabeth Guzman marked her return to the club "for real" with her #4 speech The Endangered Species Act. She won "Most Improved" for her moving speech.
Glenn Woodson achieved the milestone of Competent Communicator with his inspiring #10 speech The Glass is Half Full which included stories of his daughter who has struggled through a bone illness with pluck and courage. He won "Best Speaker" - congratulations Glenn of reaching the first milestone in your Toastmasters journey!
Part I:
Part II:
As always, NPS evaluators stepped up to the plate with Angi Anderson and Fred Sadler giving stellar ones for Elizabeth and Glenn. Fred won "Best Evaluator" for his feedback that was insightful as well as emotional.
In yet another return, Elizabeth Guzman marked her return to the club "for real" with her #4 speech The Endangered Species Act. She won "Most Improved" for her moving speech.
Glenn Woodson achieved the milestone of Competent Communicator with his inspiring #10 speech The Glass is Half Full which included stories of his daughter who has struggled through a bone illness with pluck and courage. He won "Best Speaker" - congratulations Glenn of reaching the first milestone in your Toastmasters journey!
Part I:
Part II:
As always, NPS evaluators stepped up to the plate with Angi Anderson and Fred Sadler giving stellar ones for Elizabeth and Glenn. Fred won "Best Evaluator" for his feedback that was insightful as well as emotional.
Friday, November 02, 2007
"Playing Grown Up"
Toastmaster of the Day par excellence, Angi Anderson led a rousing meeting of fifteen club members and four guests on the theme of "playing grown up" with many fun and mind twisting permutations. There were 15 members and four guests, one of whom, Alexander Simmons, joined up right after the meeting! We were also honored by a brief visit by LTG (retired) Robert Ord, erstwhile Toastmaster and Dean of the School of International Graduate Studies.
We had three outstanding prepared speeches featuring Donna Cunningham's "icebreaker" entitled "You did what? (the short version) which was so good that she won Best Speaker. Arnie Buss described the preparation of the recent Division Contest which he chaired as part of an advanced leadership project he completed to achieve Advanced Leadership Silver status. Brian Anderson delivered a moving interpretive reading of the lovely Robert Frost poem "The Mountain" for which he won "Most Improved Speaker".
Amy Treadwell came away with best Table Topics Speaker for her accomplished response to Mary Lineberger's query about "the most difficult thing about being grown up". Best Evaluator went to Arnie Buss for his spot on assessment of Donna Cunninham's presentation. Robin Walker and Leenah Oh also provided high quality insightful evaluations.
Donna Cunningham's Icebreaker You Did WHAT?? - The Short Version
Arnie Buss's High Performance Leadership project report:
Brian Anderson's dramatic reading of Robert Frost's The Mountain:
We had three outstanding prepared speeches featuring Donna Cunningham's "icebreaker" entitled "You did what? (the short version) which was so good that she won Best Speaker. Arnie Buss described the preparation of the recent Division Contest which he chaired as part of an advanced leadership project he completed to achieve Advanced Leadership Silver status. Brian Anderson delivered a moving interpretive reading of the lovely Robert Frost poem "The Mountain" for which he won "Most Improved Speaker".
Amy Treadwell came away with best Table Topics Speaker for her accomplished response to Mary Lineberger's query about "the most difficult thing about being grown up". Best Evaluator went to Arnie Buss for his spot on assessment of Donna Cunninham's presentation. Robin Walker and Leenah Oh also provided high quality insightful evaluations.
Donna Cunningham's Icebreaker You Did WHAT?? - The Short Version
Arnie Buss's High Performance Leadership project report:
Brian Anderson's dramatic reading of Robert Frost's The Mountain:
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Toastmasters Cult
Robin Walker (AKA "The Grand Pooh Bah") led the proceedings today with an entertaining and spirited theme of the Toastmasters Cult. Complete with funny hats, secret handshakes and gestures, and even Kool Aide, the meeting was carried on as it might be for a secret society (I'm not sure how many "secret societies" have their own web page and blog!)
The Grand Pooh Bah Toastmaster
We started the meeting with 17 members and 2 guests, but ended the meeting with 18 members and 1 guest - since Bradley McNary joined and was inducted by acting president Angi Anderson.
Table Topics Master Leena Oh asked some great questions around the "cult" theme, with excellent responses by Brian Anderson, Alec Metz, and our newest member Bradley McNary. Alec won best table topics for his spirited description of the "cult's" new uniforms - which included kilts!
Three excellent speeches were given by newer members. Margaret Stevens gave her Icebreaker "Surprise and Adventure" and won Best Speaker for her evocative description of being a singer, massage therapist, and mother. Alex Bein gave his #2 speech "Performance Eating" and Michael Barksdale also gave a #2 speech "Effective Speaking: The Tool of a Competent Leader" for which he won Most Improved speaker. The meeting was rounded off with evaluations from Arnie Buss, Ryan Squires, and Glenn Woodson, who won Best Evaluator for his insightful feedback on Michael's speech.
Margaret Stevens' Icebreaker Surprise and Adventure:
Alex Bein's #2 speech Performance Eating:
Michale Barksdale's #2 speech Effective Communication: The Tool of a Competent Leader:
Upcoming events:
The Grand Pooh Bah Toastmaster
We started the meeting with 17 members and 2 guests, but ended the meeting with 18 members and 1 guest - since Bradley McNary joined and was inducted by acting president Angi Anderson.
Table Topics Master Leena Oh asked some great questions around the "cult" theme, with excellent responses by Brian Anderson, Alec Metz, and our newest member Bradley McNary. Alec won best table topics for his spirited description of the "cult's" new uniforms - which included kilts!
Three excellent speeches were given by newer members. Margaret Stevens gave her Icebreaker "Surprise and Adventure" and won Best Speaker for her evocative description of being a singer, massage therapist, and mother. Alex Bein gave his #2 speech "Performance Eating" and Michael Barksdale also gave a #2 speech "Effective Speaking: The Tool of a Competent Leader" for which he won Most Improved speaker. The meeting was rounded off with evaluations from Arnie Buss, Ryan Squires, and Glenn Woodson, who won Best Evaluator for his insightful feedback on Michael's speech.
Margaret Stevens' Icebreaker Surprise and Adventure:
Alex Bein's #2 speech Performance Eating:
Michale Barksdale's #2 speech Effective Communication: The Tool of a Competent Leader:
Upcoming events:
- Smedley Saturday tomorrow, 1:00 p.m., La Mesa Community Center
- District Conference, November 17
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Kentucky Wildcats Football and Evening Social
University-of-Kentucky Alum and present MIIS student Elizabeth Mitchell thrilled us all with her cheerleading and Kentucky footbal trivia as she led us through another exciting weekly meeting! Elizabeth's first-time Toastmaster performance was enjoyed by 20 members and one guest (former member and past President Mary Lineberger, ATMB - welcome back, Mary!).
Luke Lazzari won "Best Speaker" for his 5th speech about his escapades at a yard sale, while Leena Oh was "Most Improved" with her #3 speech (thus enabling Angi Anderson to complete her mentorship and thus achieve her "Competent Leader" award). Robin Walker entertained us with an advanced manual speech about his cooking escapades, while his evaluator Angi Anderson was awarded "Best Evaluator". Meanwhile, Cathy Lee's description about "herding cats" won "Best Table Topics".
Leena's #3 speech, Tell Me What You Do, Already!:
Robin's speech #4 from "The Entertaining Speaker" advanced manual, Dinner at Monica's:
But the day was not yet over. Several members and guests gathered that evening for a "potluck social" overseen by Angi Anderson at the La Mesa Community Center. Highlight of the party was Robin Walker's "after dinner" advanced manual speech, which completed his requirements for Advanced Communicator Bronze. Congratulations, Robin --- that now gives us seven (7; count 'em) goals toward the 2007-08 Distinguished Club Plan, making us already "Select Distinguished" and it's still only October!
The food was delicious and the company great! In addition to Robin's after-dinner speech, the dinner itself was punctuated by an impromptu, friendly "toast-off" between the two tables (instigated by Robin). And what is a Toastmasters speech without an evaluation? Robin's evaluation was graciously provided by Fred Sadler, who gave a picture-perfect sandwich - and after dinner, no less! An excellent time was had by all. Many thanks to Angi and Brian, "Team Anderson" for organizing the event!
Robin's After Dinner Speech:
Luke Lazzari won "Best Speaker" for his 5th speech about his escapades at a yard sale, while Leena Oh was "Most Improved" with her #3 speech (thus enabling Angi Anderson to complete her mentorship and thus achieve her "Competent Leader" award). Robin Walker entertained us with an advanced manual speech about his cooking escapades, while his evaluator Angi Anderson was awarded "Best Evaluator". Meanwhile, Cathy Lee's description about "herding cats" won "Best Table Topics".
Leena's #3 speech, Tell Me What You Do, Already!:
Robin's speech #4 from "The Entertaining Speaker" advanced manual, Dinner at Monica's:
But the day was not yet over. Several members and guests gathered that evening for a "potluck social" overseen by Angi Anderson at the La Mesa Community Center. Highlight of the party was Robin Walker's "after dinner" advanced manual speech, which completed his requirements for Advanced Communicator Bronze. Congratulations, Robin --- that now gives us seven (7; count 'em) goals toward the 2007-08 Distinguished Club Plan, making us already "Select Distinguished" and it's still only October!
The food was delicious and the company great! In addition to Robin's after-dinner speech, the dinner itself was punctuated by an impromptu, friendly "toast-off" between the two tables (instigated by Robin). And what is a Toastmasters speech without an evaluation? Robin's evaluation was graciously provided by Fred Sadler, who gave a picture-perfect sandwich - and after dinner, no less! An excellent time was had by all. Many thanks to Angi and Brian, "Team Anderson" for organizing the event!
Robin's After Dinner Speech:
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Chance Wins Division Humorous Contest!
NPS Toastmaster extraodinaire Chance Litton won the Division A Humorous Speech contest in Aptos today, besting with his hilarious speech "The Life and Times of Mr. Spock." There was some stiff competition, including one from a human-size banana slug!
Congratulations Chance! All members, come and support Chance as he competes at the District Contest on November 17.
Unfortunately, Robin Walker, the other Area A1 champion, couldn't attend the contest, but his replacement, runner-up Kristian Crump from Bayview Toastmasters won. Congratulations Kristian!
This means that Area A1 swept the Division!
Congratulations Chance! All members, come and support Chance as he competes at the District Contest on November 17.
Unfortunately, Robin Walker, the other Area A1 champion, couldn't attend the contest, but his replacement, runner-up Kristian Crump from Bayview Toastmasters won. Congratulations Kristian!
This means that Area A1 swept the Division!
Friday, October 12, 2007
OKTOBERFEST !!!
Well, no beer flowed (a Federal workplace, after all), but the joviality was definitely there as 17 members and three guests (two of whom committed to join) watched Angi Anderson's awesome #10 speech, for which she won Best Speaker (see below). Fred Sadler presented a special module on Evaluation, which he needs for one of the advanced awards.
Fred's speech Evaluate to Motivate
Angi's inspirational #10 speech Remember to Say "Thank You"
Chance Litton won Best Table Topics, Leena Oh was Best Evaluator in her first time in that role, and soon-to-be-returning-member Elizabeth Guzman won Most Improved.
And, with Angi's speech, we now have 6 of 10 goals for the year, and are again a "Distinguished Club"!
Don't forget to come to the Division Humorous Contest tomorrow and support Chance as he represents Area A1 against the other areas in our division!
Fred's speech Evaluate to Motivate
Angi's inspirational #10 speech Remember to Say "Thank You"
Chance Litton won Best Table Topics, Leena Oh was Best Evaluator in her first time in that role, and soon-to-be-returning-member Elizabeth Guzman won Most Improved.
And, with Angi's speech, we now have 6 of 10 goals for the year, and are again a "Distinguished Club"!
Don't forget to come to the Division Humorous Contest tomorrow and support Chance as he represents Area A1 against the other areas in our division!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Teachers
Welcome to our newest member Emilie Staryak! That gave us 15 members and one guest who witnessed Ryan Squires' first go at TMOD. With a theme of "Teachers", Ryan led us through another great program with his usual wit and humor.
We had two icebreakers (including one "backbreaker"; just ask Alex Bein!), and a #6 speech by Cathy Lee which won "Best Speaker". "Most Improved" was Steve Skaggs, while Glenn Woodson won "Best Table Topics". Robin Walker again won "Best Evaluator" as he gets ready to represent the club and Area A-1 in the Division A contest on October 13th.
Steve Skaggs' Icebreaker Together by Ourselves
Michael Barksdale's Icebreaker Why Being the Little Man on the Bottom is Not So Bad
Cathy Lee's #6 Speech The Play's the Thing
We had two icebreakers (including one "backbreaker"; just ask Alex Bein!), and a #6 speech by Cathy Lee which won "Best Speaker". "Most Improved" was Steve Skaggs, while Glenn Woodson won "Best Table Topics". Robin Walker again won "Best Evaluator" as he gets ready to represent the club and Area A-1 in the Division A contest on October 13th.
Steve Skaggs' Icebreaker Together by Ourselves
Michael Barksdale's Icebreaker Why Being the Little Man on the Bottom is Not So Bad
Cathy Lee's #6 Speech The Play's the Thing
Saturday, September 29, 2007
NPS Sweeps Area Contest!
In the Area A1 competition, Robin Walker won the Evaluation contest and Chance Litton won the Humorous contest, making a clean sweep of the area by NPS Toastmasters.
Robin evaluated Test Speaker Carl Nail of San Jose, who spoke about "Showing Up".... the importance of doing your part for team by being there - whether at work or at Toastmasters! Robin was first in a field of four evaluation contestants. Second place went to Kristen Crump of Bayview Toastmasters.
Chance delighted us once again with the adventures and antics of his cat "Mr. Spock". He beat out two other speakers, including second-place winner Alisha Empleo, also of Bayview.
Congratulations Robin and Chance! Be sure to come to the Division A Contest on October 13 to support them as they compete against the winners from the other areas!
Robin evaluated Test Speaker Carl Nail of San Jose, who spoke about "Showing Up".... the importance of doing your part for team by being there - whether at work or at Toastmasters! Robin was first in a field of four evaluation contestants. Second place went to Kristen Crump of Bayview Toastmasters.
Chance delighted us once again with the adventures and antics of his cat "Mr. Spock". He beat out two other speakers, including second-place winner Alisha Empleo, also of Bayview.
Congratulations Robin and Chance! Be sure to come to the Division A Contest on October 13 to support them as they compete against the winners from the other areas!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Baseball...
Fourteen members and two guests (welcome back, Elizabeth Guzman - hope you re-join us soon!) enjoyed another fine meeting, featuring an interpretive reading advanced speech of two Bobby Kennedy speeches by Robin Walker, and a seven-continent travelogue of sorts by Elizabeth Mitchell as she gave her #2 speech. Robin won "Best Speaker" while Elizabeth was Most Improved. "Best Evaluator" was awarded to a very deserving Shenequa Mitchell for her evaluation of Robin's speech.
First-time TMOD Cathy Lee assembled a great program, deftly switching assignments at the last minute when not everyone scheduled showed up. Baseball was her theme.... because she didn't know much about the game and wanted to learn more!
Margaret Stevens also showed she was on the "fast track" by taking on the Table Topics Master role, with five baseball-related questions. "Best Table Topics" was won by Mike Barksdale, who demonstrated his jiu-jitsu moves on Alex "I'm turning blue" Bein.
Robin's #5 speech from the Interpretive Reading advanced manual, Indianapolis Part 1:
Part 2:
Elizabeth Mitchell's #2 speech: Seven Lessons from Seven Continents:
Two of our stalwart members will be leaving us soon for the East Coast, where they plan on continuing their Toastmasters career with a local club there. We export Toastmasters at NPS!
Congratulations to Scott and Jolene for the birth of their son! Scott Wilbur's Farewell:
Shenequa Mitchell's farewell:
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Message from Brendan Epps
I've recently been reading "Where Have All The Leaders Gone" by Lee Iacocca. It's a great read and a call to action. What struck me and drove me to write this message was the word curmudgeon. The instant I saw the word, I recalled an NPS TM meeting, where curmudgeon was the word of the day. Even after seeing it again, I couldn't use it in a sentence, but the point is the power of those words each week. They expand our vocabulary and expose us to something new. Pay attention to those words and make an effort to learn new words. Wordmasters, be sure to choose challenging words, words that will force members to grow and expand their vocabularies.
-Brendan Epps, past club president
-Brendan Epps, past club president
Friday, September 14, 2007
What did YOU do this summer?
And so it was with this week's theme, as Immediate Past Area Governor Arnie Buss gave us a lesson in "how to do it" by leading us through another excellent meeting as TMOD. With 19 members and four guests present, our newest member Donna Cunningham was voted into membership and duly inducted. Donna is our 7th new member since July 1st!
One of the guests was former member Elizabeth Guzman, who we sincerely hope will be re-joining the club soon.
In addition to Shenequa Mitchell's excellent #4 speech below, Cathy Lee practiced her lawyer skills by delivering prosecution closing arguments for a criminal trial as her #5 speech. Cathy won Best Speaker, while her evaluator Scott Wilbur was awarded Best Evaluator.
Best Table Topics went to Alec Metz, fresh back from Mongolia, who described his recent marriage and associated travels. Most Improved was Donna Cunningham, who talked about her long-distance marriage. Congratulations to all!
Shenequa Mitchell's #4 Speech The Art of Communication
AREA CONTEST: Note that the date has been changed to the afternoon of Saturday 29 September, and will take place at the Agricultural Conference Center on Abbott Street in Salinas starting about 1PM. Chance Litton (Humorous Speech) and Robin Walker (Evaluation) will be competing.
One of the guests was former member Elizabeth Guzman, who we sincerely hope will be re-joining the club soon.
In addition to Shenequa Mitchell's excellent #4 speech below, Cathy Lee practiced her lawyer skills by delivering prosecution closing arguments for a criminal trial as her #5 speech. Cathy won Best Speaker, while her evaluator Scott Wilbur was awarded Best Evaluator.
Best Table Topics went to Alec Metz, fresh back from Mongolia, who described his recent marriage and associated travels. Most Improved was Donna Cunningham, who talked about her long-distance marriage. Congratulations to all!
Shenequa Mitchell's #4 Speech The Art of Communication
AREA CONTEST: Note that the date has been changed to the afternoon of Saturday 29 September, and will take place at the Agricultural Conference Center on Abbott Street in Salinas starting about 1PM. Chance Litton (Humorous Speech) and Robin Walker (Evaluation) will be competing.
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