Meeting Notes - 12 February 2009

February 12, 2009

Toastmaster Connie Pshigoda opened the meeting with Chocolate trivia . . .although chocolate is not a trivial indulgence!

Todd Rys gave his second speech from the Competent Speaker Manual titled: "Disneyland is for Kids." Our club plans to join Todd & his family on their Disney journey in May. (just kidding, Todd)

Guest, John Mager entertained and enlightened us with an impromptu speech about his search for a Toastmaster Club and took the winning speech honor.

Evaluators, Dan Pratt and Gary Fuller gave insight to all in improving speaking skill and ability.

Krystyna dealt the cards for Table Topics and Mike Angell won . . .hands down!
Thanks to all who helped make this another successful meeting! Dark Chocolate with Chili & Cherries and Chocolate Girl Scout cookies may become the new meeting staple!

Mike Angell will be the TM next week so please email him with the role you wish to fill. Have a great week!

Meeting Notes - 29 January 2009

Meeting Summary

January 29, 2009

---

Today we had fudge cookies and milk, served by Toastmaster Mike. (Mmmmm, cookies) Guests today were Krystyna and Doris from Shaw. The word of the day was “indubitable”.

Connie gave an entertaining speech. Her regaling tale transported us to a contemporary Neal Diamond concert. Connie’s daughter has an “inside track” at the Pepsi center. (Concert fans take note!). Daughter called mom at the last minute an d before they knew husband and wife were off to see Neal Diamond live! The concert went “So well, so well, so well.”

Dave followed with a mock sales presentation to CIO of Fuller Corporation, Gary Fuller. With an informative speech that included role playing, Dave taught us what to do, and what NOT to do, when conducting business to business sales.

Dan, Gary and Cary rounded out the evaluation team with sagacity. Nate lead us in a quizzical round of table topics. Best speaker, evaluator and topic-er were Connie, Cary and Mike respectively. Roles for Next Week are as follows:

Toastmaster – Deron

Speaker 1 – Mike

Speaker 2 – Gary

General Evaluator – Dan

Table Topics – Open

Grammarian - Open

Ah Counter - Open

Timer - Open

Thank you, everyone. Keep toasting.

Mike

Pres.

Meeting Notes - 22 January 2009

Dan was the Toastmaster and opened the meeting with the word of the day: affable.

The theme of the meeting was Fun Facts and Dan delivered several fun facts compiled by the Federal Bureau of Miscellaneous Information, including:

• As a result of recent technological advances in lasik surgery, hindsight is now 20/40.
• In Binghamton, New York, it’s illegal for a grown man to go by the name Ronny.
• With the soaring popularity of the telephone and the Internet, by 2006 fewer than one in seven homes still had a telegraph.

Jason Carty gave an insightful speech, comparing nuances in speeches by Patrick Henry, Abe Lincoln and FDR and reminding us that some of the greatest speeches have been delivered during times of conflict, when bold leadership and inspiration was especially needed. Still, the best speeches will have a well-defined opening, body and conclusion.

Don Lyman evaluated Jason’s speech, giving good suggestions on minor improvements for the next time.

Gary Fuller presented the Table Topics, which were mostly provided by Mike Angell, who was in our thoughts.

Is there ever a day when mattresses are NOT on sale? Deron “White Sale” White deftly handled this topic, explaining the merchant’s assumption that the only time people notice a sale is when they’re ready to buy. This strategy also applies to linen sales and men’s suits. These also seem to be constantly sold at “discount” prices. However, most of us (especially Toastmasters) are acutely aware of how skimpy the emperor’s new suit appears. They’re threading on thin ice!

What are the differences you have noticed between her native language and American English? Krystyna, very graciously accepting this question, informed us that the English word for “corner” could be misconstrued when trying to convey the same meaning with just a straight translation to Polish, her native tongue. We’re not certain what “bad” word she was referring to, but I think we got her point. I remembered learning in Spanish class that sopa isn’t soap, ropa isn’t rope, and the “butter” is meant to kill ya!

How do those dead bugs get into closed light fixtures? Nathan Wilkes, sharing his knowledge of secret societies, revealed a little-known dark conspiracy. It turns out that lighting vendors (beginning with Edison) infuse bug larvae into fixtures during the manufacturing process, and these larvae grow and die and eventually block out most of the light. Planned obsolescence! Who knew? Nathan also informed us that if you eat guava you will be eating worms that are always present in the fruit. The strategy is to eat the fruit when it is just turning ripe or before. Otherwise, you might bite into some nice juicy full-grown worms. Thus, the debate between “more taste” and “less filling” goes on.

Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept drying your clothes would they eventually just disappear? Don related a sordid tale of his past, regarding already-thin sports tee shirts wearing down to almost nothing. Extrapolating this for the question at hand, he concluded that yes, eventually, you would finally have to tape on the last bit of lint – sheer terror for most of us. We also learned that his family and closest friends call him Donny (almost illegal in Binghamton, NY).

Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed? Jason told us of past yard sales where his family brought home some pretty weird stuff. It happened that some of the overstuffed sofas and chairs were stuffed with creepy crawlers that were tough to deal with. Talk about expensive furniture. Also, he described seeing gaudy 70’s and 80’s plaid clothes that would match my typical wardrobe, like the red and yellow leisure suit I wear at home.

Dan, please tell us your best bug story. I related that when I was in high school, my bedroom was in the basement, where large red crickets occasionally crawled into my shoes at night. This would give me a pleasant surprise when I’d be hurrying to put my shoes on in the morning. (At least I didn’t have to go without a warm, crunchy breakfast on those days.) That last part was something I thought about after I sat down, but I think everyone was grossed out already. I apologize to those of you who might be eating lunch now.

Nathan won the TT prize, which I wish could have been a box of gummy worms. But I think all attendees appreciated the yarns that were skillfully woven at this meeting. Isn’t it amazing how much our hindsight has improved?

Best regards,

Dan Pratt

Meeting Notes - 15 January 2009

Thanks to everyone for your participation in the meeting last week. While we were short a speaker we were not short on Table Topics fun thanks to Ed who challenged us all to come up with a unique definition to the word: "infracaninophile". Deron won by "vote" of what everyone thought was the correct answer -- which turned out to be the correct answer which is: "One who is a supporter or champion of the underdog. Great job Deron and great table topics idea, Ed! However, despite Deron's correct answer, the group voted Dan as the best table topics person -- as always he provided an entertaining and "Dan-esque" type response. Congratulations Dan!

We heard a great speech from Carolyn who spoke about our health care system and the challenges we face correcting it. Jason gave a nice evaluation of her speech noting the amazing statistics of where the U.S. stands in relation to many other countries with our health care system.

Our General Evaluator, Mike, pointed out some great suggestions for us to focus on as we continue our meetings -- namely never leaving the podium "empty" as there should always be someone at the podium addressing the group -- if not with a speaker or table topics via the Toastmaster "filling any time voids" as needed. Also, we didn't do a great job using the WOD today (which was querulous -- habitually complaining) which agreed as a group we needed better emphasis on going forward.

Our roles filled and not for the next meeting on Thursday, January 22nd are as follow:

Toastmaster -- Eric
WOD -- Linda
Speaker #1 -- Jason
Speaker #2 -- Todd or Connie (please decide between yourselves whom will speak, please and let Eric know)
General Evaluator -- Julie
Evaluator #1 -- Don Lyman
Evaluator #2 -- OPEN
Table Topics -- Mike
Ah Counter -- Carolyn
Timer -- Dan
Grammarian -- OPEN

Also, as a reminder we have Dave T. scheduled to speak at our Jan. 29th meeting.

Meeting Notes Jan 8, 2009

Triskelion Toastmasters
Meeting Minutes
Jan 8, 2009

---

Yours truly served as Toastmaster. Julie opened with a speech about the joys of parenthood. To her, being a proud parent certainly has advantages over the DINK life she previously lead. (dual income no kids) She also shared that, once again, she is expecting. Linda followed up with a speech on New Year's Resolutions. She discussed various traditions throughout history. Connie lead us in a round of table topics. Ed, Dan and Don rounded out the evaluation team. The Word of the Day, Ubiquitous, was provided by Carolyn.

Next Meeting
Julie is Toastmaster. Carolyn and Don Lindgren are lined up as speakers. Ed is going to tackle table topics. Jason is evaluating. Dan is Grammarian. Mike will be general evaluator. We are still open for Word of the day, Evaluator 2, Timer and Ah counter.

Officer Openings
Dave Trzupek has been nominated VP of Education. I ask for someone to second the nomination. Assuming we don't hear from anyone else, we can vote this week.

We also have openings for VP of Membership and Treasurer.

Humor
A billionaire throws a massive party for his 50th birthday. During this party, he grabs the microphone and announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it.

"I will give anything of mine to the man who swims across that pool."

SUDDENLY, there is a great splash. All the guests of the party run to the pool to see what has happened.

In the pool a man is swimming as hard as he can. Fins come out of the water and jaws are snapping and this guy just keeps on going. The sharks are gaining on him and this guy reaches the end and gets out of the pool, tired and soaked. The billionaire grabs the microphone and says, "I am a man of my word. Anything of mine I will give. So sir what will it be?" The guy grabs the microphone and says, "Why don't we start with the name of the guy who pushed me in!"

~Mike

Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the carpet they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light. We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...
I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

Unknown Author

Meeting Notes - 18 December 2008

Fellow Toastmasters:

The meeting today was lead by yours truly. Don graced us with Speech 4 which he titled "The Super Power of Social Proof." In it, he explored the various means by which we, as social beings, influence and are influenced.

Speech two was an impromptu speech. Gary filled in for Linda, who was pulled away at the last moment. Gary delivered an uplifting speech about finding love and acceptance amidst family and faith.

The illustrious Dan Pratt provided the word of the day, "Indolent", and lead a stout storytelling round of table topics.

Our guest today was Shaw engineer Christina Nowarita. Christina hails from the East bloc and Poland specifically. It was a special treat to have her among us.

Included herein is a Christmas poem I thought you might enjoy. Roles for the upcoming meetings are shown below.

As we close out the year let me say as President, 2008 was great. Membership continues to flourish. We draw speakers from all walks of life and all experience levels. Meetings are healthy, happy and fun. We continue to meet the ever present challenges of educating ourselves and each other.

Every journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step. The roles we take in meetings are the small steps we all take to becoming accomplished speakers. I have watched everyone grow as orators. It is a pleasure. Thanks to your support I too continue to grow as a member and as a leader. Toastmasters is truly a "win-win".

January 8, 2008
Toastmaster - Eric
Word of the Day - Open
Speaker 1 - Julie
Speaker 2 - Linda
General Evaluator
Dan - Evaluator
Don Lyman - Evaluator
Table Topics - Connie



Jan 15
Speaker 1 - Carolyn
Speaker 2 - Don Lindgren

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Mike
Pres.