April 2, 2007 Minutes
From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)
Balcones Toastmasters April 2, 2007
Chapter 3407 District 55
Minutes of Meeting
- The meeting was opened by President Jake North.
- Prayer & Pledge was lead by John McMillen who also served as Sergeant at Arms.
- Rich Bradstreet served as Toastmaster. He gave a unique and thoughtful introduction to each speaker.
- First time Timer was Priscilla Oehlert. She did a great job and got us out ahead of schedule!
- Lesley Bradstreet was Grammarian and the word for the day "succinct" which she introduced with a not-so-succinct description. The word was used by Mary, Jack, Steve, others I don't remember, and of course Sonny. "Um"s were counted from Harry, Amanda, Geogi. Scott, and Lesley herself.
- One Minute Toastmaster was Harry Savio. He pleaded with us to tell our stories. He told a story of hearing a cab driver's story. If she had an interesting story, we all do.
Table Topics Master was Amanda Garner. Amanda encouraged others to tell stories of their favorite outdoor past times.
- Anne Child - winner & most improved - Her favorite childhood outdoor past time was swinging in the back yard under the big oak trees.
- Geoji George - would spend his recreation money playing golf, getting his frustrations out on a little white ball and drinking with friends.
- Mary Buker - Mary took us back home to a family picnic in the park where she took swimming lessons.
Speaker #1 Scott Perry - "Why" - Why do Americans move every 3-5 years? This is a bad idea because 1) you have to fix up and sell the old house 2) you have to find a new home that pleases both husband and wife and 3) new houses require new furniture which require decisions.
Speaker #2 Jack Frick - winner - "Rock Two" - a well developed icebreaker weaving his life decisions of going to college, into counselling and then insurance sales into the philosophy of sky diving "rock one to get ready, rock two to jump."
Speaker #3 Steve Gonzales - "Past Present & Future" - Steve covered it all: military, college, family, entrepreneurial spirit as a salesman, teaching, vacation and politics. Steve have many great stories yet to share.
General Evaluator was Darlene North.
- Table topics evaluator was Phil Hallmark - Amanda did a great job as Table Topic Master. Anne had a good story but needs to work on making meaningful eye contact. Geogi looked comfortable for his first Table Topic. He used humor well and should soon venture in front of the lectern. Mary also was comfortable but a little too succinct.
- Evaluator #1 for Scott was Antoinette Griffin - Scott shows confidence in his manner and voice. He projects then draws us in with soft moments. He looked down some, used "gonna" and has some Ums. Scott never sounds rehearsed.
- Evaluator #2 for Jack was Frank Peters - winner - Jack cleverly weaved the sky diving story with his history. He transitioned well and had good hand gestures. Jack could work on his quick eye contact. We heard about the falling and the landing but Frank missed hearing about the opening of the parachute!
- Evaluator #3 for Steve was Vlad Garner - Steve had good use of voice and pacing. He could try getting out in front of the lectern and develop his stories more. Steve gave us good lessons in history, geography and vocabulary.
Timer Priscilla and Grammarian Lesley gave their reports. Hollis Baker told of his wife's April Fool strawberry joke. Jim Comer itchingly described his displeasure with scheduling of the next phase of the speech contest. He can't go so Antoinette will represent our group well. Jonathan Huizingh helped 3 families move this weekend and is not looking to help anyone else soon. John Allert, Sonny Sonntag, Matt Carlen and Nancy Davis each said something positive about the meeting.
Matt Carlen, Nancy Davis and Geogi George were all voted and welcomed into the group.
Reminder - $55 dues are now due.
We adjourned before 8:00.
We reviewed the schedule for our next meeting on Monday April 9th. Future schedules are available at http://www.balconestoastmasters.org/schedule/ .
