August 3, 2009 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Harry Salvio was our calm, cool and collected Toastmaster, and “Texas Heat” was our theme. Harry lived in cut-off jeans and Keds as a kid...and NO SUNSCREEN!! Imagine! If he gets skin cancer, he says we’ll know why. He asked all the participants how they manage to stay cool during the Texas summers.

David Gaddy led Prayer and Pledge and was thankful for the group’s many gifts and talents. David stays cool at the pool.

Guoen Wang, Timekeeper, kept us all on time this morning and remembers that his father, a VSM (Very Smart Man) took him to the rice fields in the summers to work. Guoen, also a VSM, quickly figured out that rice-paddy tending was not his calling, so he studied hard to become a doctor.

Rohit Chaube, Grammarian, tracked um’s and ah’s. His word of the day was “ebullient.” Rohit remembers summers at his grandparent’s house, staying cool eating watermelon. He caught the uh’s and ah’s and pointed out favorite phrases and uses of the word of the day.

Mike Prentice, this morning’s OMT, says that crows used to wake him up early, in a cacophony of sound. He suggested that when acting as Table Topics Evaluator, members might try to concentrate on a specific thing and evaluate each speaker according to that. It helps to focus the evaluation and creates an even playing field. It also helps to keep the evaluation within time limits.

Jason Boehle, Table Topic Master, used to stick his head in the freezer to cool off. Today he focused on birthdays of the famous.

• Jim Comer (Best Table Topics), if he were Martha Stewart, would celebrate his/her birthday by breakfast in bed (served by a butler), a stroll to the street (2 miles), a 6 hour bath, a late lunch with chic friends where he would share advice. Then he/she would go bowling, exhibiting perfect style, of course.
• Glenn Nielsen loved head-banger R&R when he was growing up. He went to concerts and once caught two – count em’! - picks that pinged off of Eddie Van Halen’s Guitar!! Rock on, Glenn!!
• Edwin De Angel would honor Tom Brady’s birthday by doing the exercise he loved, touring around Town Lake and celebrating with friends and family.
• Bruce Solberg would celebrate Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” enthusiastically and with great ebullience by first learning all about sharks with his 9 year old son, then going to see sharks in their natural habitat.

Mary Buker – “What the Heck is Litigation Technology?” - Mary brought all of us up-to-date on document organization technology for law suits. She showed us why the software she represents can save attorneys time and that equals a BIG SAVINGS to us, the litigants – or “people in the process of suing or being sued.” If you are involved in a lawsuit, be sure to ask your attorney whether or not they are using the proper summation technology – it could save you thousands of dollars...and the paralegals get to go home and actually see their families.

Peter Ryon - “Evaluations” - Peter is a fan of fans...he was a welder and had to work in the hot shop where they were the only way to cool off. Whew! Peter gave us a very thorough list of tips to become better evaluators. He reminds us not to judge, but to give useful feedback.

Sylvester Lavario – Most Improved & Best Speaker - “Relaxation Techniques” - Sylvester stayed cool on the farm by jumping in the water tank and irrigation canals. He gave us three important ways to reduce stress during our days (deep breathing, sensory awareness and muscle relaxation). He did a fantastic job of not only telling us about these, but demonstrating them as well.

Karen Bondy was General Evaluator, felt that Harry Salvio did a great job, was very prepared, but also spontaneous, even throwing in a lawyer joke. The meeting was a lot of fun and the evaluations superb.

• Megan Morris evaluated Table Topics. Megan went camping recently in a hexi-yurt. Jim Comer had great timing, emotion, humor and bowling form. Glenn Nielsen had no confusing pauses, was relaxed calm and had good gestures. Edwin De Angel was relaxed and related his answers to his own life and also had good gestures. Bruce Solberg showed no awkwardness and lots of enthusiasm. He could connect a little more with the audience using eye contact.

• Gordon Baker says “Hey – it’s Austin. It’s hot. Get used to it!” Gordon felt that Mary tackled a tough topic very well. He was a little confused, but overall it was a good speech. The last line was very strong and he really understood the subject matter by the end of the speech. Suggestions for Mary were to start with the last line and to slow her speech just a little. Especially when talking about a technical subject that we know well, we need to slow our speech for others to understand.

• Dan Naden – stays cool by staying in the AC, mowing the law early and swimming. Dan felt that Peter shows authority and credibility, but today stayed “magnetized to the podium” and read a lot from his speech. He gave a waterfall approach and possibly a visual aid might help the audience get all of the good information Peter was giving. Peter showed great preparation by giving Dan, his evaluator, an evaluation sheet with specific focus areas on which to comment.

• Mike Carr – Best Evaluator – Mike says, “Why fight it? Embrace the heat! People spend hundreds of dollars to stay in a sauna for only a few moments. We get to live in one!” Now that’s positive thinking! Sylvester gave a BREAKTHROUGH speech today. Mike wanted to know “Who are you and what have you done with Sylvester Lavario?” Sylvester was teaching us with passion and was concerned more about the audience than about the content. His eye contact and audience connection were wonderful. Body gestures and voice modulation were spot-on. Well done, Sylvester!

Comments:

• Anne Child – The meeting was ebullient and she loves whole-house fans. Dorie Laguard – Guest – was proud to have gotten up so early. *Jane Sanford – loved seeing Sylvester’s transformation.
• Brian Cronin – Returning Guest – had a great time and likes how much is going on in the room.
• Donna Skibbie – Guest – learned a lot from the evaluations and speeches.
• Charlie Cole – will take the ebullient attitude to work with him today. Great job, Sylvester!
• Evan Spalding – Guest – learned a lot and hopes to be back.
• Priscilla Oehlert– went to a TM National Officer Training and is grateful to be a part of our club (30 members + 4 guests today). Many other clubs have far fewer members.
• Dugg Tankersley– Toastmasters is a blessing and a curse – after you join, you will never hear a speech in the same way again!
• Bill Williams – this is the best TM club he’s ever seen in all the years he’s been in Toastmasters. He’s already started his breathing practice for his speech next week.
• Sonny Sonntag – We are to be congratulated on the tremendous show of ebullience today.