August 6, 2007 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Balcones Toastmasters August 6, 2007

Chapter 3407 District 55

Minutes of Meeting

The August 6th meeting was opened a few minutes late by President Jonathan Huizingh.

• Jonathan also served as Toastmaster. He investigated reasons people joined Toastmasters and what they are getting out of it.

• Harry Savio led Prayer & Pledge and served as Sergeant at Arms.

• Scott Perry clocked us as he performed the Timer duties.

• Priscilla Oehlert was Grammarian and chose "incentive" (meaning invites action or provocative) for the word for the day. It was used by Steve L, John A, Anne, Frank, Steve G, Hollis, Matt and Sonny. Ums and ahs were few but used by John Alert and Darlene.

• Jake North was One Minute Toastmaster - Jake challenged everyone to look at things from a different point of view. Growth comes by challenging yourself to try speech types that we aren't good at already.

Table Topics Master was Steve Levering. Steve asked participants to do different types of speeches.

• Dan Naden - tied winner - 1:44 - In his Informative speech, Dan described his love for soccer.
• Gordon Baker - tied winner - 2:14 - In his persuasive speech, Gordon urged us to visit the Constitutional Research Center in Philadelphia and embrace the rights afforded to us by the Bill of Rights.
• Anne Child - 1:36 - In her inspirational speech, Anne described inspiring kids to learn to swim in a cold spring fed pool.
• Jim Comer - 2:21 - In his motivational speech, Jim described our country without universal health care. We are a country rich beyond belief but poor on caring.

Speaker #1 - John Allert - 8:30 - "A Story of Redemption" - John continued the story of adopting his daughter An May Lane Allert from China. They returned after a 3 week journey where they ceremoniously received An May with "John Allert - Here is your daughter." Next. Now the whole family is adjusting to a new life together.

Speaker #2 John McMillan - most improved - 9:00+ - "Let the Gentleman Speak, Please" - John told of heckling of speakers being on the increase. He linked it to hate filled blogs that allow everyone to be a critic. Hitler was a heckler. We should allow fools to speak and expose themselves with their own words. A good recourse instead it to ask follow on questions or sue if you have been slandered.

Speaker #3 - Hollis Baker - winner - 7:52: Hollis filled in with an impromptu speech about old men in little towns exchanging stories. Stories are exchanged at the Liberty Hill Information Center & the Exxon station. His grandfather told a story of fighting Quanah Parker, shooting 6 rounds at each other but no one was hurt. They later found 6 pairs of melded bullets, head to head. What a story!

General Evaluator was Steve Gonzales.

• Table topics evaluator was Matt Carlin - 4:11 - Steve Levering gave excellent introductions and kept with the theme. Dan "Soccer Locker" welcomed the guests and involved the audience. Gordon "Philadelphia Freedom" used pauses and body language well. He was passionate but it took a while for listeners to figure out about what he was trying to persuade ust. Anne "Smokey Mountain Swimming" thought for a few seconds to get started, had fun blowing bubbles but needed a stronger ending. Jim has a sincere smile but didn't get around to what he was motivating us to do.

• Evaluator #1 for John Allert was Darlene North - 2:45 - John's speech focused on using visual aids. He showed appropriate pictures, although small, they helped us relate to the story. We could feel the excitement of the events. John gave a wonderful pause after the story of the baby being left by her mother in a box. Minor distractions were slaps on his legs and playing with his rings.

• Evaluator #2 for John McMillan was Frank Peters - winner - 3:00 - John did fantastic research preparation. He picked a great title and had a good opening about Toastmasters. When not reading from his notes, John used his hands well and had good voice inflection. Frank encourages John to move from behind the podium and allow for better eye contact.

• Evaluator #3 for Hollis was Karen Bondy - 3:16 - Hollis' impromptu speech had a good setup and great details (the Formica desk at the Exxon). As always, Hollis had great eye contact and gestures (about cedars full all the way to the ground). He pulled us all in... no matter if there was any truth to the stories or not.

Timer and Grammarian gave their reports. Guests Alice Baker, Consuela Samarripa , Julie Tereshchuk and her mother Pat Richards all spoke about the joy of returning to the group. Sonny Sonntag used the word of the day.

Jonathan reviewed the schedule for our next meeting on Monday August 13th. Harry will fill in for Matt as Evaluator #2. Jonathan will attempt to be President and run the video while Scott goes on vacation.

Future schedules are available at http://www.balconestoastmasters.org/schedule/ .

Videos will be uploaded to http://www.esnips.com/web/BalconesToastmasters/?v=667987&source=ws.