December 29, 2008 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Jerry Barrett, outgoing VP Education, opened this special meeting of Balcones Toastmasters, the Jim Comer Speech Marathon. We were blessed with many guests:

• Former Balcones Toastmasters: Diane Graden, Lesley Bradstreet, Rick Bradstreet
• Toastmasters from other clubs: Mirsa Douglass, Daren Miekoski, Donald Pyle, Rich Bassimer
• Jon Beall’s fiancée – Becky Jolin
• Returning guest – Jason Boehle
• First time guest – Mark Hicks

Sonny Sonntag served as our honorable Toastmaster. His theme of the day was “What is your dream?” He led us masterfully through the rearranged schedule.

• Charlie Cole led Prayer & Pledge urging us to honor others.
• Jane Sanford took on Timekeeper for the first time and dealt handily with a mixed up schedule.
• Anne Child was Grammarian. “Practicable” (that can be done) was used by Jane, Sonny, Michael, Mirsa, Steve, Harry, and Cathy. Ums were used by Mirsa, Steve, Harry, Diane and Jane. Of course Jim spoke many jewels of English prose.

Jim Comer’s speech #1 was project #4 from the Competent Communicator manual - Rich & Famous. Jim sought to be rich and famous as an actor in New York. He earned over $3000 one year and that was in the top 10% of the actors in the guild. Then he got a great 5 week job where he had a house and a car and when done he realized that he wanted a real job. He called 300 people looking for leads. His friend Claudia came across a position at Avon. Jim showed up for the interview in his “professional” blue velvet suit, armed with his writing works. He got the job writing speeches for the managers at sales meetings. After a few years he wrote a warm, personable speech for the president who loved it. Then he was assigned to write all the speeches for a big conference in Atlanta. Bob Hope was a guest speaker. Jim decided to write a monolog for Bob of jokes the Avon people would love. Bob didn’t understand them but tested one, it went over great so he proceeded with the rest. Bob thanked Jim for the material but Jim never saw him after that. But this event led to other good opportunities anyway.

Fred Maynard’s One Minute Toastmaster speech was on Competent Leadership. He has found the leadership manual informational on how to perform our roles and urges everyone to read it.

Jim Comer’s speech #2 – On Top of the World – project #5 – Jim and his father went on a 17 day trip to the Far East. Their tour started with an exciting emergency landing in Tokyo after 3 engines failed. The landed safely hugging their knees in their inflated life vests. They traveled on to China where they saw free and happy people in Tienamen Square, one year before the deadly shootings there. In Tibet as they went to at temple at 13,500’, their jeep broke down. As Jim suffered an altitude headache, his father and the guide fixed the jeep handily in about half an hour. After seeing the temple, returning to town and eating a yak burger, Jim recovered and went to Disco Night. Mesmerized by the mirror ball and influenced by Chinese beer, he danced the two step with a Tibetan fellow.

Michael Giles (Most Improved) led Table Topics asking participants about lessons learned.

• Mark Hicks – Best Table Topic - stepped up to the challenge and explained that 2008 has been a year of learning for him as he has taken a year leave of absence. He has learned the secret to change is to cease doing that which is no longer important to us.
• Mirsa Douglass explained that she had hoped to find out something about herself on a trip she took to Australia alone. Alas she was disappointed when she did not have the answer when she returned.

Jim Comer’s speech #3 for project #6 - Showing Up – Best Speech - Jim got a crash course in how to deal with his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease. She asked to go see her sister in Smithville. Jim told her that her sister died 8 years earlier. Of course that led to her mother mourning all over again. An expert on Alzheimer’s told Jim he had no choice but to deal with her. He learned to quit trying to drag his mother into his world but instead to go into her world. It’s not our job to correct our parents but to love them. She asks him several times each visit if he has enough gas in his car as Jim is known for running out of gas. She has a great sense of humor. Upon hearing her remark about his scuffed shoes, Jim responded that he’d get new shoes when he was rich. His mother quipped “Oh honey, don’t wait that long!” When given a choice of being correct with your parent or being kind, opt for kind.

Jerry Barrett served as General Evaluator. He said Sonny was prepared for being Toastmaster but needs to project. Jerry appreciated the topic Fred chose for his One Minute Toastmaster speech but urged Fred to pick one example of how the Competent Leadership manual helped him. Jerry complemented Michael for asking about how to finish doing Table Topics.

• Steve Gonzales evaluated Table Topics. He learned from Michael. Also Michael must be keen on protocol as he insisted on shaking Mark’s hand at the transition. Mark asked how much time he had, good to know for a first time participant. Steve liked his story, explanation and message. Mark did some hand clasping. Mirsa had a good story too. Steve encouraged her not to say “Thank you” as she closes.
• Harry Savio evaluated Jim’s first speech. Jim is good with gestures and makes good eye contact. You can tell Jim is a writer as his speech seems well thought out. He leads into a story and carefully crafts the point. Jim left us ready to hear chapter two.
• Cathy Lovelady – Best Evaluator - evaluated Jim’s second speech. Jim is interesting, funny and personal. He has excellent use of gestures. Perhaps he points to much. He also rose up on his toes several times. If this is for dramatic purpose, then use it. If not, lose it. She felt the theme got lost a bit and urged Jim to consider how the speech benefits the audience.
• Diane Graden was the surprise guest evaluator for Jim’s third speech. Vocal variety, the point of the project, is burned into all of Jim’s speeches. She really felt his vocal variety was better in the other two speeches. One clarification, Jim said he moved to Texas in 1966 when it was in fact 1996. She was familiar with the stories but listened to the audience reaction, which was amazing. She felt the title didn’t match the speech but that this speech was a great way to learn about Alzheimer’s.

• Rich Bassimer commented that Jim’s strength is storytelling. He suggested Jim make the introduction more “you” focused for the audience.
• Jason Boehle enjoyed all three speeches.
• Darren Mieskoski urged us to start our meetings earlier ;-). He felt Jim’s stories are real and human.
• Donald Pyle enjoyed the speeches.
• Becky Jolin has never been so entertained or learned so much on a Monday morning.
• Rick and Lesley Bradstreet had no further comment for Jim.
• Jim Comer thanked everyone for their support.