March 5, 2007 Minutes
From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)
Balcones Toastmasters March 5, 2007 Chapter 3407 District 55 Minutes of Meeting
The meeting was opened by President Jake North. We had two new visitors, Matt Karlen and Laura Casey.
Prayer and Pledge was led by Karen Bondy who also served as Sergeant at Arms.
Jonathan Huizingh served as Toastmaster. The theme of the day was "living a joyful life." What a beautiful way to start a Monday mornng.
Timer was Jon Beall.
Jack Frick was Grammarian and picked the joyful word "effervescent" gleefully used by Jonathan, Sonny, Phil, Jim Priscilla, Amanda, Glenn, Hollis and last but least Jon Beall.
Phil Hallmark was One Minute Toastmaster reminding us to all be joyful when we speak and let our smiles connect us to the audience.
Table Topics Master was Scott Perry. He continued the joyful theme despite his allergy congested head. Table Topic participants were:
- Jim Comer - winner - Joy looks like the 4 year old boy gives Jim "a chance to be 4 again."
- Harry Savio – Would like to bring joy to his wife. He touched our hearts telling of a time he made his wife laugh that was "the first time in 3 years [he] had seen here smile."
- Sonny Sonntag - 1:40 - Joy tastes "effervescent!" He enjoys getting joy as he gives joy.
- Vladimir Garner - His activity of joy is spending time with his wife, kids and extended family, recently in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
Speaker #1 John McMillen - Most Improved - 8:50 - "The Faded Dreams & Nightmare" - discussed how business names can be disastrous or money making. With humor and quotes, he bought insight into choice of words.
Speaker #2 - Priscilla Allert (sp?) - "Priscilla" - From her ice breaker we learned about Priscilla through stories told in the third person focusing on her personal mission statement "to use her talents and strengths to honor God."
Speaker #3 - Amanda Garner - winner - "Badges of Life." In her ice breaker, Amanda cleverly used a visual aid of a badge to describe her life as daughter, dancer, wife, step-mom and pharmacist.
General Evaluator was Hollis Baker.
Table Topics evaluator was Glenn Nielsen - Jim is "effervescent' and a great story teller. Harry is incredibly sincere even with his hands in his pockets. Sonny "can talk about anything" and makes us all want to slow down a bit. Vlad had great eye contact, body language and voice but could develop his story more.
Evaluator #1 for John M was Steve Helmke - 2:46 - John brings passion, interest and research to his speeches. He had good use of humor but need to pause to allow audience reaction (good story wanting to find a dish with olives at Olive Garden). Steve suggested placing hands comfortably on the podium and developing a strong open and close.
Evaluator #2 for Priscilla was Antoinette Griffin - winner - This was a unique use of the third person. She has great command of the audience with her physical presence, great eye contact. The speech sounded memorized, missing pauses and expression. Priscilla could move around more which is probably contrary to her past professional speaking practices.
Evaluator #3 for Amanda was Diane Graden - Diane was struck with the thought "Pharmacists have lives!" The visual aid was great but Amanda depended upon is as she depended upon her notes (OK for an ice breaker). Amanda kept everyone's interest and left us wanting to learn more about all the badges of her life.
Jonathan turned the podium back to Jake. Jake reviewed the March 19th Contest Day progress. Jim Comer and Antoinette Griffin will compete for speaker. No one competing for evaluator. So far we've had no luck finding volunteer judges or speakers from other clubs.
Steve Gonzalez easily passed the vote to join our group.
Jake read the schedule for our next meeting on March 12th. Check out the details at http://www.balconestoastmasters.org/schedule/.
Anne Child, Mary Buker, Steve Gonzalez, and visitors Laura and Matt got a chance to say something quick.
