November 26, 2007 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Balcones Toastmasters November 26, 2007 Chapter 3407 District 55 Minutes of Meeting

The November 26th meeting was opened by President Jonathan Huizing.

• John Allert led Prayer & Pledge and served as Sergeant at Arms.

• Anne Child was our Toastmaster. She picked remembrances of teachers (in school or life) that made a difference in our lives.

• Steve Gonzales arrived just in time to serve well as timer.

• John McMillan was the Grammarian. He picked "elucidate" (to shed light upon) as the world of the day. This was used by Sonny, Steve L, Jonathan and Anne. John noted many witty and wise comments.

• The One Minute Toastmaster was absent so we used that time for an extra table topic.

Jim Comer, Table Topic Master, asked different thought provoking questions of each of the table topic participant:

• Antoinette Griffin - 1:45 - Antoinette envisions politicians slapping backs and telling folks in New Hampshire what they want to know. She'd campaign fro Rudy Giuliani but he doesn't have the smoothness factor so she'd invite him to Toastmasters.

• John Allert - 1:35 - If John was the pastor at Hyde Park Baptist Church, he'd remind the deacons that nothing is sacred about their facilities. He point out the Thanksgiving event is a community event. The church is the people not the facilities.

• Hollis Baker - 2:15 - Hollis' Christmas gift would be a picture of what Christmas could be, after all kids have heard of the three wise guys. A gift could be handmade that reflects the inner life of the giver that could be given to the Christ child.

• Priscilla Oehlert - winner - 1:45 - The gift Priscilla would give IS that she will relieve her sister's debt so that she can look forward, stress free to the wedding of her daughter. Priscilla will forgo the earrings she has been wanting for herself to do this.

• Jonathan Huizingh - 1:10 - The Christmas that turned out to be not what he expected was that he did receive the one gift that he wanted, a calculator watch. He had thought it too expensive but his parents were proud to give it to him and he was excited to receive it

Speaker #2 - Mary Buker - winner - 6:49 - " What did you say?" - Mary reflected on times in her life that could be considered "glass half empty" that she views as "glass half full." 1) It rained during a trip to the Ozark Mountains when they wanted to take a rafting trip. 2) It rained this Thanksgiving when she had planned a picnic in the park. 3) Her life long friend and husband has passed from this earth. But 1) They rafted anyway and no one else was on the beautiful misty river with autumn leaves. 2) She spent Thanksgiving with her best friend eating homemade noodles deep dish pumpkin pie, working a puzzle and watching a movie. 3) She got to spend 30 wonderful years with her honey.

Speaker # 3 - Steve Levering - most improved - 6:53 - "What's Right with Balcones Toastmasters" - Steve encouraged us to look around the room at the quality of the people who give us support and inspiration. Rich gives strength. Jonathan exudes calmness. Jerry keeps us on track. Anne has dedication. We want to take in everything Antoinette says because of her confidence. Mary has fun with her speeches. Jon Beall is Forrest Gump, a hunk of energy and we're always going someplace when he speaks. John McMillan has his facts straight. Priscilla touches the heart with eloquence. Hollis is a smooth storyteller. Jim Comer is excitement. Sonny plants us back on the ground.

Speaker #1 - Jerry Barrett - 5:55 - "It's a Matter of Balance" - (After the others spoke, Jerry Barrett asked if we had time for a pocket speech as our Speaker #1 had not arrived.) - Jerry told of being concerned about falling as he grows older. He has trained his muscles to hold himself upright as he stands on one foot for 30 seconds. He trained by trying a leg press machine but it fought back. He fell off the elliptical trainer (a mix of treadmill and Stairmaster. The cure was worse than the disease. But he mastered standing for 30 seconds. Then he was told to do it with his eyes shut!

General Evaluator was Sonny Sonntag. He reminded us if we don't find suggestions for the speakers, we are in the mode of listening and not evaluating. Sonny has an interesting task of figuring out who would review who.

• Table topics evaluator was Jonathan Huizingh - 3:47 -

- Antoinette - "Rudy needs Toastmasters" - she spoke about politics in general until she decided who to support.

- John - "Everyone is welcome at church" - The church is open for everyone. John patted his thighs and had a few Ums.

- Hollis - "The Turnaround" - Jonathan felt Hollis rambled and suggested he form a minnie speech. Hollis brought the question of what he'd give back around to us as to what would we give.

- Priscilla - "Gifts that meet a real need" - She had great examples. She clinched her hands in fists and brought them together.

- Jonathan - "Tell a joke and stall until you think of something" - Yes Jonathan evaluated himself... he needs more practice.

• Evaluator #1 for Jerry was Jerry Barrett - 2:15 - Yes, Jerry evaluated himself. This was a pocket speech he had given previously as a humorous speech, but was there education in his speech. He could have worked on his gestures and vocal variety. He put his hands in his pocket (was he casual?). He wanted more punch in his conclusion.

• Evaluator #2 for Mary was Jon Beall - 3:10 - This was Mary's speech #9, Persuade with Power. She wasn't sure it fit, but Jon thought it did. Mary spoke with sincerity and conviction of good examples from her life. The beginning set us up with remorse. Then she brought in the Shakespeare quote and showed that the glass was half full. She could have slowed down just a bit.

• Evaluator #3 for Steve L was Glenn Nielsen - winner - 2:49 - Coach Steve gives a pep talk sprinkling humor throughout. He could have connected with Toastmasters itself. What he did was dangerous as the people he didn't talk about could feel left out. Perhaps speak on just 3 or 4 people. Steve paces back and forth and could have used a better wrap up.

Timer and Grammarian gave their reports.

December 8th is our Christmas party (dinner and gift exchange) at Antoinette's house. Please respond to the Evite.

Officers to be voted on soon. The following people have offered to fill the following positions:

- Jonathan - President

- Jim Comer - VP membership

- Steve Gonzales - VP marketing

- Mary - VP education

- - Sergeant at Arms - still open

- - Secretary - still open

Rick Bradstreet thanks Antoinette for pointing out that politics is all about style not substance.

Vinh Nguyen reports that he is a hopeless optimist and finds Toastmasters a good way to start the week. Vinh was voted into Balcones Toastmasters unanimously. Welcome, Vinh!

Jonathan reviewed the schedule for our next meeting on Monday December 3rd which you can reference at http://www.balconestoastmasters.org/schedule/ .