October 13, 2008 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Glenn Neilson led the meeting as Toastmaster, with the theme: What Technology Do You Think Has Made The Most Impact

  • Steve Gonzales gave the prayer and pledge.
  • Jerry Barrett was the One Minute Toastmaster, and gave tips for being an effective MC
  • Mary Buker subsituted for Grammarian, with the WOD: Commence


Sonny Sonntag led TableTopics. Participants were:

  • Charlie Cole: Spoke on the technology of the furnace, and the difference it's made in our lives.
  • Jon Beall: Spoke on camping and encouters with an elk, and believes that the greatest technology is the grocery store.
  • Kyeli Smith: Spoke on "unschooling" her son, as she home schools him, and the difference it's made in his life.
  • Pace Smith: Spoke on the latest video game, Braid (sp?)

WINNER: KYELI


Speakers:

Pace Smith: "What The Heck is a Monkeysphere?" Spoke on the theory that humans have 150 slots in their brains for connections with others. Once someone is in our "slot", we feel compassion towards them. Those outside of our slots do not get the same compassion.


Mike Prentice: "Lessons Learned" Spoke on the lessons that he's learned in life--he's made a list that he keeps with his tax records so that he refers to it once a year. This list reminds him of the things that important in his life, and important lessons he's learned.


Harry Savio: "Dealing With Tough Times" Spoke on the current financial crisis, and gave examples in his own life of how when things looked gloomy, there was always a bright side that he had to be reminded of.

WINNER: HARRY


Evaluators:

  • Dan Naden was the General Evaluator: Good meeting, Glenn added sprinkles of humor throughout the meeting. Jim gives much energy with his evaluations and is committed to the evaluation. Antoinette is comprehensive. Fred has shown tremendous improvement in confidence. Gordon is at ease.
  • TT Evaluator: Jim Comer:
    • Charlie: Liked the orginality, good hand gestures, and he's likeable. Improvements: Don't put hands on hips, reduce the "uh's". Use more vocal variety.
    • Jon: Good vocal variety, good humor. Improvement: He scratched his head in the middle of his TT.
    • Kyeli: Good energy and vocal variety, humor. Almost perfect!
    • Pace: Good pause when first addressing audience, good vocal variety. Improvement: Looks at back ceiling when thinking of next topic
  • Antoinette Griffin evaluating Pace: Great topic.Very confident...good pace of speech. Improvement: Cleared throat a lot, clasped finger often.
  • Fred Maynard evaluated Mike: Loved the topic, well organized. Improvement: Keep hands to side instead of at chest, put notes on lecturn, and give more life lesson examples.
  • Gordon Baker evaluated Harry: Great stage presence and poise. Gives speeches from the heart. Improvement: Add more energy.

WINNERS: GORDON & ANTOINETTE

MOST IMPROVED: FRED, MIKE, AND HARRY

Welcome to two new members: Jane and Sylvester!!

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