October 6, 2008 Minutes

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

President Mary Buker kicked off the meeting right on time.

• Jane Sanford was a first time visitor.
• Glenn Nielsen lead Prayer & Pledge.
• Pace Smith boldly led the meeting as our Toastmaster. Her theme "who inspires you?" brought many wonderful responses.
• Glenn Nielsen pulled double duty as our Timekeeper and filled us in on our slights and excesses.
• Cathy Lovelady, as Grammarian, picked "laudable" as the word of the day and reported its use by Sonny, Pace and Vlad.
• Steve Gonzales' One Minute Toastmaster speech (3:06) gave tips for overcoming stage fright. Remember the audience is pulling for you, avoid sugar & caffeine, walk around & stretch, and breathe deeply.

Kyeli Smith filled in last minute as Table Topics Master and came up with questions folks seemed to appreciate answering.

• Jerry Barrett's (1:10) childhood hero was Davy Crockett who was a good leader and honest with people.
• Harry Savio's (tied best table topic - 1:19) hero is his mom. His dad died when Harry was 3. She remarried then his step father died of a brain tumor while they were living in Mexico. She led the family through these very tough times.
• Sonny Sonntag (1:37) reflected on Mr. Avet (spelling?) as someone who changed his life. He went to him seeking help but Mr. Avet said "I can't help you but let me take you to someone who can." An invaluable lesson for Sonny.
• Dugg Tankersley (1:01) remembered a song by Mike and the Mechanics that discusses a young man having disagreements with his father then realizing his father's wisdom later in life. This song always brings a tear to Dugg's eye.
• Cathy Lovelady (tied best table topic - 2:06) reflected on taking a great vacation to Yellowstone... one time. She saw it's beauty and believes it needs to be preserved and not trampled by so many people every year.

Tanya Martin McClellan (tied best speaker - 6:56) "Hire me" - Tanya told how to conduct a job search (as she is doing now that her job has moved to India). First, know yourself: what you want, don't want, could tolerate; know your strengths and habits; know how you take rejection and plan for handling it. Second, investigate: talk to people (network), find out about the company and their context, learn about the person you are going to talk to. Finally, prioritize: start with your best fit.

Jim Comer (tied best speaker - 7:58) "Bailouts & Big Bend" - Bismark once said that you don't want to see the making of sausage or the making of the law. The bailout is making law from sausage. Big Bend was an odd legislative process too. Hiney Winfield from west Texas wanted to see a state part created of the Big Bend area. He took 12 senators on at train to Big Bend. They enjoyed poker and whiskey on the train ride so much that when they arrived in Alpine they retired to the hotel to continue their game. Only Winfield and one other senator went to see the area. But the others passed a note saying they would vote for his damn bill if they let them play poker.

Fred Maynard (Most Improved - 6:12) - Fred told us about a wonderful way to get in shape at the same time as helping people. He has cycled the MS 150 (really 180 miles) a few years now. He trains with longer and longer rides ahead of time with a team of encouraging friends. The great reward is to meet and sleep with 13,000 other bikers, impress all his friends, and get the appreciation of those with MS. He challenged us all to join him next year.

Vlad Garner, General Evaluator, led the evaluations appreciating everyone stepping in to fill vacant roles.

• Mary Buker (3:43) evaluated the Table Topic speakers and gave great feedback but I didn't take notes on what she said.
• Charlie Cole (Best Evaluator - 3:17) evaluated Tanya - Her speech was relevant, well organized, well delivered with humor. She clasped her hands.
• Dugg Tankersley (3:06) evaluated Jim - His movements, hand gestures, voice inflection and tone were grand. His content was interesting. Dugg wished he could hear more.
• Anne Child (1:35) evaluated Fred - His speech got to the point of prepare for the ride and great rewards will come. Then he filled us in on the details. He was honest and fun. He too clasped his hands.

Guoen Wang was glad to join us again. Jane Sanford was impressed by all of us even though we are all at varying levels.

Mary mentioned the new meal payment plan (see her email for details).

Jerry awarded Vlad Garner and Harry Savio with their Competent Communicator pins in celebration of their past accomplishments.