June 7, 2012 Theme: Summer Holidays

Leo called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m. and introduced Jane as Chairperson.  Jane spoke of all the delightful things we associate with summer including barbeques, going barefoot, backyard parties, beaches, boating and camping.  She introduced Keith McCluskie who got the meeting off to a fun start with Joke of the Day.  Keith’s joke was about Age-Related Attention Deficit Disorder and a full day spent being active without any progress.  Marg then provided Literary Corner and shared a fun poem called “Grandma’s Shoes”.   Jill was Toast and Timer for the evening and led us in a toast to Canada.  Keith McCluskie was Grammarian and Laugh Counter.  The word that he asked members to use as many times as possible during the meeting was “bosh”.  Bosh is a noun meaning absurd or foolish talk. 

Speeches were next.  Tony handled Project 7 and researched his topic for a speech called “The Great Outdoors” about how nature deficit disorder can be cured with camping.  Members learned many things about camping including the importance of always taking a lot of water with them when riding bikes on the trails:  you never know when you’ll have to share it!  Keith Stoltz also did Project 7 and his speech was called “Summer Weather”.  He had everyone thinking hard about why it gets warm in the summer and cold in the winter.  The answers are not always as obvious as one would think!

There was one presentation to be given out, and an induction ceremony.  Tony received a Certificate of Achievement for doing 6 speeches from the Competent Communicator manual.  Marg was inducted as the newest official member of the Linguists of Listowel.  Welcome Marg!  Jane will be acting as Marg’s mentor.

Val managed Table Topics and had everyone describe the sights they would see if they were given money for a 2-week all-expenses-paid summer vacation.  Evaluations were next with Sharon evaluating Tony’s speech and Audrey evaluating Keith’s speech.

Reports were up next.  Keith McCluskie counted 81 laughs in the meeting and the word “bosh” was used 10 times.  Jill gave her Timer’s Report and Val announced Tony as the winner of Table Topics for his description of travelling to eastern Canada and eating lots of lobster.  Vern was General Evaluator and provided some overall commentary on the well-run meeting.

Jane then asked if there was anything for the good of Toastmasters and the following items were noted:

·         Members were asked to think about getting their RSVP’s for the Tall Tales Event and Potluck to be held on June 28^th.  Members wishing to participate in Tall Tales should be prepared to speak for 3-5 minutes. 

·         On behalf of the club, Jane expressed appreciation to Sharon for all the work Sharon did for the club’s booth at the Home and Lifestyles Show held recently.  Thanks Sharon!!! 

·         Jane noted that Officer Training will be held in Guelph on June 9 and in Hanover on June 16. 

·         Appreciation was expressed to Vern for the sidewalk sign he had made for the club.  It will sit out at the sidewalk in front of the church each Thursday meeting and catches attention by announcing that the meeting starts at 7:14 p.m.  Thanks Vern!!

·         A meeting of the Executive will be held following the June 14^th regular meeting.

With all business complete, Jane adjourned the meeting with a whack of the gavel at 9:02 p.m.