May 24, 2012 Theme: Garage Sales

Jill called the meeting to order and introduced Chairperson Keith Stoltz.  In Keith's Chairperson's Welcome, he shared the secrets to getting good deals at garage sales and the dangers of garage sale parking.  Val provided the Joke of the Day with a list of 5 fun but mean things to do at garage sales.  Tony was the Toast and Timer for the evening and led members in a toast to Canada before settling down to time speakers.  Heidi was Grammarian and Ah Counter and her word of the evening was "exorbitant" which is an adjective meaning "goes beyond the limit" or "excessive". 
Speeches were next with Jill giving a touching Icebreaker speech called "I Am A Country Girl".  Vern was next and smoothly presented Speech 4 titled "Useful But Annoying" and had members laughing with his thoughts about his wife's overloaded keychain, paperclips and straws.   
Jane handled Table Topics and had each member pick a garage sale item out of a box and then explain why it would be perfect for the person sitting next to them.  Evaluations were next with Jane evaluating Jill, and Val evaluating Vern.  Reports were next with Tony giving the Timer's report; everyone did well with their time limits.  Heidi gave the Grammarian's Report and said the word of the evening was used 4 times.  Val reported there were 22 laughs at the meeting.  Jane announced a tie in the Table Topics competition and announced Tony and Keith McCluskie as the joint winners.  Marg was Quiz Master and tested members on their listening skills by having them identify who said certain phrases during the meeting.  Keith McCluskie acted as General Evaluator and provided comments on the overall operation of the meeting.   
With the majority of the meeting completed, Keith Stoltz asked if there was anything else for the good of Toastmasters and Vern provided an estimate for the cost of a sidewalk sign that can be placed outside at the front of the church on Thursdays to let people know when Toastmaster meetings are to be held.
MOVED BY Val Hummel, SECONDED by Keith McCluskie that the Linguists of Listowel purchase a sidewalk sign from Burrows Signs in Elmira.
Discussion on the motion:  Members fully supported the purchase of the sign and provided some input on sign content.  However, members were comfortable leaving the final decision on wording up to the members involved with the purchase. MOTION CARRIED
  
With the sign purchase discussion finished, Jane filled some roles for the next meeting (although some roles are still up for grabs!) and Keith adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m.
 
Submitted by Val Hummel, Club Secretary