February 21, 2013 Theme: Common Sense

The meeting was called to order a smidge late because Brent didn’t realize Val had snuck his name onto the agenda as the person responsible for Call To Order.  Brent quickly jumped into his role and introduced Tony Galvao as the meeting’s Chairperson.  Tony warmly welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted some minor changes on the agenda.

Keith McCluskie presented a loyal toast to Canada and was the meeting’s Timekeeper.  Vern was the Grammarian and his word of the evening was “conscience” which is the ability to know right from wrong. 

The Speech craft speakers were next.  Horst presented his gestures speech called “Communication Aids” and treated us to a demonstration of playing the harmonica and dancing.  Daniela presented her gestures speech called “Crazy Driving in Italy” and told the group that when she first saw how people drive in Italy, she thought it was rush hour but was shocked to learn that’s how they drive all the time.  Bryan presented his well prepared and organized speech about vehicle emission controls.  At the end of his speech, Tony noted that the exhaust of some trucks will soon be cleaner than the air in some cities.  Vern wondered if we would all soon be sucking on tailpipes to get some clean air.

Val gave an educational module to educate members on the importance of including vocal variety in speeches and everyday conversations.  Apryl Browning gave the demonstration speech called “Achieving a Work/Life Balance” and spoke about her life on the pier.  By the end of her speech, she had the group shouting Peter Pan phrases like “I don’t wanna grow up!” 

Tony handled Table Topics.  Each member received an unusual word and had to pick someone else in the group to define it.  Keith’s imitation of a humming lamp was creative as was Bryan’s demonstration of his knowledge of French words such as “french fry”.

Brent launched himself into the role of General Evaluator and introduced the Speech Evaluators.  Daniela evaluated Horst’s speech.  Heidi evaluated Bryan’s speech.  Horst evaluated Daniela’s speech.  All evaluations were well done.  Brent gave his remarks as General Evaluator based on the Good/Better/Best model.  He said everyone did a great job and the meeting room was set up well thanks to Vern.  He suggested a new set-up for the tables next week to avoid getting into a comfort zone of the same set-up each week.  He reminded members to remove the gavel from the lectern following the opening of the meeting.  He asked everyone to give a good description of their roles for the benefit of the Speechcrafters.

Next, Keith gave an efficient Timer’s Report.  Vern shared the Grammarian’s report and noted he had lost count of all the laughs and the word of the evening was used about 6 times in good conscience.  Tony presented the Table Topics award to Bryan for his creative definition of a mysterious word.

Tony gave the Speechcrafters their assignments for February 28^th.  Horst and Daniela will read Chapter 9 on Vocal Variety and Bryan will read Chapter 8 for Show What You Mean.  Each of the Speech craft participants will present another speech next week for 3-5 minutes.  The graduation ceremony for Horst and Daniela will be held next week while Bryan will finish his 6^th speech on March 14^th.  Cake will be served courtesy of Keith M’s darling wife (or, if she refuses, Keith will bake it).

Val updated the members on the upcoming March 7^th International and Evaluation Contests.  So far, there is one person signed up for each contest and more are needed.  She encouraged any member who has completed at least 6 speeches to sign up.

Tony gave the Chairperson’s closing remarks, noting the benefits of joining a Toastmasters Club.  He closed this laugh-filled meeting on time, and the members shared snacks that were provided by Keith.

Adjourned.

Minutes submitted by

Val Hummel, VP of Ed

February 14, 2013 Theme: Valentine's Day

Meeting attendees; Apryl Browning and Dan Browning (guest), Vern, Tony, Leo, Brent, Bryan, Marie, Daniela, Keith M, Horst Dankewitz and Rose Dankewitz (guest).

Vern called the meeting to order and introduced Tony as the chairperson for the meeting.  Tony welcomed everyone and asked for the guests to be introduced by their spouses.
Horst was the Toast and Timer for the meeting and presented a short speech about the meaning of Valentine's and how it came to be as well as provided us all with the loyal toast to Canada.
The Grammarian was Leo and the word of the day was Infatuation which means "foolish or all-absorbing passion". The word infatuation was used 4 times during the meeting.
Horst introduced Bryan Long as the first speech craft presenter with his speech entitled "Grandparents". 
Bryan introduced Daniela Temlin as the second speech craft presenter with her speech entitled "Trip to Slovenia".
Daniela introduced Horst Dankewitz as the third speech craft presenter with his speech entitled "Combustion". 
Apryl presented an educational module for the next speech craft speech presentation about "Show What You Mean". Brent provided a demonstration speech on the use of gestures. Brent's speech was entitled "This is Suppose to Be Relaxing?"
Marie McCutcheon was the Table Topics master. Marie asked four people to stand at the front of the room (all 3 speech craft participants and Tony as well). One person started the beginnings of a verbal love letter "I wrote a letter to my love....", the next person continued on with the body of the letter, the third person provided the ending of the letter and the fourth person summarized it all. Vern was selected from the audience as the recipient of the love letter and had to respond to all of the things verbally stated in the letter. There was lots of laughter had by all.
Keith M was the General Evaluator and introduced; Vern to evaluate Bryan's speech, Leo to evaluate Daniela's speech and Marie to evaluate Horst's speech. All three evaluators provided good evaluations with lots of glow points and some grow points too. Keith provided a general evaluation of the meeting as well.
Tony Galvao won the Table Topics award for the evening. 
Tony provided the speech craft participants with their assignments for next week and closing remarks for the meeting. Tony adjourned the meeting and we all enjoyed snacks and refreshments courtesy of Apryl Browning. 

 

February 7, 2013 Theme: Family

Meeting attendees; Jill Wagemans, Jane Stoltz, George Nichol, Keith McCluskie, Bryan Long, Horst Dankewitz, Daniela Temlin, Keith Stoltz, Leo Brisebois and Audrey Orth.

Audrey called the meeting to order with an explanation of families and she introduced Keith Stoltz as the chairperson of the meeting. Keith expanded on the family theme and asked each person in attendance to introduce themselves and tell a bit about their own personal families.
George was the Toast and Timer. He provided us all with information about the various family days in provinces across Canada and gave the loyal toast to Canada. Keith Stoltz reviewed the highlights of what the Speech Craft participants have learned so far.
Bryan Long presented his Ice Breaker speech entitled "Bryan in 2.5 Minutes".
Horst introduced Daniela and she presented her speech entitled "The Importance of Clean Rooms"...referencing her business, The Listowel Country Inn.
Daniela introduced Horst and he presented his speech entitled "Being Earnest and Charitable" .......referencing the importance of donating blood.
Jill presented and Educational Module about organizing a speech and used a mind map to illustrate how it can be done. Keith Stoltz presented a demonstration speech referencing how to organize a speech with an opening, body and conclusion.
Vern was the Table Topics Master and he asked everyone to select a fortune cookie from the container, speak for one minute about how the fortune relates to that person's family or a trip to be made with the family member. If the speaker didn't like the fortune, they could pass it on to the next person and select another cookie and fortune to speak about.
Leo was the General Evaluator and introduced the speech evaluators. Audrey evaluated Bryan's speech, Jane evaluated Daniela's speech and Keith M evaluated Horst's speech.
Horst won the Table Topics award for the evening. Leo provided his general evaluations of the meeting and thanked Keith Stoltz for filling in as the Chairperson of the meeting. It was a good meeting and everyone did well in the roles that they filled for the meeting.
Keith Stoltz explained the Speech Craft assignments for next meeting. Keith M provided everyone with an update from the last executive officer meeting. Keith Stoltz discussed Anything for Good of Toastmasters and adjourned the meeting. Snacks and refreshments were enjoyed following the meeting.

January 31, 2013 Theme: Family

Meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. Theme to be used for next week's scheduled meeting.

January 24, 2013 Theme: Winter

The theme was “winter”.  Keith McCluskie called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.  He read the Club’s Mission Statement and noted that it was John and Tony’s one year anniversary as Club Members.  He introduced Chairperson Tony Galvao who gave a few welcoming remarks and  handled agenda changes.  He had everyone participate in introductions for the benefit of the Speechcrafters.  Brent was Timer and provided a Toast to Canada.  Heidi was Grammarian for the evening and her word of the day was “flexible”.  

The Speechcraft Ice Breaker speeches were next.  Horst was up first and spoke of his work as a Metalsmith for many years.  Daniela was next with her Ice Breaker and spoke of her business and family.  This was Bryan’s first meeting and he will give his Ice Breaker speech at the January 31st meeting.  Daniela’s mentor is Val.  Keith McCluskie is Horst’s mentor and Brent took on the role of Bryan’s mentor.

Apryl practiced a eulogy for her aunt who recently passed away.  Then she provided an Educational Module for the Speechcrafters called “Introducing a Speaker”.  Leo gave a demonstration “Be In Earnest” speech called “What is Stress and How Are We Handling It”.  Jane took over the meeting for Table Topics and gave each member a mysterious word that they had to come with a definition for.  Bryan Long was the Table Topics winner of the night.  Vern was the General Evaluator for the evening.  He introduced Keith McCluskie who evaluated Horst’s Ice Breaker speech.  Val was next and evaluated Daniela’s speech.  Reports were received.  Tony asked the Speechcrafters to read Chapter 4 on Introducing Speakers and Chapter 5 for their “Be In Earnest” speech.  They are to speak for 3-5 minutes on a topic of interest, use eye contact, facial expressions and vocal variety in their speeches on January 31st.  The Speechcrafters will also introduce each other’s speech next week.  Tony asked if there was anything for the good of Toastmasters.  Jane said the Mount Forest Motivators are looking for a target speaker for their contest on February 12.  Anyone who is interested should see Jane.  There was nothing further and the meeting adjourned.

Submitted by

Val Hummel

VP of Education