Hello Fellow Speakers,

We had a full evening of delightful speeches tonight, with 10 members and 2 guests. We used the room adjoining the parlor, and decided that we preferred it. We are paying for the use of either or both rooms. We decided to try this one out for awhile and move back, if we so chose.

Our SAA Keith Schroder welcomed us and helped us pledge our allegiance to the flag. He also informed us that we can read about him on page 71 of the March Cosmopolitan magazine (a star!). He disclaims all allegations, but thought we’d have fun with it.
Our president Pat Schmalzried welcomed our Area Governor, Stacey Woods and our other guest, then introduced Kelly Vandever, our Toastmaster.
GE: Deborah Hill
GR: Mike Himelstein
Timer: Claudia Brogan
Camera Person: Keith Schroder

Our speakers:
Paul Johnson enlightened us with enlightening information on speech introductions. He took the Better Speakers Manual speech several levels up with excellent tips and truths about introductions and biographies.

Rui Li had us laughing with delight. We heard the story of Debbie and Jack as it would be told at an after wedding dinner party. We also learned about the Chinese custom of burying wine for a newborn baby girl’s wedding.

Vicki Willard did an exciting job of showing us how the media can mess with our heads. She used an example of a newspaper article to exemplify how we are swayed by the media. We are now well informed and ready for the upcoming media deluge.

Yummy food was present during our 8 minute break.

Dues are still due for some of you. Please give $51 checks to Deborah Hill. Make checks out to “Speakers Roundtable.” BTW, it is our policy that you can become an inactive member if you need to take a break. However, Toastmasters International requires that you continue to pay dues to maintain your Toastmasters membership.

We started on time and ended a few minutes late. Three of our officers were trained by our Area Governor (so we’re still in the running for a distinguished club).

See you in two weeks. Vicki Willard will be taking minutes next week.

My Best,
Deborah Hill
Secretary

Hello Fellow Speakers,

It was an intimate setting tonight as we graciously and humbly accommodated the memorial service at the church. We met in a quaint room across the hall, which served the 9 members well. All roles except Toastmaster and GE were filled on site, though the Grammarian did let us know she would not be there.

Our president Pat Schmalzried acted as our SAA, as well and we pledged our allegiance. Dave Flach was our Toastmaster, who kept us moving along smoothly after our 15 minute opening delay. The minute of silent condolence for the Minister’s wife was thoughtful. We also admired his new agenda format, and he’ll be sending the template in another email for us.
GE: Iris Grimm
GR: Merrilee Morris
Timer: Bill Hosken
Camera Person: Iris Grimm

Our speakers:
Bill Kovach showed us that you can speak quietly in a small room and project boisterously with variety and enthusiasm. He gave a very entertaining talk about the importance of service. This will be an introduction to a longer speech that he’ll present and we all agree it will be well received.

Donna Satchell informed us that we only have 19 days until “Get Over It Day.” We’re all very excited after her entertaining and high-spirited informational speech on why and how to let go of the past (especially the negative parts). Her use of audience participation and handout was very innovative. I may need a larger piece of paper, though.

Deborah Hill gave a Speakers Roundtable variation on the Better Speakers Series speech about how to give a beneficial evaluation. She then opened up the floor and we heard some other great suggestions about ways to evaluate well. Deborah attained her ATM-Silver tonight. Important and valuable tips to remember from the manual and our group are included in an attached PDF.

We had a short break with cookies and candy (thanks, Pat).

Bill Hosken is organizing a group to follow-up on attendance and make calls to members. He needs another volunteer.

We started 15 minutes late and ended only 5 minutes late.

See you next week.

My Best,
Deborah Hill
Secretary

Speakers Roundtable members experienced another stellar club meeting this evening. President Pat Schmalzried, after a long period on stand-by, returned to not only conduct the meeting, but also to act as our Sgt. at Arms. Welcome back Pat! By the way, we had 14 members and one guest (Deborah Romann) present for the meeting!

Pat’s second duty was to introduce our stressed-out, tennis playing, hospital visiting and Peach Tree navigating, Dunwoody housewife, Vicki Willard, as our Toast Master. Vicki presented an evening crammed full of great speeches and even greater evaluations. The word of the evening was Bupkus courtesy of our ever challenging grammarian, Paul Johnson.

Paul Poodt took to the lectern as our first speaker. He spoke on Prisoner Visitation Support (PVS) in the Federal Prison System. This is a side of Paul few of us knew he was involved in. He spoke with compassion for the men imprisoned for many years, moved from penitentiary to penitentiary, their family hardships, and how they become lost to their family and friends in the prison system. He softened our perceptions and hearts toward the average prisoner.

Iris Grimm, working on her ATM Silver, presented a speech from the Better Speaking Skills Manual titled A Strong Impression. What could have been a bit of a snoozer type speech, Iris made exciting and interesting through audience involvement and demonstration. It was all about first impressions and the importance of powerfully opening your speeches. She used her virtual power-point to list and discus various openings, such as the quote, the story, a rapport builder, or a provocative statement or question. She then gave us three reasons to create powerful openings.

Our 10 minute break consisted mainly of sweets and lots of conversation. Thanks Pat for bringing the red foil wrapped Valentine heart chocolates.

Our evening culminated with a speech by Steve Cohn, Expectations in Business. Steve never disappoints us with his ability to deliver strong, captivating, and educational speeches. Surprisingly, most business folks have difficulty listing their clients’ specific expectations of them. His intro was especially powerful and positive from US Mail to CompuServe. The risks of not knowing, meeting and exceeding your clients business expectations can impact the financial health and success of your business.

The Evaluation Team wrapped up the meeting. CP-Bill Hoskens reported he had recorded Paul Poodt’s speech. T-Bill Kovach provided us with the speech times, a little over the requested times, but not grossly in violation. GA-Paul Johnson reported that six people had actually used word BUPKUS. He also suggested that we “record” and not “tape” member’s speeches since we use a video cam and DVD’s. He also caught our ums and ahs with flair. GE-Merrilee Morris congratulated Vicki Willard on keeping our program on schedule. Vicki’s introductions were interesting and well done in spite of some confusion regarding the three legged pit bull puppy. To me, Toast Master meetings are a total success when members come away educated, entertained and enriched. Now that’s meeting and exceeding our Toast Master expectations.

- Merrilee Morris

Hello,

It was a far from heinous tonight – a glorious meeting with 12 (yes 12) members present.

Our SAA, Keith Schroder welcomed us and we pledged our allegiance. Keith was also our acting President. He welcomed us and introduced himself.
Steve Cohn was our Toastmaster. He kept us informed and fascinated with facts about our U.S. presidents and presidencies, and was a veritable segue master.
GE: Bill Kovach
GR: Merrilee Morris
Timer: Rui Li
Camera Person: NA

Our speakers:
Bill Hosken gave us an informative and entertaining look at the Canadian voting process and our own. He then wowed us with facts about our debt. I will not be surprised now if the Chinese government asks me for the $30,000 I owe.

Claudia Brogan eloquently and energetically defined us. We learned about ourselves, each other and how we can get along better by understanding the “colors of our personalities.”

Deborah Hill improvised a speech from the Better Club Series about how to attract new members. The PDF of the Powerpoint presentation from her speech is attached. We spent her evaluation time discussing ways to attract new members. Kelley is going to do a membership drive. Merrilee is writing an article for the Gavel. Rui is going to speak to the Area Governor. Cindy suggested that we attend other clubs and introduce ours at their meeting. Others had great suggestions, as well, that will be distributed soon.

Notify all members if you are going to bring a guest so we can be sure the meeting is well attended.

We had good snacks and better conversation.

We started on time and ended 3 minutes late, happy and jovial.

Merrilee will be your secretary next week. See you in two weeks.

My Best,
Deborah Hill
Secretary