Hello Fellow Speakers,

We had an eventful and enlightening evening tonight, with 11 members and 1 guest.

Our SAA Keith Schroder welcomed us and helped us pledge our allegiance to the flag.
Our acting president Claudia Brogan welcomed us and then introduced Deborah Hill, our Toastmaster. Deborah was dressed in red, white and blue in honor of Independence Day. She gave us many fun tips about the holiday, and we now know that at least 158 other countries also celebrate their own Independence days throughout the year.
GE: Iris Grimm
GR: Claudia Brogan
Timer: Dave Flach
Camera Person: Kelly Vandever

Our speakers:
Paul Johnson gave a very informative and professional speech called, “Getting What You Deserve.” He gave us tips and examples on how to get what you want without saying “no” or compromising yourself.

Merrilee Morris took us on a fascinating educational journey all the way from her Minnesota roots to where some 20,000 Civil War refugees settled in “Americana”, which is now present day Sao Paulo.  She’s no jingoist, but it is evident Merillee loves her (our) country.

Claudia Brogan lead a very productive discussion about what we should do when we have a low attendance at our meetings. She’s going to send an email summarizing the exciting ideas we came up with.

Many goodies were enjoyed during the 5 minute break.

Our new club business included thanking and dismissing our outgoing officers, and welcoming in our new ones (including a surprise last minute vote-in!). Our new officers are:
President: Claudia Brogan
VP of Education: Iris Grimm
VP of Membership: Vickie Willard
VP of Public Relations: Paul Johnson
Treasurer: Deborah Hill
Secretary: At large (we’re thinking of rotating this job each week)
Sergeant at Arms: Kelly Vandever

Vicki Willard gave us some fantastic news. We have a new place to meet, and have voted to begin meeting there August 1. It’s a very large room with a stage, tables, chairs, parking, storage for our suitcase (!), kitchen, library . . . and it’s FREE. The location is in a senior resident’s building on Peachtree Road, next to St. Phillip’s Cathedral. Happy, happy days. We may consider changing the time to a bit later, if people need a little extra drive time.

We started on time and ended late (because of our lively discussion of club business).

My Best and last,
Deborah Hill
Your Out-Going Secretary

Hello Fellow Speakers,

We had a three enlightening and entertaining speeches tonight, presented to and by our 9 members and 1 guest. Our guest served as SAA. Pat Schmalzreid our president was also our qualified Toastmaster. She ran the meeting smoothly, and filled us with interesting quotes.  Her team consisted of:
GE: Jon Schwartz
GR: Merrilee Morris
Timer: Dave Flach
Camera Person: Kelly Vandever

Our speakers:
Iris gave a very professional reading (so well done, it was difficult to tell it was read) that opened our eyes to the unhealth of the medical industry. We’re losing our good doctors and Iris helped us understand why and how. She also convinced us that MD coaching is the way to go.

Cara Iovino gave her Ice Breaker speech tonight. It actually consisted of enlightening stories about how chiropractic saves lives (including her brother’s). We all loved it so much (and her) that we voted her into the club.

With little cooperation from her projector, Deborah Hill delivered an enthusiastic keynote speech. The speech told us how we can reframe limiting beliefs to recession proof our lives. She also read from her new book: Unlimited Life.

Our break was short and sweet (in a grapey way).

Our meeting started late as we awaited the drop-off of the DVD camera. But, we were able to whiz through and finish on time.

See you next week.

My Best,
Deborah Hill
Secretary

What a wonderful sight to arrive at Toast Masters and find the parking lot filled with cars. Claudia Brogan, our VP of Education stood at the door guiding members through the throng of children to our meeting room. It was tempting to go the VBS route since they were so young and bubbling over with excitement. However, our TM meeting was equally exciting and bubbling over with great speeches, on the mark evaluations, and good snackies. Nine members and two guests were present.

Guest Margaret Edinburgh called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Margaret is a visitor from an IBM TM Club invited by Kelly Vandever. Our Toast Master, Paul Johnson, kept the meeting moving and fun with his impromptu “It’s in the Bag” theme. Yep, the camera, the flag, the eval forms, the plates were all in the bag and the bag never appeared!

Rui Li was first on the program with her interpretive reading “Alone with a Tsunami.” She took us to the serenity of a lazy pleasant beach day, the sand, the surf, the sky. The Tsunami shattered this solace snatching people from their loved ones and friends. The aftermath seemed surreal.

Bill Kovach followed with another powerful reading, “St Crispin.” He set the stage wonderfully letting us feel the bone weariness of the English as they faced a much larger contingent of French troops. This is Shakespeare’s King Henry V’s rousing speech to the troops before the Battle of Agincourt. Bill’s powerful reading had us ready to take up arms and charge the French.

Following a break of scones, cookies and seasoned green bean chips, our 3rd speaker, Paul Poodt gave us a warm talk on fathers. Paul’s father was 53 years old when he was born, worked hard, but found time for his family. He discussed the death of Tim Russert and also asked for some personal audience input on fathers. Paul’s speeches calmly unfold, bring us fresh insight, and enrich us.

GE Pat Schmalzried called on her team for their reports. Iris Grimm informed us all speakers stayed within their allotted times. Claudia Brogan provided us with our grammatical report card for the evening.

GE Pat morphed into President Pat and we held our club elections. The slate of officers:

• President: Claudia Brogan
• Treasurer: Deborah Hill-Flach
• Sergeant at Arms: Kelly Vanderver
• VP Public Relations: Paul Johnson
• VP Education: Iris Grimm

… was approved by a voice vote. We are still in need of a Secretary and a VP of Membership. New officers assume their offices July 1, 2008. A special thanks to each of you for stepping forward and carrying the SRT administrative load!

The schedule for June 23 is as follows: TM: Pat Schmalzried, S#1: Iris Grimm, S#2: BUS: Claudia Brogan or Cara, S#3: Deborah Hill-Flach. GE: Jon Schwartz, TR: David Flach, GR: Merrilee Morris, CP: Bill Kovach.

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Donna Satchell is a Professional Speaker, Success Skills Trainer, Author, and President of STARR Consulting & Training, an organization dedicated to motivating, training, and helping individuals and businesses achieve collaborative and personal success.

Donna’s trademark, Just Get Serious™, is her life and business philosophy. She is serious about developing herself into the best person she can possibly be. Donna is equally serious about creating presentations that are engaging, interactive and help people get results through practical tips, tools and techniques. This is accomplished through motivational speeches, teleclasses, and a five-session training program focusing on customer service, teamwork, communications, time management, and presentation skills.

Donna holds a B.S. Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in business administration from
Mercy College in New York. She is a member of the American Society for Training & Development and is on the Advisory Committee for DeKalb Technical College. Donna is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and is the past recipient of the NSA Georgia Chapter’s Spirit Award for outstanding commitment.

Donna earned her CTM in and 2001 and her AC-B in 2002 while she was a member of Stone Mountain Toastmasters. She joined Speakers Roundtable in August 2007.

To get details about Donna’s programs, watch videos of her presentations, read her personal/professional development articles and sign up for her free motivational newsletter, please visit www.JustGetSerious.com