Can you believe it! The HDTV conversion actually impacted our Speakers Roundtable meeting this evening. Our meeting room had been commandeered by a cable company in the process of converting all the good residents of Cathedral Towers to HDTV. (Can you believe it! I think they mistook a couple of us for residents.)
However, we found a lovely room with a lectern across the hall and promptly set up. Sgt at Arms, Kelly Vandever, gaveled our meeting to order just slightly after 6 p.m. and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ten Speakers Roundtable members and two guests were in attendance. Acting President Vicki Willard invited our guests to introduce themselves. Latisha “L” Beverly speaks to young folks for a company out of Ohio called “Making it Count.” Bob Bostic has his own internet marketing business. They both appeared to be articulate and experienced speakers. “L” and Bob had met our old friend and past member, Peter Gibson, at a networking event. Peter had recommended Speakers Roundtable to them and they had followed through with a visit.
Toast Master for the evening was Bill Kovach. His theme evolved around listening properly. Bill introduced us to a mishearing sample; Open Sores Software. (Open Source Software.) We all turned up our listening skills. The General Evaluator was Merrilee Morris. Dr. Cara Iovino served as timer and grammarian for the evening was Vicki Willard. The word for the evening was elucidate. Our camera person was Rui Li.
John Cargile led off the speeches with his Icebreaker entitled “Visualization, Ideaphoria, Collaboration, and Speaking.” John previously was a packaging designer, where he worked alone in an officicle. John described his strengths in structural and sculptural visualization. He also coined his own creative flow of ideas as ideaphoria. John plans to use these skills and aptitudes in collaboration with his speaking skills to effectively speak from his heart, to support causes, and to just say what needs saying.
Jon Schwartz popped up next as Vinny delivering a 12 minute speech entitled, “CONSUME THIS!” John used his character to persuade us not to fall for the Fair Tax proposition. Vinny used humor and rhetorical questions to make his points. Of interest, only one of us in the audience will be affected by the expiration of the Death Tax in 2010. (Statistically, ½ of 1% pay the Death Tax.) Jon took a dry and controversial topic and made it a good listen!
Following break, Steve Cohn was called on to speak on the need for Health Insurance coverage. As usual, Steve is stellar in his ability to put his thoughts into verbal action via Table Topics.
Toast Master Bill Kovach called on the General Evaluator, Merrilee, who call on the Timer, Cara for a report. Both speakers met and stayed within their allotted times. Vicki ended with the grammarian report.
Vicki Willard, acting president, had the guests and John Cargile escorted out of the room by our Sgt at Arms. Members unanimously approved John’s membership in Speakers Roundtable. Both guests, Bob and “L” commented positively on the meeting. Vicki expressed the hope they would visit us again. The schedule for our July 6th meeting is as follows:
Toast Master, Merrilee Morris
Speakers: Paul Johnson
Iris Grimm
Kelly Vandever
General Evaluator, Steve Cohn
Timer: Vicki Willard
Camera: Donna Satchel
Grammarian: Cara Iovino
Remember, we meet the first Monday in July. We have another wonderful slate of speakers so come, bring a guest, bring a friend, bring a relative, or bring a date! SRT is a great way to spend an evening!