Meeting, Thursday, September 10, 2009 - Middlesex Community College, Room 808 D, Middletown, CT Middlesex Toastmasters Club #8340
Our September 10, 2009 meeting was held in our "new room" at Middlesex Community College. Even with the bigger room we still had a full house for our Fall Speech Contest. Charnaie Gordon, Vice President of Education, was the Contest Chair. She did an excellent job organizing the event! Kay Jeyapalan was the Contest Master, for the first time and she did a superb job running a smooth meeting! Arun Sodani was the Chief Judge and he did an excellent job as well!
Members present: Tom Alvord, Ron Brunelle, Jen Cimilluca, Charnaie Gordon, Kay Jeyapalan, John Keppler, Cheryl Mason, Pam Mulready, Emily O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Dianne Olsen, Ramesh Padavala, Pete Plotica, Kim Price, Rob Schaff, and Arun Sodani. Udaya Neelam was visiting from the Wallingford Eagles Club with his two children, Pooja and Sain. Other guests were: Chris Dubey, Alumnus of Middlesex Community College, Mike Perlman, who had previously belonged to the Groton Club, and Murugan Pachaiyappan, first time visitor.
Charnaie started the meeting with an announcement that the theme for our September 24th meeting will be "Back to School." Members are encouraged to bring their children.
October 8th Kevin Wortman of the WestConn Club will be a guest speaker to speak / teach us about improving speaker evaluations. Kevin has been a Toastmaster for 16 years, and is a member of Westconn TM Club 599 in Danbury. On Saturday, June 27th, he lead a training session about "Evaluations, Speaking of Speaking" at the Manchester TLI Officers training. He is also the D53 Spring 2009 Table Topics winner. Big thanks to Cheryl for arranging this speaker as well as this topic of "Improving speaker evaluations." This will be of great benefit to all the members of the club.
On Novemeber 5th an "extra" meeting will be held at the Russell Library.
An "extra" meeting is also being planned for December.
These "extra" meetings are to make up for lost meetings over the holidays.
Visiting guest Udaya Neelam was the Target Speaker for the Evaluation Contest. His speech was "Are you Listening." Competing Evaluators were Michael O'Brien, Tom Alvord, and John Keppler. The two contestants for the Humorous Contest were John Keppler, "Be Careful What You Wish For You Just Might Get It!" and Jen Cimilluca speech was "To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected!"
The winners for the Evaluation Contest were 2nd runner-up: John Keppler; 1st runner-up: Michael O'Brien; and 1st Place Winner: Tom Alvord! Congratulations Tom and to the first 2 runner-ups. For the Humorous Contest, John Keppler came in as 1st runner-up and 1st Place went to Jen! Congratulations to both of them! Tom and Jen will be able to compete in the Fall Area Contest! In the event Tom will not be able to go, then Michael would take Tom's place and in case Jen will not be able to take part in the Humorous Contest, John will go.
Area Governor, Rob Schaff informed us that the Fall Area Contest will be held on Wednesday evening, September 30th at the Aetna, Middletown Club. They need judges, ballot counters, and support! Be come and support our Club winners and also give the Middletown Club a hand and volunteer!
Treasurer, John Keppler made the announcement that Club dues are due on October 1st. He is asking all members to get their dues in on time so that we can earn points towards our club goals. The dues are $33.00, $27.00 goes to International Headquarters and $6.00 goes towards our Club expenses. John will send everyone his address so they can mail him a check as soon as possible.
Kay, Vice President of Public Relations, graciously brought in several copies of the Chronicle so members could see the article that was written about our Club. Long time member John Keppler commented that this was "by far the biggest newspaper article ever" written about our Club.
President Cheryl Mason made closing comments. Charnaie was presented with a ribbon for completing her Competant Communication Manual. Charnaie completed all 10 speeches in just 5 months! Congratulation Charnaie, you are a super role model! Cheryl also announced that the Club was making a donation of $50.00 to Middlesex Community College for their years of allowing us to hold our meetings at the college. If any members would like to make an additional tax-free donation please notify Cheryl.
Delicious and refreshing refreshments for the contests were provided by Cheryl, Kay, Pete, Dianne and Charnaie!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Meeting, Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Village at South FarmsMiddletown, ConnecticutMinutes of the Middlesex Toastmasters Club #8340
Here are some highlights from the Middlesex club meeting Thursday, 8/27.
It was a great meeting, and thanks to everyone that helped to make it a success!
*****
Attendance -- total of 16
Members: Charnaie G., Craig F., Tom A., Cheryl M., Emily O., Jennifer C., Rob S., Pete P., Pam M., Ramesh P., John K., Kay J., Ron B.
Guests: Kristen Chenette (Editor of the Chronicle), Amy (Tom's daughter), Francis (Charnaie's mother-in-law)
We hope our guests will consider joining! A visitor info packet (including a TM application) was provided to each one of the guests (thanks, Michael!)
Special thanks to Kay for arranging for Kristen Chenette to speak at our club!
Our toastmaster for the evening was Craig Fresher, a first-time Toastmaster, who did a superb job and lead us through a very well planned meeting, which included 5 prepared speeches!
Humorist: Ramesh P. (Ramesh told 2 very funny jokes!)
Ah Counter: Tom A.
Grammarian: Emily O.
Timer: Jennifer C.
General Evaluator: Cheryl M.
We had five prepared speakers:
Charnaie - Inspire Your Audience Speech #10: Defining Your Purpose to a "T"
Inspirational speech, included challenges to "design your destiny," "fulfill your purpose; what is it?"
Kristen - After describing her background as both a radio news anchor and editor of the Chronicle,
Kristen talked about the role of community newspapers with a local level focus,
and she included an informative Q&A session with us at the end
Pete - Speech # 4 Deja Vu, The Speech You May Think You've Heard Before
We learned lots of information about Deja Vu experiences!
Pam - Speech # 3 The Benefits and Detriments of Taking the Circutious Route Between Point A and Point B
Pam shared the secrets of getting her father distracted, and how to "not get to the point" !!!
Ron - Speech # 3 Government Foolishness
Ron gave a thought provoking speech; where has all that stimulous money gone?
Table Topics were given by Kay, with a fun theme of giving introductions for the esteemed fruits and vegetables she brought along!
Excellent speech evaluations were given by Rob, Charnaie, John and Tom
Our guest, Kristen Chenette's commented at the end of the meeting that she was impressed that the speech evaluations were such high quality, and that the group was very supportive and respectful of one another. (Guess we made a great first impression) !!!
We also received very positive comments from Amy and from Francis.
We do hope our guests will attend again!
** Congratulations to Charnaie for completing her 10th speech and finishing the CC manual!
She did this in 5 months, and included speaking "outside her comfort zone" by speaking at other clubs in the area.
If anyone else is interested in speaking at other clubs, please let me, Charnaie, Tom, Rob, or Michael know -- we have a number of contacts at other clubs and can help facilitate the process. Rob mentioned that the Aetna club in particular is looking for experienced prepared speakers to visit their meetings! This is a great way to earn credit in the manuals as well as gain valuable experience.
Business News:
* Our Fall meeting location is at MxCC Chapman Hall Room 808D -- starting NEXT MEETING
When you enter the building, proceed up the stairs (either side, left or right). Once at the top of the stairs, proceed through the doors down the hall as far as you can go. The rooms you pass on the left are all meeting rooms that are part of one big open space, or with the floor-to-ceiling partitions in place, create separate rooms (808A, B, C, D). 808D is the last meeting space at the end of the hall on the left.
* Giving Back to Middlesex Community College:
At our Aug. 10th executive committee meeting, we discussed ways of giving back to the college to show our appreciation for having such a great meeting location for our meetings! A $50 donation to the college from our club treasury was approved. Through Kim's contacts and Dianne and John's follow-up, we have been referred to Greg Kline, the Director of Institutional Advancement and Staff Liaison to the MxCC Foundation. Greg provided this information: "The Middlesex Community College Foundation, a non-profit organization, is the vehicle whose mission is to raise support for students and programs at the college. An unrestricted donation sent to the foundation would give the college the most flexibility to assist students, including emergency situations. We appreciate your thoughtful support!"
We are proceeding with a $50 donation to the college, along with any small contributions that any individuals would like to make. We will collect small donations at the next meeting. John K. suggested individuals can write a check to the Foundation, so there is a record of the tax deductible contribution. John will consolidate all our contributions and send them to the Foundation by mid-Sept.
* Our NEXT MEETING is the Sept. 10th club contest, Evaluation & Humorous. Our target speaker will be Udaya Neelam from the Wallingford Eagles Club. Volunteers are needed to help with contest role(s)! Please let Charnaie or me know if you can fill a role or have any questions.
* A Fall Variety Show on Oct. 15 is planned for the Village at South Farms -- please let Tom know if you can help with anything such as coordinating light refreshments, reading a short poem, providing some other entertainment. Looking for volunteers to help!
* Oct. 8 Guest Speaker: Kevin Wortman, Speaking of Evaluations. We are very much looking forward to Kevin's visit!
* Nov 7th - District 53 Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Nov & Dec club meeting schedule will include an extra meeting early in the month, since the holidays will supersede our normal 4th meeting. More info to follow.
Here are some highlights from the Middlesex club meeting Thursday, 8/27.
It was a great meeting, and thanks to everyone that helped to make it a success!
*****
Attendance -- total of 16
Members: Charnaie G., Craig F., Tom A., Cheryl M., Emily O., Jennifer C., Rob S., Pete P., Pam M., Ramesh P., John K., Kay J., Ron B.
Guests: Kristen Chenette (Editor of the Chronicle), Amy (Tom's daughter), Francis (Charnaie's mother-in-law)
We hope our guests will consider joining! A visitor info packet (including a TM application) was provided to each one of the guests (thanks, Michael!)
Special thanks to Kay for arranging for Kristen Chenette to speak at our club!
Our toastmaster for the evening was Craig Fresher, a first-time Toastmaster, who did a superb job and lead us through a very well planned meeting, which included 5 prepared speeches!
Humorist: Ramesh P. (Ramesh told 2 very funny jokes!)
Ah Counter: Tom A.
Grammarian: Emily O.
Timer: Jennifer C.
General Evaluator: Cheryl M.
We had five prepared speakers:
Charnaie - Inspire Your Audience Speech #10: Defining Your Purpose to a "T"
Inspirational speech, included challenges to "design your destiny," "fulfill your purpose; what is it?"
Kristen - After describing her background as both a radio news anchor and editor of the Chronicle,
Kristen talked about the role of community newspapers with a local level focus,
and she included an informative Q&A session with us at the end
Pete - Speech # 4 Deja Vu, The Speech You May Think You've Heard Before
We learned lots of information about Deja Vu experiences!
Pam - Speech # 3 The Benefits and Detriments of Taking the Circutious Route Between Point A and Point B
Pam shared the secrets of getting her father distracted, and how to "not get to the point" !!!
Ron - Speech # 3 Government Foolishness
Ron gave a thought provoking speech; where has all that stimulous money gone?
Table Topics were given by Kay, with a fun theme of giving introductions for the esteemed fruits and vegetables she brought along!
Excellent speech evaluations were given by Rob, Charnaie, John and Tom
Our guest, Kristen Chenette's commented at the end of the meeting that she was impressed that the speech evaluations were such high quality, and that the group was very supportive and respectful of one another. (Guess we made a great first impression) !!!
We also received very positive comments from Amy and from Francis.
We do hope our guests will attend again!
** Congratulations to Charnaie for completing her 10th speech and finishing the CC manual!
She did this in 5 months, and included speaking "outside her comfort zone" by speaking at other clubs in the area.
If anyone else is interested in speaking at other clubs, please let me, Charnaie, Tom, Rob, or Michael know -- we have a number of contacts at other clubs and can help facilitate the process. Rob mentioned that the Aetna club in particular is looking for experienced prepared speakers to visit their meetings! This is a great way to earn credit in the manuals as well as gain valuable experience.
Business News:
* Our Fall meeting location is at MxCC Chapman Hall Room 808D -- starting NEXT MEETING
When you enter the building, proceed up the stairs (either side, left or right). Once at the top of the stairs, proceed through the doors down the hall as far as you can go. The rooms you pass on the left are all meeting rooms that are part of one big open space, or with the floor-to-ceiling partitions in place, create separate rooms (808A, B, C, D). 808D is the last meeting space at the end of the hall on the left.
* Giving Back to Middlesex Community College:
At our Aug. 10th executive committee meeting, we discussed ways of giving back to the college to show our appreciation for having such a great meeting location for our meetings! A $50 donation to the college from our club treasury was approved. Through Kim's contacts and Dianne and John's follow-up, we have been referred to Greg Kline, the Director of Institutional Advancement and Staff Liaison to the MxCC Foundation. Greg provided this information: "The Middlesex Community College Foundation, a non-profit organization, is the vehicle whose mission is to raise support for students and programs at the college. An unrestricted donation sent to the foundation would give the college the most flexibility to assist students, including emergency situations. We appreciate your thoughtful support!"
We are proceeding with a $50 donation to the college, along with any small contributions that any individuals would like to make. We will collect small donations at the next meeting. John K. suggested individuals can write a check to the Foundation, so there is a record of the tax deductible contribution. John will consolidate all our contributions and send them to the Foundation by mid-Sept.
* Our NEXT MEETING is the Sept. 10th club contest, Evaluation & Humorous. Our target speaker will be Udaya Neelam from the Wallingford Eagles Club. Volunteers are needed to help with contest role(s)! Please let Charnaie or me know if you can fill a role or have any questions.
* A Fall Variety Show on Oct. 15 is planned for the Village at South Farms -- please let Tom know if you can help with anything such as coordinating light refreshments, reading a short poem, providing some other entertainment. Looking for volunteers to help!
* Oct. 8 Guest Speaker: Kevin Wortman, Speaking of Evaluations. We are very much looking forward to Kevin's visit!
* Nov 7th - District 53 Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Nov & Dec club meeting schedule will include an extra meeting early in the month, since the holidays will supersede our normal 4th meeting. More info to follow.
Meeting, Thursday, August 13, 2009 - Village at South FarmsMiddletown, ConnecticutMinutes of the Middlesex Toastmasters Club #8340
Highlights the Middlesex club meeting Thursday, 8/13
Attendees: Tom A., Cheryl M., Emily O., Michael O., Craig F., Jennifer C., Ramesh P., Charnaie G., John K., Kay J.
Our toastmaster for the evening was John Keppler, who lead us through a great meeting.
Humorist: Emily O'Brien
Word Master: Jennifer Cimiluca, "kudos"
Ah Counter: Ramesh Padavala
Grammarian: Craig Fresher
Timer: Charnaie Gordon
General Evaluator: John Keppler
We had four prepared speakers:
Kay - Inspire Your Audience Speech #10: The Choice is Yours
Inspirational speech with references from the book, "The Power of Attitude" by Mac Anderson
Tom -- Thou Shalt Not Steal
Thought provoking speech, taking a pen might clearly be considered stealing, but other scenarios might not be so clear!
Michael - Ice Breaker Speech # 1: The Extra Mile
Speech describing Michael's walking sanctuary and where we might see him on a clear summer night
Cheryl - How to Say It Speech # 4: A New Experience
Speech describing Cheryl's recent volunteer experiences at the TI conference
Table Topics were given by Tom, with a fun summer theme
Speech evaluations were given by Craig, Jennifer, Cheryl & Tom
Business news:
* Cheryl brought two slides shown by Dave Wheeler, LGET, at the District officers meeting on 8/9 -- both are exciting for Middlesex.
First: Middlesex Club is #1 in DCP standings across the entire district!
Second: Middlesex Club has earned a banner ribbon for having 7 officers trained during the summer training sessions
* Charnaie brought the signup sheet for Sept. 10th club contest -- and is recruiting volunteers to help with contest role(s)!
* Tom discussed the Fall Variety Show on Oct. 15 that is planned for the Village at South Farms -- please let Tom know if you can help with anything such as coordinating light refreshments, reading a short poem, providing some other entertainment. Looking for volunteers to help!
Highlights the Middlesex club meeting Thursday, 8/13
Attendees: Tom A., Cheryl M., Emily O., Michael O., Craig F., Jennifer C., Ramesh P., Charnaie G., John K., Kay J.
Our toastmaster for the evening was John Keppler, who lead us through a great meeting.
Humorist: Emily O'Brien
Word Master: Jennifer Cimiluca, "kudos"
Ah Counter: Ramesh Padavala
Grammarian: Craig Fresher
Timer: Charnaie Gordon
General Evaluator: John Keppler
We had four prepared speakers:
Kay - Inspire Your Audience Speech #10: The Choice is Yours
Inspirational speech with references from the book, "The Power of Attitude" by Mac Anderson
Tom -- Thou Shalt Not Steal
Thought provoking speech, taking a pen might clearly be considered stealing, but other scenarios might not be so clear!
Michael - Ice Breaker Speech # 1: The Extra Mile
Speech describing Michael's walking sanctuary and where we might see him on a clear summer night
Cheryl - How to Say It Speech # 4: A New Experience
Speech describing Cheryl's recent volunteer experiences at the TI conference
Table Topics were given by Tom, with a fun summer theme
Speech evaluations were given by Craig, Jennifer, Cheryl & Tom
Business news:
* Cheryl brought two slides shown by Dave Wheeler, LGET, at the District officers meeting on 8/9 -- both are exciting for Middlesex.
First: Middlesex Club is #1 in DCP standings across the entire district!
Second: Middlesex Club has earned a banner ribbon for having 7 officers trained during the summer training sessions
* Charnaie brought the signup sheet for Sept. 10th club contest -- and is recruiting volunteers to help with contest role(s)!
* Tom discussed the Fall Variety Show on Oct. 15 that is planned for the Village at South Farms -- please let Tom know if you can help with anything such as coordinating light refreshments, reading a short poem, providing some other entertainment. Looking for volunteers to help!
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