Meeting Notes, January 12, 2012

The Middlesex County Toastmasters met on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company, 213 Court Street, Middletown for our first meeting in 2012. It was another wonderful meeting with 4 great speeches and members stepping up to take more than one role. Emily O’Brien was our Toastmaster for the evening and did a fantastic job!

Members Present: Jay Broderick, Siva Digavali, Jonathan Herron, Kay Jeyapalan, John Keppler, Cheryl Mason, Michael Nicastre, Sally Nicastre, Emily O’Brien, Michael O’ Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Murali Pemmaraju, Arun Sodani, Chris Sullivan, Judy Thompson

Guests Present: Helen Evrard

Business Meeting:

Kay Jeyapalan announced that the meeting on January 26th will be at our regular location, Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, Chapman Hall, Room 808 D. There will be an Officer Training on January 30th at the same location from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. You don’t need to be an officer to attend this program. Please see the attached flyer for more information. The club’s Open House will be on March 22nd, more information will follow. Kim Price received an e-mail from the Headmaster of a private school in Waterbury-Chase Collegiate School asking whether our members will volunteer to be judges for their public speaking events. The time is 8:00 – 11:00 during the workday. Kay will find out the dates of these events. The description of the program is attached.

Murali Pemmaraju announced that our joint Speech-A-Thon with Eagle Club will be on January 18th at MiddleOak Building, 213 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Wilcox Room. Bowling will take place on Saturday, February 18th, 2:00 p.m., @ Bowl-O-Rama, 2143 Berlin Tpke, Newington, Ph: (860) 666-5411. Our Spring Contest, International and Tall Tales, will be held on March 8th. There is no requirement to participate in the Tall Tales Contest. However, you need to have completed 6 speeches on your Competent Communication Manual in order to compete in the International Speech Contest. Contact Murali if you want to take part in the contest as either contestants or various roles.

Our Toastmaster, Emily, was supported by Jay Broderick (Timer), Ah-Ha Counter (Murali Krishna Pemmaraju), and Grammarian (Guest Helen Evrard). Jay Broderick presented the Word of the Day, “Kudos” meaning praise given for achievement. Michael O’ Brien was our General Evaluator.

Kay was the Humorist. Judy was our Table Topics Master and she asked the audience topics related to “weather.” Everyone got a chance to speak at the meeting.

Prepared Speeches:

Jonathan Herron presented “Local Medical Treatment is Important,” Competent Communication Manual, Project #8, Get Comfortable With Visual Aids. His speech was evaluated by Siva Digavali.

Cheryl Mason presented “Purposefully Positive” Competent Communication Manual, Project #9, Persuade With Power. Her speech was evaluated by Ramesh.

Arun Sodani gave a speech “Camping 101” Competent Communication Manual, Project #9, Persuade with Power. His speech was evaluated by Cheryl Mason.

Chris Sullivan’s speech was “No Goal is Out of Sight” Competent Communication Manual, Project #6, Vocal Variety. His speech was evaluated by Arun Sodani.

Thanks to all who stepped up to take various roles at the last minute. Our special thanks to guest Helen Evrard for taking the “Grammarian” role at the last minute. Kudos to Helen. She did a thorough job!!!

Respectfully Submitted,

Kay Jeyapalan, CC, ALB