Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes November 14, 2013

Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting at 7:00 with club business.  Our guests from the last meeting at Portland library enjoyed their visit.  District 53 conference is happening on Sat 11/16, and district leader training will happen 12/7

Meeting attendees (9):  John Bell, Ann-Marie Cannata, Jennifer Cimilluca, Jonathan

Herron, Maria Johnson, Michael O’Brien, Rob Schaff, Judy Thompson, There was one guest, Dave Pelland from Park City TM club.

Functionaries:

Invocator- Jennifer C

Toastmaster- Jennifer C

Word of the Day- XX

Humorist-John B (A duck in a bar asking for grapes)

General Evaluator- Judy T

Timer-John B

Ah-Counter- Jen C

Grammarian- Maria J

Table Topics- Ann-Marie C, Ann-Marie challenged us to think about what we are grateful for, and what gives us JOY.   She offered starter ideas with slips from an envelope ranging from best birthday, vacation, pet, what you were doing when you were 8…..  We voted for “best” TT, Judy T was chosen

Speakers:

Dave Pelland                 Preparation for the Humorous Contest at the district conference, Title:  “The Laundry Secret”

Dave weaved a tale of conspiracy, reporting how “stagnating sock sales” prompted sock producers to come up with a way to quietly and secretly remove a sock or two from the clothes dryer.   The club evaluated Dave’s speech, round robin.

Rob Schaff                   CC Manual speech #1, Ice Breaker, Title:  “Fifty Three Weeks” 

Rob re-introduced himself to the club after a 53 week absence by telling us what he has so busy with.  Work, family and friends, can consume all of us.  Life is settling down and Rob hopes to join us at TM more often this year.  Jonathan H evaluated Rob’s speech.

Ann-Marie Cannata      Specialty Manual speech #2, Title:  “Uplift the Spirit” 

Ann-Marie continued her theme of gratefulness and joy with an inspiring story of her daughter’s child bearing experience.  We felt like we were in the delivery room!  Ann-Marie reminded us why it is important to feel the depth of joy.  Michael O evaluated Ann-Marie’s speech.

 

Jen ended the meeting with words of inspiration.  Julia Cameron, “The Artist Way”, discover your creativity, Never ask if you can do something, say instead, do it.

The meeting started on time and ended at 8:45

Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes November 7, 2013

Portland Library, Portland, CT
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting at 6:20 turning the meeting immediately to the Toastmaster for the evening, Murali P.  This was a joint club meeting with Air Line Trail TM club at the Portland Library.

Meeting attendees (8):  John Bell, Jennifer Cimilluca, Charnaie Gordon, Maria Johnson, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Murali Pemmaraju, Judy Thompson, there were three members from the Air Line club in Colchester.  Our guests were asked to introduce themselves.  A few tidbits from the Air Line club, the “mercy rule”, is invoked if a speaker has more than 10 Ah’s or ums.  A “double clutch” like I, I will is something to listen for if you are the Ah counter.  This joint meeting was a wonderful opportunity to share.

Functionaries:

Invocator- Murali P

Toastmaster- Murali P

Word of the Day- Judy T (extol)

Humorist-John B (The dedication of a Boston Red Sox Fan)

General Evaluator- Charnaie G

Timer-Ramesh P

Ah-Counter- Frank K

Grammarian- Maria J

Table Topics- Judy T, Judy asked members to talk about Portland places and events.  How do you relate to these?  The Library, the bridge, the fair, St Clemens, the food of Middletown……….

Speakers:

Michael                         O’Brien            CC Manual speech #7, Research your Topic, Title:  “A New Heath Indicator, Heart Rate Variability”

Michael told us about the correlation of the time interval between your heart beat and a person’s willpower.  We all have “Flight or Flight, and Pause and Plan” reactions to life.  This fascinating new research may indicate your “health” in the future.   Steve I evaluated Michael’s speech.

Jennifer                        Cimilluca         CC Manual speech #6, Vocal Variety, Title:  “Believing without Seeing” 

Jen challenged us to ask ourselves if we believe in ghosts.  Taking us to Gettysburg, Jen related historical facts about ghost encounters and shared a personal recollection that had us all believing.   Dave M evaluated Jen’s speech.

Murali ended the meeting with words of inspiration.  If you think you can, you can.  If you think you can’t, you can’t.  Either way you are right.

The meeting started on time and ended at 7:45