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