Middlesex County Toastmasters Meeting Notes January 9, 2014

Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes January 9, 2014

Russell Library, Middletown, CT

Presiding Officer After wishing everyone a Happy New Year, Jennifer C began the meeting with club business.  Jen congratulated Rob Schaff with a 7 year anniversary gift.  Our next meeting will feature a guest speaker.  1/25 is the next opportunity for officer training, 1/23 will be an officer meeting.  1/27 will be a club contest, the categories are International and Tall Tales

 

Meeting attendees (11):  John Bell, Jay Broderick, Jennifer Cimilluca, Siva Digavalli, Maria Johnson, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Judy Thompson, there were three guests, Emily, Mark, and Karen

Invocator- XX

Toastmaster- Siva D

Word of the Day- Jay B (Kegalater)

Humorist-John B (Mother in law Christmas present)

General Evaluator- Jennifer C

Timer-Emily O

Ah-Counter- John B

Grammarian- Judy T

Table Topics- Michael O, Michael asked members to talk about several topics.  What we would do at our local warming centers.  What would you tackle first, losing weight, exercising or quitting smoking?  What are your New Year’s resolutions?  What is your relationship with your library?

 

Speakers:

Ramesh Padavala         Entertaining Speaker speech #1, The Entertaining Speech, Title:  “My First Cruise Experience”

Ramesh took us on his first cruise to the Bahamas.  He went from his wife’s shopping preparations to the layout of the ship.  Promising to tell us more in a future speech, our appetites are whet.  John K I evaluated Ramesh’s speech.

Rob Schaff                   Specialty Speeches speech #2, Uplift the Spirit, Title:  “The Beginners Mind” 

Rob talked to us about seeing our world the way we do when we are new to a task, challenging us to be open to all possibilities and be engaged in the process.   Go ahead and embrace your discomfort while being gentle with yourself.  Jay B evaluated Rob’s speech.

Jen asked all two guest what they thought of the meeting and would they return.  Both said they would.   Mark, one of our guests, won Table Topics!

The meeting started on time and ended at 8:15

Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes December 12, 2013

Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting at 7:05pm.

Club Business:   Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 9^th, from 7-8:15pm at the Russell Library (Hubbard Room, 2^nd Floor), as Middlesex Community College will be closed.   We’ll be back at the college on January 23^rd.  

District 53 training (Toastmasters Leadership Exchange, or “TLE”) for club officers and any other interested Toastmasters began on 12/7 and will be continuing at the Division and Area levels in January.   Dates to be announced as they become available.

The District 53 Leadership will be hosting a time of fun and networking at “Jan Jam”, to be held Saturday, January 11^th at the Church of Christ, Manchester.   More details to come.

Meeting attendees:   Jennifer Cimilluca, John Keppler, Michael O’Brien, Rob Schaff.   There was one guest, Ashley Oliver

Functionaries:

Invocator- Jennifer C

Toastmaster- Jennifer C

Word of the Day- Michael (assiduous:  

1.   constant; unremitting: assiduous reading. 2.constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive: an assiduous student.)

Humorist- Jennifer C (an accountant joke, with apologies to Jay and Kay)

General Evaluator- John Keppler

Timer- Ashley

Ah-Counter- Michael

Grammarian - Michael

Table Topics-  Michael offered some Thanksgiving and New Year’s-themed Table Topics in which all participated, including our guest, Ashley.

Speakers:

Rob Schaff                   Competent Communicator Manual speech #, 8 (Objective:  Get Comfortable with Visual Aids), Title:  “Bad Eye Contact” 

Rob used the story of Bokito, the “World’s Most Famous Gorilla” to remind us that not everyone has the same views about eye contact, and that while eye contact is important, there can be too much of a good thing.     http://nowiknow.com/gorilla-goggles/

Rob’s speech was evaluated by Jen.   With his speech on Thursday, Rob completed his fourth Competent Communicator manual.   With Judy’s CC earlier in the Toastmasters year, Middlesex now has four points in the Distinguished Club Program.

http://dashboards.toastmasters.org/ClubReport.aspx?id=00008340

Jen ended the meeting with words of inspiration from H. Jackson Brown, Jr., author of “Life’s Little Instruction Book”:   Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”   

 The meeting ended shortly after 8pm.   

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 

Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes October 24, 2013

Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT

Presiding Officers  Michael O’Brien and Ramesh Padavala began the meeting at 7:00 sharp and reviewed club business.  We will have a joint club meeting with Vernon TM club at the Portland Library on Nov 7.  The meeting will start at 6:15 and end at 7:30.  

Sign up for roles at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjG6pI5GMSnldHBfdFdaeF9VN1FBWGp4anR3c2ttS1E#gid=0

The address for the Portland Library is 20 Freestone Ave.  Go over the Arrigoni Bridge, AKA the Portland Bridge, at the second light, turn right on Freestone Ave.  Freestone is the first street after the Rite Aid.  Go one block and turn left into the library.

Meeting attendees (6):  John Bell, Maria Johnson, John Keppler, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Judy Thompson

Functionaries:

Invocator- Michael O

Toastmaster- Michael O

Word of the Day- XX

Humorist-John B (Tips on a good memory)

General Evaluator- Michael O

Timer-John K

Ah-Counter- Ramesh P

Grammarian- Ramesh P

Table Topics- Ramesh P, Ramesh asked us thought provoking questions:  What would you ask a psychic about the future, what did you get in trouble for as a child, dream vacation….. Everyone hurried, no kidding, to the front of the room to participate, first time ever!  What fun.

Speakers:

Maria Johnson              CC Manual speech #2, “Organize your Speech”, Title:  Everything I ever Wanted to Know about Life I Learned in an Apple Orchard

Maria told us about her first “dream” job at Lyman orchards.  Maria learned ten lessons about life in one year by paying attention to her daily work in an apple orchard.  Wonderful words of wisdom we can all live by.  Judy evaluated Maria’s speech.

John Bell                      CC Manual speech #5, “Your Body Speaks”, Title:  “My Birthday Surprise” 

John told us a wonderful action packed story about his opportunity to drive a NASCAR race car at Stafford Springs.  I felt many emotions while John described with words and actions what he experienced during his test and solo drive around the track.  John K evaluated John’s speech.

Michael ended the meeting with words of inspiration.  Sometimes our path to growth is challenging, but it is always well worth it.

Next meeting is at Portland Library on 11/7

The meeting started on time and ended at 8:15

Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes October 10, 2013

Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT

Presiding Officer, Jennifer C began the meeting with club business.  Judy Thompson was called to the front of the room and Jen presented her with a gift to mark her CC certificate achievement.  The area contest participants, Maria and Murali were recognized.  The division contest is next Weds at Berlin, then the district contest on Nov 16.  We will have a joined club meeting at the Portland Library on Nov 7.  Our three guests introduced themselves and told us how they heard about the club.  Area Governor Nathan Jaycox was also introduced.

Meeting attendees (13):  John Bell, Jay Broderick, Jennifer Cimilluca, Maria Johnson, John Keppler, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Murali Pemmaraju, Judy Thompson.  There were three guests, Michael, Robin, and Darlena.  Area governor Nathan Jaycox attended

Functionaries:

Invocator- Jennifer C

Toastmaster- Jay B

Word of the Day- Judy T (permeate)

Humorist-John B (What do you feed your babies)

General Evaluator- Michael O

Timer-John B

Ah-Counter- Nathan J

Grammarian- Judy T

Table Topics- Jennifer C, Jen gave us a handful of ideas with suggested tag lines to get our thoughts flowing.  Everyone was invited to pick their own poison.  There was a tie for best TT between our guest Michael H and John K.

Speakers:

Ramesh Padavala         Storytelling Manual speech #4, “The Touching Story”, Title:  Cricket, the Game

Ramesh told us about his love for the game of Cricket.  The game came to him later in life because of his friendship with Murali P.  Back injuries put him on the sidelines.  Against the advice of family and friends Ramesh continues playing.  Love vs Love.  Murali evaluated Ramesh’s speech.

Maria Johnson              Preparation for Division Contest, Title:  “Diamond in the Fluff” 

Maria told us a wonderfully humorous story about a missing diamond from a ring her mother gifted to Maria when she achieved her half century mark.  We went from Maria’s backyard, to Middletown, enjoyed an introduction to Maria’s husband, and finally the “discovery” was revealed.  The club did a round robin evaluation of Maria’s speech.

Preparation for Division Contest, Title:  “Tourist Talk” 

Jen took us on vacation to many locations with her words and explained what happens when some tourist get frazzled while traveling.  Turns out there is a reason for their confusion, they are just asking the wrong questions.   Jen translated the question behind their question.  The club did a round robin evaluation of Jen’s speech.

Our guests shared their thoughts on the meeting, Nathan gave the club feedback and encouragement, then Jen ended the meeting with words of inspiration.

Next meeting is at Middlesex on 10/24

The meeting started on time and ended on time