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

Area 32 Contest Results -- October 9, 2013

Middlesex was represented last night at the Area 32 contest by Murali Pemmaraju (2nd place finisher in the Evaluation Contest) and Maria Johnson (winner of the Humorous Contest).     

Maria will go on to compete at the Division C contest (as will Murali if the evaluation winner cannot go on).    The contest will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at the Northeast Utilities building at 107 Selden Street, Berlin (visible from the Berlin Turnpike, on the right heading northbound).     The contest starts at 7pm but doors will be open at 6:30 for refreshments, networking, and briefings.

Middlesex Toastmasters Speech Contest notes, September 26, 2013

Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT

Presiding Officer, Jennifer C began the meeting explaining the agenda for the night, speech contest and club business.  Jen introduced Ramesh who was the Fall Speech Contest Chair and Contest Master.  This dynamic duo explained the TM mission, contest rules, and purpose for each component of the contest. 

 

Meeting attendees (12):  Jay Broderick, Jennifer Cimilluca, Sonia Dean, Siva Digavalli, Charnaie Gordon, Jonathan Herron, Maria Johnson, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Murali Pemmaraju, Judy Thompson.  There was one guest, Tom Alvord

 

Functionaries:

Contest Chair- Ramesh P

Chief Judge- Jen C

Sgt at Arms- Maria J

Timer-Sonia D, Siva D

Ballot Counter- Judy T

Test Speaker- Tom A

 

Humorous Speaker Contestant:

 

Maria Johnson              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. 

 

Tom Alvord                   CC Manual Speech #5, “Your Body Speaks”, Title: What if There’s Nothing Wrong With You After All?

TEST SPEAKER

Tom talked about his family and some challenges of growing up with 14 siblings.  He made us remember that we have ALL been asked at one time or another, “What is wrong with you”?   He shared the moment he realized nothing was wrong with him at all.

 

Speech Evaluation Contestants:

 

Murali Pemmaraju and Michael O’Brien

 

Murali and Michael took their turn evaluating Tom’s speech.  Both highlighted impactful areas of the speech and gave tips for improvement

 

The ballots were counted, Ramesh interviewed the contest participants and the winners were announced.

 

Maria and Murali will move on and compete at the Area 32 Contest.  Date & Time TBD

 

The meeting started on time and ended at 8:30