Mara will be sharing breathing, vocalization, and relaxation techniques to help calm the butterflies in public speaking and turn your next speech into your best performance.
Monday, May 12, 2014
The Middlesex County Toastmasters Club is pleased to announce that actress and playwright Mara Dresner will be our guest on Thursday, May 22nd. She will be presenting "Behind the Curtain: Using Acting Techniques for Your Best Performance."
Mara will be sharing breathing, vocalization, and relaxation techniques to help calm the butterflies in public speaking and turn your next speech into your best performance.
Mara will be sharing breathing, vocalization, and relaxation techniques to help calm the butterflies in public speaking and turn your next speech into your best performance.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Middlesex County Toastmasters Meeting Notes January 23, 2014
Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting with club business. 2/27 will be a club contest, the categories are International and Tall Tales, and we will be hosting an area contest in March.
Meeting attendees (11): John Bell, Jennifer Cimilluca, Maria Johnson, John Keppler, Michael O’Brien, Ramesh Padavala, Rob Schaff, Judy Thompson, there were two guests. Mark returned from our last meeting, Ann, and our guest speaker, Ute Brinkman
Invocator- Judy Thompson
Toastmaster- Judy Thompson
Word of the Day- XX
Humorist-John B (Acorn growing up to be a tree)
General Evaluator- Rob S
Timer- Jennifer C
Ah-Counter- Ramesh
Grammarian- Ramesh
Table Topics- John Keppler, John presented members with a variety of topics. Work ethic, e-mail etiquette, the economy, investments, how to make a better world, memories from high school, what is good about the cold?
Speakers:
Maria Johnson CC Manual speech #7, Research your Topic, Title: “Plagiarism: You Can’t Make This Up”
Maria told us about the challenges she faces as a teacher with Plagiarism. Actual stories about her students, their misconceptions about “stealing” the work of others, and what we can do to avoid the offense. Ann evaluated Maria’s speech.
Ute Brinkman Specialty Speeches speech #1, Speak off the Cuff, Title: “My Two Sons”
Ute shared her inspiring story about personal commitment. She has reached out to help 2 boys with shelter and education, and has a vision to grow her two boys to thirty boys. Michael O evaluated Ute’s speech.
Jen asked our guests what they thought of the meeting. All three enjoyed the welcoming aspects of the club. Ute encouraged the club to fill ALL the speaking slots at every meeting. Perhaps reach out to other clubs who may be short on speaking slots and invite them to our club for the opportunity. Ute, our guest speaker, won Table Topics!
Middlesex County 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
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Middlesex Toastmasters Meeting Notes December 12, 2013
Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting at 7:05pm.
Presiding Officer Jennifer C began the meeting at 7:05pm.
Club Business: Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 9th, from 7-8:15pm at the Russell Library (Hubbard Room, 2nd Floor), as Middlesex Community College will be closed. We’ll be back at the college on January 23rd.
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 11th 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.
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.
Thursday, November 21, 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
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
Monday, November 11, 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.
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
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