The Colors of Autumn

Toastmaster Deb Lee introduced the theme of autumn colors, and even if weather dictated fall colors not as spectacular as for some other autumns, the stage was already set for a spectacular (word of the day) meeting.   What makes an advanced Toastmasters club spectacular is the quality of the speakers, speakers so good that evaluators are hard pressed to give meaningful grows.  

John Bowen’s speech was an invitation to “Dinner at John’s house.”  As hospitable a host John was, his power point slides gave images that looked like vegetarian garbage, which in fact was the fare.  The audience was to play the role of compost worms.  And John delivered in great humor our three job descriptions:  eat, shed worm castings, and make babies.  As John said, it was all a win-win in the worm bin.  His project was level two, project two in Presentation Mastery Pathways, Effective Body Language.

Alicia’s speech, titled, “Bet You Didn’t Know That,”  featured the story of “Cher Ami,” a female hero of the Battle of the Argonne, in October one hundred years ago.  Alisha told of an American battalion trapped behind enemy lines and being shelled by American artillery.  Cher Ami was the last of  three homing pigeons sent out with the plea to stop the bombardment.  In the hail of German bullets, CherAmi  was shot in the breast. Alicia said against all odds and with one leg hanging by a tendon, that pigeon delivered the message that helped save nearly 200 men.  The speech was in the Presentation Mastery Pathways, Project 2, Level One, Part 2 (Evaluation and Feedback).

Part of Advanced Toastmasters is getting entertaining and motivational stories.  Another part is getting the leadership insights to mentor in local clubs.

Phyllis Kombol’s speech was “Is This the End.”  She gave an informative overview of Pathways, the educational system of speeches and other projects that online is taking the place of the paper manuals.  She listed the make-up of the 10 pathways that all consist of a level one ( four speeches on three projects), a level two (three speeches), a level three (three projects), a level four (two projects), and a level five (three projects).  Most projects involve speeches. This was Phyllis’s last speech of her level five in the Pathways Dynamic Leadership, Reflecting on your Path. This was quite an achievement in less than a year’s time.  About 95% of members enrolled since last November have not made it past level one.

Glenda Teams-Edwards, who drove TM Deb to this meeting in Glenda’s brand new car, took us on journeys of our own choosing, based on prompts she supplied on the Fall Colors theme.  The designated drivers were Rei Fuller, Linda Pierce, and Tony Kombol.

General Evaluator Bob Pierce introduced his evaluators for each of the speakers:  Stan Coss for John’s; Katherine Alford’s for Alicia’s; Tres Magner for Phyllis’s.  Next Bob introduced his eyes and ears team for their report:  Tony Kombol as ah-counter; Rei Fuller for grammarian/word of the day; Linda Pierce for timer.  Then Bob gave his evaluation for what had not already been evaluated.  He suggested the clicker be put to use with counting “ah’s” and ballots be supplied for individual comments for speakers.

In attendance were the following: Rei Fuller, Stan Coss,  John Bowen, Katherine Alford,  Glenda Teams-Edwards, Alicia Hughes, Deb Lee, Bob and Linda Pierce, Phyllis and Tony Kombol, and Tres Magner.

As this meeting concluded at 10:30, the executive committee meeting was soon underway.  Glenda and Deb had to leave in Glenda’s brand new car for another TM meeting soon to be starting, but they monitored and gave feedback by cellphone on the speaker setting.

President Rei Fuller said the club was currently on track to get 9 of 10 goals, with hopes of making 10 to make President’s Distinguished Club in its first year.  The four new members goal was the one most lacking, as there had been just one addition.  Currently there are 16 paid members.  Alicia, Rei, Glenda, and Deb are all slated to go to the TLI in Concord on Dec. 1.  (Stan and Tres said they are also strong contenders for that honor.)

Treasurer John Bowen reported that with the $50 reimbursed for the Open House, the budget balance stands at $481.  The thought was offered that maybe a guest speaker for another open house was not the way to go but just have a regular meeting to push the leadership theme and focus on inviting members of local clubs.  An open house might be in late February to not conflict with the area spring speech contest in March.  The club was to consider having its own local speech contest.  The committee decided to meet again briefly after the next meeting to get up a game plan for an open house.

Next club meeting is the usual third Saturday, on Nov. 17.  Minutes submitted by Secretary Stan Coss