Meeting Notes - December 27th 2011

The last meeting of the year 2011 started with a greeting from our valued president Chris H, who handed the meeting over to the Toastmaster for that evening, Scott L., who announced that the four main speakers would be evaluated through a multiple Round Robin evaluation, rather than the normal single evaluator format.

Prior to the first speaker, Stephanie B. explained to the group the meaning of Hanukkah and the origin of the Menorah, with a live lighting demonstration!

• The first speaker was Marissa C., who provided some important tips on how to keep a New Year’s Resolution. Marissa ended her speech by telling us the worst resolution is the one which you did not make.
  

12/20 Debate and Election Results

Our club held a very constructive debate on two topics last night:

1)  Shall we keep reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the Beginning of our meetings; and
2)  Shall we continue voting for best speaker, evaluator, and Table Topics speaker at each meeting.

Here are the results of the subsequent vote held at the same meeting:

Shall we continue saying the Pledge:                       13 yes, 12 no, PASSED

Shall we continue to vote for best Speaker:              13 yes, 12 no, PASSED

Shall we continue to vote for best Evaluator:            13 yes, 11 no, PASSED

Shall we continue to vote for best Table Topics:      14 yes, 10 no, PASSED

Thanks to Gordon S, Paul S and all those who participated in the debate!

Moments of Truth (Results)

Introduction:

A Moment of Truth is when a prospective member comes in contact with any aspect of a Toastmasters club and forms an impression of the club’s quality and service.  We use the Moments of Truth to make sure that our TM club is an appealing, welcoming place for prospective members. There are six critical moments of truth in which clubs have an opportunity to create positive impressions. The following is a summary of a "Moments of Truth" brainstorming session held by our club in September 2011.

1.   First Impressions –

• Ensure the meeting location is conveniently located, accessible, and the meeting room is clearly marked. (Have better signage for meeting location so guests can find it easier. Will use real estate signs that say “Toastmasters.”)
• Greet each guest at the door. Introduce the guest to officers and members. (More greeters to greet guests. Too much for SAA.)

2. New Member Orientation -

Assign a mentor for one-on-one assistance. Develop list of mentors and assign them to new members. (Gordon Steele will assign mentors to all new members after Chris Y receives app and check.)

• Have mentor go over the new member orientation.

3.  Fellowship, Variety, and Communication -

• Promote and encourage inter-club events. We have decided that no inter-club interaction is necessary beyond contests and speaker exchanges.
• Issue a club newsletter regularly and maintain a website. Meeting diary – modify it to summarize member accomplishments, awards, and other monthly club news.

4.  Program Planning and Meeting Organization -

Meeting Notes - Selling Yourself

Tonight's toastmaster was Chris Y who picked the theme of  "Selling Yourself".

We has 26 in attendance, including two honored guests.

Paul S and Gordon S together demonstrated "The Art Of Debating".  This was in preparation for a special meeting held later in December to debate two club meeting conduct issues:

• to continue Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the meeting
• to continue voting for Best Speaker, Table Topics and Evaluator at the end of the meeting

Mark D gave a powerful speech, called "Too Big To Fail" and encouraged the audience to consider moving their banking business from 5 top banks that were heavily implicated in the current financial crisis.  Iris W evaluated this speech.

Jade B presented a whirlwind tour of 5000 years of Chines history and accomplishments in a speech entitled "Something About China".  Chris H evaluated.

Table topics were led by Mike M. and Jacqui A.  Ah-counter was Anna C.  Grammarian was Heather S and General Evaluation of the meeting was provided by Scott S.