December 20, 2012.
We had a phenomenal turn out for our last meeting of 2012. Sumit Arora served as both the Toastmaster of the Evening and Table Topics Master, thank you Sumit you did a great job!
Folks...the gloves came off as the "gift exchange" White Elephant (or more appropriately named Dirty Santa) was kicked off.
Each member picked a number from a box (determined by the number of members attending) Christy Gardner started the ball rolling by choosing the first gift and telling a tall tale about the gift she had just chosen..who would have suspected Christy's cat was a Starbucks coffee fan?
Tale after tale followed each gift opened and each tale was taller than the next. One gift after another became fair game for the next member to "steel"...and steel they did. From the gourmet chocolate and Starbucks gift cards to the giant can of Virginia peanuts to a harmonica. It was a sight to behold and an evening full of fun and laughter!
As all good things must come to end, so did our last meeting of the year.We are looking forward to a fantastic 2013 for Oyster Point Toastmasters!
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and Best Wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year!
Warmest Regards!
Barbara Basabilbaso
Friday, December 21, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Put on your own shoes!
Phillip Sweat SAA called our December 6, 2012 meeting to order. After the pledge, Charlene Salter Gilbert the Toastmaster of the evening welcomed members and guests. Charlene touched on December 6th being Saint Nicholas’s Day and the significance of this date. We learned from Charlene that December 6th was also considered “Put on your own shoes day” which Charlene introduced as the theme of the evening, since we all have to be in and stand in our shoes when speaking to a room full of people, Charlene felt it was a great theme for this meeting, great idea Charlene!
Zach Fauver was the first speaker, presenting his 4th project from the Competent Communicators manual “How to Say it”. Following Zach was Arnelia Hancock and Stephen Franco both presenting their 1st project from the Competent Communicator manual the always exciting “Ice Breaker” speech.
Pulling triple duty as the Table Topics Master, General Evaluator and Ballot counter for the evening (great job Christy) Christy introduced the Table Topic of the evening, Holiday theme and started it off with the 'Elf on the Shelf" question.
General Evaluator Christy Gardner led the evaluation team to give speech evaluations and reports. The meeting was brought to a close after brief announcements and ribbon awards.
Ribbon Winners:
Best Table Topics: Barbara Basabilbaso
Best Evaluator:Its a tie...Phillip Sweat and Rick Boyer
Best Speaker: Stephen Franco
Important Announcements:
• Gift for Jade: If anyone still wants to contribute to the gift for Jade, please let Janet know by next week. She'll be purchasing the gift card on Monday Dec. 18.
• Holiday party: Remember to bring your $10 white elephant present, wrapped and ready to exchange on December 20.
• Early next year, we'll be hosting our club level International Speech and Table Topics Competitions. Start preparing early! See Christy for more details.
• If you'd like to present at the 2013 International Conference next summer, you have to apply on the Toastmasters website by January 14. The website to apply is www.toastmasters.org/CallForPresenters
• Gift for Jade: If anyone still wants to contribute to the gift for Jade, please let Janet know by next week. She'll be purchasing the gift card on Monday Dec. 18.
• Holiday party: Remember to bring your $10 white elephant present, wrapped and ready to exchange on December 20.
• Early next year, we'll be hosting our club level International Speech and Table Topics Competitions. Start preparing early! See Christy for more details.
• If you'd like to present at the 2013 International Conference next summer, you have to apply on the Toastmasters website by January 14. The website to apply is www.toastmasters.org/CallForPresenters
Next scheduled meeting; December 20, 2012.
Friday, November 30, 2012
What a Great Evaluation Workshop!
Last night, Danita Fox led a 5th Thursday Special Event on Evaluations, and what a great workshop it was!
We started with a fun activity in which we broke up into teams of three. One person had to describe an image, the artist had to draw what described, and the third person observed how well the team spoke, listened, and acted. It was a perfect analogy for the public speaking in which the speaker talks and the audience listens, interprets, and acts. The observer was like our Toastmasters evaluators, trying to pick out how and why the communication worked or didn't.
Danita pointed out that evaluations are most effective when we compare someone's performance to a standard or model. For example, at toastmasters, the standard is to communicate effectively and meet the objectives in our manuals. An evaluator should compare the speaker's performance to how well they've met these objectives. If you're evaluating an employee, you would compare their performance to their job description and work plan. Those are the models that describe how the individual should perform. The evaluator tries to help the individual learn how well they meet these objectives and suggestions for how they can improve to better meet their objectives next time.
Danita suggested we think about evaluations in this outline:
We had the opportunity to try out her suggestions during Lauren White's speech Abraham Lincoln. In the end, Danita reminded us that evaluations are meant to help our speakers, employees, and others improve and grow. She suggested these:
We started with a fun activity in which we broke up into teams of three. One person had to describe an image, the artist had to draw what described, and the third person observed how well the team spoke, listened, and acted. It was a perfect analogy for the public speaking in which the speaker talks and the audience listens, interprets, and acts. The observer was like our Toastmasters evaluators, trying to pick out how and why the communication worked or didn't.
Danita pointed out that evaluations are most effective when we compare someone's performance to a standard or model. For example, at toastmasters, the standard is to communicate effectively and meet the objectives in our manuals. An evaluator should compare the speaker's performance to how well they've met these objectives. If you're evaluating an employee, you would compare their performance to their job description and work plan. Those are the models that describe how the individual should perform. The evaluator tries to help the individual learn how well they meet these objectives and suggestions for how they can improve to better meet their objectives next time.
Danita suggested we think about evaluations in this outline:
- Introduction
- Praise, things the individual generally did well
- Specific comments about the individual's objectives
- Points for improvement
- Acknowledge the speakers potential and encourage their continued effort
We had the opportunity to try out her suggestions during Lauren White's speech Abraham Lincoln. In the end, Danita reminded us that evaluations are meant to help our speakers, employees, and others improve and grow. She suggested these:
Eight Behaviors of Effective Evaluators
- Know the objectives to which you're comparing the individual's performance
- Listen and observe
- Personalize your language (Use "I" as you describe your opinions.)
- Acknowledge and praise actions that met objectives
- Give suggestions for improvement of actions that did not match up
- Evaluate performance of speeches, not their content
- Inspire the the individual to continue their effort by stating their potential
- Stay on task; remember, evaluations are about your speaker or employee... not about you!
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this Evaluations Workshop a complete success!
End of Meeting Announcements
- We have new evaluation tools. Whether you're a scheduled evaluator or just want to practice, please remember we have evaluation forms you can use, and help us remind others that these are available.
- Christy is working on the agenda for the next 3 months. Those who were able to make it out last night saw a preview, but keep in mind, this is not yet final. She'll email the group with the final document when it's ready.
- Holiday bash and gift for Jade. The holiday bash will be Dec. 20 at Angelo's and will focus around a white elephant gift exchange game. If you can make it, bring a gender-neutral gift (approx. $10) wrapped, and be prepared for fun! We will also be giving Jade (our server) a gift card and card. If you would like to contribute, and haven't emailed me already, please do so by Monday Dec 17. I will not be at the Dec 6 meeting. Please bring your contribution to the Dec. 20 meeting.
- It's Holiday rush at Angelo's, and we get moved around. During the busy times at Angelo's there's a chance that we will get booted from the private room and moved into the main dining area. If you don't see us in the back, check the main dining area.
- Follow Oyster Point Speakers on Facebook! One of our guests last night came to our meeting because she learned about it on Facebook. If you're on Facebook, follow us to get event updates, find interesting articles about professional development, and more! We're at https://www.facebook.com/
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Meeting Summary (October 18, 2012)
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by SAA Phillip Sweat, Danita Fox, Toastmaster of the evening, shared a recent experience she had. She attended a meeting where the featured presenter was a Toastmaster. Although that Toastmaster was not experienced in the exact topic of the meeting, he was able to relate themes to stories for an effective speech. For Danita, it just showed how Toastmasters really does develop the professional speaking and leadership skills we set out to get with our membership.
Christy Gardner was the first, and only, speaker this evening. During her speech, Christy shed some light on the many roles that our Oyster Point Speakers Toastmasters Club has at each meeting. Going through each role (Ah Counter, Grammarian, Toastmaster, etc.) Christy explained not only what each role does but also the skills we develop by taking on those roles.
With only one speech for the evening, we had an extended Table Topics brought to us by TopicsMaster Phillip Sweat, who had us thinking about fall and Halloween with his seasonally-themed questions.
Rick Boyer evaluated Christy's speech, and following the rest of the evaluation team's reports, Magda Brugos gave her General Evaluator's report.
One thing Magda noted was that she really liked the extended Table Topics, which required everyone who didn't have a major speaking role to become an active participant. Danita Fox announced guests and ribbon winners.
Following the meeting, President Janet Krenn introduced Area Governor Frank Gillerlain who reminded members that our District Conference is coming up on Friday-Saturday November 2-3 in Richmond. For more information, go to www.district66.org
Janet then concluded with the following announcements:
Christy Gardner was the first, and only, speaker this evening. During her speech, Christy shed some light on the many roles that our Oyster Point Speakers Toastmasters Club has at each meeting. Going through each role (Ah Counter, Grammarian, Toastmaster, etc.) Christy explained not only what each role does but also the skills we develop by taking on those roles.
With only one speech for the evening, we had an extended Table Topics brought to us by TopicsMaster Phillip Sweat, who had us thinking about fall and Halloween with his seasonally-themed questions.
Rick Boyer evaluated Christy's speech, and following the rest of the evaluation team's reports, Magda Brugos gave her General Evaluator's report.
One thing Magda noted was that she really liked the extended Table Topics, which required everyone who didn't have a major speaking role to become an active participant. Danita Fox announced guests and ribbon winners.
Following the meeting, President Janet Krenn introduced Area Governor Frank Gillerlain who reminded members that our District Conference is coming up on Friday-Saturday November 2-3 in Richmond. For more information, go to www.district66.org
Janet then concluded with the following announcements:
- Mark your calendars! We have special events occurring at Oyster Point Speakers on the following dates: Nov 15, Nov 29, Dec 20, Jan 31. Check the Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oyster-Point-Speakers-Toastmasters-Club/149972398355228
- Assigning Meeting Roles. Oyster Point Speakers is trying a new method for assigning meeting roles. We will be assigning members roles for 3-months in advance. Those assignments will be in a table that we will distribute to all members via the list-serv. It is each member's responsibility to find their replacement if they cannot attend, and the changes will be made by each individual to the online agenda on our website: http://ops.toastmastersclubs.org/
- Role cards available in the Oyster Point Speakers Box. To help new members understand their meeting roles, we have printed table tents that names the role and responsibilities. Each member with a role during our meetings should take their role card out and display it on the table in front of them at each meeting.
- Get a receipt. Any time a member pays dues or a new member joins Oyster Point Speakers, make sure you get a receipt, regardless of whether or not you want one. This is our best way for keeping club records, and important to help us stay organized.
Ribbon winners:
Best Speaker: Christy Gardner
Best Evaluator: Rick Boyer
Best Table Topics--a tie!: Zach Fauver & Katherine Crawley
Guests in attendance:
Ruth Giles, Lindsey Santa Maria, Vonda Combs, Frank Gillerlian (Area Governor).
Members in attendance:
Magda Brugos, Phillip Sweat, Danita Fox, Rick Boyer, Christy Gardner, Arnelia Hancock, Sumit Arora, Zach Fauver, Wade Miner, Katherine Crawley, Steve Franco.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Newsletter
October 6, 2012
Members
present: Regina Gilliam, Rick Boyer, Christy Gardner, Zach Fauver, Lauren White,
Phillip Sweat, Magda Brugos, Jean Smith, Janet Krenn, Arnelia Hancock, Charlene Salter-Gilbert
Guests:
Lily Carson, Steve Franco, Sumit Aecou, Asheuosh Leiyes
Meeting was called to order by Phillip Sweat SAA; after the pledge, Janet Krenn the president came to the lectern to welcome members and guests. Afterwards, the lectern was turned over to Toastmaster of the Evening, Magda Brugos. The Toastmaster of the Evening introduced the General Evaluator Lauren White to the lectern so that she could introduce the evaluation team and have each member fulfilling that role explain what they will be doing during the meeting. Upon completion of the role explanations, Magda then introduced the speakers for the evening.
Regina Gilliam was the first speaker. Followed by Regina was Zach Fauver.
Barbara Basabilbaso was the Table Topics Master for the evening. Topic of the evening: “Telling a tale” providing each speaker with the beginning or ending of a tale and the speaker was to “fill in the gap” All participants did a phenomenal job!
General Evaluator Lauren White led the evaluation team to give speech evaluations and reports. The meeting was brought to a close after brief announcements and ribbon awards. Next meeting is October 18th.
Meeting was called to order by Phillip Sweat SAA; after the pledge, Janet Krenn the president came to the lectern to welcome members and guests. Afterwards, the lectern was turned over to Toastmaster of the Evening, Magda Brugos. The Toastmaster of the Evening introduced the General Evaluator Lauren White to the lectern so that she could introduce the evaluation team and have each member fulfilling that role explain what they will be doing during the meeting. Upon completion of the role explanations, Magda then introduced the speakers for the evening.
Regina Gilliam was the first speaker. Followed by Regina was Zach Fauver.
Barbara Basabilbaso was the Table Topics Master for the evening. Topic of the evening: “Telling a tale” providing each speaker with the beginning or ending of a tale and the speaker was to “fill in the gap” All participants did a phenomenal job!
General Evaluator Lauren White led the evaluation team to give speech evaluations and reports. The meeting was brought to a close after brief announcements and ribbon awards. Next meeting is October 18th.
Ribbon Winners:
Best Table Topics: Jean Smith
Best Evaluator: Janet Krenn
Best Speaker: Regina Gilliam
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
July 19, 2012
Members present: Rick Boyer, Danita Fox, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Tim Herrity, Nita Langford, Victor Lopez, Wade Miner, Stacey Felipe, Daniel Finch, Regina Gilliam, Charlene Salter-Gilbert, Tim Tonkovic
Meeting was called to order by SAA; after the pledge, the president came to the lectern to welcome members and guests. Stacey Felipe, Daniel Finch, Regina Gilliam, and Charlene Salter-Gilber were inducted as new members. Afterwards, the lectern was turned over to Toastmaster of the Evening, Wade Miner. The Toastmaster of the Evening introduced the General Evaluator Victor Lopez to the lectern so that he could introduce the evaluation team and have each member fulfilling that role explain what they will be doing during the meeting. Upon completion of the role explanations, Wade then introduced the three speakers for the evening.
Danita Fox was the first speaker. She spoke about rethinking how we think about first impressions. Following Danita's speech was Tim Herrity. Tim spoke about how reality TV is not good for the young viewers. The third and final speaker was Daniel Finch. Daniel completed the Ice Breaker, the first speech in the Competent Communication manual.
Tim Tonkovic was the Table Topics Master for the meeting. Tim used technology by generating questions on his IPad for the audience. There were four participants: Christy Gardner, John Harmon, Stacey Felipe, and Rick Boyer.
General Evaluator Victor Lopez led the evaluation team to give speech evaluations and reports.
The meeting was brought to a close after brief announcements and ribbon awards. Next meeting is August 2nd.
Meeting was called to order by SAA; after the pledge, the president came to the lectern to welcome members and guests. Stacey Felipe, Daniel Finch, Regina Gilliam, and Charlene Salter-Gilber were inducted as new members. Afterwards, the lectern was turned over to Toastmaster of the Evening, Wade Miner. The Toastmaster of the Evening introduced the General Evaluator Victor Lopez to the lectern so that he could introduce the evaluation team and have each member fulfilling that role explain what they will be doing during the meeting. Upon completion of the role explanations, Wade then introduced the three speakers for the evening.
Danita Fox was the first speaker. She spoke about rethinking how we think about first impressions. Following Danita's speech was Tim Herrity. Tim spoke about how reality TV is not good for the young viewers. The third and final speaker was Daniel Finch. Daniel completed the Ice Breaker, the first speech in the Competent Communication manual.
Tim Tonkovic was the Table Topics Master for the meeting. Tim used technology by generating questions on his IPad for the audience. There were four participants: Christy Gardner, John Harmon, Stacey Felipe, and Rick Boyer.
General Evaluator Victor Lopez led the evaluation team to give speech evaluations and reports.
The meeting was brought to a close after brief announcements and ribbon awards. Next meeting is August 2nd.
Ribbon Winners:
Best Table Topics: Rick Boyer
Best Evaluator: Christy Gardner
Best Speaker: Daniel Finch
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Crawley, club secretary
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
May 31, 2012
Special 5th Thursday meeting!
Members present: Tim Herrity, Curtis Lassiter, Lauren White, Rick Boyer, Janet Krenn, Phillip Sweat, Christy Gardner, Magda Brugos, Nancy Hogg, John Harman, Katherine Crawley, Danita Fox
SAA John Harman opened meeting and turned control to President Christy Gardner. She explained what this 5th Thursday meeting is about; opportunity for club members to deliver speeches to get one more speech closer to completing either Competent Communicator or Advance level manuals. Tonight there will only be speakers and evaluators!
As Toastmaster of the Evening, Janet Krenn then had the pleasure of introducing speakers and evaluators. First speaker for the evening, Christy Gardner, spoke from an advance manual with her topic of "coaching problem employees". Lauren White and Curtis Lassiter both delivered speeches that were to persuade audience to some kind of action. Lauren motivated audience to read more and to encourage children to read more. Curtis challenged audience to choose between stocks or bonds when making financial investments.
Evaluators for the evening were John Harman, Nancy Hogg and Magda Brugos.
The meeting was concluded with Christy awarding best speaker of the evening ribbon to Lauren White and best evaluator to Magda Brugos.
Respectfully submitted
Danita Fox, club secretary
Members present: Tim Herrity, Curtis Lassiter, Lauren White, Rick Boyer, Janet Krenn, Phillip Sweat, Christy Gardner, Magda Brugos, Nancy Hogg, John Harman, Katherine Crawley, Danita Fox
SAA John Harman opened meeting and turned control to President Christy Gardner. She explained what this 5th Thursday meeting is about; opportunity for club members to deliver speeches to get one more speech closer to completing either Competent Communicator or Advance level manuals. Tonight there will only be speakers and evaluators!
As Toastmaster of the Evening, Janet Krenn then had the pleasure of introducing speakers and evaluators. First speaker for the evening, Christy Gardner, spoke from an advance manual with her topic of "coaching problem employees". Lauren White and Curtis Lassiter both delivered speeches that were to persuade audience to some kind of action. Lauren motivated audience to read more and to encourage children to read more. Curtis challenged audience to choose between stocks or bonds when making financial investments.
Evaluators for the evening were John Harman, Nancy Hogg and Magda Brugos.
The meeting was concluded with Christy awarding best speaker of the evening ribbon to Lauren White and best evaluator to Magda Brugos.
Respectfully submitted
Danita Fox, club secretary
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