March 1, 2012 Contest Night!

Members present: Magda Brugos, Frank Connelly, Stan Dalziel, Danita Fox, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Lanette Kelly, Nita Langford, Victor Lopez, Wade Miner, Tim Tonkovic, Lauren White, Lester Yearwood, Katherine Crawley, Tim Herrity

Guests: Sylvia Matford, Stephanie Teasdale, Avery Byers, Charisse Carter, Charlene Gilbert, Barbara Basabilbasco, Gina Wilson

International Speech and Table Topics Contest night!

Tonight's meeting was full with contestants speaking against each other in this annual Toastmasters International spring contest.  Club members participated in one or both Table Topics or International Speech contest where judges using prepared evaluation forms rated contestants on voice projection, organization, and use of speaking area.
Contestants in Table Topics were given the same topic and 1-2 minutes to on that subject. 
Table Topics Master Tim Tonkovic's topic--time travel, was an interesting and challenging one for the contestants: Frank Connelly, Magda Brugos, Wade Miner, and Tim Herrity.
Contest Chair and International Speech Contest Master John Harman introduced the competitors for the 5-7 minute speech contest; Wade Miner and Frank Connelly. 
Wade inspired the audience to try new activities and shared how to accomplish them.
Frank delivered an humorous speech that included personal stories and a question to the audience; "what are you...a cod fish or cat fish?" 
The contest continues up through the levels of Toastmasters. The winner from our club contest will move on to the next level, Area 43 contest, and if they win at that level they can continue to compete at the Division D level.

President Christy Gardner had the honor of announcing the winners:

Table Topics:  Frank Connelly

International Speech:  Frank Connelly

February 16, 2012

Members present: Magda Brugos, Allen Foretich, Danita Fox, John Harman, Nancy Hogg, Janet Krenn, Curtis Lassiter, Wade Miner, Tim Tonkovic, Lauren White, Zach Fauver, Tim Herrity, Katherine Crawley, Cristina Stoia

Guests: Ian Shippen, Charlene Gilbert, Kelly Gibb, Marjorie Heiges, Steve Heiges, Charisse Carter, Deanna Underdo, Gina Wilson

Sargent-At-Arms John Harman opened the meeting at 6:45pm with pledge and then introduced Toastmaster of the Evening, Danita Fox. After welcoming the many guests, General Evaluator Katherine Crawley introduced evaluation team when all roles were explained so guests would understand what was happening throughout the meeting.
Nancy Hogg, Vice President of Education, delivered her tenth and final speech completing the requirement for Competent Communicator.  (congratulations!)  A timely speech for all the guests, she spoke about the organization of Toastmasters, its benefits and the steps towards improvement.
The second and last speaker of the evening was Allen Foretich.  Allen spoke about great men of the past, in particular presidents.  The speech was Allen's forth toward the ten required for Competent Communicator.
Table Topics Master, Janet Krenn, stirred the meeting up a bit with her unique, fun, and challenging topics that eight people rallied and spoke one-two minutes about.
Katherine Crawley and the evaluation team completed the meeting with providing the feedback for growth and improvement both as speakers as well as leaders.
President Christy Gardner was absent so Vice President of Education Nancy Hogg closed out the meeting with announcements, a second welcome to guests, and recognition of awards.

Ribbon Winners

Best Table Topics:  Lauren White

Best Evaluator: Lauren White

Best Speaker:  Allen Foretich

Respectfully submitted, Danita Fox

Club Secretary



February 2, 2012

Members present: Rick Boyer, Fank Connelly, Allen Foretich, Danita Fox, John Harman, Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Janet Krenn, Curtis, Lassiter, Wade Miner, Tim Tonkovic, Lauren White, Lester Yearwood, Jacquelin Scott, Katherine Crawley, Zach Fauver, Tim Herrity

Guests: Ian Shippen, Charlene Gilbert, Kelly Gibb, Barabara Basabilbasco, Derek Campbell, Marilyn Soleta, Ty Carter, Anu Bedi

Sargent-At-Arms John Harman called the meeting together and after the pledge introduced VPPR Curtis Lassiter to the lectern as he was proxy for absent President Christy Gardner. Curtis welcomed the many guests present (8) and members and then introduced Toastmaster of the Evening (TMOE) Janet Krenn to lectern and take control of meeting.  Janet brought GE (general evaluator) Tim Tonkovic to the lectern where he then asked members of the evaluation team to stand and explain what roles they were fulfilling. 
TMOE Janet Krenn had the honor of introducing four speakers for the evening; John Harman, Zach Fauver, Danita Fox and Wade Miner.  John Harman's technical speech was a "dry run" delivery because he will give the presentation to about 100 peers next week. Zach Fauver, new member, introduced himself in the "ice breaker" speech and Danita Fox delivered a "dramatic talk" and Wade Miner concluded the speakers section of the meeting with a "hip pocket" speech about the "real secrect of life".
New Member Katherine Crawley used Black History Month as her inspiration for the table topics.  As Table Topics Master, Katherine had five participants speak "off-the-cuff" about various topics ranging from "peanut butter, to liposuction vs brain surgery, to a documentary about platapus".  Kudos to first timer guest Derek Campbell, who was the first volunteer to participate in the Table Topics portion of the meeting.
As General Evaluator, Tim Tonkovic and his evaluation team provided the necessary feedback for growth and improvement through speech evaluations, role reports and general assessment of meeting's affectiveness.
VPPR Curtis Lassiter brought meeting to a close by once again welcoming all the guests, calling for announcements and giving out ribbons. Announcements: Winter Leadership Institute Saturday Feb. 4th at ODU, 8:30am-1:00pm.

Ribbon Winners:

Best Table Topics -- Tim Tonkovic

Best Evaluator -- Frank Connelly

Best Speaker -- Danita Fox

Respectively submitted,
Danita Fox, club secretary

January 19, 2012

Members present: Rick Boyer, Magda Brugos, Stan Dalziel, Danita Fox, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Janet Krenn, Wade Miner, Lauren White, Phillip Sweat, Tim Herrity, Zach Fauver, Katherine Crawley

Guests: Micah Downs , Beverly Gray

SAA John Harman opened the meeting with the pledge and then introduced Magda Brugos as TMOD to lectern. As emcee for the meeting, Magda kept the flow of the meeting steadily moving through two speakers, seven Table Topics participants and evaluators. President Christy Gardner delivered an advance communicator speech titled “Walk the Talk” where she encouraged members to be actively involved in the club and personal growth and improvement through speeches and fulfilling meeting roles. Katherine Crawley was the second and last speaker for the evening speaking about herself as she delivered her first speech as a new club member, the Ice Breaker.

New member Zach Fauver was the Table Topics Master and he challenged seven people to think (and speak) quick on their feet about random topics. Topics included: “Wrong Number”, “advantage of being male”, “perspective of youth today” , and “rush hour”.

As General Evaluator, Lauren White and her team offered valuable feedback that fosters the growth and improvement that fundamental for Toastmasters. Speech evaluators, John Harman and Stan Dalziel gave positive and helpful comments to the speakers, and Janet Krenn as grammarian helped everyone to be aware of word usage.

President Christy Gardner wrapped up the meeting with announcements about upcoming events and ribbon winners. Feb 4th is Winter Leadership Institute training, and March 1st is the International Speech/Table Topics club contest.

Ribbon Winners:

Table Topics: Tim Herrity

Best Evaluator: Stan Dalziel

Best Speaker: Katherine Crawley

January 5, 2012

January 5, 2012

Members present: Rick Boyer, Magda Brugo, Danita Fox, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Janet Krenn, Wade Miner, Phillip Sweat, Tim Herrity, Juan Martinez, Tim Tonkovic

Guests: Jackie Scott, Sheila Whitt, Anu Bedi, Micah Downs, Katherine Crawley

John Harman brought meeting to order and introduced president Christy Gardner. Christy lead club in the induction ceremony welcoming new member Tim Herrity. Christy then introduced TMOD Frank Connelly, and as emcee for the evening he set the tone for a great meeting.
Frank had the honor of introducing the evening's three speakers; Rick Boyer, Phillip Sweat, and Magda Brugos.  Rick delivered a speech from the Advance Communicator manual about project managment. Phillip was second giving his "ice breaker" speech from the Competent Communicator manual, where he shared interesting facts about himself.  Magda completed the speakers section of the meeting with a speech from an Advance manual and she challenge the audience to start a "mental diet".

Table Topics Master Janet Krenn put a twist on a appropriate theme of "resolutions" to challenge audience members to speak for 1-2 minutes about various topics.  Nita Langford spoke about "eating right", Jean Smith about "finish what you start", Curtis Lassister about "signing up for roles", Juan Martinez about "reading more", Zach Fauver "resolve to be punctual", Lester Yearwood "appreciation of the small things", and Tim Herrity wrapped the TableTopics section speaking about his resolve to watch better television.

President Christy Gardner brought the meeting to a close with announcements and awards. Announcements: Next meeting January 19th, Winter Leadership Institute trainings Jan 14, Feb 11.

Ribbon Winners:

Best Table Topics: Tim Herrity

Best Evaluator: Tim Tonkovic

Best Speaker: Magda Brugos

December 15, 2011

Members present: Rick Boyer, Magda Brugos, Allen Foretich, Danita Fox, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Lanette Kelly, Janet Krenn, Nita Langford, Curtis Langford, Victor Lopez, Phillip Sweat, Lester Yearwood, Juan Martinez

Guests: Tim Herrity

Meeting called to order by SAA John Harman. 
Toastmaster of the Evening, Janet Krenn took control of the meeting and set the tone for a great meeting.  She began by introducing General Evalutor, Danita Fox, and her  evaluation team for guests to understand the different roles throughout the meeting. Janet then introduced the two speakers for the evening, Nita Langford and Lanette Kelly.  Nita and Lanette delivered speech number two of the ten planned for Competent Communicator. Nita spoke about "Christmas Celebrations" enlightening the audience to customs around the world, while Lanette kept us grounded with words of wisdom for finances with her speech titled "Don't Wait til Its Too Late".
Advanced Communicator Rick Boyer was the Table Topics Master and challenged random members of the audience to think and speak "off the cuff" for 1-2 minutes on objects that he had in a bag.
General Evaluator Danita Fox and evaluation team, gave comments of improvements for the two speakers as well as others who fulfilled roles for the meeting.  The goal of feedback is improvment and competencies with communicating verbally.
President Christy Gardner concluded the meeting by giving out ribbons and inviting everyone to stay around for the white elephant gift exchange.  Next meeting January 5, 2012.

Ribbon Winners

Best Table Topics:  Curtis Lassiter

Best Evaluator:  John Harman

Best Speaker: Lanette Kelly

Speakers.....

December 1, 2011

Club meeting started at 6:45pm with SAA John Harman calling the meeting to order.

Members in Attendance: Rick Boyer, Magda Brugos, Frank Connelly, Allen Foretich, Christy Gardner, John Harman, Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Nita Langford, Curtis Lassiter, Victor Lopez, Wade Miner, Jean Smith, Tim Tonkovic, Phillip Sweat, Lester Yearwood

Guests: Jackie, Timothy, Kathryn, Joy

Toastmaster of the Evening, Curtis Lassiter, had the distinction of emceeing the meeting and introducing the two speakers for the night.  Victor Lopez and Allen Foretich.  Both speakers delivered speeches from the Competent Communicator maual as they work their way through the 10 required speeches. Victor's speech title "Negate the State" spoke about holiday shopping and taxes; while Allen spoke about learning by doing and avoiding political conversations in his speech titled "Get to the Point".


Distinquished Toastmaster Wade Miner held the role of Table Topics Master where he challenged unsuspecting people to "speak off the cuff" for 1 to 2 minutes about various topics.  The nine participants and their topics were:

Magda Brugos – Black Friday, Lester Yearwood – Thanksgiving, Phil Sweat – Christmas Gift, Sabrina Joy-Hogg – New Year’s Resolution, Frank Connelly – End of the World, John Harman – Joy of Raking Leaves, Tim Tonkovic – 2012 Accomplishments, Nita Langford – Best Gift You Have Given

General Evaluator Jean Smith lead the evaluation team in the second half of the meeting where growth and improvement are the focus.  Speech evaluators, Christy Gardner and Rick Boyer, shared the strengths of each speech as well as offered comments on how to enhance the deliver so that the audience is more engaged and the message clearly understood.

The meeting was wrapped up at 8:25 by President Christy Gardner.  She announced that at the next meeting we would have a White Elephant gift exchange and the last one of the calendar year.  Officer training is scheduled for Jan 14 or Feb 4.  After announcement awards were given:

Ribbon Winner

Best Table Topics--Tim Tonkovic

Best Evaluator--Rick Boyer

Best Speaker--Victor Lopez

Respectively submitted

Danita Fox, club secretary