I titled this blog after Bethany's Invocation for our first meeting in February. She chose to read Psalm 96, which encourages us to sing to the Lord and all earth a new song. So what's wrong with old songs? Nothing, however, the point is to offer fresh outpourings so we don't grow stale and predictable. Bethany reminded us that we all have opportunities for new starts and changes, allowing us ongoing chances to do better. Likewise, Toastmasters gives us limitless opportunities for practice and growth. We don't stop singing the old songs, but we do refine them and make them better!
Just as our club meeting was about to begin today, our Toastmaster, Kim (not pictured here), had to excuse herself due to illness. That meant two roles, both our club president (who could not preside today) as well as our Toastmaster for the day, were left unfilled. Now stop and gaze above at the woman behind the podium. The first year and a half after she joined Toastmasters, she repeatedly refused to take on the Toastmaster's role. Too insecure...too terrified, I'm guessing. Today, however, Becki immediately agreed to take on BOTH roles at the last minute and did so with grace. If that isn't a tribute to what Toastmasters can do for one's communication and leadership skills, what is???!!!!! Thank you, Becki, you Wonder-Woman, you!!!!!
Now here's Eva. She would have volunteered for one of those last minute roles had she not been our Ah-Counter and Grammarian for the day, a full-time job in a world where butchering the English language has become a hobby. She chose redundant as the word for the day, which makes me nervous as I type this blog. I was told once by a very wise woman, learn to be concise. I'm still working on this one!
Our Joke Master for the day, Perry, waltzed into the center of the room and embarked on his role with great bravado. Fully memorized, he delivered a joke that he created. He shared that late one evening after a church committee meeting, a pastor stumbled across 3 young women who'd grown up in his church but were no longer attending. He noticed that each one appeared drunk, and all 3 were presumably heading home with a young man on their arm.
Knowing each of the young women, the pastor approached them individually, and basically declared, "It's good to see you, young lady, but I've had a vision of your future, and if you don't repent and change your ways, you're going to hell." The first female was warned the devil would make her give a prepared speech once a month at a public meeting. The second female was cautioned, "The devil will make you participate in an extemporaneous speaking contest twice a month in a public meeting." Both of these females turned pale, dropped the arms of the men they were cavorting with and headed home alone. The two women showed up at church in the front pew for worship the following Sunday.
Now the third female was also delivered a similar warning by the pastor that evening as she stood arm in arm with her male friend. The pastor threatened, "If you don't repent, the devil will make you give an extemporaneous evaluation of a speech once a month in a public meeting." She paused and then replied, "That's alright, pastor. I should have a large pool of suggestions to draw from, given all of the criticisms I thought of the many years I spent listening to your bad sermons." This time the pastor turned pale and bolted for home. The next Sunday the pastor's sermon seemed extraordinarily well-organized, well-argued, well-rehearsed, and well-delivered...especially compared to the usual. (Imagine how much better the sermons might have been had the third woman's constructive criticisms actually reached him!)
Now this clever joke has us thinking that maybe some people would equate what we do at our regular Toastmasters meetings as living in hell (i.e., giving prepared speeches, speaking extemporaneously on various topics, and evaluating other people's speeches), but keep in mind that these prepared speeches are usually 5-7 or at most 10 minutes long. The spontaneous speeches are just 1-2 minutes and are prompted by a user-friendly question, which allows us all to learn more about each other. In my opinion, "hell" would be staying in my comfort zone 24/7...the same person...and not expanding my skills or who I am.
I'm not a natural born talker, and the thought of joining Toastmasters for years repulsed me. That's how frightened I was of developing speaking and leadership skills! But the experience I've had in Peace Speakers has really helped move me forward. Although still nervous about talking in front of others, I've none-the-less found it to be exhilarating and liberating. Sharing stories, ideas, and information of value is downright fun and educational.
Speaking of fun, Ada gave a speech today entitled "A Taste Tester's Experience". This was Project #8 from the Competent Communication manual. A few snippets from her speech include:
- Companies use taste tests to gather information about food and improve their products.
- Depending on where food lands on our tongues, we experience bitter, sour, and sweet tastes.
- Our sense of taste gives us pleasure while we eat...unless what we taste is repulsive to us.
Ada shared how she creates her Mandarin Orange Cake, a recipe that has garnered rave reviews for several decades. Since the 8th speech calls for "Getting Comfortable with Visual Aids," Ada displayed the ingredients for making her very special cake. Whipping on an apron made for a visual effect as well, and watching her reminded me of the precision of Martha Stewart and the grace of Loretta Young, who used to sweep into the room at the beginning of her TV program. (Now I'm really showing my age!!!!!)
Ada unveiled the finished product and served each of us each a slice. The imbedded mandarin oranges cloistered in the fluffy icing were simply divine! This final visual aid was definitely appropriate for her speech and her audience, making us understand why this cake has been her signature since the 1970's.
It's time for Table Topics, and Eric didn't disappoint us. His questions always reflect deep thought, and today he had us musing about where we experience excess and excessiveness, to the point where it may become a pet peeve.
Bethany's question was about portion sizes in restaurants. "They're so big!" she exclaimed. When she feels compelled to eat everything on the plate, it's unhealthy. And when she leaves some food behind, that feels wasteful. (Right on, Bethany! Personally, I'd rather have smaller portions of better quality food. Let's eat the American way and commit nutritional suicide!)
Eva was quizzed on her thoughts about and the perpetual campaign cycle and relentless political ads. She felt the excessive debates and media coverage during the Republican primaries was contributing to the dysfunction of our political system. Being subjected to these ongoing debates and attack ads hasn't help educate the public in a substantive way about the candidates' stands on important issues. (Anyone else find the remote your best friend when the attack ads drone on day after day?)
Robin was asked about making Facebook settings permanent and their privacy features. She shared that privacy settings don't always work out as one believes they should. She learned this the hard way after posting a friend's bachelorette party under what she thought was a privacy "friends only" setting, but instead it went out to everyone. (How did I miss those pics on Facebook, Robin?) She concluded that making Facebook entries permanent is a bad idea because the information will quickly become outdated.
Even though I was serving as the Timer at today's meeting, I agreed to pull a Table Topics question as well. (I know this picture's a few months old. I can't shoot myself!) I was asked about the "3 Strikes Legislation" and said that imposing a life sentence for 3 convictions isn't necessarily the best answer. After all, some people get poor counsel and are unfairly convicted. Offering rehabilitation is my preference, with the exception of those who are "Silence of the Lambs" psychopaths.
And finally Becki, residing in the roles of both the president and the Toastmaster at today's meeting, (pictured above in this blog at the podium) volunteered to answer a question about excessive commercials on TV. She noted that these ads have a way of making us feel there's always something better out there and what we have isn't good enough. The danger in watching TV ads is how this leads to broad discontent. (Excuse me, but I need to log off now so I can go buy some luscious lipstick that'll make my lips sparkle like Halle Berry's.)
Members considered the merits of each Table Topics talk and voted for the one that stood out in their minds. Everyone got at least one vote, but Becki lead the pack and takes home the trophy for the next few weeks. (I know, Robin on the left is wearing a different outfit than she was pictured above during her talk. As the Timer, I was wrestling with the stopwatch and taking notes at the same time and missed a single shot of her during Table Topics!!!)
This has been another fun meeting of Peace Speakers. We all got to share, we listened and learned, and we honed our skills. And thanks to Ada, we filled our tummies with heavenly cake.
If you're new to this blog, consider joining us on the first or third Wednesday of any month. Here are the particulars:
Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club
Presbyterian Center
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
1:00 - 2:00 PM
100 Witherspoon Street
Downtown Louisville, KY
We are an open club and a friendly, diverse group of people. Give yourself the gift of growth, which will positively impact your personal and professional relationships. You'll be glad you did!
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Chambers
VP of Public Relations for Peace Speakers
