Peace Speakers Meet and Enjoy Two Speeches

With Earth Day around the corner from our April 18th  Toastmasters meeting, Perry took this photo of the Ohio River and used it on our Peace Speakers agenda for the day.   The beauty and serenity of this shot is astounding.   What is shared in this image is truly a paragon of  God's great creation.

Our Toastmaster for the Day, Perry, became a viable source for Rhonda, our Joke Master.  She shared a previous experience in the elevator with Perry where she noticed and complimented his excellent level of fitness.  He replied that he'd been working out at home for some time using sacks of potatoes.  He began his physical regime with 5-pound sacks in each hand, then 10-pound sacks and finally 50-pound sacks.  Impressed with his strength and resolve, Rhonda asked, "What more can you do?"  Perry replied, "Next week I'll add the potatoes!" 

First of all, I love that Rhonda took a joke and inserted one of our members into the fray.  It made for a better visual as she shared the tall tale with us.  I also commend her for adlibbing it, as though she had bumped into us and was casually relaying what had just occurred.  No notes takes courage, Rhonda.  I like that!

TWO DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT SPEECHES

We enjoyed two unique speeches during our club meeting today.  Our first was given by Becki, who chose Project #1 from the Interpretive Reading Program.  Her task was to select a reading so enthralling that the listeners would get swept away by it.   Becki admitted that it took her 4 months to make this selection, wanting her story to have broad appeal and a useful message.  She succeeded on both accounts!

Now Becki may appear to have the expression of pain on her face, but this depicts the despair that the main character in her story exhibited as she repeatedly carried a leaky pail to and from her garden.  The sheer determination of Lauren is noted in Becki's facial expressions and voice as she narrates the short story, Lauren and the Leaky Pail. 

In the story, Lauren wants to win a gardening competition, but her leaky bucket barely helps her water the target, her garden.  Despite trying a variety of seemingly useless means to plug the holes in her pail (like gum or "duck" tape), most of the water is lost along the trail before she makes it back to her garden.  Despite her discouragement and a feeling of defeat, she none-the-less wins the competition due to the inadvertent watering of the trail and the stunning wild flowers that spring up all along it.  All efforts were not in vain!

Joelle, who evaluated Becki's speech, expressed that the listeners were brought into the story in the manner it was told.  Using a lot of vocal variety, effective pauses, and speaking in the character's voice helped us experience the exasperation of the child.  The spiritual emphasis of persevering in the face of repeated obstacles made the story's message meaningful.  What a refreshing presentation!

Our second speech was delivered by Eric, who completed Project #8 from his Competent Communication  Manual.  With the focus on Getting Comfortable with Visual Aids, Eric titled his speech "Homebrew the Easy Way:  Extract Brewing on the Cheap."   (As one who is always looking for a good deal, you had me at easy and cheap!)

Homebrewed beer is better tasting and less expensive, a knockout benefit Eric claimed.   Pictured above are some of the required materials to brew beer. Eric utilizes an old beer keg as his brewing vessel. The process, which was accidently discovered in Ancient Greece, just takes water, a special malt or fermented sugar, hops or grains, and yeast. 

Eric gave us a number of beer-making tips, to name a few:

• Choose a recipe for your skill level.
• Buy ingredients locally.
• Use dry or canned malt (rather than trying to make it at home). 
• Sterilize all materials.
• Store in a dark place.
• Ferment for a week.
• A funky growth on top makes for a funky tasting beer (which is still safe to drink).

At the conclusion of Eric's speech, he allowed us to enjoy the fruits of his labor by sharing a taste test of two brews he'd created: a rye and a raspberry beer.

Despite the recipe Eric handed me for brewing beer, I think I'll wait until Eric perfects a dark chocolate beer before I dive into this hobby! 

Betsy evaluated Eric's speech and noted the clear, colorful and vivid pictures and the well-orchestrated information on his PowerPoint presentation.  She liked  the step-by-step instructions given on his recipe handout.  She added that he spoke confidently because of his personal experiences with brewing.  (Now this is a man who is well-researched and accomplished in seemingly anything he decides to pursue!)

THE INVOCATION

Now I know that the Invocation comes at the onset of the meeting, but it's timely to remind people of the quote I shared today by Dale Carnegie, a paragon for personal growth:  

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

Consider this your invitation to take action and confront your own doubts, fears or desire to expand your communication and leadership skills.  We have each been entrusted with unique gifts, and how to develop them becomes more apparent in a group of individuals who are on the path of growth. 

Take action and join us for our next  Derby week meeting, Wednesday, May 2nd.  Get busy and reap the benefits!

Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club

Presbyterian Center

1st and 3rd Wednesdays

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

100 Witherspoon Street

Downtown Louisville, KY

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Chambers 

VP of Public Relations for Peace Speakers