IMPORTANT NOTE: These are archived Peace Speakers blogs ending on November 20, 2012. Current blogs can be accessed at this new address: http://peacespeakerslouisvilletoastmasters.blogspot.com/
The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
Our President, Ada, reflected for a moment on the late hours most of us kept the night before due to the hotly contested 2012 presidential election. She reminded us that whether our candidate won or not, we are all in this together...united and committed. She asked that we recite the Pledge of Allegiance with more fervor and passion than ever.
Four visitors graced us with their company at our club meeting today, each expressing varied reasons for looking at Toastmasters as a way to build confidence and speaking skills. From left to right, our guests were Ashley, Pat, and Fred.
One more visitor to our club today was Randy, sitting to the left of Bethany, the Secretary of Peace Speakers. Our recent Membership Drive, held at the Presbyterian Center on October 31st, brought us 3 of our 4 guests today, all whom we warmly welcomed!
OUR TOASTMASTER FOR THE DAY
THE INVOCATION
I shared a poem that related to a speech I gave back on October 3 about moving out of our comfort zones. If we are really honest with ourselves, until we move OUT of our comfort zones, we aren't growing. Here's my sister's poem:
Come
By Lynn Bleemel
By Lynn Bleemel
What does it mean, to come, when you're called,
To shift into drive, when you've been stalled.
To step out in faith, your cross to bear?
It means that you have to leave "somewhere".
"Somewhere" is a place of comfort and ease,
An existence where you are easily pleased.
It's safety that's been through your efforts created,
But the adventure of life is sadly belated.
"Somewhere" is an isle where you may have gone
To escape the pain of someone's wrong.
"Somewhere" serves a purpose to give us rest,
But in "somewhere" you cannot receive God's best.
God's best for us happens when we begin to respond
To a call to extend ourselves beyond
The borders of our comfort zone;
The walls that protect, also keep you alone.
Fear not little flock, it's your Father's good pleasure
To give unto you His Kingdom's great treasure.
Take courage, my friend, and step out where He leads,
He is willing and able to meet all your needs.
THE JOKE MASTER SPINS A TALE
Eric, our Joke Master, shared that in middle school his youth minister used to take his youth group on road trips. He implemented the rule that the teens could not sleep while he drove the long, tiresome miles. So, Eric admitted, they drove him nuts. The minister returned the favor by playing a tinny stereo, music which the teens despised. Fortunately, they always arrived home safely.
Later in life, Eric implemented the same rule on long drives with his own friends. Everyone talked the first hour, but one buddy in back drifted off to sleep. Eric suggested they play a cruel joke on their slumbering friend. Counting down, "3, 2, 1..." Eric slammed on the brakes and they all screamed in unison, startling their slumbering friend, who thought they were in the midst of an accident.
Eric recommends implementing this practical rule on long drives (no, not terrifying your family or friends) but insisting on riders staying awake and engaging the driver to keep everyone safe when traveling.
TABLE TOPICS SMACK-DOWN
Our area governor was scheduled to speak today but had to cancel at the last minute. Therefore, a longer version of Table Topics was implemented. Two rounds of questions given to two teams would yield two winners, who would then face-off in the end.
Bethany created a series of questions pertaining to Thanksgiving and asked the first team of 4 to respond. Each of us had up to 2 minutes to talk extemporaneously on the topic we drew from her cup.
What do you like about Thanksgiving?
Geoff particularly enjoys gathering with his family. It's a time to catch up with different relatives, which is really positive and uplifting. It's also an opportunity to recall or learn about family history and traditions that are memorable and meaningful.
Eric loves his grandmother's hand-rolled noodles. He remembers her lining them up on a huge ceramic bowl. Swimming in a savory gravy, he claims the noodles have a spectacular taste. He admits he needs to learn her secret so he can continue the tradition in generations to come.
Because I'd just seen Tim Burton's movie Frankenweinie and loved it, I shared why. It was a 3-D clay-motion movie about a lonely boy and his adorable dog. Borrowing ideas from Frankenstein, the movie was quirky though heartwarming. Burton's morose expressions on the children and pets were creative and endearing. A sweet and highly entertaining story, my husband and I laughed and cried while enjoying this film.
Ken handed me the stopwatch to time his response, and I lost note-taking time trying to figure it out. I only recorded "football growing up" and "early meal", which left me wondering what to write for today's blog. Emailing Ken for more details, he replied, "I don't remember what I said. Create something, and make me sound good." SO HERE GOES:
Growing up, Ken enjoyed playing football in high school, college, and professionally. Nicknamed Kinetic Ken, he was infamous for his unstoppable moves down the field. His family traditionally ate an early meal on Thanksgiving so they could watch Ken's game and cheer on his magical moves and countless wins.
This concluded the first round of Table Topics responses, and when the votes were written down and tallied, I had come out on top. At this point, the second team stepped up to the bat to answer a round of questions posed.
What would you do if you had time off over the holiday?
Ida replied that she'd prefer to serve people less fortunate than herself on a mission trip if she had time off from work. She especially likes helping others and does so whenever she can. However, she has to be mindful and watch herself, as she gets caught up in their suffering and sometimes needs to step back and regroup.
Eva said it is not the
Thanksgiving events she participates in but the Christmas charity events that
keep her busy. One year, she helped at the Presbyterian Community
Center collecting, organizing and wrapping gifts for
those less fortunate. She always tries to contribute in some way or
another.
After Thanksgiving dinner, will you be watching football or doing something else?
Ashley doesn't care to watch football and instead prefers to spend time enjoying her family members. They don't get to see each other often enough for her liking. Thanksgiving is a time when they connect, share good times, and enjoy lots of laughter.
Fred had us laughing right off the bat. "It's a day you can go broke!" he exclaimed. He personally stays home and does odd jobs and other things around his home. He asserted that people often buy things they simply don't need. However, he can enjoy the celebration that others experience on that day of buying.
After these last 4 speakers concluded, a 2nd round of voting produced a majority of votes for Ashley, who next faced-off with me.
After these last 4 speakers concluded, a 2nd round of voting produced a majority of votes for Ashley, who next faced-off with me.
TWO WINNERS COMPETE
Kay, what personal accomplishment are you most thankful for this year?
The first thought that comes to mind is the speech I delivered last month in full costume, called "The Comfort Zone Blues". But that isn't what I'm most grateful for at this time. A dear friend of mine was going through a crisis recently, and rather than get all caught up in the fray, I stayed calm and objective. I helped him see the situation from
a different perspective, helping him move to solution rather than into
vengeance. I'm most thankful that I was able to support him through
that emotional upheaval.
Ashley shared that her mom
would usually cook a big dinner for the entire family but one year decided
to do something different:
instead they drove to the Newport Aquarium. After enjoying a fun day there, their car broke down heading home. Once the car was up and
running again, they pulled into a Cracker Barrel and ended up eating their Thanksgiving dinner there. That particular holiday was definitely her most memorable, fun, and adventurous!
In today's final Table Topics smack-down, contestants Ashley and Kay ended up tying! One of the voters chose to write the word TIE as their vote. Now both of us get to enjoy a trophy until Peace Speakers meet again.
THE MEETING ADJOURNS
With our Word for the Day being "allegiance," it's easy to see that our loyalty to Peace Speakers and devotion to growing as communicators and leaders is strong. As Eva suggested at the onset of our meeting, "There is always, always something to be thankful for," and we remember this especially as we move towards the Thanksgiving holiday.
so please pay us a visit!
OUR NEXT TWO MEETINGS:
NOV. 28 - Conference Room A
DEC. 12 - Conference Room B
(We took a vote at today's meeting for these dates,
which work better around the holidays.)
NOV. 28 - Conference Room A
DEC. 12 - Conference Room B
(We took a vote at today's meeting for these dates,
which work better around the holidays.)
Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club
Presbyterian Center
1st and 3rd Wednesdays (usually)
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
100 Witherspoon Street
Downtown Louisville, KY
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Chambers
VP of Public Relations for Peace Speakers
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