March 3 meeting

President Eva Stimson commenced the meeting at 1:05 p.m. Joelle Anderson led the invocation by reading the poem “Early Spring,” by Rainer Maria Rilke. After the invocation, Eva led the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed second-time visitor Jessica Holman (who plans to join the club). During the business portion of the meeting, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written. Treasurer Ada Middleton announced that she had invoices to distribute at the meeting. The dues are due to Toastmasters headquarters on April 1, but Ada asks to receive them by March 19 so she can mail them in on March 24.

Vice President Education Eric Darnell requested that members bring in their speech manuals during one of the next few meetings, so that either the current VP Education Eric or the past VP Education Perry Chang can sign the manuals for people’s completed speeches. Eric also gave a brief description of the Competent Leadership certificate, and encouraged interested members to complete the Leadership manual. Members working toward their Competent Leadership certificate will need to find their own evaluators for the 10 projects in the manual.

Eva reminded everyone that there will be a district Toastmaster’s conference in May in Lafayette, Indiana, and had conference fliers available. Eva also mentioned she had handouts of numerous speech ideas for anyone interested. Perry Chang noted that Linda Patton is changing positions within the Presbyterian Center, and so was not able to make it to the club meeting.

After the business meeting, Eva introduced Bethany Furkin as Toastmaster. Bethany asked the members of the evaluation team to explain their roles: Speech Evaluator #1—Eva Stimson; Speech Evaluator #2—Ada Middleton; Table Topics Master—Faith Aeilts; Timer—Eric Darnell; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Patricia Longfellow; Vote Counter—Debbie Belt.

Patricia Longfellow chose promote as the word of the day.

Bethany introduced Kay Chambers, who gave her Competent Communication Project #1 (Ice Breaker) speech entitled, “A Work in Progress.” Kay explained that she thinks of herself as “a work in progress,” and talked about facing her fears in life.

Bethany then introduced Perry Chang, who gave his Speaking to Inform Project #5 (The Abstract Concept) speech entitled, “Rationalization.” Perry explained sociological giant Max Weber’s thoughts on rationalization.

Faith Aeilts led Table Topics by asking questions associated with springtime phrases.

Bethany then called for reports from the evaluation team.

Speech Evaluator #1 Eva Stimson applauded Kay for her well-prepared speech, her ability to rely minimally on her notes, and the way her speech displayed her “strong writing skills.”

Speech Evaluator #2 Ada Middleton was impressed that Perry did not need notes during his speech, and found that he spoke clearly and used vocal variety.

Timer Eric Darnell reported the following times:

Kay Chambers’ speech 6:18
Perry Chang’s speech 7:49
Eva Stimson’s speech evaluation 1:30
Ada Middleton’s speech evaluation 1:31

Table Topics:
Debbie Belt 1:40
Becki Moody 1:51
Jessica Holman 1:25
Kay Chambers 1:34

Ah Counter/Grammarian Patricia Longfellow counted around 30 space fillers, and 9 uses of the word of the day.

Vote Counter Debbie Belt awarded Jessica Holman with the Table Topics victory.

Bethany Furkin made her final remarks as Toastmaster, and Eva Stimson adjourned the meeting at 1:56 p.m.

- Joelle Anderson

February 17 meeting

President Eva Stimson began the meeting at 1:03 p.m. Perry Chang led the invocation by saying a prayer. After the invocation, Eva led the Pledge of Allegiance, introduced Kay Chambers as a new member, and welcomed guests to the meeting. During the business portion of the meeting, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved as written. Eva noted that there will be a district Toastmaster’s conference in May in Lafayette, Indiana. Eva reminded the executive committee members of their meeting on Tuesday, February 23 at 1 p.m. Vice President Membership Becki Moody spoke of an upcoming volunteer opportunity to judge a regional high school speech and debate contest.

After the business meeting, Eva introduced Kim Kaberle as Toastmaster. Kim asked the members of the evaluation team to explain their responsibilities: Speech Evaluator—Vince Patton; Table Topics Master—Eva Stimson; Timer—Betsy Blocker; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Bethany Furkin; Vote Counter—Ada Middleton.

Bethany Furkin announced couch as the word of the day:

Couch (kouch) vt. To put in words; phrase; express.

Kim introduced Debbie Belt, who gave her Competent Communication Project #1 (Icebreaker) speech entitled, “Midlife Critique.” Debbie spoke on evaluating the present state of her life and setting new goals for the future.

Eva Stimson led Table Topics using prompts associated with various disciplines, loosely related to the beginning of Lent.

Kim then called for reports from the evaluation team.

In his speech evaluation, Vince Patton commented on Debbie’s smile, eye contact, and nice incorporation of quotations.

Timer Betsy Blocker reported the following times:

Debbie Belt’s speech 5:15
Vince Patton’s speech evaluation 1:48

Table Topics:
- Ada Middleton 1:14
- Eric Darnell 1:03
- Kay Chambers 1:58
- Bethany Furkin 1:11
- Faith Aeilts 1:40
- Jessica Holman 1:13

Ah Counter/Grammarian Bethany Furkin counted 27 space fillers, 2 sentence shifts, and 2 uses of the word of the day (the total came to 3 uses of the word of the day by meeting’s end).

Vote Counter Ada Middleton announced that Kay Chambers won Table Topics.

Kim Kaberle made her final remarks as Toastmaster, and Eva Stimson closed the meeting at 1:43 p.m.

-- Joelle Anderson

Spring conference

The deadline for early registration for the Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 22 conference for the Peace Speakers' Toastmasters district (District 11) is Thursday, April 1. District conferences feature great speaking (district-level competitions pitting the division-level winners against each other and usually a lunchtime speech by a great speaker from the local area where the conference is being held), good meals, workshops, a district business meeting, and networking with members of other Toastmasters clubs. This spring's conference is three hours away, at the Best Western hotel and conference center (pictured above), in Lafayette, IN, near the campus of Purdue University. Click here for more information: http://www.tmdist11.org/images/stories/conferences/2010_Brochure-091003.pdf

February 3 meeting

President Eva Stimson began the meeting at 1:02 p.m. Eva asked Patricia Longfellow to lead the invocation; Patricia shared a new outlook on work using words from the Desert Fathers. Eva acknowledged visitors/guests, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the business portion of the meeting, the minutes from the January 20, 2010 meeting were approved as written. Eva announced that another club goal had been met, with all club officers attending the most recent Toastmasters training sessions. At this point three out of ten club goals have been achieved.

After the business meeting, Eva introduced Becki Moody as Toastmaster. Becki called for explanations of responsibilities from members of the evaluation team: Speech Evaluator—Perry Chang; Table Topics Master—Eric Darnell; Timer—Linda Patton; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Faith Aeilts; Vote Counter—Kim Kaberle.

Faith Aeilts chose plethora as the word of the day:

Plethora: pleth∙o∙ra, [ple’thәrә]
Large or excessive amount or number. A very large amount of something or number of things, especially an excessive amount.
Example: A plethora of new scholarly articles on the subject.

Becki introduced Ada Middleton, who gave her Competent Communication Project #4 speech titled “Memory the Wellspring of Life.” In her speech, Ada described in vivid details the Caribbean cruise she took with her husband in 2004.

Becki then invited Area 66 Governor Amy Poole to give her report to the club. Amy reminded the club that it needs to achieve two more goals to become a Distinguished Club. She also offered updates on the other downtown clubs.

Eric Darnell led Table Topics, with memory-themed prompts.

Becki then called for reports from the evaluation team.

Perry Chang gave his speech evaluation, and he noted that Ada Middleton used good word descriptions in her speech.

Timer Linda Patton reported the following times:

Ada Middleton’s speech 7:01
Perry Chang’s speech evaluation 2:59

Table Topics:
Amy Poole 2:03
Kim Kaberle 1:13
Joelle Anderson 1:24
Eva Stimson 1:42
Faith Aeilts 1:29

Ah Counter/Grammarian Faith Aeilts reported 30 space fillers/ahs/ums, and 3 uses of the word of the day (the total came to 4 uses after Eva used the word of the day in her closing).

Vote Counter Kim Kaberle announced that Faith Aeilts won Table Topics.

Becki Moody made her final remarks as Toastmaster, and Eva Stimson closed the meeting.

-- Joelle Anderson

2009 milestones

A dozen Peace Speakers members gave a total of 20 speeches at club meetings during 2009 - easily more than in any other year except for our first year (2005). Leading by example were Vice President for Education Eric Darnell and Secretary Joelle Anderson, with three speeches apiece.

Here’s the complete list:

- Joelle Anderson: 3 speeches
- Eric Darnell: 3 speeches
- Deborah Hoff: 2 speeches
- Kim Kaberle: 2 speeches
- Patricia Longfellow: 2 speeches
- Becki Moody: 2 speeches
- Eva Stimson: 2 speeches
- Perry Chang: 1 speech
- Susan Engpoole: 1 speech
- Valerie Mansfield: 1 speech
- Ada Middleton: 1 speech
- Vince Patton: 1 speech

Closest to completing the Toastmasters basic public speaking manual, Competent Communication, as of December 31, 2009, was President Eva Stimson (with just one project to go).

Here’s the complete list of members working on Competent Communication speeches and how far they’d gotten at year’s end (each had completed the project listed):

- Eva Stimson: Project #9
- Eric Darnell: Project #5
- Becki Moody: Project #5
- Betsy Blocker: Project #4
- Joelle Anderson: Project #3
- Ada Middleton: Project #3
- Deborah Hoff: Project #2
- Patricia Longfellow: Project #2
- Susan Engpoole: Project #1
- Kim Kaberle: Project #1
- Valerie Mansfield: Project #1
- Vince Patton: Project #1

January has already gotten off to a good start, with new members, more speeches, and lots of officer training. Let’s keep up the good work!

-- Perry

January 6 meeting

President Eva Stimson began the meeting at 1:05 p.m. Eva invited Becki Moody to lead the invocation; Becki read a poem about diversity and unity to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Eva led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed Faith Aeilts as a new Toastmasters member.

During the business portion of the meeting, the minutes from the January 6, 2010 meeting were approved as written. Eva asked the club officers to stay after following the meeting to talk about attending officers’ training sessions within the next week. Eva also announced an Area 66 Toastmasters bowling party on the evening of Thursday, January 21.

After the business meeting, Eva introduced Eric Darnell as Toastmaster. Eric asked the evaluation team to explain their responsibilities: Speech Evaluator—Joelle Anderson; Table Topics Master—Patricia Longfellow; Timer—Eva Stimson; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Valerie Mansfield; Vote Counter—Faith Aeilts.

Valerie Mansfield announced eclectic as the word of the day:

Eclectic /e`klek-tik/ adj. 1: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
2: composed of elements drawn from various sources

Eric introduced Vince Patton, who gave his Competent Communication Project #2 speech titled “The Good and Bad of American Politics.” In his speech, Vince discussed some of the positive (voting day turnout) and negative (political fighting) aspects of American politics.

Patricia Longfellow led a political-themed round of Table Topics.

Eric then called for reports from the evaluation team.

Joelle Anderson noted that Vince engaged the audience by speaking on a subject everyone can relate to—politics. She also commended Vince for his good eye contact and hand gestures throughout the speech.

Timer Eva Stimson reported the following times:

Vince Patton’s speech 8:45
Joelle Anderson’s speech evaluation 2:08

Table Topics:
- Eric Darnell 1:32
- Becki Moody 1:22
- Linda Patton 1:17
- Valerie Mansfield 1:19
- Perry Chang 2:02

Ah Counter/Grammarian Valerie Mansfield reported 54 space fillers, 1 grammatical error, and 3 uses of the word of the day (although the total uses of the word of the day jumped to 5 by meeting’s end).

Vote Counter Faith Aeilts announced that Eric Darnell won Table Topics.

Eric Darnell made his final remarks as Toastmaster, and Eva Stimson closed the meeting at 1:46.
-- Joelle Anderson

Seven for seven!

Four of seven club officers - President Eva Stimson, Vice President for Membership Becki Moody, Vice President for Public Relations Perry Chang, and Secretary Joelle Anderson - attended the Toastmasters Leadership Institute - along with a couple of hundred other Toastmasters from Indiana and the western half of Kentucky (see above) - in Indianapolis back in late January. Then, four days later, the rest of the officers - Vice President for Education Eric Darnell, Treasurer Ada Middleton, and Sergeant-at-Arms Patricia Longfellow - were there at the Kentucky Farm Bureau building for "make-up" local training for club officers.

Club officers met other Toastmasters and heard about topics as varied as posting YouTube videos to judging speech contests. The Toastmasters Distinguished Club program requires clubs to make sure that four of their seven officers are trained evey six months. This time we got all seven trained! Congratulations, Peace Speakers!

-- Perry