Listening opportunity

A chance to see more great Toastmasters speeches - shorter Tall Tales speeches and medium-length International speech contest speeches - as speakers from our downtown Louisville area Toastmasters clubs go up against other local contest winners from around central and eastern Kentucky and southern Indiana, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Sellersburg, Indiana - just 20 minutes from downtown Louisville. The winners will represent our Toastmasters division in the contests at the district convention the next weekend (May 21-22) in Lafayette, Indiana. See you in Sellersburg!

April 7 meeting

At 1:03 p.m., Vice President Membership Becki Moody opened the meeting, acting as Presiding Officer in President Eva Stimson’s absence. Becki invited Joelle Anderson to give the invocation; Joelle shared an Easter prayer with the club.

Becki led the Pledge of Allegiance and opened the business portion of the meeting. Kay Chambers made a motion to approve the prior meeting’s minutes as written; Perry Chang seconded the motion--the minutes were approved as written. Becki informed everyone that club officer elections are approaching. If anyone is interested in serving as an officer, or would like to nominate someone for a position, speak with Eva or others on the nominating committee. Treasurer Ada Middleton announced that 90% of the club dues had been mailed to Toastmasters Headquarters, and thanked everyone for their cooperation.

Ada Middleton assumed her role as Toastmaster and invited members of the Evaluation Team to explain their responsibilities: Speech Evaluator #1—Faith Aeilts; Speech Evaluator #2—Kim Kaberle; Timer—Eric Darnell; Table Topics—Debbie Belt; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Linda Patton; Vote Counter—Perry Chang.

Linda Patton chose invigorate as the word of the day:
Invigorate (transitive verb)
To give life and energy to; animate.
The awesome beauty of the blooming daffodils invigorated her spirit.

Ada introduced Valerie Mansfield, who gave her Competent Communication Project #2 speech titled “Energy Companies and Our Future.” Valerie discussed the possible changes in Louisville’s energy provision, and what she learned in her research into energy provision.

Ada then introduced Kay Chambers, who gave her Competent Communication Project #2 speech titled “Fuel for My Mind.” Kay discussed her love for quotes about “love,” and shared her most quotable sources of “love” quotes.

Debbie Belt led Table Topics, with all of the questions playing off the words “spring” and “break.”

Ada called for reports from the evaluation team.

Faith Aeilts noted that Valerie Mansfield chose to speak on a “very interesting” and “hefty” topic with implications for us all. She enjoyed the “natural” way that Valerie spoke, and found her to be well-prepared.

Kim Kaberle called Kay Chambers’ speech “interesting, inspiring, and encouraging.” She enjoyed Kay’s “engaging” voice, and praised her for using good sources.

Timer Eric Darnell reported the following times:

Valerie Mansfield’s speech 8:02
Kay Chambers’ speech 5:52
Faith Aeilts’ speech evaluation 3:15
Kim Kaberle’s speech evaluation 1:21

Table Topics:
- Vince Patton 1:34
- Joelle Anderson 1:35
- Linda Patton 1:55
- Mark McCabe 2:59
- Kay Chambers 1:40

Ah Counter/Grammarian Linda Patton counted between 41 and 42 space fillers and 5 sentence shifts. The word of the day was used at least 6 times by the end of the meeting.

Vote Counter Perry Chang pronounced Joelle Anderson the Table Topics winner.

Ada Middleton concluded her time as Toastmaster, and Presiding Officer Becki Moody ended the meeting at 1:59 p.m.

-- Joelle Anderson

Big Tuesday

Tuesday was a big day for Peace Speakers Toastmasters. Fueled by Jessica Holman’s work, some Peace Speakers officers put some finishing touches to the Presbyterian Center Atrium display case with Toastmasters items. The officers then met and talked about membership renewal and nominations for running for next year’s officers. And Perry stopped by the Area Tall Tales and International Speech contests above Vincenzo’s and helped judge the International Speech contest. (Pictured below are the winners, some of whom may guest speak for us.)

-- Perry

March 17 meeting

President Eva Stimson called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. She led the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the March 3 meeting were approved as written, following a motion by Faith Aeilts. Debbie Belt led the invocation, using an Irish blessing sometimes attributed to St. Patrick.

In the business portion of the meeting, Treasurer Ada Middleton announced that she has received dues from some members, and encouraged others to pay as soon as possible. She plans to mail the dues to Toastmasters headquarters by Friday, March 26, to meet the April 1 deadline. Vice President for Membership Becki Moody announced that a display case is available in the lobby of the Presbyterian Center for a display to promote Toastmasters. The display can be left up until April 30. She asked anyone interested in helping put together a display to talk with her or with VP for Public Relations Perry Chang after the meeting. Perry announced that area speech contests are taking place March 30 at 5:30 in a room above Vincenzo’s restaurant at Fifth and Market Streets. He also encouraged members to attend the Spring Conference for Toastmasters District 11 in Lafayette, Ind., May 21–22. It will be a good opportunity to hear skilled speakers, attend workshops and a business meeting, and network with members of other clubs.

After the business meeting, Eva introduced Perry Chang as Toastmaster. Perry introduced the theme of the meeting—St. Patrick’s Day. He asked the members of the evaluation team to explain their roles: Speech Evaluator —Becki Moody; Table Topics Master—Kay Chambers; Timer—Vince Patton; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Ada Middleton; Vote Counter—Linda Patton.

Ada Middleton chose aura as the word of the day. She used the following definition: an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being.

Perry introduced Faith Aeilts, who gave her Competent Communication Project #1 (Ice Breaker) speech entitled, “Best Laid Plans.” Faith described how her career focus had changed from music ministry to work with senior adults.

Kay Chambers led Table Topics on the theme of St. Patrick’s Day, having participants draw speech topics out of a “pot of gold.”

Perry then called for reports from the evaluation team.

Speech Evaluator Becki Moody commended Faith for her “aura of confidence” and said one of her biggest strengths was her volume and vocal quality. She said Faith’s speech revealed a lot about her background, interests and faith.

Timer Vince Patton reported the following times:

Faith Aeilts’ speech 6:00
Becki Moody’s speech evaluation 2:40

Table Topics:
- Eric Darnell 54 seconds
- Jessica Holman 1:15
- Linda Patton 1:22
- Patricia Longfellow 59 seconds
- Vince Patton 1:10

Ah Counter/Grammarian Ada Middleton counted 20 space fillers, and 8 uses of the word of the day. (There were several more uses after her count.)

Vote Counter Linda Patton announced that she and Vince Patton had tied for the best Table Topics speech. They each received a trophy to keep until the next meeting.

Perry Chang made his final remarks as Toastmaster, and Eva Stimson adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m.

-- Eva Stimson

Speech contest

Don't miss a chance to hear a series of great speeches by members of downtown Louisville Toastmasters clubs such as ours, at the Area 66 International speech and Tall Tales speech contests, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, on the 2nd floor of Vincenzo's restaurant, at Market and 5th.

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