What's on Your Bucket List?

Peace Speakers gathered on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, for their first Toastmaster meeting of this month.   Pictured on each person's agenda were the faces of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who starred in The Bucket List, a movie about two men who created a list of things they wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket" or passed away.  This became the theme of our meeting because of a speech one of our members gave this day. 

As Ah-Counter and Grammarian for the day, Eric explained his role and let everyone know that the Word for the Day was "pernicious," meaning harmful or destructive.  Members and guests looked for interesting ways use this word when speaking and concurred that there was nothing "pernicious" at our Toastmaster gatherings.

Perry, our Toastmaster for the day, welcomed Becki to the podium, as she prepared to give her 8th speech from the Competent Communication Manual.  This 7-minute talk required the use of visual aids (as well as taking into consideration the learnings from 7 other previously given speeches).   Becki shared a great deal of thoughtful and useful information with grace and style.

   

Becki's speech gave us something to seriously think about:  What do you want to accomplish before you die?  Unless you give it careful consideration and write down ideas today, you may feel unsatisfied at the end of your life.   If you clarify what's important to you now, then set intentions and act on them, you can minimize regrets.  Instead of ending your life with regrets, have a bucket full of memories at the close of your years!  Whether your Bucket List is long or short, check off your wishes as you complete them.  Experience the satisfaction and joy from leading a life of conviction and meaning.  And don't be timid!  What may seem outrageous now has a way of coming to you when you intentionally write it down as a wish.

Continuing the theme of the Bucket List, Kay, the Table Topics Master of the day, gave everyone an opportunity to speak before the end of the meeting.  She enticed participants to pull a slip of paper from her bucket.  Each question gave 4 Bucket List possibilities, and each speaker chose one of the 4 they would like to add to their own Bucket List, sharing details and reasons why.  

Vincent explained that he would choose "playing an instrument," lamenting that his attempt in his younger years to play the saxophone was short-lived.  Eric admitted he'd love to record a CD of songs, especially now that technology makes this a greater possibility.  Ken, a visitor, chose swimming with the dolphins and whale watching because he loves nature.  And Rhonda shared that with sufficient funds, starting a foundation for children at Kosair Children's Hospital that would help families stay together would be her greatest wish.  Her extemporaneous 1-2 minute speech inspired the greatest response and won her the most votes for the Table Topics trophy, which she can can enjoy and show off for two weeks before our next meeting in October.

Ada, who agreed to take on the role of Evaluator for Becki's speech, was smiling broadly as she shared her responses to the topic "What's in Your Bucket?"  Noting that Becki spoke confidently and without the use of notes, she praised her for bringing this subject to us and giving us so much to consider, which could be life changing.  

Who knows, maybe someone visiting this blog might add "joining Toastmasters" to their Bucket List.  It was on mine a year and a half ago after I stood shaking and speaking timidly in front of a mentoring class.  I was tired of living a life running away from opportunities that required leadership and speaking skills, and people were quick to encourage me to look into Toastmasters in my own hometown.  It's one of the best decisions I ever made for numerous opportunties for ongoing growth.

If you're visiting this Peace Speakers blog, consider joining us personally at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.  We meet between 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.  Our membership is open, and we warmly welcome all visitors.  Our area governor, Jason Rehcamp, will be speaking at this meeting, and we look forward to hearing what he has to share.

Respectfully submitted by Kay Chambers, VP of Public Relations for Peace Speakers

August 17 meeting

Vice President for Education Ada Middleton gave a presentation about the use of humor in speeches. A two-round Table Topics activity about Las Vegas, risk-taking, and the Toastmasters international convention followed. Voting on who were the best Table Topics speakers followed the speaking. Bethany Furkin and Betsy Blocker (pictured above) tied in the first round, and Becki Moody won the second round.

International convention images

Toastmasters international convention

While in Las Vegas for two work-related conferences, I was able to go to part of the Toastmasters International annual convention at Bally’s casino.

I got to hear some of the keynote address and pick up a free copy of the speaker’s book; watch some of the semi-finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking (with the winners of the district International speech contests); and participate in the Business meeting.

It was exciting to watch Toastmasters from all over the world give great speeches, although I found some of the speeches to be a little lacking in substance and some speeches to be over the top in terms of volume and body movement. (More speakers than I would have expected also told stories, skipping the standard three-point speeches that I’m more used to.) The winner of the semifinals session I saw most of was a Maori man from New Zealand. I ordered a DVD of this session, and I’ll hope to show at an upcoming Peace Speakers meeting speeches given by two women who covered similar themes and were both quite good.

Probably the most memorable aspect of my Toastmasters convention experience was meeting other individual Toastmasters, including:
- A group of Toastmasters from Australia, with whom I had dinner. Several of these were women from southeastern Australia who were on a five-week round-the-world trip for which Las Vegas and the convention were just one stop. These folks were really fun.
- A long-time Toastmaster and fellow Floridian who is chairing the planning committee for next year’s international convention, in Orlando. The international convention in two years will be very near us, in Cincinnati.
- A new Toastmaster from a club in southern California that is a wine-tasting club, with wine-tasting as part of their meetings.

I also saw half a dozen Toastmasters from our own District 11, and chatted with Walter Wolfe, the New Albany (IN) Toastmaster who is district governor, who said he’d be in touch with us about visiting a Peace Speakers meeting. And I saw a convention facility peppered with lots of examples of the new Toastmasters International logo and the new website.

-- Perry

Summer Meetings a Cool Opportunity for Expression at Peace Speakers

Despite searing temperatures and unbearable humidity this summer, Peace Speakers' members enjoyed opportunities to cool off and express themselves in interesting ways. Here are a few of the ways we accomplished this at our July 6th, July 20th and August 3rd meetings:

In a speech given early in July, Ada Middleton chose to exemplify the 4 four attributes she felt were of most importance to a Peace Speaker:
1. Agility, which requires flexibility, quick action and effectiveness. Members often take on roles during meetings, which helps them build effective speaking and leadership skills.
2. Commitment, which is a pledge to do something in the future, like attending meetings regularly, giving speeches on a regular basis, and being willing and ready to fill roles at meetings.
3. Spontaneity, which involves acting on impulse voluntarily. Our impromptu Table Topics sessions, where questions are answered in short 2-3 minute speeches without preparation time, gives members opportunities to share and express themselves.
4. Perseverance, which requires a continued effort despite challenges to achieve something. Each Peace Speakers' meeting affords everyone a chance to practice and build their speaking and leadership skills. The gains over time are often amazing!
Ada reminded us at the close of her speech to let these 4 attributes (and others you might add to the list) take you to places you’d never dream.



















Eva Stimson gave a speech called "Slavery Today?" shaking any complacency the listeners might have had about human trafficking. Today in the U.S. and abroad, the mind-numbing figure of 27 million in bondage creates an unsettling image of brothels and sweatshops, where people are often bought and sold as commodities. Eva closed with a host of sites for taking caring action. If others around the globe are enslaved, then we have the responsibility to be informed and report suspected incidents of human trafficking. The Hotline number is: (888) 373-7888.

In late July, Ada Middleton lead a fun-filled Table Topics session asking questions pertaining to weddings and vacations. As always, these short speeches are often informative and entertaining. This is an opportunity for members to share their memories, thoughts, knowledge, and story telling skills, depending on the question posed. Ada reminded us that success comes from organizing your thoughts, visualizing yourself as confident and excited, staying on the point, and remembering to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. (It's best not to pass out during Table Topics!)


Our first meeting in August brought 3 members up to the podium individually to discover what was hidden behind 3 doors. Kay Chambers found a fancy black hat and created a quick speech on how lucky it had been the year she won $10,000 at the Derby on a horse she decided to bet on because it had winked at her. Steve Lanham discovered binoculars and a universal tool, which he shared were handy items for numerous reasons and ones that hunters, like his sons, would find useful. Behind the 3rd door, Becki found an ornate bell and shared that she would ring it to send the message to all young people that life gets better after high school, even if you aren't the cute cheerleader or the popular football player. She finished by saying, "It's okay to be who you are!"















Another opportunity for improvisational talks came during a Table Topics session where Becki Moody created questions pertaining to songs sung by The Doors, a rock band from the early 1970's and whose music is still popular. Songs named "Light My Fire," "People are Strange," and "The Mosquito" became props for intriguing questions and lots of fun responses.

These few examples show some of the ways that Peace Speakers and guests have enjoyed their summer meetings. Anyone can join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Peace Speakers gather from 1-2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Center, 100 Washington Street, Conference Room B, in downtown Louisville. We welcome visitors at all meetings!

Kay Chambers, VP for Public Relations of Peace Speakers

Confessions from the new 2011 Public Relations VP

As an admitted novice blogger, this is my very first post in my new role as the Vice President of Public Relations for the Peace Speakers Toastmasters club. With my stomach churning and full-blown concern that I'll stumble, here goes!

July 1, 2011, ushered in a new slate of officers for our Peace Speakers club. These members were nominated by Eva Stimson, Bethany Furkin, Jessica Holman, and Kay Chambers. Easily approved by members of our Peace Speakers club, the new officers are as follows:

President - Betsy Blocker
Vice President for Education - Ada Middleton
Vice President for Membership - Kim Kaberle (2nd term)
Vice President for Public Relations - Kay Chambers
Secretary - Bethany Furkin
Treasurer - Perry Chang
Sergeant at Arms - Eva Stimson

As these new officers embark on their varied duties, we deeply thank the previous officers for their commitment to keep our Peace Speakers club vital and growing this past year:

President - Becki Moody (who will serve as Immediate Past President on our Executive Committee for the coming year)
Vice President for Education - Eric Darnell (who served 2 terms)
Vice President for Membership - Kim Kaberle (who will serve a 2nd term)
Vice President for Public Relations - Jessica Holman
Secretary - Joelle Anderson (who served 2 terms)
Treasurer - Linda Patton
Sergeant at Arms - Bethany Furkin

Our next Peace Speakers meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, from 1-2 PM at the Presbyterian Center, which is located downtown at 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202. Everyone is welcome. Come join us as we grow our speaking and leadership skills. It will be fun and interesting!

Kay Chambers, the new VP of Public Relations with Peace Speakers

Congrats to Vince Patton!

Vince Patton will join the General Assembly Mission Council as Executive Administrator on October 4, 2010.

We are very happy for our fellow toastmasters member and wish you luck on your new opportunities!

For more information:

http://ctrnet.pcusa.org/gac/MessageFromLinda810.htm