Fall Contest 2013 Meeting Minutes

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

 September 17, 2013

“Go Big or Go Home”

Attendees:  members attended: Tom Alvord ACB, ALB, Bo Bogart, Robert Dalo, Miroslav Grajewski, Elizabeth Landeen, Cheryl Mason DTM, Phil Mason CC, Donald Ostertag, Sheetal Patel, Hollie Rose CC, Molly Seely, Crystal Storo CC, CL, Brian Terry, Heather Turner ACS,   Carolyn Warner, and Andrew Watt

Guests: Ute Brinkman

Business Meeting:  Don Ostertag started the meeting on time. Tonight was the Cromwell Community Toastmasters Club Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest. President Crystal Storo CC, CL gave everyone a warm welcome and shared that fellow Toastmaster Carolyn Warner became engaged.  Congratulations and Best Wishes to Carolyn! Crystal then presented Contest Master Hollie Rose CC.  Hollie explained the purpose of the contest, the rules and introduced the “Test Speaker.”  The Test Speaker gives the speech that is evaluated during the Evaluation Contest.

 Contest Roles:

Contest Master:  Hollie Rose CC

Test Speaker:  Ute Brinkman of Eagle Toastmaster Club

Speech:  My Two Boys

Ute started her speech by opening a case containing a violin bow, removing the bow from the case, snipping the hair from the bow and dropping the hair on the floor.  She repairs bows and is paid seventy dollars for rehairing bows.  She spoke of the things that seventy dollars could buy; one of her super, shiny, shoes, a fine meal, or she could use it to help support her two boys in India. Some of the money from rehairing bows gets sent to India each month and Ute told how having two boys taught her to struggle with issues of how to spend her money.

 Speech Evaluation Contestant:  - Tom Alvord ACB, ALB

Tom complimented Ute on giving an excellent speech, noted that it was concise, she said what she needed to say and sat down.  He commented on her skillful use of pacing and pauses to let thoughts sink in.  He suggested that the first sentence to have been more audible and to enunciate a few words more clearly.  Tom summed up by saying the speech was concise, well constructed and he thanked Ute for giving her speech.

Speech Evaluation Contestant:    Rob Dalo

Rob thanked Ute for being at the contest.  He talked about how she used continuity, the continuity of her uses for the seventy dollars.  Rob spoke of the drama of cutting the bow’s hair and how Ute used hand gestures.  Her gestures helped move the speech along and showed struggle which was explained by now having two boys to consider.  Rob felt she wrapped her speech up nicely but that Ute did not mention what she was getting out of supporting her two boys.

Humorous Speech Contestant:  Andrew Watt

What’s Funny Anyway?

Andrew began his speech by lying on the floor on his back with his feet pointed toward the audience.  He asked – what makes something funny?  Andrew told us Hamlet is a very serious play, and when an actor is portrayed as dead with his head towards the audience death is perceived to be serious but that when feet face the audience it’s a signal it’s funny to be dead.  We heard examples of funny and not funny.  We heard folly in human beings is funny, an example being how Queen Zenobia of Turkey maneuvered into a win, win situation.  The banana loaf dance at Starbucks is NOT funny but at the same time it is funny.  To twelve year olds, saying something that sounds like a forbidden word is funny.  To keep from smirking we look at our feet, which brings us back to - feet are funny – so if dying, do it head first.

Humorous Speech Contestant:  Phil Mason CC

How Did I Live Through Adolescence?

Phil told us how when he was thirteen, he and his buddies, Joe and Chris, had nothing to do but get in trouble.

When Jarts, BB Guns and Bows and Arrows were no longer amusing Phil and his friends thought of creative ways to have fun with their toys. Jarts were always a good time until someone got hit, and the BB guns were good for target practice but were better to set matchbooks aflame.  That would have been fine but the lit matchbooks fell onto the hay bales propping up the targets. Ooops! The bows and arrows were also fun, but became better when shot at gas cans which made a good sound but didn’t ignite.  Even more fun was shooting the arrows towards their fort in the woods. It was an exciting pastime until Phil stopped an arrow with his neck.  He summed up by saying thirteen year old boys are the dumbest thing on Earth.

Humorous Speech Contestant:  Heather Turner ACS

My Daily Commute

Having switched from a ten minute to sixty minute

commute, it’s an interesting but scary route. Heather recognizes the different BMWs she sees on a daily basis on route 5.  We heard of Digger, the driver of the black BMW who likes to exercise his index finger; Rocker – the red Z8 convertible with it’s elderly driver energetically playing imaginary drums; and Gigolo –3 series BMW – M version - souped up and scouting chicks to wink at.  Prima Donna – has a 5 series BMW and a filthy car, at every light she’s engrossed in the mirror, either putting her hair up or taking it down. Other drivers on Heather’s commute include the Organizer who can multi task with steering wheel, makeup, cigarette, cell phone and coffee without swerving; and the Snowman, who lets his dandruff blow out the window.  Heather left us with the query; if there was a reality show about commuting, should it be named Real Commuter Confessions of Connecticut Gigolos or Real Starbucks Schmucks of Route 5?

Timers:  Miroslav Grajewski, Molly Seely

Judges:  Ute Brinkman, Elizabeth Landeen, Cheryl Mason DTM,        Sheetal Patel 

Chief Judge:  Crystal Storo CC, CL

Ballot Counters:  Bo Bogart, Brian Terry, Carolyn Warner

After the Evaluations and Speeches the judges voted and ballots were collected.  Rob Dalo had brought in refreshments for everyone to enjoy.  Chief Judge, Crystal handed the results to Contest Master Hollie to announce.  Hollie presented certificates to all the contestants as follows:  for the Evaluation Contest Tom Alvord - Runner up and Rob Dalo - First Place Winner. For the Humorous Speech contest Phil Mason CC - Second Runner Up, Heather Turner ACS - First Runner Up and Andrew Watt - First Place Winner.  Rob, Tom, Andrew and Heather will be representing Cromwell Community Toastmasters at the Area 32 contest.  President Crystal Storo said it was an awesome evening, we all had some belly laughs and heard great speeches and evaluations.  She recognized and thanked Contest Chair Elizabeth Landeen, for all her hard work, Contest Master Hollie Rose for all her hard work and recognized and thanked stand-in Sergeant at Arms Don Ostertag for all he did.  She thanked everyone for coming and mentioned for those not paid up – six month dues are due – checks should be made out to Cromwell Community Toastmasters and mailed to Treasurer Brian Fleming.

Congratulations and Thank You to all the contestants for a job well done! 

Next meeting: October 1, 2013

Respectfully submitted by

     Bo Bogart, Secretary

[posted by VPPR Hollie Rose CC]

September 3, 2013 Meeting Minutes

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

 September 3, 2013

“Go Big or Go Home”

Attendees:  members attended: Bo Bogart, Robert Dalo, Cheryl Mason DTM, Phil Mason CC, Donald Ostertag, Hollie Rose CC, Molly Seely, Crystal Storo CC, CL, Brian Terry, Heather Turner ACS,   and Andrew Watt

Guests: Craig Bartoshevich, Mike Brillas, Seema Jindal, Eve Lai, and Catherine Rose

Business Meeting:  Phil Mason CC started the meeting on time.  President Crystal Storo CC, CL had our guests introduce themselves.  Crystal reminded us that 6 month dues of $42.00 are due by the end of September but could be brought to the next meeting (September 17th.)  Past president Rob Dalo presented Crystal with the 2012-2013 Distinguished Presidents’ Club Banner.

 Meeting Roles:

Toastmaster:  Donald Ostertag

Invocation:  - Hollie Rose CC was inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson and explained how a speech has the power to persuade, entertain and compel.

Word Master:  Bo Bogart

Word - of - the - Day:  hubris - noun – excessive pride or self confidence, arrogance -adj. - hubristic

Table Topics Master:  Heather Turner ACS

Theme: To create a short speech about the cover of a picture book.

Hollie Rose was the first to speak, choosing Where the Wild Things Are and describing some of the characters she’s known. Rob Dalo chose Ferdinand the Bull; he compared some of his customers to Ferdinand because they all sported nose rings.  Mike Brillas had a fascinating version of Two Cool Cows.  He spoke of social conditioning of groups, ostracism of those that are different, their discovery of a grass that made them both laugh and hungry.  Crystal’s pick, Mysterious Tadpole, led her to sharing that she loved anything to do with the water; she grew up near a lake and even went to an aqua culture school.  She even had a special water friend living in her bathtub until her mother realized it was real, not plastic.  Craig Bartoshevich told of different ways he likes to eat cheese.  He discussed how The Old Man Who Loved to Eat Cheese could be a future history of himself, it could be a good book for his future grandchildren to read to learn about their grandfather, because someday he’ll be an old man and he likes to eat cheese.  Eve Lai told us how she could relate to The Country Bunny as she felt overwhelmed and lost when in New York City for too long.

Prepared Speeches:

Speaker # 1:  Cheryl Mason DTM

Manual: Competent Communicator/Project 6 Vocal Variety

Title:  Crossroads

Cheryl told us she was given a choice that had far reaching consequences; her initial feelings about being given this choice; and how she utilized what she learned during her journey in Toastmasters to help reach a decision.

 Speaker # 2:   Molly Seely

Manual: Competent Communicator/Project 1 Ice Breaker

 Molly spoke of her upbringing and education embracing both analytical/logical and creative/abstract aspects.  Even though she has her dream job as a library media specialist she is going to see if there is something that makes her even happier.

Speaker # 3:  Andrew Watt

Manual/Project:  Competent Communicator/ Project 3 Get to the Point

Title: The Secrets of the Semigram

 While explaining drawing – the key to human knowledge, Andrew demonstrated by drawing a variety of relatively simple shapes.  He then demonstrated combining these basic shapes to create pictures which could be used as new way to communicate.  In addition to drawing and speaking, Andrew managed to use the word of the day.

General Evaluator: Rob Dalo

It was another great meeting and Rob had something positive to say about everyone that spoke, with kudos to Donald for stepping up and filling the Toastmaster role.

Evaluator # 1:  Andrew Watt

Evaluator # 2:  Phil Mason CC

Evaluator # 3:  Heather Turner ACS, CL

Functionary Reports:

Ah Counter:  Crystal Storo CC, CL

Crystal made the speakers aware of which filler words they favored.

Grammarian:  Robert Dalo

Timer:  Brian Terry

In closing Crystal gave Ice Breaker candies to Molly Seely. Congratulations Molly!  Crystal asked guests for their thoughts of the meeting.  Craig liked the way the grammarian report and introductions were done.  Eve liked the positive attitudes and all the positive reinforcement.  She signed up to become a member. A Warm Welcome Eve!  Seema wants to come a few more times and thought it very interesting.  Mike liked hearing people speak and liked the fact that there’s feedback. Crystal urged people to think of signing up now for the October 1^st and October 15^th meetings.  She reminded us there is a cheat sheet for anyone interested in being Toastmaster.

After the end of the meeting some people stayed to socialize.

 

  

Next meeting: September 17, 2013 **** Fall Speech Contest***

Respectfully submitted by

Bo Bogart, Secretary

[Posted by VPPR Hollie Rose]

August 20, 2013 Meeting Minutes

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

 August 20, 2013 Meeting Minutes

[My bad - I thought I posted this last week. Sorry it's late! ~~ Hollie]

“Go Big or Go Home”

Attendees:   members attended:  Bo Bogart, Elizabeth Landeen, Cheryl Mason DTM, Phil Mason CC, Donald Ostertag, Sheetal Patel, Hollie Rose CC, Molly Seely, Crystal Storo, and Andrew Watt.

Guests:  Miroslav Grajewski, Mark LaBarge and Catherine Rose

Business Meeting:

The meeting was called to order on time by Phil Mason CC. President, Crystal Storo thanked everyone for coming and then welcomed new members Molly Seely and Andrew Watt. Elizabeth Landeen - VP of Education – spoke about the upcoming speech contest Crystal congratulated: Hollie Rose on receiving her CC; Cheryl Mason DTM on completing her 7^th CL manual and Sheetal Patel on completing her ½ CC.  She spoke of our club’s goal to be a President’s Distinguished Club, Hollie spoke of the Aug. 10^th Leadership Training and Crystal introduced our three guests and they told what brought them to tonight’s meeting.

 Meeting Roles:

Toastmaster:  Crystal Storo

Invocation:  Donald Ostertag - Looking for a non denominational invocation Don inspired us with his and Emily Dickinson’s thoughts on Dwelling in Possibilities.

Word Master:  Hollie Rose

Word - of - the - Day: finesse – extreme subtlety in action, performance or skill, skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation

Table Topics Master:  Bo Bogart

Theme: Theater and movies - Cheryl Mason answered the first question and told us she’d like to see Bob Seeger in concert,  Catherine described Lady Gaga’s meat outfit and

 Andrew acted out three different roles  from the Pirates of Penzance. Molly told us how she picks movies, horror shows are first choice, Miroslav said that the last movie he saw was so gruesome that he and a friend watched a “chick flick” afterwards and Mark told us how he evolved into his current job and how he got his great Mr. Potatohead  tie.

Prepared Speeches:

Speaker # 1:  Elizabeth Landeen

Manual/Project: Competent Communicator/Project 1 Ice Breaker 

Title:  How My Heart Found the West - Elizabeth told us when she was a teenager she visited the southwest and loved it so much she didn’t want to come back to CT. She did come back to CT, but then chose a college that was near the Grand Canyon. Some of the draws are the history and Native American culture, slower lifestyle, easy camping access, less bugs and lower humidity.  She plans to go back someday.

 Speaker # 2:   Andrew Watt

Manual/Project: Competent Communicator/Project 1 Ice Breaker 

Title:  What Do They Really Need?  Andrew spoke of skills, students and how he had to facilitate learning while fading into the background. He then told us three stories, the first one of a backpacking trip where he was carrying a lot of gear. It was a 14 day hike with only 9 minutes at the summit to see the view, but the trip was totally worth it.  The next story was about another hike where he had trouble with the local drinking water and a fellow traveler helped him out by having accessible toilet paper.  His third story was of a 13 year old boy he was restraining so that the boy couldn’t return to the fight he’d been in.  The boy bit Andrew and was warned if he bit Andrew again, Andrew would bite him back. Andrew ended up biting the boy. His conclusion tied the three stories together very cleverly.

Speaker # 3:  Cheryl Mason DTM

Manual/Project:  Competent Communicator/Project 1 Ice Breaker 

Title:  26,37,52  Cheryl told us of the excitement of  their first house, how her husband was a visionary to find it and how family, friends and neighbors turned their first house  into a home.  In the 26 years they lived there, there were celebrations and good times and some not so good times. Cheryl told us that after 37 years in their home her parents moved to a ranch in NH, where they are happy, and after 52 years in their home her in-laws moved into an apartment, where they too, are happy.  Family, neighbors and celebrations make a home and there is much potential.

General Evaluator: Hollie Rose CC

Evaluator # 1:  Phil Mason CC

Evaluator # 2:  Sheetal Patel

Evaluator # 3:  Crystal Storo CC, CL

Functionary Reports:

Ah Counter:  Elizabeth Landeen

Grammarian:  Catherine Rose

Timer:  Donald Ostertag

In closing Crystal gave Ice Breaker candies to Elizabeth, Andrew and Cheryl.  Elizabeth also received her ½ CC.  Congratulations!  Crystal asked new members and guests what they thought of the meeting.  Molly said she watched the functionaries because now that she’s a member she wants to be more involved. Mark had some questions about all the abbreviations.  Miroslav thought Toastmasters could be very useful and might soon sign up to become a member.  Catherine, a member in Hartford is thinking of joining our club. Andrew had fun.

  

Next meeting: September 3, 2013

Respectfully submitted by

Bo Bogart, Secretary

[Posted by Hollie Rose]

Leadership Training August 10th in Manchester

Four of our Cromwell Community Club Officers got up bright 

and early on Saturday morning August 10th, 2013 to attend Toastmasters Leadership Training in Manchester. 

Sheetal Patel, Bo Bogart, Hollie Rose and Elizabeth Landeen pose with David Freedman District 53 Lt. Gov. Marketing.

It was an exciting day, this past weekend, where we got a chance to network with and learn with other members of our respective offices. David Freedman worked the crowd before the opening festivities. 

During the Opening Ceremonies we heard many great speakers from the District 53 Leadership talk about the value and privilege of serving as a Toastmasters Officer, including District 53 Governor Val Albert. I didn't get a good photo of her speaking, but here's Bette McIntire (Lt. Gov. Education & Training) during her presentation on the health of our clubs...

And here's a few more pictures from the day we had...

 

 Elizabeth and Bo and Sheetal, notebooks at the ready!

Here's Bo in the Record Keeping Session taught by Jay Discount. (Photo by Arnie Grot)

And lucky me! All my VPPR classes were taught by Heather Turner - Social Media and Marketing guru from our club last year and owner of Forfeng Designs. Here she is above teaching the basics of Toastmaster Website manipulation and below, leading the open forum for VPPRs.

(Below photo by Arnie Grot)

The day ended with another chance for Jerry Aiyathruai to practice his semi-final speech for the International Convention in Cincinnati next week.

 

 

All in all it was a good day!

  ~~~~~ Hollie Rose

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

 August 6, 2013

“Go Big or Go Home”

Attendees:   12 members attended:, Tom Alvord ACB, ALB, Bo Bogart, Linda Campbell,  Robert Dalo,  Elizabeth Landeen, Cheryl Mason DTM, Phil Mason CC, Sheetal Patel, Hollie Rose,  Crystal Storo, William Sullivan ACB,ALB,  and Carolyn Warner

Guests:  Jerry Aiyathurai, Joe Markim, Mollie Seely, Andrew Watt and Evan Glenn

Business Meeting:

The meeting was called to order on time by Phil Mason CC. President, Crystal Storo thanked us all for coming and Elizabeth Landeen passed around a sign up sheet for the Fall Speech Contest to be held Sept. 17^th.

 Meeting Roles:

Toastmaster:  Tom Alvord ACB,ALB

Invocation:  Sheetal Patel inspired us with thoughts from Mark Twain.  She spoke of how we are more disappointed by what we don’t do than by what we do and told us the best way to cheer ourselves is to cheer others.

Word Master:  Linda Campbell

Word - of - the - Day: malapropism – noun:  the humorous misuse of a word by confusing it with a similar sounding word

Table Topics Master:  Elizabeth Landeen

Theme: Her recent road trip inspired a travel theme.

 Bill Sullivan answered the first question letting us know he thought the ultimate road trip vehicle might be a VW Bus or a Harley Davidson.  Rob Dalo told us that his family plays name that tune, which is lots of fun in the beginning but the constant changing of the radio channel gets annoying.  Phil shared that he and Cheryl had gone to New Orleans and the food, entertainment and bars there were great.  We heard that if Carolyn Warner was on a trip she would miss sleeping in her own bed and would miss her little dog Joy. Last, but not least, Mollie’s dream trip would be off the beaten path – she has no place in particular in mind but feels she’s on a quest.

Prepared Speeches:

Speaker # 1:  Hollie Rose

Manual/Project: Competent Communicator/Project   8

          (Completing Hollie’s Competent Communication Manual.)            CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Title: A Brief History of the Highway

           

 Speaker # 2:  Sheetal Patel

Manual/Project: Competent Communicator/Project 4

Title:  Caste System in India

Speaker # 3:  Bo Bogart

Manual/Project: Competent Communicator/Project 3

Title:  Two Ears, One Mouth

Speaker # 4:   Jerry Aiyathurai

Manual/Project: Practice for upcoming International Contest

Title:  Unspoken

          GOOD LUCK!!!

General Evaluator: Cheryl Mason DTM

Evaluator # 1: Bo Bogart

Evaluator # 2: William Sullivan, ACB, ALB

Evaluator # 3: Elizabeth Landeen

Evaluator # 4: Round Robin

Functionary Reports:

Ah Counter: Crystal Storo

Grammarian:  Carolyn Warner

Timer:  Phil Mason CC

After Cheryl’s evaluation of the meeting she specifically thanked the Timer and Toastmaster as both positions are much more demanding than they appear.

Crystal asked tonight's guests for feedback.  Mollie said it was enjoyable, Joe was surprised by all the details and many facets, Andrew had a wonderful time and Evan loves the atmosphere and positive energy.  Jerry was thankful for all the feedback on his speech.

  

Next meeting: August 20, 2013

Respectfully submitted by

Bo Bogart, Secretary

Posted by webmaster Hollie Rose