Cromwell Community Toastmasters Meeting Minutes - December 18, 2012

Cromwell Community Toastmasters Club 5908 ~ District 53

December 18, 2012

 

Attendees: Fourteen members attended: Tom Alvord, Amy Ansah,Linda Campbell, Rob Dalo, Charlie Hubert, Joe Leonard, Phil Mason, Donald Ostertag, Sheetal Patel, Hollie Rose, Rammanohar Rudravajhala, Crystal Storo, William Sullivan, Heather Turner and three guests: Bo, Asha, Susan, and Kate (Rob's daughter)

 

Business Meeting:

The meeting was called to order promptly at 5:30 by a very enthusiastic Charlie. Rob introduced guests Bo and his daughter, Kate and discussed the upcoming holiday party on January 15th. More information on the party to come.

 

Meeting Roles:

 

Toastmaster: Phil Mason, CC

 

Invocation: Heather Turner, ACB, CL "Appreciation prayer" and a moment of silence was observed.

 

Word Master: Linda Campbell

Word - of - the - Day: elan - Noun- spirited self assurance; panache

 

Table Topics Master: Rob Dalo

Theme: One minute Elevator Speech ( role play) - Something you want to accomplish in your professional life:

Heather and Rob

Tom and Rob

Kate and Phil

Linda and Bo

Donald and Mano

 

Prepared Speeches:

 

Speaker # 1: Rammanohar Rudravajhala, CC

Manual/Project: Advanced Communication Series/Technical presentation

Title: An Introduction to Cloud

 

Speaker # 2: William Sullivan, ACB, ALB

Manual/Project: Storytelling/Bringing History to Life

Title: Creating the Gettysburg Address

 

Speaker # 3: Hollie Rose

Manual/Project: Competent Communication/The Icebreaker

Title: I Contain Multitudes

 

Speaker # 4: Tom Alvord, ACB, ALB

Manual/Project: Asserting Yourself Effectively

Title: The Nuisance

 

General Evaluator: Amy Ansah, CC

Amy asked for the functionary reports and provided positive comments on each of the prepared speeches. She thanked Hollie for bringing the delicious holiday cookies.

 

Evaluator # 1: Sheetal Patel

 

Evaluator # 2: Crystal Storo, CL

 

Evaluator # 3: Heather Turner, ACB, CL

 

Evaluator # 4: Charlie Hubert

 

Functionary Reports:

 

Grammarian: Crystal Storo, CL

 

Ah Counter: Bo Bogart

 

Timer: Donald Ostertag

 

At the close of the meeting, Rob commented that all the seats were filled tonight. A suggestion was made that a sign be placed on the door inviting guests to 'walk in' when the meeting is in progress. Further it was agreed that three seats near the door should be reserved for late arriving guests. Rob asked the guests for their thoughts on the meeting. Kate mentioned the ease with which everyone spoke due to the atmosphere of friendship and support within the club. Bill suggested to members that they further try to get out of their comfort zones by speaking at other clubs. Rob acknowledged and thanked Heather for her hard work on the website. He congratulated Hollie on her Icebreaker speech saying " Great things can happen when you shed some skin". Rob closed the meeting and thanked us all for coming.

 

The next meeting: January 8, 2012

 

Holiday Party: January 15, 2013 (More information to follow)

 

Respectfully submitted by

Linda Campbell, Co-secretary

Cromwell Community Toastmasters Meeting Minutes - December 4, 2012

Attendees: Eleven members attended: Tom Alvord, Amy Ansah,Linda Campbell, Rob Dalo Charlie Hubert, Phil Mason, Donald Ostertag, Sheetal Patel, Hollie Rose, William Sullivan, Heather Turner and one guest: Bo

 

Business Meeting:

 

The meeting was called to order promptly at 5:30. Rob thanked Charlie for all his hard work in setting up and thanked Linda for taking notes. He mentioned that Tom was right in season with his red socks. Hollie was officially inducted into Toastmasters and Bo, our guest, was recognized. Rob asked us each, in round robin fashion, to provide a short introduction to the group:

Rob has been a Toastmaster member for about two years, has a wife and two daughters and manages Subway in Rocky Hill.

Linda has been a member of Toastmasters for approximately eight months and has given four prepared speeches, is a former Reading Consultant and teacher, loves to read and write, and considers herself an introvert.

Amy has been a Toastmaster member since August but was a visitor for several months, loves reading and writing and is interested in nutrition and weight control.

Don has been a member of Toastmasters for about seven months. Two months ago he gave his Icebreaker speech.

Bill has been a Toastmaster for about four years and has worked for a homecare company for twenty-one years. He became a Toastmaster to get out of his comfort zone and challenge himself. He is our 2012 District 53 Evaluation Winner!

Heather has been a member of Toastmasters for about two years, has a marketing business in Rocky Hill and found her job required her to do more public speaking.

Tom has been a Toastmaster for six years with two years in our club. His goal in joining Toastmasters was to become a more effective speaker.

Phil has been a Toastmaster for about two and a half years and joined to improve his speaking skills. Phil's wife, Cheryl, has been a longtime member.

Sheetal joined Toastmasters in March. She is married, has one daughter, and works as an IT Manager.

Charlie has been a Toastmaster for about two years and spoke of his personal development as a member. He further mentioned that it is wonderful to learn from everyone in Toastmasters.

Bo, our guest of the evening, explained that she is currently unemployed and is now trying to find her niche.

 

Meeting Roles:

 

Toastmaster: Amy Ansah CC

 

Invocation: Hollie Rose: Oscar Wilde " To live is the rarest thing in the world; most people exist" and Emily Dickinson " I dwell in possibility."

 

Word Master(s): Sheetal Patel/Hollie Rose

Words - of - the - Day: (Sheetal) Brevity: shortness, brief/ (Hollie) Bodacious: thorough, bold, brazen

 

Table Topics Master: Tom Alvord ACB ALB

Theme: Thanksgiving

Rob-One of the things you are grateful for - Rob said his bride, Susan.

Hollie-How you spent Thanksgiving day - boyfriend made Thanksgiving dinner later

Bo-What did you really want to do on Thanksgiving day - Go swimming

Linda-What do colors remind you of - Canada and Mother's favorite poem

Don-Things you're grateful for - having his children around

Charlie-Food you had wanted to have - interaction with family/stories told by his father of his days in Yonkers

 

Prepared Speeches:

 

Speaker # 1: Sheetal Patel

Manual: CC Project # 3 Get to the Point

Title: Is Your Life Private?

 

Speaker # 2: Phil Mason CC

Manual: Storytelling/Let's Get Personal

Title: The Big Time

 

Speaker # 3: Amy Ansah CC

Manual: Interpersonal Communication

Title: Speaking With Ease

 

General Evaluator: Heather Turner ACB

Heather encouraged us to sign up for evaluator roles, thanked Charlie for all his hard work in preparing for our meeting, and suggested we try two words-of-the-day next time. She commented that Rob's idea of having us all introduce ourselves was a great one. She indicated that we have a book of Table Topics ideas, Table Topic themes are great and whole meeting themes might be tried ( i.e. Halloween or April Fools Day etc.). She noted the great progress Charlie has made in achieving his speaking goals, how passionate Phil was about his topic, suggested Amy might better prepare her person in advance or provide a script, recommended via a group vote that the timer keep the green-yellow-red cards held up. Heather offered a projector, computer and screen if these are needed by any member.

 

Evaluator # 1: William Sullivan

 

Evaluator # 2: Charlie Hubert

 

Evaluator # 3: Tom Alvord

 

Functionary Reports:

 

Grammarian: Linda Campbell

 

Ah Counter: Don Ostertag

 

Timer: Hollie Rose

 

At the close of the meeting, Rob complimented Amy on her ability to shuffle things around as roles changed. Heather mentioned the Glastonbury Toastmasters Club had an interest in getting to know our club and suggested possibly a Meet and Greet or combined meeting. William suggested a Speech-a-thon. Heather mentioned that the incoming president of the CT Speakers Association would like to offer a presentation about the CT Speakers Association to our club.Tom suggested this could be brought up at the next board meeting. Rob noted that a January Christmas party was planned. Rob closed the meeting and thanked us all for coming.

 

The next meeting: December 18, 2012

 

Respectfully submitted by

Linda Campbell, Co-secretary

Cromwell Community Toastmasters Meeting Minutes 10/16/12

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

October 16, 2012

Attendees:

 

Members: Twelve members attended: Amy Ansah, Karen Breton, Linda Campbell, Rob Dalo, Charlie Hubert, Elizabeth Landeen, Louis Nizet, Donald Ostertag, Sheetal Patel, Sharon Roth, Crystal Storo, Heather Turner

 

Business Meeting: Rob welcomed us to another great meeting. He informed us that three of the four winners in the latest contest came from Cromwell Community Toastmasters: William Sullivan 1st place, Sharon Roth 2nd place (Evaluations), Amy Ansah (Humorous Speech). Rob encouraged us to support our club's contestants at the next level contest to be held on Oct. 23rd at 6:30 in Northeast Utilities. He mentioned that Sharon had printed up/emailed Evaluation forms for us and Heather donated a Public Relations book. Crystal further noted that we have several books/manuals available for borrowing ( see Rob or Crystal). Crystal also updated our DCP Chart and Heather mentioned that we are ahead of the other three clubs.

 

Meeting Roles:

 

Sergeant at Arms: Charlie Hubert

 

Toastmaster: Elizabeth Landeen

 

Invocation: Heather Turner, ACB reminded us that leaders are made rather than born.

 

Word Master: Linda Campbell Word-of-the-Day: Lionize - Verb - Meaning: to treat as a celebrity

 

Table Topics Master: Crystal Storo, CL

Theme: National Boss's Day

Rob: Treat your employees as you would your favorite customers.

Don: Enjoys working for brother-in-law, makes the job fun.

Karen: Evolving job transition

Amy: Inspirational speaker/helping people get healthy

Charlie: Network marketing/working together to help each other

 

Speaker # 1: Amy Ansah, CC

Manual: Competent Communicator

Project: Inspire Your Audience

Title: The Book and the Raw Egg (5-7 min.)

 

Speaker # 2: Donald Ostertag

Manual: Competent Communicator

Project: #1 Icebreaker (4-6 min.)

Title: Once a Marine, Always a Marine

 

Speaker # 3: Sheetal Patel

Manual: Competent Communicator

Project: #1 (4-6 min.)

Title: Who Am I?

 

Speaker #4: Heather Turner, ACB

Manual: Technical Presentations

Project: #4, Presenting a Technical Paper (10-12 min.)

Title: The Importance of Good Phone Skills

 

General Evaluator: Rob Dalo

Rob explained the role of General Evaluator and introduced tonight's speech evaluators and technicians.

 

Evaluator # 1: Heather Turner, ACB

 

Evaluator # 2: Sharon Roth, ACS ALB

 

Evaluator # 3: Louis Nizet, CC

 

Evaluator # 4: Charlie Hubert

 

Grammarian: Linda Campbell

 

Ah Counter: Crystal Storo

 

Timer: Karen Brenton

 

At the close of the meeting Rob announced that the next contest will be held on October 23rd at Northeast Utilities beginning at 6:30 pm and encouraged us to come and support our club. Rob thanked Elizabeth for her wonderful job as Toastmaster, complimenting her on the excellent preparation and organizing of tonight's meeting as well as making last minute adjustments to the agenda. He further thanked Charlie for his hard work both before and after the meeting getting tables set up, providing water, place cards, posters, banners and much more. Donald and Sheetal were recognized for competing their Icebreaker Speeches tonight and a picture was taken. Rob reminded us that this is a fabulous club!!

 

Next meeting: November 6, 2012

 

Respectfully submitted by

Linda Campbell, Co-Secretary

Cromwell Community Toastmasters Meeting Minutes 10/2/12

Cromwell Community Toastmasters

Club 5908 ~ District 53

October 2, 2012

 

Attendees:

 

Members: Twelve members attended: Tom Alvord, Amy Ansah, Linda Campbell, Rob Dalo, Charlie Hubert, Cheryl Mason, Phil Mason, Louis Nizet, Donald Ostertag, Sharon Roth, William Sullivan, Heather Turner

 

Guests: Karen Brenton, Cassie and her daughter 'M&M'

 

Business Meeting: Rob welcomed us to another great meeting, noting that although it rained all day, the skies magically cleared for our Toastmasters meeting. Rob also welcomed our first guest of the evening. He thanked Amy and Tom for assisting with the agenda and getting the roles filled.

 

Meeting Roles:

 

Sergeant at Arms: Charlie Hubert

 

Toastmaster: Amy Ansah CC Theme: Just Do It!

 

Invocation: Tom Alvord Asked the spirit, energy, or whomever we pray to to

infuse our hearts to support each other in learning communication and leadership skills.

 

Word Master: Linda Campbell Word-of-the-Day: Feckless - Adjective - Meaning: ineffective, careless, irresponsible

 

Table Topics Master: Heather Turner ACB

Theme: Dear Abby questions in another dimension

Linda: Boyfriend's spell is wearing off

Louis: Computer to take over the world

Cheryl: Husband growing a mullet

Donald: Fun suggestions to get fired

Charlie: How to get makeup in alternative universe

Karen: Creative ways to get rid of tailgaters

 

Speaker # 1: Phil Mason CC

Manual: STORYTELLING: The Moral of the Story

Project: #3 The Moral of the Story (4-6 min.)

Title: What was I Thinking

 

Speaker # 2: William Sullivan ACB, ALB

Manual: PERSUASIVE SPEAKING/The Persuasive Speaker

Project: #5 (6-8 min.)

Title: DMAIC

 

Speaker # 3: Sharon Roth ACS, CL

Manual: SPEAKING TO INFORM/Resources for Informing

Project: #2 (5-7 min.)

Title: The Phoenix

 

General Evaluator: Tom Alvord ACB, ALB

Tom complimented Amy on her great job as Toastmaster of the Evening, Charlie and Rob for starting the meeting on time and Rob and others for their infectious enthusiasm. He acknowledged that we're all in this together. Tom offered the following suggestions for improvement: explain the Toastmaster's role, be sure to announce the theme ahead of time, and read each speaker's introduction. He thanked Amy for reminding members to write comments for each speaker. He further suggested the Table Topics Master read the question before calling the respondent's name.

 

Evaluator # 1: Heather Turner ACB

 

Evaluator # 2: Rob Dalo

 

Evaluator # 3: Charles Hubert

 

Grammarian: Cheryl Mason DTM

 

Ah Counter: Donald Ostertag

 

Timer: Charlie Hubert

 

At the close of the meeting Rob announced that the Area 34 Humorous Speech Contest will be held on October 10th at Northeast Utilities beginning at 6:30 pm and informed us that Crystal will be sending out information. Sharon, Bill, and Heather supplied additional information at the meeting. Rob asked our guests for their comments and thanked them for coming. Lastly, Rob turned the gavel over to M&M who closed the meeting with the rousing words "It was awesome!!"

 

Noteworthy: Amy Ansah earned her CC! Amy (Speaker), Bill and Sharon (Evaluators) will be competing in the Area Humorous Speech Contest on Oct 10th. Congratulations all!!!

 

Next meeting: October 16, 2012

 

Respectfully submitted by

Linda Campbell, Co-Secretary