June 19/08 - The Red Carpet

Our final meeting of the Toastmasters year, which runs from July 1 to June 30, was truly a cause for celebration.  Chair Jane Collier could not locate a red carpet but we managed nevertheless to honour those who achieved milestones this evening.  We had five, count 'em, five great speeches so it was a truly memorable meeting. 

We were joined by three guests, Corina Simu, Kevin Dickson and Pat Burness.  We are excited to tell you that they will soon become our newest members of Bolton Banter.  Welcome! 

Bondy Nair was the Table Topics Master and had us wondering what would happen if people lived to be a 1000 years old.  As is usual with table topics, we heard some interesting mini speeches. 

Laurie Stapleton delivered her icebreaker speech, "How can I keep from singing?"  Congratulations Laurie.  A first speech is special, both for the new member speaking and for the audience.  It was a special evening also for Brendan Dineen and Linda Murphy. Both delivered their tenth speeches and can now call themselves Competent Communicators.  We always knew they were both competent but now they have the official recognition to prove it.  Lorraine Van Wagner delivered her tenth speech from an advanced manual and thus earned the designation of Advanced Communicator Bronze.  Carol Dowell rounded out the speeches.  Carol, working from an advanced manual, gave us some sound advice on how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from Bisphenol-A in a speech entitled "Something is wrong with #7". 

On the leadership side, congratulations to the evening's chair Jane Collier who is now a Competent Leader.  Lorraine Van Wagner completed the requirements for the designation Advanced Leader Bronze. 

Indeed it was a busy evening.  The ribbons for best Table Topics and Speaker went to Lorraine Van Wagner and Eric Solowka was named best evaluator.

Our next meeting will be held July 3 and a new executive will be on board.  This July, there will be third meeting (July 31).  Eric Solowka will present a humourous workshop.  Do not miss this one! 

We are now well and truly into summer.  I'm sure this wonderful season will give eveyone some superb ideas for fabulous speeches.  We can't wait to hear them.  See you all on Thursday, July 3.

Lorraine Van Wagner