Mind, Spirit and Courage

Hello Everybody - Congratulations to Ben Allison who chaired his first meeting on April 16th.  Ben chose "Change your mind and spirit" as the theme of the meeting.  "Courage" was the word of the evening.   These are inspirational words with which to start any meeting. 

Table Topics Master Terence Canastraro selected a most unusual topic.  He turned us into repair people called to an establishment to fix a problem.  We determined the nature of the problem by diving into Terence's duffle bag to retrieve items varying from a can of Coor's Light to things that look like they belong only in the hands of an electrician.  Trying to come up with a quick speech based on a role of duct tape is indeed a challenge but Bolton Banter members rose up to it.  It's all about imagination. 

Eric Solowka facilitated an educational session in which he clarified that club members have the opportunity to work from both communication and leadership manuals concurrently, if they wish.  Be sure to bring your CL manual to each meeting to receive credit for roles you perform during meetings.  Eric also reminded us that a new club executive will be elected next month. Members of the current executive described their roles and spoke about what they had learned while performing those roles.  All club members are encouraged to consider standing for election to the executive.  Remember, in the spirit of Toastmasters, you are not expected to know everything.  This is a learning experience and club officer training will be available to you.  Former executive members will always be willing to assist you.    

Lorraine Van Wagner started the evening's speeches by reading an entry from Anne Frank's diary.  Ms. Frank's story, well known to the world, is striking in that despite the deprivation she and her family suffered during the dark days of the Nazi occupation of Holland, she never lost her faith in humanity and continued to see the world as a beautiful place. 

Bondy Nair put on his sales hat in his presentation, "Conquering the Cold Call".  With the assistance of "customer" Minnie Grewal, Bondy showed us how to successfully undertake a cold call and make a sale.  We learned, and some sales people out there should take note, that good sales persons work to build their credibility with customers.  They do not put customers on the spot, nor do they manipulate.

Minnie Grewal, as Toastmaster of the evening, fulfilled the requirements of the advanced manual, "Speciality Speeches". 

Jim DeCarolis gave a comprehensive grammarian's report and our newest member Tom Wildfang prepared a mulitiple choice test in his role as quizmaster.  Good for you Tom. 

The evening closed with the presentation of ribbons to Tom and Eric, who tied for best Table Topics. 

Make a note of our fifth Thursday meeting, April 30.  Eric Solowka will present his "Eye Connect" workshop.  As one who has participated in this workshop before, I can recommend it.  Eric will also be presenting "Inside, Outside, Right Side, Left" at Towns of York Toastmasters on April 29.  Based on Eric and Anne Toner Fung's book of the same name, the workshop offers valuable tips on presentation skills.  It is definitely worth your time. 

See you all on April 30.  Don't forget to check the calendar on the website and sign up for a role.  Cheers - Lorraine Van Wagner - Webmaster