What a good idea Carol!

Hello Everyone - Our VP Education, Carol Dowell, dreamed up a devilishly good idea for our June 18th meeting.  In order to create as many opportunities as possible for club members to assume roles for the first time, she organized two mini meetings, running back to back.  Six members took on new roles, including Catherine Keyes, who ably chaired the first meeting.  Catherine chose as theme and word of the evening, "preparation" and "practice".  Those two words form important building blocks for any Toastmaster presentation.  Lesley Webb created a toast around a book entitled" Chemical Structure and Bonding".  It's always good to have a scientist in the crowd.  Jane Collier, as humourist,  poked light hearted fun at her fellow females negotiating drive thrus.  Men just do it faster.  In this first meeting, Thorston Boehnke delivered his icebreaker, "UWO, Incredible Journey", that told of his student days at the University of Western Ontario.  Laurie Stapleton finished this part of the program as the general evaluator, her first time assuming this role.  Congratulations to all!

In the second meeting, chaired by Carol Dowell, Sheelagh Rennie, speaking from an advanced manual, told us about her brother who in his youth made a trade not exactly appreciated by his hard working immigrant parents.  He traded his shoes for a turtle named Rocky.  There was great consternation when Rocky "died".  As it happened, he had checked into the Rip Van Winkle Inn for his hibernation.  Sheelagh correctly noted that if you want some badly needed sleep, simply tune into the Ontario Legislature channel.  Better than any sleeping pill on the market today. 

In her final presentation from the advanced manual, "Facilitating Discussion", Lorraine Van Wagner moderated a panel discussion that looked at the role of the Competent Leader program in Toastmasters.  Her panel members, Jane Collier, Bondy Nair and Brendan Dineen, discussed how the CL program helped them and how we as a club could help and encourage all members to pursue the CL designation.  Remember folks, bring your CL manual to every meeting and seek feedback on each role you assume. 

Minnie Grewal presented "Practicing and Rehearsing your Speech" from the Better Speakers Series.  Helpful tips to get you ready and relaxed for your speech include becoming familiar with the stage you'll use and becoming comfortable with the use of microphones and visual aids.  Avoid a heavy meal before speaking as this may make you feel sluggish or sleepy.  Stay away from Tim Hortons as coffee can dry your mouth.  Wait until after your presentation to have that celebratory glass of wine - or scotch. 

Area 15 Governor Theresa Murray, always a welcome guest, helped Carol Dowell distribute some milestone awards.  With their presentations tonight, Minnie Grewal and Lorraine Van Wagner fulfilled all the requirements for the Advanced Communicator Silver designation.  They were officially congratulated and presented with their pins. 

It was very full meeting that gave people a chance to step into new roles.  We were pleased to see so many Toastmasters out this evening to give their support and hearty applause to newer members who participated in tonight's meeting.  Thanks to Elena Nistor for bringing her daughter Cosmina who will no doubt be a Toastmaster in the near future. 

Ribbons this evening were awarded to Lorraine Van Wagner for best Table Topics and best speaker and to Brendan Dineen for best evaluator. 

A new Toastmasters year begins on July 1 with a new executive.  Lesley Webb, who had been elected club secretary, regretfully had to relinquish the role which will be now filled by Catherine Keyes.  Good luck to all and we look forward to once again becoming a president's distinguished club. 

See you all at our next meeting, July 2. 

Cheers - Lorraine Van Wagner, Webmaster