Horse Races and Marathons

Did you know that a marathon consists of 42.2 kilometres, the E.P. Taylor track at Woodbine is 1200 feet long or that 1 billion people in the world are overweight?  We learned these interesting facts and more at our May 6th Bolton Banter Toastmasters meeting, courtesy of our Table Topics participants and speakers.  Hearing the World Health Organization's frightening statistic about overweight people would cause anyone stress and luckily two of our four speakers this evening spoke about stress, what it is and how to cope with it.  Thank you to our inspiring speakers, Elena Nistor, Jim DeCarolis, Carol Dowell and Minnie Grewal (with help from Alan Keyes). 

Chair Eric Solowka, while introducing the theme and word of the meeting, "home stretch" and "effort" respectively, noted that we appreciate achievements that require work. He reminded us that we are on the home stretch with regard to our individual and club Toastmasters  goals.  The Toastmaster year ends on June 30 and we do want our club to once again be recognized as "President's Distinguished".  With effort and determination, we can do it. 

Congratulations to new member Karina Garcia who ably assumed the role of humourist, her very first role in Toastmasters.  Welcome back to Lesley Webb who had been on a leave of absence from our club but has now returned with a resolve to earn her CC.  Best wishes to Andrew Morgan.   He and his wife welcomed a baby girl, Bronwyn Faith, on March 11th and he had the adorable baby pictures to prove it. 

The end of the Toastmasters year is marked by the election of a new slate of officers  to guide the club through the next year.  Past President Brendan Dineen briefly reviewed the executive roles as the club membership prepared to elect a new executive for 2010/2011.  Carol Dowell read the report of the Nominating Committee.  Those nominated were:

President - Lorraine Van Wagner

Vice President Education - Eric Solowka

Vice President Membership - Catherine Keyes

Vice President Public Relations - Ben Allison

Secretary - Carol Dowell

Treasurer - Vince Capicotto

Sergeant At Arms - Alan Keyes

There being quorum, the above slate was elected by the membership to serve from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.  Thank you to the outgoing executive for their work on the behalf of the club during the past year. 

Jim DeCarolis was awarded the ribbon for best speaker and best Table Topics speaker.  Vince Capicotto was named best evaluator.

Our next meeting will be held on May 20th.  Check the website and sign up for a role.  We are approaching the end of this Toastmasters year so let's hit the home stretch with effort.

Cheers and regards -

Lorraine Van Wagner

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