Creating Surprise

Every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until October, you can shop at our local farmers' market, located on the grounds of the community centre.  On your way to our Toastmasters meetings, take a few minutes to check out the local produce.  It sure tastes fresher than store bought and you'll be supporting farmers right here in Caledon.  The chair of our August 5th meeting, Alan Keyes, reminded us of the bounty on our doorstep by choosing as theme and word of the meeting, "Farmer's Market" and "Plentiful".  Vince Capicotto continued the theme by proposing a toast to the hard working farmer. 

Table Topics Master Catherine Keyes created a real challenge by giving us numbers that corresponded to questions she had prepared.  If you picked number 1, you were asked to recall your first day in grade 1.  But that was such a long time ago!  Nevertheless, the members rose admirably to the challenge. 

In the announcements portion of the meeting, Treasurer Vince Capicotto reminded us that dues must be submitted to Toastmasters International by October 1.  Please remember to bring a cheque for your membership dues before that date.  Cheques are to be made payable to "Bolton Banter Toastmasters Club".  Don't forget the "club".  Seems the bank is very picky these days. 

Vice President Education Eric Solowka distributed a Competent Leader checklist.  The CL program is unfortunately often overlooked but is an important component of Toastmasters as it helps build leadership skills.  Bring your CL manual to every meeting and when you take on a role, ask another member to evaluate your performance.  In this way, you can receive credit for every role you assume. 

"Creating surprise" is my theme for the year as club president.  What you learn at Toastmasters and how it can contribute to your life outside the club will often surprise and sometimes amaze you.  In the example I gave, I saw how Toastmasters experience helped a person offer an impromptu and very appropriate toast.   I have other examples of how Toastmasters can help you in a variety of situations and I look forward to hearing your stories too. 

We heard three presentations tonight including Bob Miller's icebreaker.  In "Treadmill to Oblivion", Bob offered a "warts and all" biography and spoke of his parents who not only adopted him but fostered many children. 

Lesley Webb, in "Stuff", gave us a stress buster tip.  Stop accumulating stuff. Stuff costs money, it breaks and ultimately does not bring you happiness. 

Karina Garcia rounded out the evening with "Popular Running Foods".  If you want to run, you need good fuel and that includes such staples as oatmeal (energy and fibre) and fruits such as oranges and bananas.  No junk food here!

Thanks to our guest, Felicia Simpson, who visited us from Brampton.  Hope to see you again Felicia. 

Congratulations to our ribbon winners.  They were Carol Dowell (Table Topics), Eric Solowka (Evaluator) and Lesley Webb (Speaker).

See you all at our next meeting, August 19th. 

Cheers and regards - Lorraine Van Wagner, President and Webmaster