Happy New Year

New Year greetings to all.  Bolton Banter Toastmasters held its first meeting of 2010 on January 7th and were delighted to welcome no less than 9 guests including the area 15 governor Guy St. Louis.  We look forward to greeting our guests again soon as full fledged members of Bolton Banter.

Chair Carol Dowell chose "In the Pipeline" and "Pulse" as theme and word of the meeting.  "Pipeline" refers to things in the works and "pulse" denotes rhythm.  So let's get out and do things and let's do it to a catchy beat.  Good thought for a new year Carol. 

Elena Nistor, Table Topics Master for the evening, distributed pictures to which we were to attach a resolution for the new year.  Happily, two guests participated.  We heard resolutions ranging from giving up alcohol and meat (how much fun is that??) to getting fit to improving time management.  Brendan took the ribbon in this part of the meeting. 

Alan Keyes and Vince Capicotto, both working toward their Competent Communicator designation, spoke this evening.  In "Christmas Memories" Alan spoke of fond holiday memories.  His recollections of table top hockey and old country and western albums no douibt stirred happy memories for many of us.  Vince, in "What do I want to be", spoke about the need to have purpose in life for purpose gives you drive and drive leads to action.  First, you need to determine what makes you happy.  Then you will know what drives you and creates purpose in your life. 

VP Education Laurie Stapleton reminded us of the club's International Speech and Evaluation contest on February 18th.  She urged everyone to enter or to take on a role in the contest.  Also, there is officer training available in Mississauga on January 23rd. 

In the spirit of Toastmasters and in celebration of the New Year, Minnie Grewal, the evening's Toastmaster, reminded us of the words of that great orator Winston Churchill.  He once said, "if you can speak in public, you have amazing power and independence".  Doesn't that make you want to start working on a speech right now?  In closing, Corina Simu, who offered the parting incite, encouraged us to "shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss you'll still land among the stars". 

We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next meeting, January 21st. 

Cheers and regards - Lorraine Van Wagner, Webmaster