Carol's Barrel

Hello Everyone - We got serious at our November 19th meeting with chair Brendan Dineen choosing "Improvement" as the word of the meeting.  He brought along such well-known and thumb worn self-help books as "The Secret" and "First Things First" to bolster his point.  The theme of the meeting, "Plan-Do-Check-Change" is based on founding president Eric Solowka's own great self help formula of making goals, checking on your progress periodically, making necessary changes when required and then charging after your goals.   

Table Topics Master Minnie Grewal continued the theme by asking members to speak to messages about peace and unity, among other things, contained in fortune cookies.  She let us eat the fortune cookies after we'd done our two minute speeches. 

Laurie Stapleton, our VP Education, is in the process of arranging for reviews of executive roles.  This evening, she spoke of her own role and stressed that all roles are learning opportunities.  She reminded us of our club's Distinguished Club Program.  Bolton Banter has been a President's Distinguished Club for three years running and we'd like to keep on displaying that blue ribbon on our banner. 

Those who attended the fall conference at Blue Mountain, November 13th to 15th, agreed that it was a wonderful event.  At Toastmasters gatherings you find only positive people and a refreshing absence of griping and complaining.  Those who attended this conference were lucky enough to see Laurie moonwalking at the Governor's Ball, a Saturday evening tradition.

Carol Dowell, Minnie Grewal and Lorraine Van Wagner delivered speeches this evening.  Carol brought along not just a paddle and backpack but a barrel to illustrate her love of the  outdoors in "Bolton Banter Campers".  You simply would not believe all the gear Carol stowed in that barrel.  Being environmentally correct, Carol and her camping buddies never bring glass into the wilderness, hence the use of a "platypus" to hold wine, an essential for any happy camping trip. 

Minnie Grewal's presentation from an advanced manual was about communicating on television.  In "Just the Facts", in which she simulated a television appearance, she described the explosive growth that the city of Brampton is experiencing.  There is the real fear that this growth will spill over into Caledon and create yet another concrete jungle.

Lorraine Van Wagner, in a presentation entitled "Justice" described what she learned during her recent experience as a prospective juror in Brampton.  Obey the law and stay out of court!

At the conclusion of the meeting, VP Membership Bondy Nair formally inducted and welcomed new member Heather Taylor-Nanan into the club.  Welcome Heather!

Don't forget next Thursday, November 26th at Glen Eagle Golf Club we'll be celebrating our third anniversary as a charted club and roasting Eric Solowka.  It promises to be a great evening.

The evening ended with the presentation of best speaker and table topics ribbons to Lorraine Van Wagner and best evaluator ribbon to Catherine Keyes. 

Our next meeting will be held December 3rd.  Please remember our December 17th meeting will be held at Minnie Grewal's home.  We'll celebrate the holiday season with a potluck.  Bring your favourite munchies for all to enjoy.  Cheers and regards -

Lorraine Van Wagner, Webmaster