A Grateful Universe

January 19, 2012 - First time chair Elena Nistor selected "universe" and "grateful" as  theme and word of the meeting and asked us all to be grateful for everything we have in this universe.   Table Topics Master Caroline Wagner carried on the theme by giving us four choices of table topics all linked to the theme and word of the meeting.  David Sweetnam took home the ribbon as best Table Topics speaker.  After welcoming three guests, it was time for a slew of announcements.  There is club officer training in Newmarket on January 21.  Both Eric Solowka and Alan Keyes will be trainers. Contest season is looming. Our club's International Speech and Evaluation contest will be held on February 16.   We don't yet have a date for the area contest.  Our VP Education Laurie Stapleton reminded us that there are only 9 meetings left in this Toastmasters year, which ends on June 30.  Hardly seems possible so let's get to work to achieve our educational goals this year. 

As you know, our fellow member Carol Dowell is District 86's Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training.  It's a big job but Carol is certainly up to the task.  It will be our great pleasure to roast her at the "Evening of Fools" on March 31 at Glen Eagle Golf Club.  It will be a great evening capping off a full day.  Our Division M International Speech and Evaluation contest will take place that morning in Newmarket.  Both events are not to be missed!  More details on the roast will be forthcoming, including ticket information. 

This evening our VP Public Relations, Alan Keyes, and our VP Membership,  Ben Allison, reported on their activities.  Alan is very busy publicizing our great club.  He's ensuring that copies of the Toastmasters magazine are strategically placed all over town.  Ben spoke about his "Spread the Word" campaign.  Ben himself is spreading the word about how Toastmasters has helped him and encouraged us all to do the same.  Thanks gentlemen. 

We had the pleasure of hearing an icebreaker this evening.  Li Alvez spoke vividly about an experience in Uruguay.  His presentation was so convincing that it won him the ribbon for best speaker of the evening.  Congratulations Li and we look forward to hearing your second speech. 

If you know nothing about geomagnetic storms, you should have attended this meeting.  Carolyn Young told us exactly what they are - a type of space weather that can cause trillions of dollars in damages.  And you thought snow was messy!

We were fortunate this evening to welcome Bonnie from Pepsi Co. Toastmasters who, as part of her CL requirements, stepped out of her club to deliver a speech.  In "Ida", Bonnie described life with her mother-in-law Ida.  Ida has lived with Bonnie's family for the past fifteen years.  Bonnie has learned to live with Ida's foibles, which include being so tidy that she tossed out her grandson's school project which had been lying on the kitchen table. 

After the executive awarded Li Alvez with his icebreaker pin, Brendan Dineen concluded the meeting with a zinger of a parting incite. 

Thanks again to Alan Keyes.  Alan, you never fail to amaze us with the absolutely incredible goodies you bring to meetings. 

See you all at our next meeting, February 2.

Cheers and regards - Lorraine Van Wagner, Webmaster, Division M Governor