Minutes

Simply Speaking Minutes

Colorado Community Church

January 31, 2013

Our meeting at Colorado Community Church began with Seargen-at-Arms Joe Long leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  He then introduced our Toastmaster for the evening, Diane Nuss.

The theme was “Valentine’s Day” and the Word of the Day was “Idyllic” adjective –serenely beautiful and happy; simple and unspoiled; peaceful, calm, tranquil.

Inspirator Felicia Arambula used the “F” word - Fail.  The stage is a place for us to fail; sometimes we do a good job and other times not so good.  We might fail, but we keep practicing and coming back, so we get better and don’t fail.

First speaker Joy Davidson, in her speech “Surviving the Storm” kept us riveted as she told us of a “flash flood of life events” she endured.  In a speech intended to arouse emotions she told us of her mother’s stroke, moving her mother to Denver from Grand Junction.  She endured several other tragic life events and had to find “the best new normal” as she adjusted to the changes.  Thanks, Joy, for a very emotional and riveting speech.

Our second speaker, Maura Thompson, shared her experiences with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in her speech titled “M.I.A.”.  This is something that affects 4% to 6% of the population, maybe more.  It usually occurs in the winter as days become shorter and we have less sunlight.  It usually affects young adult women, but can affect women of any age, as well as men.  Light therapy is one of the many options available to treat the disease. She explained that she was Missing In Action (M.I.A.) recently because of her SAD. Thank you, Maura, for sharing your story with us.

Third speaker, Deborah Frauenfelder gave a speech, “Customer Service in a Technical Support Call Center”.   With much enthusiasm she explained how we, as Toastmasters, have a great organization to support us and that other club members are our customers as we support each other.  She explained the different levels roles of governors, as well as their roles.  Deborah had a handout that showed the different levels of Toastmasters, from club members to the world headquarters.  Thanks for a very informative speech, Deborah!

Table Topics Master Ed Pens provided some great questions to the participants.  They included guests Xiao Liang, Amber Lattner, Ricardo Hernandez, and member Darryle Brown.

General Evaluator Alan Swartz introduced the evaluators, as well as evaluating the meeting and the evaluators.  

Kelli Malcom evaluated Joy’s speech.  She told Joy that she had a strong opening, moving across the stage as she told us of each event that happened.  Kelli told Joy that she had a very powerful and emotional speech.  She also offered suggestions for Joy.

Maura’s evaluator, Darryle Brown, complimented her on explaining Seasonal Affective Disorder.  She listed symptoms, used references, and had used visual aids.  He also offered suggestions to make her speech better like using more visible graphics .

Third evaluator, Pete Hazlet, complimented Deborah on her handouts and explaining the role of governors. He also told her that looking at our fellow club members as our customers offers us a new way to look at each other.  He also offered her suggestions for improvement.

Timekeeper Will Osagiede reported that only Joy’s speech was in time.  Table Topics participants Xiao, Amber, and Darryle were in time.  Evaluators Kelli and Darryle were also in time.

Gigi De Gala was our “Ah” Counter for the evening.  She did a great job keeping track of all the ahs and ums.

Grammarian David Bounds reported some great lines people used.  He also said the word of the day was used four times.

Quizmaster Joe Long tested our listening skills as he asked us questions about what people said in their speeches, table topics, and evaluations.

Awards went to:

Best Evaluator: Kelli Malcom

Best Table Topics: Amber Lattner

Best Speaker: Joy Davidson

Present at the meeting:
Darryle Brown, Margaret Seyer, Pete Hazlet, Kelli Malcom, Will Osagiede, Ed Pens, Diane Nuss Alan Swartz, Maura Thompson, Deborah Frauenfelder, David Bounds, Gigi De Gala Felicia, Joe Long, Felicia Arambula, Joy Davidson, Sherry Thomas, and Lee Johnson .

Guests: Xiao Laing, Amber Lattner, and Ricardo Hernandez

Next meeting February 7, 2013

No meeting on February 14

• Orbiting Toastmasters holds meetings on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 11:45 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. They meet at Aurora Central library and everyone’s welcome!

• Team Party on Sunday Feb. 10th, 2013 at 3pm. Check your email for address and list of items needed.

• Toastmasters International and Table Topics contest February 28th. 

• No meeting on Valentine's Day, February 14th