Spring conference

You're invited to the Friday, April 17-Saturday, April 18 Toastmasters International District 11 "Venture Out" spring conference, just an hour and a half away at the Crowne Plaza hotel (pictured above) near the Indianapolis airport. This conference will feature two contests - the evaluation contest Friday evening and the International speech contest Saturday evening - and a keynote speech by the 2003 world speaking champion, Jim Key. The $20 registation also covers two rounds of educational workshops and participation in the district business meeting. Costs for meals is additional. For additional information, check out the District 11 Web site at: http://www.tmdist11.org/

-- Perry

Welcome, Deborah!

One of our newest members, Deborah Hoff, works for a law firm in New Albany and helps direct the multimedia ministries of her south side church. Two interesting tidbits: Deborah’s husband teaches public speaking at two Indiana colleges and Deborah is traveling to the Northeast late this month to help her daugher start planning the daughter's wedding.

-- Perry

Welcome, Valerie!

Valerie Mansfield, who coordinates educational and children's and youth ministries at the Unity of Louisville congregation near the old Male High School, was the first of several people to join Peace Speakers in the past month. Welcome aboard, Valerie!

-- Perry

March 3 meeting

President Glenn Lewis opened the meeting at 1:05 p.m., and introduced the invocation leader, Eva Stimson. She read Psalm 25:4–5.

Glenn led the Pledge of Allegiance. He welcomed members and guests, and invited Dave Mattingly, a member of Expressers Toastmasters at PNC Plaza, to introduce himself.

Glenn then opened the business part of the meeting. Perry Chang made a motion that the minutes for the February 18, 2009 meeting be approved as written. The motion was seconded and approved.

Treasurer Ada Middleton announced that five people have paid their membership dues so far. Dues must be sent to Toastmasters International by April 1. Ada has sent invoices to everyone and would like to receive payments ($30 for existing members) by the March 18 meeting.

Becki Moody announced that she had received an e-mail seeking volunteer judges for a student speech and debate tournament April 2–4. Anyone interested should contact Becki.

Glenn introduced Toastmaster Perry Chang to begin the educational program. Perry explained that the photo on the meeting programs, chosen to fit the theme of “love,” was taken in Philadelphia, which is known as “the city of brotherly love.” He invited members of the Evaluation Team to explain their responsibilities: Table Topics—Ada Middleton; Timer—Valerie Mansfield; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Becki Moody; Vote Counter—Eric Darnell

Becki Moody introduced the word of the day, languid (adjective): Without energy, slow, sluggish, listless. Example: I often have a mid-afternoon slump and feel languid.

Perry introduced guest speaker Dave Mattingly (pictured above and below), who gave his “Project #8: Get Comfortable with Visual Aids” speech from the Toastmasters International Competent Communication program. His topic was “The Languages of Love.”

Ada Middleton then led Table Topics, inviting five people (three of them - Eric, Glenn, and Gary - pictured below) to speak on topics related to Valentine’s Day. She asked those present to vote for the best speech on the slips of paper provided.

Perry called for reports from the evaluation team. Speech evaluator Eva Stimson praised Dave Mattingly for speaking without notes and for effective use gestures, body language, humor and demonstrations to emphasize his main points. She suggested he speak more slowly and use separate pages of the flip chart or cards for each main point.

Timer Valerie Mansfield reported the following times:
Dave Mattingly’s speech 7:15
Eva Stimson’s evaluation 2:05
Table Topics:
- Eric Darnell 1:20
- Betsy Blocker 1:15
- Glenn Lewis 3:00
- Joelle Anderson 1:37
- Gary Warren 28 seconds

Ah Counter/Grammarian Becki Moody reported that she counted 33 space fillers, 2 unfinished sentences, and 0 uses of the word of the day. However, the word of the day was used 4 times following her report.

Vote Counter Eric Darnell announced the Table Topics winner: Joelle Anderson. Ada gave her a prize and the trophy to keep until the next meeting.

After closing remarks, Toastmaster Perry Chang turned the meeting back over to President Glenn Lewis, who announced that the next Peace Speakers Toastmasters meeting would be at 1 p.m. March 18 in Conference Room B. Glenn adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m.

-- Eva Stimson

Prayers for Becki

Becki, our vice president for membership, is in the hospital emergency room today with pain in her ribs. Let's pray for healing for Becki.

-- Perry

February 18 meeting

President Glenn Lewis opened the meeting at 1:03 p.m., and introduced the invocation leader, Susan EngPoole. She read a selection on “harmony” from the Daily Word. Glenn led the Pledge of Allegiance. He welcomed guests (including Gary Warren - pictured below) and invited them to introduce themselves.

Glenn then opened the business part of the meeting. Betsy Blocker made a motion that the minutes for the February 4, 2009 meeting be approved as written. The motion was seconded and approved.

Glenn announced that there would be a meeting of Peace Speakers officers Tuesday, February 24, from 1–2 p.m. Betsy Blocker said she would reserve a conference room.

Treasurer Ada Middleton announced that membership dues are due to Toastmasters International by the end of March. She said she would send out invoices by the end of the week and would like to receive payments ($30) from everyone by March 4.

Perry said the PC(USA) Human Resources department had asked for a list of the people attending Toastmasters meeting. He suggested that the officers discuss this request.

Glenn introduced Toastmaster Eric Darnell (pictured below), who invited members of the Evaluation Team to explain their responsibilities: Table Topics—Betsy Blocker; Speech Evaluator—Perry Chang; Timer—Becki Moody; Ah Counter/Grammarian—Eva Stimson; Vote Counter—Glenn Lewis

Eva Stimson introduced the word of the day: indulge
1. to give free rein to
2. to take unrestrained pleasure in; gratify
3. to yield to the desire of; humorto treat with excessive leniency, generosity or consideration

Eric introduced speaker Ada Middleton (pictured below), who gave her “Project #3: Get to the Point” speech from the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership program. Her topic was “Yoga Has Shaped My World.”

Betsy Blocker then led Table Topics, inviting four people (including Susan Engpoole - pictured below) to speak on topics related to the theme of Yoga and other ways to relieve stress.

Betsy asked those present to vote for the best speech on the slips of paper provided.

Eric called for reports from the evaluation team. Speech evaluator Perry Chang said Ada Middleton’s speech was very good, and praised her for speaking in a conversational tone and not relying too much on notes. Commenting on the structure of the speech, he said it might have been better if Ada had left out the list of benefits at the beginning, and focused on personal experiences.

Timer Becki Moody reported the following times:
Ada Middleton’s speech 7:38
Perry Chang’s evaluation 2:13
Table Topics:
Susan EngPoole 55 seconds
Glenn Lewis 59 seconds
Deborah Hoff 1:06
Joelle Anderson 49 seconds

Ah Counter/Grammarian Eva Stimson reported that she counted 16 space fillers, 2 unfinished sentences, and no major grammatical errors. Ada Middleton did not use any space fillers in her speech. The word of the day was used 3 times (plus 2 more times following this report).
Vote Counter Glenn Lewis announced the Table Topics winner: Deborah Hoff (pictured below).

Betsy gave Deborah a prize and the trophy to keep until the next meeting.

In his closing remarks, Toastmaster Eric Darnell talked about changes, including the upcoming change of seasons from winter to spring. He turned the meeting back over to President Glenn Lewis, who closed with a story and a reminder that people are watching what you do, particularly young people.

Glenn announced that the next Peace Speakers Toastmasters meeting would be at 1 p.m. March 4 in Conference Room B. Glenn adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m.

-- Eva Stimson