It was like getting married again! Well, not really, but I had fun in the planning; just like I did 50 years ago when I married Carl.While the First Timer’s Reception was for men and women alike, I suspect only the women attending could relate to the hours of planning and the visions of fun and purpose. Drink Me Kathy Brewer asked me to chair the First Timer’s Reception and I was thrilled. I had personally reached the fork on my Toastmaster’s road where I wanted to experience activities outside of my club(s). When I learned of the theme, Doors...
It’s NOT your typical Toastmasters Open House.
It’s NOT your typical Toastmasters Open House. The MotorMouths Toastmaster Club met on Sunday, Oct 26th for their monthly meeting and to host a special Open House. MotorMouths has been meeting at Mimi’s Café in Fort Worth off Bryant Irving. The Open House started like any normal meeting, we had 4 guests attend. Karen Hagar gave an Advance Manual speech followed by a round of Table Topics from member and Area Governor, Paul Berry. After Karen’s evaluation from Larry Harmon and the General Evaluators report from Felicia Christian, the MotorMouths wrapped up the business portion of the meeting, extended an...
Friday Night Fun at the Conference
Amelia Earharts I am so pleased that on Friday night, the first night of the 2014 Fall Conference, there was so much participation in the Friday Night Fun! This year we hosted a 90th birthday party for Toastmasters, and all historical figures were invited. Some guests included the Statue of Liberty and Amelia Earhart. Our Royalty: The Queen of Africa, Pocahontas and Princess Diana. Frida Kahlo The Queen of Africa greets us. Everyone gave introductions of themselves at the lectern in true Toastmasters style. Judges The Division Governors as judges cast their ballots and the winners of the four categories...
FreeToastHost System Upgrade
On Thursday, 11/20/2014, from around 9pm CST to around 12am CST (Fort Worth time), barring any unforeseen issues, the entire FreeToastHost website system will be taken offline to update the system code to version 2.20. Please plan ahead. Please do anything you would do with the system on Thursday evenings during the prior evenings. Also, feel free to save your webpages to a file on your computer with the new Save to File feature that has already been installed in the version 2.11 system for your use. Look for the drop down at the top right of the web page...
“WHOOSH!”
Inga, Marylee, and Rose Months of planning, and “whoosh!” the conference weekend is over! It was a whirlwind weekend filled with excellent speakers, educational opportunities, and fun. Everyone took home information they can apply to their own lives and share with their clubs. From start to finish, I found the presentations stimulating, challenging and calling me to push myself forward…to be the best I can be. We ate well, learned much, laughed and met many new friends. …..a perfect recipe for a rewarding event. Lauren Midgley – Keynote Speaker For me, Saturday night was especially beautiful. Having an inspiring keynote...
What a Great Finale to the 2014 Contest Season!
Fellow Toastmasters, Our 2014 fall contest season concluded on Friday, November 14, with the Speech Evaluation contest and Saturday, November 15, with the Humorous Speech contest. The competitors for the Speech Evaluation contest included: Derek Newman, Airport Toastmasters, Division F Jason Reynolds, ARBOR Toastmasters, Division D Allison Fries, Nationstar Speaks, Division B Regina Clay, Truckin’ Toastmasters, Division E Kyle Oxford, UTA Toastmasters, Division C Thomas Torlincasi, Plus Two, Division A Toastmaster Wayne Sekerke and Test Speaker, Paul Meyer Our Test Speaker, Paul Meyer, First Rate Toastmasters, received six excellent evaluations. The winners from the Fall 2014 evaluation contest were:...
Awards Luncheon Honorees
Once again, an awards luncheon to spotlight District 25 accomplishments! Many Toastmasters and clubs were recognized Saturday, November 15th at the 2014 District 25 Fall Conference. Our program was filled with the great accomplishments of our members. Our Outstanding Officer Awards committee spent hours reviewing the nominations turned in by our members, over 600 in total. The luncheon gave us the opportunity to recognize our great officers for the term of January – June 2014 by presenting a plaque to each Outstanding Officer: President, Julie Cosgrove, Top Notch Toastmasters Club Vice President Education, Nicole Smith, Southlake Club Vice President...
Answering the Call for Speechcraft
When a call comes that the club champion suggested a speaking training opportunity for new managers, one is quick to respond “absolutely.”With the aid of three rotating Nationstar Speak members, Debbie Rousseau, Charles Barber and Trametra Vernor, Joyce Trimble facilitated a 6 week Customer Relations Speechcraft to aid the new managers with their presentations to Executive and Senior Management. Each participant was able to complete roles as Toastmaster/Table Topic Master, Speaker, Table Topic Speaker, Evaluator, Ah (or as they called it, Ah Ha) Counter and Timer. At the last meeting on November 6, Lt. Governor Cindy Hinckley and Lt. Governor...
Unmask Your Fears
For its Fall Open House on October 30, 2014, the ICE Breakers club decided to personify the spirit of the Halloween holiday by throwing a masquerade party! Masks were ordered and decorations were strategically placed. There was much festive food to please the pallet of each guest. The cacophony of celebratory sounds filled the room until the club’s president called the meeting to order. The pledge pronounced and the welcome address went forth with glee. The theme was ‘Unmask Your Fears’ and the word of the day was phobia. Club members performed an original skit titled “We Wear the Mask”...
Contest Attendance Encourages Diann
As a newcomer to Toastmasters, I attended the Division B Speech Contest on Friday, October 24 to support my close friend and mentor, Allison Fries, who was competing in the Evaluator Contest. I was to be one of the Sergeant at Arms for the competition. I had no idea what the competition would be like but was excited to help, meet new people, and maybe learn something in the process. Test Speaker, Jamaal Mellerson After a quick Sergeant at Arms training, I took my place and the contest began. Sitting next to the speaker platform allowed me to listen and...