​ontest Chair Jim and Contest Master Beverly presided over this year's Table Topics Contest.  Twenty-three members including newest member Marcus James and five guests including former members Sandy Shah and Sarah Smith were in attendance.  Nine members competed in the contest.
 
The order of the participants was determined prior to the start.  All contestants were ushered out of the meeting room and were called when it was their turn.  Beverly read the following question to each contestant:  "If you could go back in time and speak to a younger version of yourself, what one piece of advice would you give yourself?"
 
Lee would tell herself not to sweat the petty things and don't pet sweaty things.  Mark, the first runner up would advise himself to focus on education and not become distracted.  Anne, the second runner up would advocate for relying on people, surrounding herself with positive people, and to take more risk.  Suzanne, the contest winner recommends being kind to boys.  It's easier to get sugar from people if you've been kind to them.  Gregg H. talked about circles.  Over the years he has found that the best things happen in groups (a.k.a. circles).  Andrea would tell her teenage self to learn to like herself and not worry about what others think.  Carin would tell younger Carin that she is good enough exactly the way she is and not to waste her time comparing herself to others.  Matt says keep on doing what you've been doing.  He's thankful for all the rich and varied experiences he's had and wouldn't trade them for anything.  Brice would tell his high school self to look for something more than his sports accomplishments.  Something nonmaterial that won't be gone so quickly.
 
As the judges votes were tallied, Bev conducted some brief interviews with the candidates.
 
The International Speech contest at next week's meeting will be followed by Post Toasties at a location to be determined.  Don't forget TLI.

​Matt hosted the 19 members (including newest member Alyssa Gagnon) and five guests with a theme of “David, Elvis, Steven, Kim, and Blair”.  Throughout the meeting he presented some interesting insights into the lives of David Robert Jones (a.k.a. David Bowie), Elvis Presley, Steven Hawking, Kim Jong-Un (Supreme Leader of North Korea), and his own son Blair.  A rather unusual potpourri of individuals.  Word of the day was Magnanimous – Generous, understanding, & tolerant; Noble & generous in spirit.
 
Mary-Catherine was the first of three planned speakers with “Get a Job”.  She provided clues and insights for a successful job hunt such as a resume written to accommodate scoring by management software; the role of recruiters in first line filtering; and the importance of networking and keeping your network up to date.  Today’s methods and strategies are markedly different from just a few years ago.  Lee, the evening’s winner followed with “Diamond in the Rough”.  She led us to believe that she had cashed in all of her assets and invested them in a diamond ring which she lost.  A fisherman found a ring which may or may not have been hers and it provided the means to significantly change his family’s life.  What would you do if you found a diamond ring?  The story teaches one to consider what’s really important to them.  Really, what would you do?  Jim batted cleanup with an improvisational speech entitled “What’s a Speech Contest”.  It was meant to educate all on the four annual Toastmaster speech contests and their importance in helping each of us to take our speaking abilities to the next level.  He challenged all members to step up and compete.
 
Carin directed Table Topics.  This evening’s session had the most participants that I can remember.  Gregg H. figured that his ongoing ability to inspire others would be key in the hiring process.  Anne talked about the value of public speaking.  Justin says that passion speaks to him more than anything.  Guest David B. talked about is interest in flamenco guitar and developing a local Spanish translation service.  Guest Andy Wu opts for cruises as his favorite type vacation.  Guest Kevin Watts job goal would be something that benefits both him and his family.  Guest Zeal Okogeri, the evening’s winner is writing a book on kindness which is literally love in action.  Guest Marcus James diplomatically responded to the dust up between Meryl Streep and Donald Trump.
 
General Evaluator Greg P. lead the last portion of the meeting.  Lori assessed Mary-Catherine and Chad, the evenings winner critiqued Lee – Jim’s speech was not evaluated.  Andrea addressed the grammatical apogees and perigees, Sharie reported on the timing, and Bev enumerated the shilly-shallies.
 
Annual Table Topics contest next week followed by the International Speech contest on January 25th. 

​Gregg H. was Toastmaster for the evening for the 20 members (including newest member Theresa Worthy) and four guests.  Gregg’s theme was “Goodbye Michelle” as this was the last meeting of our president and dear friend Michelle before her departure for a great opportunity in Portland, OR.  Gregg called on various members throughout the evening to site their remembrances of Michelle.   Word of the day was Ruminate – engage in contemplation; meditate.
 
Andrea was the first planned speaker with “Pursuing a Passion”.  The World Health Organization states that by 2020, depression will be the 2nd major cause of death.  Many just don’t enjoy their lives.  The answer – find your passion.  Hours spent doing something you truly enjoy seem to pass in minutes.  Finding a passion is finding what one loves and it’s even better when one helps somebody along the way.  Carin was up next with “How to Say it and Move at the Same Time”.  She’s been working on getting more mobile and using vocal variety in her speaking.  Getting embarrassed about your self is both self-defeating and arrogant.  If you look foolish, so what – nobody’s going to remember.  She urged us to join her and take off the weights that are holding you back.  Beverly, the evening’s winner batted cleanup with a humorous after dinner speech to the Narcoleptic Lion Tamers Organization.  As the president, she will fight for their right not to be discriminated against.  She is well credentialed having been a narcoleptic air traffic controller (hey, no planes were lost) and a narcoleptic cop in Chicago (her partner got shot in the butt, but he should have been wearing a longer bullet proof vest).  With your support, we will win this fight.  The audience loved it.
 
Ken directed Table Topics with a Gone but not Forgotten Michelle theme.  Karan dreamed of becoming a basketball player as a kid but had to settle for being a player on a world champion softball team.  Gregg H. failed miserably in his attempt to imitate Michelle’s sexy walk.  Returning guest Arnesjah is striving to improve her perseverance in the new year.  Kristina intends to be always willing to help people and see them thrive.  Michelle, the evening’s winner concluded listed five things she would like to leave with us to help us lead successful lives:  focus on someone; love people around you; be grateful for life; be passionate; and love, love, love. 
 
Cynthia handled the General Evaluator duties.  Brice critiqued Andrea, Karan, the evening’s winner reviewed Carin, and Greg assessed Bev.  Lori covered the grammar, Simmy listed the shilly-shallies, and Matt delineated the timing.
 
Good bye Michelle – you’ll be sorely missed.