​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.

​Carin debuted as Toastmaster for the 15 members (including newest member Kristina Williams) and two guests for the last meeting of 2016.  Carin’s theme was “music; first and favorites”.  She queried the audience about their favorites and memories including first concerts as well as revealing some of her memories and favorite tunes.  Word of the day was Celebration – Observe; Behave as expected during holidays.
 
Simmy was the first of three speakers with “Pursuit of Happiness”.  She allowed as how one may be wired to go one way but is forced to go another.  Toastmasters has challenged her mindset about how she communicates.  She acknowledged the help of the members – particularly Anne’s mentoring regarding posture, poise, and presence.  Andrea followed with “The Power of One”.  She was facing her greatest fear in that she had not memorized her speech.  She pointed to three historical figures and how each had been a force for change – Abraham Lincoln with the abolishment of slavery, Columbus as the precursor to the colonization of America, and Hippocrates and the change to the view of medicine.  It only takes one to ignite a passion.  Ask yourself what impact you want to have on the world.  Beverly, the evening’s winner batted cleanup with “Holding a Grudge”.  She spoke as the grudge that held sway over she and her brother’s relationship for 20 some years and how it was all consuming.  She kept us all on an emotional edge throughout and it was quite entertaining.
 
Greg P. continued the musical theme as Table Topics Master.  Michelle picked Nat King Cole’s “Oh Christmas Tree” as her favorite Christmas song.  Kam picked C. C. Winans as the artist she would most like to write a song about her life.  Newest member Kristina Williams said that radio stations should not be allowed to play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving (amen!).  Returning guest Zeal Okogeri, the evening’s winner had everyone in stitches over the misunderstanding between the Honolulu cabbie and himself when he told him he was traveling on GO! Airlines.  Hank talked about the importance of the music in the Rocky movies and segued into his first concert attendance.
 
Lee directed the evaluation portion of the meeting.  Brice assessed Simmy, Gregg H. reviewed Andrea, and Lori critiqued Beverly.  Hank reported on the grammar and the shilly-shallies, and Justin delineated the timing.
 
Semiannual Toastmaster Leadership Institute training will be in two sessions on Saturday, January 28th from 9:00 to 1:00 and 12:00 to 4:00.  Officers must attend one of the two sessions as a goal towards our club achieving President Distinguished status again this year.  Any other members are encouraged to attend for general knowledge and/or to learn what specific officer functions are.  The club will pay the fee for any member wishing to attend.  Just let me know and I will take care of your registration. 
 
Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukkah, and a Happy New Year.