Andrea did a masterful job of Toastmastering (and Feastmastering) sixteen members and one guest (Lee’s friend Gow). Andrea explained her selection of the night’s theme, “Fall”, was due to  the wondrous sights (leaves), smells, and tastes of this season, despite the heat wave we are currently experiencing. Andrea brought a cornucopia of goodies upon which the meeting attendees indulged (chili, chips, salad, and pies).

George, GE, introduced the Evaluation team with his typical flair. Marcus served as our Grammarian, with the WoD Cornucopia. MCG was drafted as the Ah Counter. Jasmine operated the timer lights, and Josue volunteered to serve as Ballot Counter.
 
Theresa was the first of four speakers. She delivered her “Ice Breaker” (this is round two for her) in which she described how she selected the man she would marry in the third grade, and after a number of years pursuing their lives in different directions, she eventually did it! She also explained that marriage, while wonderful, could be a battle of warring wills on occasion. She delightfully reminded us about her children, whom she had told us about in her previous speeches.
 
Christian Bossert was up next. He explained how important is to select a purpose, strategically select goals to attain that purpose, and to write all of this stuff down to hold yourself accountable. Yes - diet and exercise are important, but setting yourself up to achieve your goals in a sustainable fashion makes it much more likely that you will make permanent positive changes your lifestyle, leading to achieving long-term success.
 
Tracee, our third speaker, described how important it is for leaders to facilitate the growth of others. She experienced this first-hand in her life in the athletic arena. As a leader on a tennis team, she developed strategies that helped grow her teammates on an individual basis, using distinct methods tailored for each person. The result was better harmony within her team and outstanding team results.
 
Liana, the fourth speaker and the evening’s winner, described her experience as a TV weatherperson. Her job is to decipher the technical terms and observations collected by scientists and their instruments and share this opaque technical information clearly and quickly with her viewers. When dangerous weather conditions threaten, her ability to effectively and efficiently communicate the threat and action required may mean the difference between life and death for those in the path of nature’s fury. As she is doing this important job, her producer provides direction to her in her earpiece, regularly counting down in seconds to the next break or handoff. While it is not appreciated at Toastmasters, incomplete sentences are often used to emphasize the important facts that her viewers need to know. 

 
Jim asked Jasmine to describe her worst Halloween. She recounted an experience when she was at a fantastic haunted house when, suddenly, her calf muscles locked up into spasm. She was rendered immobile, which nearly knocked over the group of people she was with. Justin was our next TT speaker, who described his love of kickboxing and exercise. Marcus, the evening’s winner, was a reporter at the scene of a hayride and pumpkin truck collision that resulted in an entertaining food fight.
 
David assessed Theresa and Greg critiqued Christian. Lee, the evening’s best evaluator, explained to Tracee that you could be vulnerable with your words without being vulnerable with your body language. Chad appraised Liana’s speech.
 
George realized that he and Andrea had just recently served as a ToD and GE team. He challenged the membership, especially newer members, to tackle these roles. He also described how important it is to avoid taking yourself too seriously, using the target speaker at a recent contest he attended as an example of how not to behave.
 
Jim had the honor of awarding Advanced Communicator Gold pins to both Theresa and Lee while Josue finished counting the ballots. Andrea completed her program, encouraging all to enjoy the cornucopia of deliciousness that awaited everyone after the meeting.  Jasmine announced that Theresa is hosting a YouTube channel. Greg, our club Treasurer, reminded us that dues are due. Jim announced that Andrea has been selected as a Pathways Guide. 


After the meeting was adjourned, all who lingered enjoyed a feast of food and fellowship.  


Respectfully submitted,
Jim Cyganek