hank's minutes 1/04/17

​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.