Century Toastmasters Meeting Minutes 4-27-05

Century Toastmasters Meeting Minutes 4-27-05

Theme: Wordplay
WOW: Conundrum – a riddle; something puzzling, confusing or mysterious

President Dick Larkin began the meeting with great attendance before handing the Toastmaster duty over to Stephen Jaworski. Stephen asked everyone to stand up and introduce him or herself and tell about a common conundrum in life. Turns out Century Toastmasters are puzzled by their own children, spouses, why hamburgers are called hamburgers, and many other things. VP of Membership Byron Shovlain had the honor of inducting four new members into Toastmasters, Maria Bastian, Tanya Fragomeno, Darcy Konold, and Rhonda Walthall. The new members took their New Member Pledge and the current members gave their pledge to the new members. We are grateful to have our new, active members.

Allison Converse, completing her CTM 6, gave a speech about the “words of our lives.” She explained her love of words, especially words that make her think of things that are lovely. Allison has a great appreciation for education, and expanding one’s vocabulary, and worries that for children today words are empty and sporadic. With compassion, vigor, and enthusiasm, she gave us all something to think about.

Next, completing her CTM 1 speech, the Icebreaker, Rhonda Walthall introduced us all to herself. Titled “My Life So Far,” Rhonda did impressively well for her first speech, and did not use any notes. Growing up in southern Ohio, Rhonda learned at an early age with her brother and sister how to laugh at herself. She is a self-titled middle child over achiever, and was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from Purdue with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and worked for McDonald Douglas in Long Beach, and had the opportunity to work on the C-17, allowing her to be the first civilian woman to fly the plane. She met her husband Larry while living in Minnesota, and likes cats, dogs and scuba diving. She moved to San Diego in August 2003, and now enjoys carpooling with her husband to work, and being a grandmother. Her next goal is to learn how to play the guitar.

Another new member spoke today, Darcy Konold, delivering a speech titled “Life Lessons from the Wizard of Oz,” from the ATM Silver Manual. Darcy posed a question at the beginning of her speech asking audience members if we like treasure hunts. Darcy herself enjoys treasure hunts, and has found the movie Wizard of Oz to be a chest full of life lesson treasures. One of the lessons she’s learned was from the good fairy. Dorothy always had the power to go home, “she had to learn it for herself.” Darcy encouraged us to go on treasure hunts ourselves for life lessons.

Matt Greenbergs served as General Evaluator, Andres Acosta evaluated Allison’s speech, Joe Stewart evaluated Rhonda’s speech, and Don Wiggins evaluated Darcy’s. Doug Goodman was the Grammarian/Ah Counter, noting that everyone used the word of the week, and Amir Sherif acted as timer. Darcy won Best Speaker and Don won Best Evaluator.

Congratulations to Jim Tucker for moving on in the International Speech Contest! He competes in District 5 on May 21. The next Century Toastmasters meeting is Wednesday, May 4, at noon, Century Park, Building 4, room 4120C. We hope to see you there!