Marshwinds Toastmasters

A Speech Contest Celebration!

2011-03-21T10:56:00.002-05:00

Congratulations are most definitely in order!

Many a “Thank You” must be said.

We promised you inspiration,

And we delivered

Yes, we did!

Our guest speaker was amazing,

And wore her signature red.

She made us laugh to the point of tears,

And she got her message in our heads.

She touched our hearts and rocked her speech,

We hope she’ll be back soon.

Though we can always hear her on NEXT STAGE BUSINESS RADIO NETWORK,

Ms. Pamela Muldoon!

Betty and Steven evaluated,

And after they were through

Our Chief Judge, Dawn, collected the ballots,

But Betty had more to do!

Betty, Don, and Susan each gave us quite a speech

They inspired, taught and entertained,

They encouraged us to reach.

Reach in, reach out, leave no room for doubt,

And we too can achieve our dreams!

After both of our contests

I was just bursting at the seams!

So many of you helped,

And some behind the scenes.

It took each and every one of you

To help our contestants reach for their dreams!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Because it’s undeniably true,

This contest never could have happened

If it wasn’t for all of you!

My Project 10 is now done

I successfully resign my Chair,

I celebrate, for this has taught me a ton,

Now I will throw down the dare!

Who will be…is it you who’ll be,

Our next Speech Contest Chair? J

International Speech Contest Competitors: Don Borchers,CC, President; Susan Budig, CC; and Betty Liedtke, DTM, with Toastmaster Jennifer Ray-Bertheussen, CC, and Contest Chair Laura Berscheit.

Evaluation Contest Competitors: Betty Liedtke, DTM, and Steven O'Connell with

Toastmaster Jennifer Ray-Bertheussen, CC, and Contest Chair Laura Berscheit.

2011-03-02T00:15:00.000-06:00

Marsh Winds Speech Contests

March 10th, 2011

Come one! Come all! Guests invited!

Marsh Winds Toastmasters Club will be holding its International Speech and Speech Evaluation Contests on March 10th, in the Fireside Room at The Marsh in Minnetonka from 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. (approximately)

Come be inspired! Be entertained! Have fun!

Winners of our club contests will advance to the Area 92 contest on March 24th,at the “Stilts” building, 6700 Excelsior Blvd. in St. Louis Park from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Winners of all the Area contests in the Western Division meet to compete on April 7th, at Supervalu, 19011 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Winners from the 10 Divisions compete at the District 6 Spring Convention, April 29-30, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth.

* For more information, go to www.d6tm.org/Calendar

TELI - February 19, 2011

2011-01-17T22:48:00.004-06:00

To all Toastmasters in Marsh Winds and beyond:

Upcoming special event, open to all:

TELI - Toastmasters Education & Leadership Institute

“We all joined Toastmasters to improve ourselves. But we shouldn’t stop there. With that in mind, the theme for the next TELI is ‘Improve Yourself, Improve Your World.’ ” - District 6

Toastmasters Education and Leadership Institute (TELI)

Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or any part of that, with optional luncheon

The Doubletree Park Place Hotel

1500 Park Place Blvd, Minneapolis.

Our very own LISA JENKS is doing a session at the TELI at 9 a.m. on Brainstorming: Setting Ideas Free

The featured speaker will be Dana LaMon, 1992 World Champion of Public Speaking. Dana is a blind African-American judge with an inspiring message.

The TELI last summer drew record attendance. Register for TELI early to guarantee your space at Dana’s presentation. Online registration will open soon.

See: http://www.d6tm.org/TELI

http://www.d6tm.org/sites/default/files/TELI_20110219_Schedule.pdf

See you at the Doubletree!

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-25T13:29:00.003-06:00

Winter Wonderland

By Lisa Jenks

Gavel pounds we’re a startin,  

Ahs and ums, they’re departin 

A beautiful sound, 

We gather around. 

Talking in a winter wonderland.  

Gone away are the fillers, 

The speech it’s a thriller 

He tells us a tale, 

As we all regale, 

Talking in a winter wonderland.  

At the Marsh, we can hold a meeting

And welcome many guests into our fold 

We'll say: Are you joining? 

They'll say: Yes man,  

And you can mentor me

Through the CC.

When we meet, we desire, 

To relate and inspire

To face unafraid,  

The speech that we've made, 

Talking in a winter wonderland.  

At the Marsh, we can hold a meeting, 

And revel in the many stories told 

We'll have lots of fun when we all gather, 

While we learn to curb our need to blather.

When we speak, ain't it thrilling, 

Facing fears we are willing 

We'll frolic and play, the Toastmasters way, 

Talking in a winter wonderland.

2010-07-25T21:57:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all who participated in the Brouhaha held July 14th at the Marsh.

Fantastic participation by all. Phenomenal speech by both Ravi and Shaun. How lucky we were to have not one but two master's of story telling each share a story with us yesterday.

Ravi shared the story his mother told him as a young boy about Billa, the tiger cub his mother raised in India. Starting out so young his eyes were closed and too weak to suckle so he had to be fed by cotton balls soaked in milk and dripped into his mouth. Growing to an adventurous young cub stealing the neighbors chickens for a snack.

Shaun shared his personal adventure of the Triathlon (swimming, biking, running) he just completed and it's profound effects on not only his body but his ability to go beyond anything he imagined in his mind. Set a goal and reach it. (Having very recently learning to swim, swam one mile for this event.)

I think there's nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment. Well I can think of a few things. :D

Table Topics was done with great mastery by Brett in his first time as the TTM. And the quick wit of the answers gave us all a laugh. Each responder had a really great answer to each specific question. Good Job!!

Thanks for bringing not only yourselves but your smiles. Brouhaha used (in the end) by many as the word of the day chosen by our grammarian Lynn. Leslie caught any and all Ah's, buts and ands. Meg did a great job tackling our timing machine.

By-the-by, any one know where the gavel may be? Has been MIA since I last SAA'd in June.

Our guest, Victoria, looks like she enjoyed the meeting and am sure I will get an email soon saying she is a new member.

Great to see everyone. Reminder to "pick a role" for next week or the weeks after. Summer gets slim but seems to be some of the most fun meetings.

Best to all,
Fellow TM Jenn Ray

Friends, Romans, Countrymen

2010-07-15T12:19:00.003-05:00

One of the most awkward challenges for a new Toastmaster are the various greetings one must learn. When a Toastmaster speaks at a meeting, they greet the other participants early in the speech. The exact introduction depends on who has control of the meeting. If you are not sure what role the person is fulfilling, follow along on the agenda.

If you are the speaker, your greeting will sound like this:

“Thank you, Madam (Mr.) Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and honored guests.” [The "thank you" is optional]

If you a table topics speaker, your greeting will sound like this:

“Thank you, Madam (Mr.) Topics Master, fellow Toastmasters and honored guests.”

If you on the evaluation team, your greeting will sound like this:

“Thank you, Madam (Mr.) General Evaluator, fellow Toastmasters and honored guests.” Sometimes an evaluator will add "and especially you [speaker's name here]"

The purpose of the greeting is multi-faceted. You are acknowledging that the "chair" of the meeting, i.e., the Toastmaster, General Evaluator, Presiding Officer, has given you control. It's also a transition to you "taking the stage." Finally, it's a way of being courteous and acknowledging the meeting participants.

If you are new to Toastmasters, don't be intimidated. Practice greetings and ask for help. It's a great skill that will help you outside Toastmasters as well.

Shaun

Does It Hurt to Tri?

2010-07-15T11:07:00.002-05:00

Thank you for the privilege of giving my speech Does It Hurt to Tri? If you missed the speech or just would like more details, here is my race report that the speech was based on.

Outliers Meeting Recap

2010-05-24T19:27:00.004-05:00

This was a unique and special meeting on a number of levels. Betty Liedtke, Distinguished Toastmaster gave an interactive 20 minute sales training speech. Toastmasters speeches are often 5-7 minutes, but some of the advanced speeches are longer. Betty's outstanding preparation and inspirational performance earned her the Toastmaster of the Day Award!

A couple of quotes from the book Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell for you to ponder:

"Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing that makes you good." & "We overlook just how large a role we all play--and by 'we' I mean society--in determining who makes it and who doesn't."

President Dawn Anderson chaired the election of new officers and Sandy Ryan reported on behalf of the nominating committee.

Brett Thomas was inducted as a member of Marshwinds Toastmasters in a ceremony led by Leslie Smith (pictured below):

Marsh Winds Speech Contests - March 4th

2010-03-02T08:11:00.002-06:00

Come one! Come all!

Marsh Winds Toastmasters will be holding its International and Tall Tales Speech Contests on March 4th at The Marsh, 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Looking for contestants and assistants! Even if you don't want to compete or volunteer, please come watch our club contests! It's fun and inspiring!

Winners of the club contests advance to the Area 92 contest on March 16th at the Ridgedale Library.

Awards from District 6 TELI to Marsh Winds!

2010-03-01T23:16:00.003-06:00

Hello Marsh Winds Members,

The spring TELI was pretty incredible. We had a fantastic turn out for it, also! Our club participation actually "paid" off too! Keep reading.

- 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking Craig Valentine had a ton to teach and inspire us with!

-Jean Keating has captured several events on video, and it is with great anticipation and joy that we may some time be able to watch her movies!

-Lisa Jenks and Mark Forsberg both led officer training sessions!

-Lisa was introduced as a new officer of Public Relations for the entire district

-Lisa led her first activity as the new officer when her activity was the keynote address at the luncheon

-Lisa, with help from fellow Marsh-Windians Larry Everett, Sandy Ryan, Betty Liedtke, and I guess I don't know who else... led a world-record breaking activity of giving over 80 "toasts" in five minutes!

-Marsh Winds was awarded a prize for the most members attending the TELI (complete Successful Club Series Set)

-Marsh Winds was awarded a prize for the most officers trained (complete Better Speaker Series Set)

-Your (fairly enthusiastic) president showed off our elusive gilded gavel to everyone at the luncheon

Fair to say: Bravo to all who came! Bravo to Marsh Winds!

With a bit of bounce in my step and lots of love in my heart, I received the aforementioned items from District Governor Allan Bernard for Marsh Winds.

Thank you for allowing me this privilege to be the president! It was so fun to see Marsh Winds show itself as extremely distinguished! Bravo!

Your servant,

Dawn Anderson

President, Marsh Winds Toastmasters Club #7179

Meeting Recap - February 18, 2010

2010-02-20T18:11:00.001-06:00

We had a few firsts at our meeting last Thursday.

First Ice Breaker Speech: Kimberly Jurek

First time as Ah-Counter: Connie Crawford

First time as Evaluator: Leslie Smith

Working with our theme: Mastery: there can not be Mastery without taking the first action step. Hats off to these members!

Speaking of members, we welcomed one new transfer, now a Marshwinds member, and a new visitor.

Speakers: Kimberly Jurek

Macharia Waruingi

Lisa Jenks

Evaluators focused on speech presentations from three individual speakers, three different objectives and three levels of experience. Thanks, Ravi, Leslie and Larry for your evaluation content and delivery. Dawn Anderson gave an overall evaluation of the meeting, a few tips on changes for club improvement and praise for our club performance.

Betty kept us on time, Lynn challenged our word usage, Connie tallied the ahs, and Sandy worked in the theme with Table Topics.

Toastmaster for the Day Award: Kimberly Jurek, thanks for sharing who you are with us!

Participation is 100% when working along the road to Mastery in Toastmasters, I believe we have that participation in our Marshwinds club.

Best,

Marleen

TELI - February 20, 2010

2010-02-07T22:00:00.002-06:00

Come for the Education!

Stay for the Luncheon and World Record!

That's right, District 6 Toastmasters will be setting a new world record at the TELI luncheon - and YOU can be a part of it!

What is the record, you ask? We can't tell you that, but we can tell you that it features Toastmasters at their best, that it will be exceptionally fun, and that we need you to participate! The world record will be videotaped and posted to the Universal Record Database (www.urdb.org).

So, please, join us for the full TELI experience - the educational sessions, the luncheon, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, Craig Valentine - and the world record!

Meeting Recap for 02-04-2010

2010-02-07T21:46:00.003-06:00

Toastmaster – Larry Everett

Theme – Treasures

The meeting theme was in conjunction with the special fund raising event – White Elephant Sale. This was a successful fund raiser for the club, with discards by one member being a treasure for another member.

There were two speakers for this meeting:

1) Betty Liedtke with the title of “Dream Big, Then GO for It." Betty has already attained her DTM award, and is now repeating speeches from the Competent Communicator manual, the first book when starting out in Toastmasters. The speech was Project #2, with the objective “Organize Your Speech."

2) Lisa Jenks with the title of “Giving an Introduction“. Lisa’s speech was from the Better Speaker Series, and covered the subject of how to introduce a speaker. She covered many great tips that were helpful to even the seasoned Toastmaster. This was also her last speech to complete the Advanced Communicator Silver award.

The White Elephant Fund Raiser event was held in lieu of the Table Topics. Larry Everett served as the chair for this event, auctioning off the various treasures. Each person who brought items for the auction was given the opportunity to describe the item, and suggest the benefit for someone to bid on the item. There were 15 members present along with three guests. All participated in this event, with several of the guests also bidding and purchasing one or more items.

The speaker evaluation portion of the meeting was deferred to allow extra time for the White Elephant Sale.

The Toastmaster of the Day was awarded to Lisa Jenks for her fine speech, culminating in completing the requirements for her ACS award.

January 28, 2010 Meeting Recap

2010-02-07T13:19:00.005-06:00

The theme of our meeting was volunteerism, in honor of the club's shared spirit in serving the hungry people of Haiti and around the world by packing food at Feed My Starving Children following the meeting.

Club President, Dawn Anderson, urged us to volunteer for meeting roles, to click "Available" on the duty roster, and participate in our Toastmasters playground, with her Toastmaster of the Day winning speech, "Your Playground."

Co-Sergeant-At-Arms, Stacey Modahl, delivered her second speech, titled "The Business of Pet Rescue." She told of her volunteer efforts with pet rescue and encouraged us all to take action to prevent and to stop the atrocities of animal mills.

As Table Topics Master, Susan Budig drew out information from others about their volunteer experiences.

A crack evaluation team of General Evaluator, Mark Forsberg, speech evaluators Sandy Ryan and Betty Liedtke, Grammarian Lynn Nodland, Ah Counter Larry Everett, and Timer Kimberly Jurek, capably assisted in in our growth as Toastmasters.

How Do I Write a Tall Tale?

2010-01-30T14:16:00.003-06:00

Paul Bunyan. Pecos Bill. John Henry. These are among the finest known examples of tall tales. But anyone – YES, ANYONE – can write a tall tale. All it takes is a little imagination.

Here’ your chance to create a legend! This spring, District 6 is featuring a tall tales speech contest, starting at the club level and culminating with a champion at the District level!

How can I invent my own tall tale you ask?

1. Choose an incident and a character.

2. List facts about the incident.

3. Exaggerate the facts. For example, you could write about last Friday's football game that your school won 21-10. I meant the football game we won 213-6 (Star running back Tommy Tidewater felt sorry for the other team and scored a touchdown for them in the 4th quarter.). Todd Wallenbacjerstynomerslimkadin passed for 8,000 yards, saved orphans from a burning building at halftime, and sold popcorn between the third and fourth quarters.

4. Make sure it's written in the first person.

(From www.brighthub.com)

It’s really that easy – and fun! Give it a try – craft a 3-5 minute tall tale speech and enter into our club contest on March 4^th!

Go big, or go home!

Marsh Winds Members Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children

2010-01-28T21:59:00.002-06:00

Marsh Winds Toastmasters and other volunteers packed 54 boxes of food, containing 11,644 meals - enough to feed 32 children every day for a year! Thank you, Feed My Starving Children and volunteers, for all that you do!

Belated January 7, 2010 Meeting Recap

2010-01-17T15:07:00.001-06:00

While I remind the Toastmaster each week to craft and submit a meeting recap, I was remiss in recapping the meeting of January 7, 2010, when I served as Toastmaster.

It was our first meeting of the New Year, and the theme, appropriately, was “Happy New Year.” There was promise of a celebration, and the meeting did not disappoint!

There were two Ice Breaker speeches. Leslie Smith gave her very first Toastmasters speech – a very courageous, emotional and personal beginning to her Toastmasters journey, earning her “Toastmaster of the Day.”

Betty Liedtke began her third Competent Communicator Manual, with “Find Your Buried Treasure,” telling of her exciting new business venture. She plans to use this manual to talk about and reflect on the experiences in this venture.

Two new members were inducted into the club – Kimberly Jurek, who also served as Ah Counter, and Vivien Bacaner. Welcome, Kimberly and Vivien!

Uplifting and engaging speech evaluations were offered by Jean Keating and Susan Budig, who served double duty as grammarian, with “interjection” (the form of speech, not the word) as the word of the day. What a creative idea!

Stefan Stamenkovic did an excellent job as timer and Dawn Anderson was her usual enthusiastic and supportive self as general evaluator.

The meeting concluded with a non-alcoholic champagne toast welcoming the New Year with all of its potentiality and promise.

Planning for the Unexpected Meeting Recap

2010-01-16T06:17:00.004-06:00

Thursday's theme was "Planning for the Unexpected." As our Toastmaster and an attorney,
I couldn't go with "Expecting the Unexpected" because that makes no logical sense. If you expect it, it's no longer unexpected.

Attendees were treated to some unexpected twists:

* The room was set up facing East instead of West (thanks for playing Jean).
* The agenda alternated left to right and right to left with photos of the members.
* There was a last minute substitution of speakers and Shaun spoke on Planning for the Unexpected.
* Shaun wore a hoodie instead of his trademark blue sport coat

Larry Everett was our Table Topics master and our guests agreed to give a go at the questions, we were treated to an even better chance to learn about them.

We had three wonderful guests. One Toastmaster who was visiting, another Toastmaster in transition, and someone brand new to Toastmasters.

Vivian gave her first effort at ah counter and Kimberly her first time as grammarian. Thanks to Vivian and Kimberly for jumping into the Toastmasters experience! Stacey staffed the ever-popular timer position.

Thanks to Sandy and Betty for their warm and inspiring contributions to the evaluation portion of the meeting.

Larry shared several announcement as officer of the day.

* We are having a while elephant sale on Feb 4th to assure an appropriate reserve in our checking account.
* The TELI - Toastmaster Education and Leadership Institute will be held on Feb. 20th.
* We are looking for chairs and participants for the speech contest to be held in March.
* Congrats and appreciation to Lisa Jenks for the beautiful and motivating newsletter that was distributed at the meeting.
* Want to be a chief judge for a contest? Judges training is coming.

Shaun reported it may not be wise to pick a theme of "Planning for the Unexpected." He forgot his wallet that morning and also arrived to find only three chairs in the meeting room...

Prepare for the Unexpected - Jan 14th Meeting Theme

2010-01-06T15:44:00.003-06:00

Lisa Jenks will be presenting on impromptu speaking. Most of the communication we do is unplanned, so we will explore how to prepare for the unexpected on January 14, 2010.

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-03T09:32:00.004-06:00

Several Marsh Winds members have shared their resolutions for 2010. We wish them and you success in achieving your goals and fulfilling your resolutions for the New Year! Cheers!

Larry Everett - Aim for greater heights.

Betty Liedtke - My New Year's Resolution will be a two-part resolution to count down to zero. Wherever anything is stacked up and piled high--like the papers on my desk and kitchen counter, or my overloaded email inbox. Part 1 is to process and put away (or toss) everything that's already there. Part 2 is to train myself to deal with everything as it comes in so I don't allow new stacks to grow. If I do this consistently and conscientiously, I will have counted down to zero by the end of the year (or sooner, I hope).

Jean Keating - My New Year's resolution 2010 is to partner with the Living Field of Love in all that I do, all that I Am...to invite this Living Field to serve as co-creator and guide to my purest expression.

Jennifer Ray Berthuessen - Lose 15-20 pounds which means implementing some sort of self control which is always the down fall in any resolution.

Ravi Bakshi – To stay healthy.

Sandy Ryan – To be “passion driven” rather than “calendar Driven.”

Shaun Jamison - To improve my posture, so I'm sitting properly while on the computer all day. Easier said than done...

Dawn Anderson - To cherish and embrace life with both it's ups and downs, and to laugh with myself when I stumble. Yup: I resolve to laugh more

Deborah Dora – To eat chocolate every day.

Pamela Rediger – To be present with people and let go of all those things that get in the way of that.

Lisa Jenks - To get more sleep.

Resolutions - by Lisa Jenks

2009-12-31T23:06:00.004-06:00

Welcome 2010

Find your zen

Satisfy a yen

Now is when

Higher heights

Grander sights

Champion rights

Romantic nights

Cheers to you

What will you do

The new year through

To be a better you

Financially sound

Common ground

Fitness found

Family bound

Promises to keep

Dig down deep

Take that leap

Benefits to reap

Learning skills

Seeking thrills

Cutting frills

Curing ills

Take full pride

Goals be your guide

Don't be denied

Hit your stride

Sharing wealth

Better health

Professional stealth

Thoughtful self

Do your best

Never rest

Show your zest

'Til next New Year's fest!

The Elusive Gilded Gavel (The E.G.G.) Now Resides With Marsh Winds

2009-12-24T00:09:00.003-06:00

Elusive? Not any longer! It is ours!

Gilded? Perhaps a stretch, but yes, it is special.

Gavel? Did it once start its life as a croquet mallet? One may never know. It is now a gavel, and as such, will be used at our meetings until another District Club comes to capture it.

What does the future hold? Ah, well, now that is a good question. A question for table topics, I would say, so I will refrain from giving my answer today.

Here’s our story, and we are sticking to it:

At 5:35 a.m. on Thursday morning, December 17^th, 2009, a red mini-van with five Marsh Winders left the Marsh and headed for Hutchinson. The 7 a.m. meeting was all set up and ready to go at 6:50 when we arrived after stopping for coffee and candy canes in town. It had been a smooth trip, thankfully, with no scarcity of great conversations. No surprise, on that, however: we ARE Toastmasters, after all!

The Hutchinson II meeting was very enjoyable. We met the president, web master, and all of the other members. We were welcomed with congenial conviviality. Aside from the Marsh Winds President spilling her water glass, and nearly knocking down the club’s stand of ribbons, it was a smoothly executed and fun meeting. All in attendance enjoyed a liberal splashing of humor. The joke of the day got the room warmed up nicely, and even the evaluations were spritzed with jokes. A long list of procedures that vary from our club’s could be made, but one detail that we all liked was having more than one award given for quality efforts. A best table topics award and best speech award were given. Our club’s participation in table topics and warm-ups was terrific, but alas, did not merit any awards. Certainly, had there been an award for clumsiness, we would have had that one! They also gave a bone-award to a member who misnamed another member. Argh! This would never happen at Marsh Winds! Our VP of PR, Lisa, did her best to create a positive relationship as we stole away this coveted gavel, by offering the gifts of super-sized candy-canes to the other club. Memorable! Hope it helped ease their loss! Also, we said The Marsh Winds Jingle Number One in unison before we departed.

It was a struggle, but at the end of the meeting, the five Marsh Winders successfully grabbed that E.G.G. from five of the Hutchinson II members. Yes! We came, we spoke we conquered!

As we drove out of town, we stopped for a photo-op with the van riding into the sunrise, towards home, and a safe arrival to our own 9:15 meeting. We left with fond memories, skills learned, and many ideas to consider borrowing from our fellow District 6 club. And we left with the E.G.G.!

Until we meet again: please drive safely, buckle-up, and laugh as much as possible.

Dawn Anderson

President, Marsh Winds Toastmasters Club #7179

How the Grinch Spoke at Christmas

2009-12-20T00:10:00.004-06:00

Check out this creative spin on a holiday favorite! Click here to enjoy!

Thursday December 10th - A Chilly Meeting Recap

2009-12-13T21:59:00.002-06:00

"Brrr, It's Cold Outside" was the theme for the Marsh Winds meeting last Thursday. BUT, it was warm and cozy around our Toasty table! Roles were filled as needed with Susan Budig as Ah Counter, Leslie Smith as Grammarian and Dawn Anderson as Timer. Betty Liedtke gave a speech that not only warmed our hearts, but added steam to our Toastmaster bonding by sharing a story of Toastmaster "goodness." Betty's evaluator, Jean Keating gave her piping hot feedback with extra marshmallows! Having simmered some thoughtful Table Topics, Stacey Modahl elicited responses of tales of adventure in our winter wonderland. Larry Everett, as General Evaluator, gave our meeting some warm, fuzzies of approval. Our guest was hot "spot on" with her Table Topics response and report of her Toastmaster experience with us.

In the end, having delivered some hard, cold facts such as: We can think about getting past our fears of public speaking, but the only way to overcome them is to prepare and practice (in a safe environment such as Toastmasters), Toastmaster, Sandy Ryan, wrapped up our meeting (which ended with a blanket of applause). Betty Liedtke was awarded Toastmaster of the Day! She is so hot! :)

Greatest Ways To Better Yourself

2009-12-13T12:56:00.006-06:00

This may be an old posting, but still worthwhile. In 2005 CNN Money.com listed in its 50 Smartest Things To Do with Your Money section "Greatest Ways to Better Yourself."

Speak confidently - No one ever got a raise by being a wallflower. Spend a few hundred dollars on a public speaking class at a community college or get training and practice at Toastmasters.

But didn't we already know that? Spread the word!