Never stop being informed

Well another week has gone by and the Toastmasters meeting this week was unbelievable.  We were entertained by a published author as well as inspired to move and get our feet wet.

Ray recited 4 poems.  What was impressive was that he was reading them from a book he had written.  They were quite enjoyable and we got to see a different side of one of our members.  Who would have know we had an author in our club?

Jane then informed us that our bodies were meant to be in motion, not sitting at an office desk all day and in front of a television all night.  The benefits of physical motion result in better health and one of the best ways to get in motion is by swimming.  Who would have know we had a world river swimmer with us?  One with medals too.

One last bit of excitement was the presentation of a new name badge to Brad.  Brad has been steadily working through his Competent Leader manual and it looks like he has successfully completed is.  His new badge has his new CL designation proudly inscribed.  Way to go Brad.

To learn more, stop by for a visit. We meet Wednesdays at noon, downtown in Saskatoon Square.

Happy Anniversary

Inspiring Minds Toastmasters celebrated their 20th anniversary this week. 


Vi

I was invited to this exciting celebration, Thursday at noon.  It was well attend by former club members and many Toastmaster dignitaries.  The Master of Ceremonies, Vi, did an excellent job keeping the meeting flowing through all the welcome remarks and congratulations from the officials and ended things on time, in true Toastmaster fashion.



Karen

 The Club President, Karen, got things started by welcoming the crowd and then passing the proceedings over to District 42 Lieutenant Governor Education and Training, Don and our Division Governor, Rena.  Both of these dignitaries congratulated Inspiring Minds Toastmasters on their accomplishments and wished them continued success in the future.


Julian



The club's Historian, Julian, conducted a short interview with former members,  Austin and Tom.  We got to know a little about the club's roots as The Old North West Toastmasters and how the club was refocused and moved to their present location.  Other former members, Maureen and Stuart also had kind words of encouragement and well wishes.  One of the club coaches, Cecile, showed the club's appreciation of the Edwards School of Business, the organisation hosting the club's meeting, by presenting their representative, Lynne with a thank you card.  Prior to group pictures being taken, Donna invited those in the audience that were not members of Inspiring Minds Toastmasters to join so they can have as much fun as the members do every Thursday at noon.

I really enjoyed myself at this special Toastmasters meeting.  I always leave a Toastmasters meeting feeling pumped and ready to tackle any and all obstacles that I may encounter.  Thursday was no different.

If you want to know more about Inspiring Minds why not check out the club website:

http://inspiringminds.toastmastersclubs.org/ .  I see that the official photographer for the club, Eamonn, already has photo's posted.   To see more head on over to:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.236141306489104.34492.160844474018788&type=1&l=c0e0310144

Want to get pumped?  Visit a Toastmasters meeting, especially one that is having a party.

Breaking The Ice

Another great meeting today.  Things were a little more intimate as we were in a smaller boardroom due to renovations at Tetra Tech, but a great meeting none the less.  I was hoping that the final winner of the club's on-line scavenger hunt would be revealed.  But that didn't happen.  I guess we will need to wait another week.  But those of you that regularly attend our noon hour meeting, might be able to figure out who the lucky winner might be.  But be patient, this last BIG PRIZE will make it's way to the final winner sooner or later.

The speaking program was enjoyable.  One of our newer members, Kris, delivered his second speech.  We heard about the skills and morals he learnt as a young 4H member,  How in 4H you learn by doing, much like in Toastmasters.  And now, Kris is passing the skills he learnt as a young person on to his young family by getting them involved with the same organisation.



Erin

 We also heard Erin's Icebreaker, her first speech.  A monumental occasion, your first speech completed, nine more to go.  Erin told us she is very shy.  The audience didn't see this side of her today.  Erin joined Toastmasters on the recommendation of her father, who had never been a Toastmaster.  She thinks Toastmasters is like AA for the Shy but from her presentation today it doesn't appear she is shy at all. We learnt that Erin plays multiple musical instruments, she is a poet and a songwriter.  She likes the outdoors and has a number of pets.  Her goals with Toastmasters are to lose the stress she feels because of her shyness, she wants to dance as well as sing.  Unfortunately Erin will be moving in the late summer to continue her education in Moose Jaw so we will not see her develop her speaking skills to the point where she feels comfortable singing and dancing for the club.  But I am certain the Toastmasters club she joins in Moose Jaw will see her dance and hear her sing.  Hopefully we will hear a few more of Erin's presentations before she hits the books this fall.

Why not stop by for a visit next Wednesday.  I am not sure what is on the program.  There may be a dancer or a singer and we might be giving away that BIG PRIZE.

Toastmasters, Where Leaders Are Made.

It's a 3pete

Within a few short weeks we have had meeting where a new member has given their first speech, the Ice Breaker, and started the journey in developing their communication skills.  Opposite them, we have had a seasoned member give their tenth presentation, completing their Competent Communication manual. 


Mandy



This week was no different.  Mandy, one of our newest club members, presented an excellent "Ice Breaker".  Mandy confidantly told a story beginning in her youth and ending with where she would like to go with her urban planning education.  Mixed in was a little poetry, great eye contact and a beautiful smile.  She had us all captivated.



Karen



Karen, our Vice President of Public Relations, completed her first communications manual with a persuasive tenth presentation on the reasons why we should practice forgiveness.  We were presented with common examples where we could easily become mad and upset.  With these examples and the 5 simple steps to forgiveness she explained, we were all able to see ourselves loosing the anger, forgiving and being happy.



Jane and Karen

With Karen's completion of the Competent Communication manual she was presented with a new name badge by our Vice President Education.  I am sure Karen will wear her new badge proudly showing off her new Toastmaster designation.   I am sure she is aware how much more confident and effective her presentations are now.

I am sure Mandy is looking forward to her journey with Toastmasters.  She didn't get a fancy badge but she will get the support and encouragement from the whole club.

This week we had two great presentations by two great presenters.  Why not come out and visit us.  In the last two weeks we have gained three new members and  two guests have returned for a second visit.  We have a well rounded membership, new members and more seasoned (I won't say old).  This mix provides for interesting and engaging presentations we can all learn from.

If you are intrigued or interested in learning more about Toastmasters stop in for a visit on Wednesday.