The Moon and the United Way

You might wonder what the moon as to do with the United Way.  Don't think to long as the only connection that I can find is they were the subjects of the two presentations we heard at this week's Toastmasters meeting.

Dawn's presentation, project nine in the Competent Communication manual, told us about her involvement with the United Way.  When her son was younger she used the services of agencies that were partially funded by the United Way and now she is part of her employer's United Way committee.  She likes the fact that the money raised in Saskatoon stays in Saskatoon.   As a United Way Leader she also is happy that the United Way had an anonymous donor last year that matched your donation and this year her employer is matching contributions dollar for dollar.

Dawn's presentation tried to persuade us to support the United Way campaign in Saskatoon.  I think she hit her mark and should be confidant in her message when she delivers it to her coworkers.

Now, on to the Moon.  Shuqing completed her second project by telling us about the Chinese Moon Festival. How this festival is celebrated in the fall similar to North America's Thanksgiving and a time to give thanks.  It is also a time to honour the Moon Goddess.  A time when youth in love can watch the moon and be together with their partner, even when they are apart.  It is a time to relax as normally the crops are in and the fall hard work is done.  It's also a time when you get to eat Moon Cakes.  Something Shuqing really didn't like when she was younger.  But it seems these cakes have caught on in the west as she informs us they are available in some of the grocery stores in Saskatoon.

So you never know what you are going to learn when attending a Toastmasters meeting.  It could be anything from Moon Cakes to the benefits of supporting the United Way.

On a closing note, this is the season for Toastmasters Speech contests. The fall contests include Table Topics as well as Humourous Speech and start at the club level with winners going on to compete in their Area, then their Division with the competition culminating at the District 42 Fall Conference being held in Edmonton, November 2nd through 4th. So if you want to observe proficient speakers and be entertained with a little humour, why not visit a local club when they are holding their contests.

Club contests over - On to Area Contests

Well it has been a very busy two weeks since my last post.  As you could probably tell, we are in the fall contest season and this has been consuming my time.  But it is a very exiting time at the club level with all the competitors vying for the position to represent Prairie Schooners at the upcoming Area Contests. The contest organizers were also feverishly getting things organized so feedback and credit could be granted in their Competent Leader manuals.

Well two weeks ago we had our club Table Topics contest.  There were five competitors who all did a very good job at answering the general question asked of them.  Well with any competition there has to be one person that rises to the top.  With the help of our guest Judges, one who was our Division Governor, a winner was selected by following the judging guidelines.  I am happy to report that our President, Jane, will be representing Prairie Schooners at the Area Table Topics Contest that will be held October 13th.  Why not come out and support Jane.  I am sure she would love to see you in the audience.

Well after the excitement of the contest there were a few more events that filled up our noon hour time slot.  If you remember, we had an on-line scavenger hunt in the fall.  It turns out the the winner of this contest has been hiding out in San Francisco for the last few months and is now back in Saskatoon.  Our President took the opportunity to present her with the first place prize, a hand painted silk scarf.  A beautiful item that was painted and donated by last year's Division E Governor, Rena.  Thanks Rena and congratulations Dawn.

Near the end of the meeting we received a membership application from one of our guests.  She had stopped in as a guest at a prior meeting.  She liked what she saw and decided Toastmasters could help her with her communications skill development.  Welcome aboard Christine.

This happened two weeks ago and last week we had our humorous speech contest.  Everyone in the audience really enjoyed the presentations. You could tell by their reactions when we heard about Melissa's "Little Monster" and how Jane gained her independence when she graduated from "The Pop Can".  I think we could put ourselves in the situations they described.  Again we had the help from judges who were outside our club.  Special thanks to Ed and Vijay, our Area Governor for coming out and supporting our contest.  Well, again only one contestant can go on to the Area contest.  For the second year in a row, our President Jane will be representing our club. With her infectious smile and good natured humour we know she will do well.

If you are interested in hearing a few proficient speakers stop by any toastmasters club or visit an Area Contest.  Visit us on Wednesdays for more details and see how Toastmasters can help you develop your communication and leadership skills.

Are you up for a contest?

We had a great meeting yesterday.  All the seats were full and we listened and participated in an educational presentation by Melissa on next weeks Table Topics Contest.

She explained to those in the crowd why Toastmasters Clubs hold contests and went over some of the rules.  She then proceeded to explain how the judging was scored, how a winner was picked and she handed out the judges forms.

Time permitted questions to be asked of 3 members.  All the audience used the judging sheets to rate the responses they heard.  Once the speakers were finished the ballots were sent to the official ballot counter and a winner was announced.  I can tell you the scores were very close.  It was really any ones game to win.

Hopefully this prepared our members for the real contest next week.  The organisers have arranged for members of other Toastmasters Clubs to participate in the Judges roles.  This allows the maximum number of our club members to try their hand at a question they don't know anything about in advance and come up with a 2 minute mini speech.

It will be great fun.  Why not stop in and see what it is all about and find out how Toastmasters participation can help you develop your own communication and leadership skills.

We meet at noon, Wednesdays on the 4th floor of Saskatoon Square.  Turn left off the elevators.  Hope to see you there.

P.S. 

If you can't make it next week, be sure to stop in the week after.  On September 19th, we will be holding our Humourous Speech contest.  These are always a lot of fun.