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.