The unknown is exciting

We had another interesting meeting today.  It seems like all our meetings are interesting, in one way or another.

Although every meeting we have follows a set pattern, there are often differences from week to week.  It could be because we have two interesting speakers, they could be seasoned Toastmasters or relatively new toastmasters like we had today.  Or it might be an added business meeting or a member induction. You never really know what exciting things are going to happen until they unfold.

 

Mandy gave our first presentation.  She has been a Toastmaster for only a few months now and our second presentation was by Meg who just joined our group 2 weeks ago and completed her ice breaker speech today.  Mandy spoke on the history and functional characteristics of eating utensils and how the different forms evolved over time.  She ended with a brief explanation of the benefits of using chopsticks.  Her presentation was informative and very interesting, especially the fact that there are different types of chopsticks based on your main diet.

 

Seven Happy Inductees

Now Meg completed her "Ice Breaker" speech today, her first speech where she introduces herself.  We learnt a lot about Meg.  She is funny, likes writing and photography and is a recent transplant from Vancouver.  This will be her first winter on the prairies and she is ready to cope with what ever weather comes her way.  Meg presented her personal journey about public speaking fears, from almost passing out before a speaking engagement to missing out on being the Master of Ceremonies at a good friends wedding.  Meg has set some goals to improve her speaking skills so she can overcome this fear and she also wants to  develop her leadership skills.  Well Meg, I think you have come to the right place.  But hang on, I think you will be having so much fun, you won't realise how much learning is actually going on.

As I mentioned, you really don't know what is going to happen at a meeting until you get there.  I was expecting a business meeting, as that is what was scheduled.  I was looking forward to hearing about the great things the club executive is planning for the next few months.  Well that didn't happen.  Instead we had new member inductions.  I had forgotten we hadn't done this in a while and had seven new members to induct.  It is great when these new members stand in the front of the group and recite their promise and then the rest of the membership get to promise to support them in their Toastmaster journey.  At the end, they were all presented with a membership certificate.  It will be interesting and exciting to watch these new members as they hone their speaking and leadership skills.

Talking about excitement and not knowing what is exactly scheduled.  I understand a random meeting is planned for the future.  Random in the fact that only the speakers come to the meeting prepared.  All the other roles are drawn from a hat as you arrive.  This presents a great learning opportunity and often times forces you out of your comfort zone as there always is a real chance you will need to perform a role you have never done.  I also understand our Vice President of Education is considering a backward meeting in the future as well.  I have seen these in the past and they are great fun.  If you want to see one in action you will have to come out for a visit.  But don't be surprised if the meeting is adjourned before it actually gets started.

If you are interested in learning more about Prairie Schooners, why not head over to our website or visit us on Face book.  The links are at the top of the Blog and if you have questions that aren't answered, stop by for a visit anytime.  Visitors are always welcome with no obligations.

See you soon.