Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for March 5, 2008

Today's meeting was attended by a total of 13 people, all of whom were members.  In attendance were Nate Garapati, Kerrie Phillips, Lari Oubre, Sai Kumar, Bob Johnson, Jim Key, Joanie Harris, John Bradshaw, Adam Keller, Ricardo Galindo, Steve Bachellor, Nate Garapati, and Rohit Kunjappa.

Sai Kukmar was our Toastmaster of the Day.  My theme for the meeting was "Pleasant Surprises", inspired by happenings from his recent trip to India.  Sai opened with one of those stories; hopefully we'll get more of them in his future speeches.

The word-of-the-day was garrulous.  (Definition  1. talking much, especially about commonplace or trivial things; talkative  2. Wordy.)

Our first speaker was Rohit Kunjappa.  Rohit's speech, entitled "My Path to TM..." was his icebreaker; YEAH ROHIT!!!  from the Competent Communicator manual.  He spoke about a situation how important being able to communicate effectively is to being a leader, and how that realization lead him to become a Toastmasters.  Rohit's evaluator was Kerrie Phillips.

Speaker #2 was Adam Keller.  Adam was again practicing for the International Speech contest.  This was his second consecutive week to practice the speech with our club.  Since it is a competition speech, and since our minutes are public on our blog, no details about Adam's will be posted.  (We wouldn't want his competitors to get any advance notice about his speech.)   :-)

Table Topics was led by Ricardo Galindo, and I (JIm Key) served as the General Evaluator.

"Best" Awards

• Best Speaker:  Rohit Kunjappa
• Best Evaluator:  Steve Bachellor
• Best Table Topics:  Jim Key

Business items discussed:

• Area contest on March 15
• It's time to renew our membership dues.  Please remit yours to Ricardo by March 15.
• Reminder of our membership drive.  As a recap, points will be accumulated as follows:
  
  Bring a guest                      1 point
  Guest returns                     1 point (limit of one return visit per guest)
  Guest becomes member      3 points
  
  For every 5 points you accumulate, you recieve movie passes
  The overall high scorer will also recieve a movie gift basket

Our next meeting will be held March 12, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for February 27, 2008

Today's meeting was attended by a total of 17 people.  The 12 members in attendance were Kerrie Phillips, Joanie Harris, John Bradshaw, Steve Bachellor, Ruchika Nagrath, Mark Schroeder, Lari Oubre, Bob Johnson, Jim Key, Angie Flinn, Adam Keller, and CJ Oakes.  Our 5 guests were Joann Seims (guest of Kerrie), Jim Miazza (guest of Jim), Tona Teta (guest of Steve), and Melody Melton and Bill Faulkner (both guests of Lari). 

I (Jim Key) was our Toastmaster of the Day.  My theme for the meeting which was a special Contest Showcase/Practice.  The Evaluation contest and International Speech contest will be held March 15, and our two representatives Angie and Adam, respectively, had the chance to practice for their contests.

For the benefit of our guests and newer members, I gave a briefing of sorts to explain how are meeting was going to differ from a normal meeting.  Then Lari Oubre spoke.  She was serving as the featured speaker for the evaluation showcase.  Her speech, entitled "A New Beginning", was speech a manual speech, but since the evaluator in a contest isn't informed about the speaker's objectives, I did not list it in the agenda.

As is done in evaluation contests, Angie was excused from the room for 5 minutes to prepare her evaluation while I interviewed Lari.  As always, Angie gave a great evaluation which was followed by our group feedback on her evaluation (evaluating the evaluation...sorta surreal, eh?).

Adam Keller gave the speech that he intends to use in the upcoming speech contest.  Afterwards, we gave him feedback as a group.

Given the special nature of the meeting, we did not have Table Topics today.

Business items discussed:

• Be sure to attend the speech contest on March 15 to support Angie and Adam.
• Reminder of our membership drive.  As a recap, points will be accumulated as follows:
  
  Bring a guest                      1 point
  Guest returns                     1 point (limit of one return visit per guest)
  Guest becomes member      3 points
  
  For every 5 points you accumulate, you recieve movie passes
  The overall high scorer will also recieve a movie gift basket

Our next meeting will be held March 5, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for February 6, 2008

Today's meeting was attended by a total of 14 people.  The 13 members in attendance were Nate Garapati, Kerrie Phillips, Lari Oubre, Sunitha Amaravenkata, Sai Kumar, Bob Johnson, Jim Key, Mark Schroeder, Joanie Harris, John Bradshaw, Adam Keller, Ricardo Galindo, and Steve Bachellor.  We were also honored to have Carlos Chamorro as Kerrie Phillips' guest for our meeting today.  I'm also told that Carlos submitted his application to join us as a member right after the meeting.  WELCOME CARLOS!!

I (Jim Key) was our Toastmaster of the Day.  My theme for the meeting was "Surprises", and had to do with all of the various surprises that we face (and that includes how we start our Toastmasters meetings!).

The word-of-the-day was ebullient.  (Definition  1. overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement; high-spirited.  2. Boiling up or over.)

Our first speaker was Nate Garapati.  Nate's speech, entitled "Will You Give Me Some..." was project #7 (Research Your Topic) from the Competent Communicator manual.  This was Nate's second consecutive week to speak.  When we had a speaking slot open up, Nate jumped in and volunteered to take it.  Kudos, Nate!  Nate spoke to us on the importance of self-esteem, and the importance of building it in others.  Nate's evaluator was Sunitha Amaravenkata.

Speaker #2 was Kerrie Phillips.  Kerrie's speech, entitled "Mending Fences", was project #4 (A Fact Finding Report) from the Speaking to Inform advanced manual.  Kerrie told of her experience in getting her fence mended, and detailed the type of research we should do in such cases.  Kerrie's speech was evaluated by Bob Johnson.

Table Topics were led by Lari Oubre.

Business items discussed:

• Contests season is upon us.  Our club contest will be Feb 27.  Indications of intent to compete should be made no later than Feb 13.
• Reminder of our membership drive.  As a recap, points will be accumulated as follows:
  
  Bring a guest                      1 point
  Guest returns                     1 point (limit of one return visit per guest)
  Guest becomes member      3 points
  
  For every 5 points you accumulate, you recieve movie passes
  The overall high scorer will also recieve a movie gift basket

Our next meeting will be held February 13, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for January 30, 2008

Today's meeting was attended by a total of 12 people.  The 11 members in attendance were Nate Garapati, Linda Rummans, Lari Oubre, Sunitha Amaravenkata, Sai Kumar, Bob Johnson, Jim Key, Angie Flinn, Mark Schroeder, Jeff Hoard, and Joanie Harris.  We were also honored to have Laura Shaw as Angie Flinn guest for our meeting today.

Joanie Harris was our Toastmaster of the Day.  Extremely evident is the fact that Joanie pays close attention to all of the speeches each week, and has a memory like a steel trap.  As she was introducing various people throughout the meeting, she added a personal reference that hearkened back to something on which each person had spoken in our previous meetings.  (If you were there and you didn't know what some of the references meant, that means you missed some of our meetings.  SHAME ON YOU!!!  <grin>)   Remarkable; great job Joanie!!!

The word-of-the-day was resplendent.  (Definition  1. shinning brilliantly, gleaming, spendid.)

Our first speaker was Angie Flinn.  Angie's speech, entitled "I Hate Weddings" was project #5 (Your Body Speaks) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Angie gave us a humorous look at how weddings abuse our families, our friends, and our finances.  Angie's evaluator was Sai Kumar.

Speaker #2 was Nate Garapati.  Nate's speech, entitled "Durable Fulfillment", was project #6 (Vocal Variety) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Nate shared with us insights and tips to accomplishing our goals, including developing the habits that will help us towards that end.Nate's speech was evaluated by Lari Oubre.

Stepping up to the plate to "pinch-hit" for Table Topics were led by Linda Rummans.

Business items discussed:

• Contests season is upon us.  Our club contest will be Feb 27.  Indications of intent to compete should be made no later than Feb 13.
• Last officer training opportunity is February 16.  More info is on www.toastmastersd50.org.
• We will be having a membership drive in Feb/March.  Points will be accumulated as follows:
  
  Bring a guest                      1 point
  Guest returns                     1 point (limit of one return visit per guest)
  Guest becomes member      3 points
  
  For every 5 points you accumulate, you recieve movie passes
  The overall high scorer will also recieve a movie gift basket
  
  Post-meeting update:  Laura Shaw will be joining our club.  That means that Angie is off to a fast start with an immediate 3 points.  Go Angie!!!  (And "go" the rest of us; let's catch up to Angie!)

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Angie Flinn
	Evaluator:	Lari Oubre
	Table Topics:	Jim Key

Our next meeting will be held February 6, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for January 23, 2008

Today's meeting was attended by the following 12 members: Kerrie Phillips, Lari Oubre, Sai Kumar, Joanie Harris, Jeff Hoard, Nate Garapati, Mark Schroeder, Jim Key, Bob Johnson, Adam Keller, Steve Bachellor, and Linda Rummans.

Lari Oubre was our Toastmaster of the Day.  Her theme for the meeting was "Reflections". 

The word-of-the-day was riant.  (Definition  1. laughing; smiling; cheerful; gay.)

Our first speaker was Joanie Harris.  Joanie's speech, entitled "Speed Bumps" was project #4 (How To Say It) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Joanie shared with us a personal issue she has dealt with, and left us with a very significant message.  Joanie's evaluator was Jim Key.

Speaker #2 was Adam Keller.  Adam's speech, entitled "Loosen Up", was project #7 (Research Your Topic) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Adam shared with us the history of...and his opinions about...the necktie.  Adam's speech was evaluated by Angie Flinn.

Table Topics were led by Steve Bachellor.

Business items discussed:

• Contests season is upon us.  Our club contest will be Feb 27.  Indications of intent to compete should be made no later than Feb 13.
• Update on our DCP standing from Angie.
• We will be having a membership drive in Feb/March.  More info to follow.

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Joanie Harris
	Evaluator:	Jim Key
	Table Topics:	Jeff Hoard

Our next meeting will be held January 30, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for January 16, 2008

Today's meeting ended up ALL TABLE TOPICS!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!

We all know how well each member pitches in and helps with, and that was in full effect today.  Each attendee (Sunitha Amaravenkata, Kerrie Phillips, Joanie Harris, Mark Schroeder,Bob Johnson, Adam Keller, and Sai Kumar) submitted 3 Table Topics questions to a collective question pool.  Then, everyone had the chance to answer 2 different questions.  Cool!

In the end, however, it was Joanie Harris who rose as the Best Table Topics speaker of the day.  Congratulations Joanie!

Our next meeting will be held January 23, 2008.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2007

Today's meeting was attended by the following 12 members: Kerrie Phillips, Lari Oubre, Sai Kumar, Joanie Harris, Jeff Hoard, Nate Garapati, Lavanya Balcahandran, Mark Schroeder, Jim Key, Bob Johnson, Adam Keller, and Dhanashri Kshirsagar.

Mark Schroeder was the Toastmaster of the Day.  His theme for the meeting was "Speech, Speech, Speech".  Pretty appropriate, given that we had an "all-speech" meeting with three speakers!

The word-of-the-day was provident.  (Definition  1. providing carefully for the future, 2. careful in regard to your own interests)

Our first speaker was Lavanya Balachandran.  Lavanya's speech, entitled "Prioritizing The Tasks" was project #2 (Organize your Speech) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Lavanya shared with us some ideas on why we prioritize our tasks the way that we do.  Lavanya's speech was evaluated by Kerrie Phillips.

Speaker #2 was Nate Garapati.  Nate's speech, entitled "Your Evil Twin:  DOn't Be The Next Victim", was project #6 (Vocal variety) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Identity theft was the topic, and Nate informed us of several ways that our "evil twins" find and steal our information, along with some tips from preventing it from happening to us.  Nate's speech was evaluated by Adam Keller.

Speaker #3 was Jeff Hoard.  Jeff's speech, entitled "Roxanne", was project #6 (Get To The Point) from the Competent Communicator manual.  Jeff told about the experience that he and his wife had when forced to endure Hurricane Roxanne.  Yikes!!  Jeff's speech was evaluated by Jim Key.

Due to it being an all-speeches meeting, we did not have Table Topics today.

Business items discussed:

• Upcoming TLI (more info is on the D50 website.)
• Lavanya asked about the possibility of moving the club meetings to Friday.  That inquiry will be discussed at the next club officer's meeting.

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Jeff Hoard
	Evaluator:	Kerrie Phillips
	Table Topics:	N/A

Our next meeting will be held December 12, 2007.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for November 28, 2007

Today's meeting was attended by the following 12 members: Kerrie Phillips, Lari Oubre, Sunitha Amaravenkata, Sai Kumar, Joanie Harris, Jeff Hoard, Matthew Reichart, John Bradshaw, Jim Key, Bob Johnson, Adam Keller, and Dhanashri Kshirsagar.

Dhanashri Kshirsagar was the Toastmaster of the Day.  Her theme for the meeting was "Thanksgiving".  In her opening remarks, she invited us to mentione the things for which we are thankful.

The word-of-the-day was embolden.  (Definition  To make bold or bolder; give courage to)

Our first speaker was Adam Keller.  Adam gave a 'hip pocket' speech.  It was a test run for a speech he will be giving on Friday, and covered how charitable gifts can benefit us.  There were some great ideas  Adam's speech was evaluted by Kerrie Phillips.

Speaker #2 was Jim Key.  Lari's speech, entitled "What's In A Name...Dropping?", was project #2 (Leave Them With A Smile) from the Humorously Speaking advanced manual.  The basic subject of the speech was how karma can work for us when we share our positive experiences with individuals/businesses with other people.  Jim's speech was evaluated by Sai Kumar.

Today's Table Topics Master was Lari Oubre.

Business items discussed:

• Upcoming TLI (more info is on the D50 website.)
• Adam reminded us that while his speech content was probably applicable to each of us, we should contact our individual tax advisors.  Sound advice!

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Jim Key
	Evaluator:	Kerrie Phillips
	Table Topics:	Joanie Harris

Our next meeting will be held December 5, 2007.  For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes for November 14, 2007

Today's meeting was reasonably well attended, with 15 total people present.  The 13 members present were Lavanya Balachandran, Mark Schroeder, Dhanashri Kshirsagar, Sai Kumar, Kerrie Phillips, Joanie Harris, John Bradshaw, Nate Garapati, Lari Oubre, Ricardo Galindo, Jim Key, Steve Bachellor, and Bob Johnson.

We also had 2 returning guests:  Pamela Steers, and Rheia Doering. 

Steve Bachellor was the Toastmaster of the Day.  His theme for the meeting was "Thanks-Giving".

Our first speakers was Joanie Harris.  Joanie's speech, entitled "A Turkey What?" was project #3 (Get To The Point) from the Competent Communicator manual.  In it, she spoke of attending the Area 71, at which the question in the Table Topics contest intrigued her.  This speech is what her answer - given more time to formulate it than a contest would affort - would be.  Joanie's speech was evaluted by Ricardo Galindo.

Speaker #2 was Lari Oubre.  Lari's speech, entitled "Just Becausee Your Want It Doesn't Mean You Need It", was project #6 (Vocal Variety) from the Competent Communicator manual.  In it, she spoke of the importance of researching the various breeds of dogs to see which has the best match between it's needs/tendencies and your lifestyle BEFORE you get a dog.  Lari's speech was evaluated by Sai Kumar.

Today's Table Topics Master was Bob Johnson

Business items discussed:

• Mark was awarded the D50 Outstanding VP-PR award at the Fall Conference
• Jim was awarded the D50 Outstanding Sergeant-At-Arms award at the Fall Conference
• We received a couple of ribbons for our banner at the conference:  Early Bird & 100% Officer's trained
• Angie did a great presentation at the conference
• Kerrie asked Jim for a brief report on his trip to Taiwan
• Sai asked about whether or not the TM magazine is available on the website.  After research, Jim found that it is, located at http://www.toastmasters.org/magazine.aspx, but you must have activated your member account and log in with it first.

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Lari Oubre
	Evaluator:	Sai Kumar
	Table Topics:	Mark Schroeder

Our next meeting will be held November 28, 2007.  (There will be no meeting on November 21.) For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters

P.S.  Thanks to those who contributed info to these minutes in my absence.  (I was fulfilling some of my Area Governor duties by visiting one of the clubs in Area 71.)

Meeting Minutes for November 7, 2007

Today's meeting was reasonably well attended, with 16 members present.  Those 11 members present were John Bradshaw, Joanie Harris, Sunitha Amaravenkata, Kerrie Phillips, Lavanya Balachandran, Mark Schroeder, Lari Oubre, Adam Keller, Matthew Reichart, Nata Garapati, and Ricardo Galindo.

Our 5 guests, each invited by Kerrie, were Christa Bennett, Melinda Tominson, Michael Cox, Pam Steers, Doug Stickland.  (Rock on, Kerrie!!)

Today was an "all speakers" meetin, and our four speakers were Matthew Reichart (delivering his ICEBREAKER!!  YEAH MATTHEW!!), Lari Oubre, John Bradshaw, and Kerrie Phillips.

Our evaluatorss were Mark Schroeder, Nate Garapati, Joanie Harris, and Adam Keller.

Business items discussed:

• Lunch & Learn
• Fall Conference

“Best” Awards

	Speaker:	Lari Oubre
	Evaluator:	Adam Keller
	Table Topics:	N/A

Our next meeting will be held November 14, 2007. For the latest duty and room assignments, please check the calendar page of our website.

Submitted,
Jim Key, DTM
Secretary, Lennox International Toastmasters