Yep…looking at attendance numbers March was in like a Lion and out like a Lamb…let’s blame that on the various school spring breaks, that took many of our members from meetings to marvelous vacation spots. On the weeks in between though, meetings were well attended with an average of 20 people including many guests. Everyone seems to volunteer readily for all the roles and meetings have been great learning experience and fun.
We have two new members Kristin and Benoy, as well as two members who have decided to switch from other Toastmasters groups to ours, Linda and Al. Welcome Everyone!
We have made a real effort this month to concentrate on getting meetings started and ending ON TIME, which has worked very well. That being said, it has not been easy to leave a meeting where Kathy has distributed chocolate in conjunction with her speech, Kevin won us over with his IceBreaker speech and Michael (forever interested in sports challenges) suggested the addition of a MVT award (Most Valuable Toastmaster)…which he was claiming for himself having taken over and organized the room as Sargent Of Arms In Training!
Febuary came and went out like a LION at Toastmasters. We enjoyed our largest attendance yet, averaging 22-25 people, including members and guests. Several guests have returned since the January Open House and many people mention finding us on the Internet or at this site. Four guests became new members and received their pins this month…Karrie, Nick and Kevin.
The meetings this month have been among some of the most enjoyable…after all… February offers us TANGIBLE topic and speech presentations like… Valentines Day, real roses, real Chocolate, Black History Month and President’s Day. That was fun… but could it have been more fun than… Jaye’s dream Cereal Bar, Joe’s reminder of the most important thing in the world, Steve’s comparison of the Palm tree vs. the mighty Oak, Kirk’s tractor fetish, Garnette’s re-creation of Sojourner Truth at the Women’s Cacus in 1863 or Sherry taking us via slides and her personal experience …right to the front row seat of single engine kite flying!
Congratulations to our contestants from the club level International Speech and Table Topics Contests, Dr. Cathy Wendland-Colby and Mike Sena, who went on to take 2nd place this week in the very competitive Area 38 Contest.
This was a month where Cherokee Toastmasters proved it is as much fun to learn about speaking as it is to learn to be an active listener!
Our first Membership Drive for the year, was a rousing success with 22 guests and 18 members enjoying the “BROWN BAG IT!!”luncheon catered by JD’s BBQ. The Brown Bag lunch stressed the fact that we have the convenience of being able to bring in our own lunch and participate in meetings that cover the 12-1:15 lunch time.
The meeting was an almost-reality presentation with two speakers. Michael Thompson, who just joined the club, gave his Ice Breaker speech like a pro and had us enjoying his subtle humor. We can’t wait to hear his next speech! Linda Mihyar gave an informative speech germane to the day on How To Give Presentations. Susan Sims took Table Topics to a whole new challenge for thinking fast on your feet and listening. She started by giving a few questions to members to “show how Table Topics are done”, then threw in a Lightening Round to give everyone a chance to speak. Warren Chapman won the “Best of Table Topics” ribbon of the day, pin pointing the variety he witnessed in speakers and the evidence of an opportunity to learn in a non-threatening environment.
Thanks to Tim Giles, one of our long time members, who was enthusiastic about his job as Toastmaster today, as well as all the members who filled roles for the meeting and pitched in to get the kitchen set up for the catered lunch while greeting guests and Welcoming them to join our club.
All guest seemed to agree that we are a “fun-while-learning” group. Now that news is around town about Cherokee Toastmasters, we hope to see these guests return as well as others who were not able to make the meeting due to scheduling conflicts.
The meeting today was our club competition for this year’s International Speech Contest. Five very effective speakers competed with a range of topics. Dr. Cathy Wendland-Colby won with her speech “I Want” and will now go on to compete in the Area 38 Contest. “Dr. Cathy”, as she is affectionately known in the club, has been a member for years and last year won both the club and Area 38 Competitions in First Place and placed 2nd in the Division D! This year we hope to cheer Cathy as she goes all the way to the top…winning the International Speech Contest and bringing home the trophy.
Thanks to all who participated as judges, timers and all the roles necessary for the competition. The meeting was well attended and included Terrence Carter, a guest, and Michael Thompson, who joined the club today.
