Toast Notes

As the local chapter's President for Toastmasters, I would like to introduce a new post idea that I will be sharing on a weekly basis. Toast Notes will be an ongoing review of the weekly meetings for the Wythougan Toastmasters, located in Plymouth, Indiana. I hope you will better understand the many benefits Toastmaster clubs can offer including entertainment, networking, community and professional development opportunities. Each week there is a variety of topics shared by the members.
  
Today's Toastmaster meeting theme was "Moments of Significance."

New members Lisa and Vickie were pinned during an official new member ceremony. Both ladies agreed to the Toastmaster mission and publicly vowed the toastmaster promise.

Charlie was our gracious toastmaster who eagerly accepted to fill the leading role of the meeting with the help of a mug of coffee in hand.

Vickie enthusiastically volunteered to play the joke role. As a director of HR, she shared a collection of actual quotes of applicants and job seekers. I was somewhat befuddled and wondered if any of the statements were actual quotes I may have shared in my career track but laughed in spite of it all. 

Lisa shared the word of the day, "faith." And, each time the word "faith" was spoken throughout the meeting, it was acknowledged by a clap. Charlie exuded faith throughout the meeting.

Our first speaker, Eric, shared his recent experience of skydiving. He shared photos that brought smiles and even a little LOL moments from the crowd. He was enthusiastic as he shared the play by play of dropping from a moving plane that was traveling 125 miles per hour to the ground at life altering speeds of 8,000 feet a minute! He closed his jovial speech by taking off his jacket to proudly reveal his new tee shirt that read, "I've been pushed off a perfectly fine flying plane at Plymouth Sky Sports." 

He also invited members to check out the video of his experience > 

The second speaker of the meeting was Lisa. Lisa shared about the five steps of grief, a deep topic for a new member! Way to go Lisa! This was Lisa's third speech and she just got pinned today as a new member. Lisa is passionate about learning how to be a poised presenter and it shows in her enthusiasm and desire to learn.  

Theresa evaluated using the POP theory: positive, opportunity, positive. This is a good practice to use when offering feedback to others. She also encouraged Lisa to never apologize. Fake it til you make it.

Dennis shared a fun twist on table topics, including a prompt for Jan to act as Marianne (since she was not at the meeting) and how she may have responded once the Blueberry Festival was over. Dennis also gave a prompt to John, owner of the local Ford dealership on how he would respond to a person seeking to buy a non-Ford car, a Volvo. Both Jan and John arose to the occasion and shared for two to three minutes. 

It was enjoyable and interactive as usual! A special toast of thanks to all of those who participated! 

About Wythougan Toastmasters Club
The Wythougan Toastmasters Club meets weekly at 6:45 a.m. on Friday at Christo's Family Restaurant in Plymouth, Indiana. Club members represent a variety of professional backgrounds and personal interests and share one common goal: To speak well. 


Weekly meetings provide members and guests a supportive forum to share speeches and receive constructive feedback. The club support and the Toastmaster resources help individuals refine individuals with a focus on public speaking, leadership qualities and overall professional development skills. Guests are welcome to visit and experience the many benefits Toastmasters provides each Friday at Christo’s Family Dining, 2227 North Michigan Street in Plymouth from 6:45 – 7:45 a.m.  


About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization has more than 270,000 members in over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. To learn more about Toastmasters International, click here >