Minutes of the Meeting of Sheridan Park Club Toastmasters – July 20, 2005

Rudi opened the meeting at 7.15pm

“Chef” Miriam ran a “Summer Cooking” (theme) meeting with several changes to the agenda, but with a large audience composed of 15 members and 7 guests-helpers.

Iona, “a doer”, enforced that you have to act to do anything, and together we toasted “For Action!”

I wanted to add some “Flavour” to our meeting thru the Word For The Day, and in order to improve the tone of the meeting I encouraged everyone to taste it, to feel it, to season it, to smell it and to savour it!

Harry’s “Toilet policy” reminded to all of us that we are still human beings.

Simona, a last minute volunteer TTM, asked for some food recepies and there were useful tips from some of our fellow members as well from our seasoned guests. Especially Janette’s tips about how to keep the kitchen clean, was very practical. Don’t cook!

Clive stepped in as Chair for Miriam during the business meeting and banged the gavel and opened the business meeting. He explained the criteria required to become a” President’s Distinguished Club” and thanked Sherry for her extraordinary performance as the President last year. The last week’s minutes were read by me and were adopted without any change. The motion "to start a blog where the members of our club can contribute articles or comments and links they find relevant to Toastmasters activity and make our Club more visible to potential prospects" was adopted with a majority. The adopted minutes will be also posted in the Blog. The idea behind this blog is to be a source for information and to improve our communications skills.

Then Clive politely passed on the responsibility back to Miriam to took the charge again. That was a truly generous gesture on Clive’s part considering no one wants to give up power these days.

Mike Johnson a competitor and a veteran toastmaster, a past governor and the one closest to god in Toastmaster lingo – a DTM – acted as Parliamentarian and was truly impressed with the business meeting. Clive believed what he said.

After the break, the most energetic, the most learned and the most charming Kai presented very well his prepared introductions.

Ananthalakshmi Krishnaswami made us agree with her that we have to learn from our children to take the joy from simple things around us in her unique speech “Child is the father of the man”. She won the BS award. Yvonne evaluated Ananthalakshmi and demonstrated again that she knows what she is talking about and that she is just simply amazing. She won the BEV award.

After Peter’s speech we added another formula for Success. “Prioritize X3” is following the other “Learn X3” formula and now nothing will stop our members to work smart to do things to remain after their life. The President’s Trophy will be the proof! Rudi presented a good evaluation and offered some valuable recommendations.

Our President Clive, entertained us with some secrets from his wedding which got a
like warm review from Janet.

The meeting tasted good and energizing with Chef Miriam. Spark of the evening was none other than Simona for all of help she gave Miriam before, during and hopefully not after the meeting.

Our Eileen – VP PR did a great job as GE.
Abdullah helped graciously with the Timer and Grammarian’s report.
Iona gave us a flavoured excellent Listening Quiz.

Mike gave us the Thought For The Day and a reason to come to a TM club - not only a TM club – at Sheridan Park Club located at Hilton Hotel where the rooms are $99/night! “You cannot cry and laugh at the same time. It’s your choice!”

Miriam with a firm beating of the table with her gavel then closed the meeting on time.

An excellent fun filled meeting with everyone speaking eloquently and contributing effectively – well done all!
Members attending: Simona, Eileen, Kai, Rudi, Johnny, Miriam, Daniel, Abdullah, Peter, Yvonne, Di, Harry, Sherry, Krish, Clive, Ted. Honored Guests: Ananthalakswami, Iona, Endre, Michael, Janet, Rossane, Rebecca.

See you Wednesday 3rd August, for yet another great evening.