George served as Toastmaster to an “Elements” theme. There were 11 Members and 1 Guest in attendance. We started and ended on time.

Open House on 3/30.

Bruce elected to not participate in the Area contest.

The group continued with the handshake-free environment to alleviate any coronavirus anxiety. Scott suggested the “Namaste Bow” as a stage handoff with some using it while others invented their own freestyle form of it. Some members even did an elbow bump.

Scott highlighted George’s creativity as Toastmaster for his speaking tip. Be like George and use every opportunity to practice your creative expression. It will help you in other areas of life and keep life interesting.

George managed to compare the qualities of some elements to the roles in Toastmasters:

  • Helium = makes you laugh — Jokemaster
  • Radon = deadly gas to avoid — Ah/Um Counter
  • Neon = lights — Timer

Other element facts that George sprinkled in:

  • 118 elements in the periodic table
  • Oxygen is blue in a frozen state
  • Methane is odorless

Rich, one of our newest Members, gave his Ice Breaker speech from the Presentation Mastery Pathways. He spoke about his West Virginia roots, hobbies, career and why he joined Toastmasters. His promptness from joining to giving his first speech may be a club record. Congrats Rich!

Scott gave a prepared speech on his communication style. He used the quotes below to highlight preferences in his communication tendencies. He closed with a personal story to demonstrate how he is learning to be more concerned with the other person’s understanding than his own communication preference.

“I found out it’s not good to talk about my troubles. 80% of the people who hear them don’t care and the other 20% are glad I’m having them.”

Tommy Lasorda

“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

“Just the facts, ma’am.”

Dan Akroyd, Dragnet

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace their may be in silence.”

Desideratta, Max Ehrmann

Our evaluators highlighted hand position, podium touching, vocal variety and the power of personal anectdotes.

Jerome ran table topics with the following thought provoking questions:

  • What is your favorite line to use when pulled over for speeding?
  • Would you rather have 10 million today or 10 billion 15 years from now?
  • Would you rather be in trouble with your parents or significant other?
  • What attraction in the USA would you recommend everyone visit?
  • If a clerk forgot to charge you for an item, what would you do?
  • Is it better to be a parent or kid? (Our Guest Matt won with his response)

Our guest Matt said his Ways GPS app did not indicate which side of the road our meeting room address was located. Scott will get with Tony to update the club’s online directions and email communication. Be sure to mention this to any guests you invite.

Sarah will serve as Toastmaster next week.