I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and friends! This will be a short post as Moe and I are moving this weekend.

Dan Adams gave his second speech on one of the two forbidden subjects for public discussion according to the late great George Carlin “POLITICS”. (the other one was ‘Religion’  )   Lisa, Dan’s wife was there for support as he masterfully moved us all from disbelief to “Oh My God” reality of where our political representation has taken us without our knowing or at least being fully aware of. Homeland Security is not at all what the name implies and both halves of the word WELFARE are major oxymorons! It’s truely unbelievable. Dan definitely opened our eyes.

Both Brian Rhodes and Area Governor, Mike Kesselring were present from Silva and assisted in manning the participants posts.  Thank you both! Brian is our soon to be newest member at Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club.

Mike then entertained us all with a true story of his visitation by the Bear who came to visit and broke into his home several years ago. As always, Mike can spin a story and draw you into it right along with him, as he relived the adventure.

Bill Hanger was back as the Toastmaster after missing a few meetings due to traveling. Good Job Bill.

The group voted to NOT have meetings on December 22 & 29 due to family and travel plans over the Christmas and New Years Holidays. So you’ve only got 3 more meetings this year to get your final fix of Toastmasters, ‘Gem City Forum Style’ before sliding into 2010.

Hope to see you all there!!

Sincerely,

Jim Alvord | President

Don’t tell me you missed our meeting last night! Another exceptional night of fun, laughter, sharing, and great speeches were liberally sprinkled with Holiday Cheer and topped off with a Stocking gift from our ‘First-time-Toastmaster’, Dan Adams.

Yep – if you weren’t there you missed a ‘Good-Un’.

Our Area 11 Governor, Mike Kesselring dropped by and volunteered to help out in a couple positions that were vacant do to missing (imagine that) members. We have a number of members currently traveling for their jobs, and they are sorely missed. Thank You Mike, for stepping in and sharing with us a new word “chrysalis” and for evaluating Alan’s speech. Your experience was very useful for us all in giving a good speech evaluation.

Dan did a remarkable job for his first time as Toastmaster. He communicated his thoughts and family traditions for the Holidays. With some memories and tidbits from his families’ past of ribbon candies and favorite family events he ended with sharing a stuffed stocking to each member and guest present. We were all in the Spirit of the Season from then on.

Then our own comedian, John “Baldhead’ Becker had us hurting from laughter as he recited actual classified ads from around the country, that had been extremely distorted in meaning by word placement or choice. But they sure were funny! And remember – ‘Stay away from Isle 13′!

Dwayne Philips then took command with Table Topics that stretched the thoughts and speaking skills of his three victims, but Kathy Clifton, Jim Alvord, and John Becker were up to the task and showed us how it should be done.

Michele Hubbs continued in the theme of the evening with her speech on Christmas Traditions but ended it with a twist in suggesting that we all look for the “Free-for-All” aspects of the Holidays with our families. As always, Michele made a professional presentation with movement away from and behind the lectern using appropriate gestures and vocal variety to get her message across. She made excellent use of tempo or voice speed to convey the rush – rush – rush of modern day shopping, partying, function participating, etc. Then she slowed everything down giving us time to think as she suggested the Free side of watching a favorite Holiday Movie (“Black and White are still the best”), making a contest out of cookie decorating, driving around and looking at Christmas Lights Displays, and in general taking time with your loved ones. Great Job Michele!

Next it was Alan Keling’s turn at the lectern for his ‘Ice Breaker’ speech. Alan has a ‘Secret’ and he delivered a masterful speech about it. NO I can’t tell you what it is – It’s a Secret after all. You had to be there! But I can tell you Alan had us all in AWE of how well he delivered his first speech. His word pictures and continually repeating theme introduced us all to a different Alan, that we are fortunate enough to have found in his speech. Alan used humor, personal experiences , and family situations to carry us all through his family album of snapshots from his past verbally. Alan, you are a wonderful addition to our Toastmaster’s Club. Thank You for sharing!

Our meeting participants reported on our progress and performances and we adjourned on time at 6:50 PM. I know I speak for everyone when I say “A good time was had by All”. What a way to start off the Holidays.

Submitted,

Jim Alvord, President

Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club # 296

It was another memorable night at the Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club meeting this past Tuesday 11/3/09. Our Sargent-at-Arms, John Becker introduced our Toastmaster, John Becker who started us thinking about the theme “Bachelorhood”. Loosely translated, ‘How I miss my wife when she’s out of town’ or ‘Who’s going to do up all those dishes in the sink – anyway?’

As we all tried to collect our wits from the throws of laughter, (thanks John – we needed that)Dan Adams brought into some thought provoking table-topics when he had Joe Parker try to sell us on the benefits of going back to the 50’s. When Joe had finished Dan asked Bill Hanger to convince us why we should stay here in the present.

Which would you prefer?

Next it was up to our first speaker, Jim Alvord to “Inspire The Audience” with the benefits of ‘Meditation and it’s place in the Modern World.’ This was Jim’s final speech for his Competent Communicator level and from the feedback – a favorable argument and facts delivered left everyone wanting to know more. There will be more in-depth speeches in the future based on the interest level from everyone.

After all, who wouldn’t want to live healthier and longer with ‘No Effort’ and only a few minutes a day of relaxation?

Then it was Phil Drake’s turn at the lectern – and in his usual humorous style of story telling – he had us all rolling with his continuation on the theme of ‘Bachelorhood’ with “No No No – A Thousand Times No!’ Does anybody out there remember what the “Sniff Test” was when you were single?

You get the idea! Sorry there’re no pictures – I was laughing too hard!

After a little over seven minutes of side splitting laughter, the meeting was handed off to our General Evaluator, Alan Keling. This was Alan’s first time in this role, and he called upon the evaluators for the speeches and the participants reports in a flawless series of repartee’s.

Then Alan gave his Evaluation of the meeting starting off with a keen observation of how similar our Sargent-at-Arms and Toastmaster looked. Nothing escaped Alan’s observations of the meeting and a great time was had by all.

Our President then closed the meeting after some comments regarding the District Conference coming up this weekend in Asheville, and the emails that have been forwarded to the membership.

A special thanks to Brian Rhodes who traveled down the mountains from Sylva and volunteered to be our ‘Ah-Um’ counter for the evening. Brian is helping our Area Governor, Mike Kesselring to rebuild the “Mountain Messengers” club in Sylva. To stay active and in practice during this phase Brian has been regularly attending our meetings, and we’re very glad to have him! Thank you Brian.

See what you missed if you weren’t there? Join us next Tuesday night at 5:30 in the Childrens Meeting Room of the Macon County Library and see what Toastmasters, Gem City Forum style can do for you!

Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Alvord | President
Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club # 296