Last night was the official final meeting of 2007 for the Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club, and what a way to go out.
Our Toastmaster, Nancy Porter started the meeting off in fine fashion with her feelings adn insights on our theme – “It’s better to Give”. One of Nancy’s key points which really hit home for a lot of us was that we need to practice and prepare to be just as gracious and grateful at receiving as we are at giving. That’s not always as easy for many of us.
Next our Grammarian, Phil Drake showed us three words for the night, but only offered”Regale” as our nightly vocabulary enrichener. Later Phil offered us ‘octothorpe’ and ‘Locofoco’ for our over the Holidays words to ponder.
Our newest member and Joke Master, John Becker then entertained us all with a mysterious Burgler Story. John’s use of voice inflection combined with his command of facial expression had us all in stitches.
Then it was time for our speaker for the evening, Michele Hubbs. Michele shared a moving story about her life based on the ‘Ice Breaker’ format from the Toastmasters suggestions. “A Paramecium in the Ocean of Life” or “Go with the Flow”whichever you choose were the titles.
Michele then told of how her early years of constant moves with her family due to her Dad’s business relocations served to make her and her brothers stronger and more closely knit. She also shared how her Mom & Dad would turn each move into an opportunity for inspiration and adaptability in helping the kids look forward to the new moves and getting resettled in their new homes.
Like with all of us, Michele’s life had it’s challenges along the way too, and she reflected on how the many moves of her early years served her and her daughter well when life served up it’s rocky shores. In concluding we all learned of how being flexible and “Going with the Flow” has brought Michele to the life she shares to day with her husband Tim here in Franklin, NC.
We are blessed to have both Michele and Tim as members of the Gem City Forum Toastmasters Club and look forward to everything they can teach and share with us. Thank you Michele, well done.
Next week our meeting will be replaced with our Christmas Party at the home of our President, Emily Markham at our regular meeting time, and I’m sure that many the story will be shared amoung the group.
In conclusion, our next official meeting at the Macon County Library will be on January 8th, 2008. May you all have a safe and Happy Holiday Season and a Blessed new Year.
PLease members, get me your schedules for January 2008 so I can plan next years meetings. Thank You
Jim