RioCopa Toastmasters

June 8, 2005

11:30a.m. — 12:30p.m.

Conference Center @ Rio

Theme: Name Your Poison

Meeting Minutes

11:38   Call to Order – John Desmond, President

Present: John Desmond, Mike Trier, Steve Martindale, Dolores King, Laura Buzin, Azra Mahmoud, Jay Ortiz, J.D. Austin, Joshua Darland

Thought for the Day:  Mike Trier quotes from the works of Bill Cosby

Word of the Day:  Thyroid Mary:  - noun – One that is by force of circumstance from which something undesirable spreads.

Toastmaster Mike explained that our Area Governor, Rose Beeson, notified us that RioCopa is now “officially” a President’s Distinguished Club.

Joshua led us in Table Topics and Mike was especially good talking about a decedent dessert with brownies and Kahlua Coffee Blended.

Jay gave a great speech from The Communication and Leadership Manual #2 Organize Your Speech called What Makes a Leader?

The speech covered the 5 key attributes of a leadership including:

1.                  Know yourself

a.       Self worth

b.      Strengths and weaknesses – play on your strengths

2.                  Self-regulate your emotions

3.                  Motivation-driven to achieve

4.                  Empathy- acknowledgement of others feelings

5.                  Social skills-put all the above into action

J.D gave a wonderful speech from the “Successful Club Series “Closing the Sale”

We had reactions from the members when JD asked what we thought was the purpose of the club.  Some answers are as follows:

1.                  Prevent frustration when speaking

2.                  Self improvement

3.                  Improve communication

4.                  Get comfortable when speaking in front of people

5.                  Personal growth- keep your skills

Also, he talked about first impressions for new members.  After he spoke about new members we were asked to give what we thought was important to first impressions.  The following are some of the suggestions:

1.                  Organized room/equipment set up

2.                  Site Supervisors/Name Cards

3.                  Sgt. Of Arms responsible for obtaining backup if late or out.  Suggest an assistant to train for next election

4.                  Welcome each guest by every member –Mystery Guest?

5.                  Arrive a few minutes early to greet guests, make sure room is set up for your needs

6.                  New Member Orientation

7.                  All information in a packet for guests: including application and brochures about the club

8.                  Assign mentors for new members and get help to any member who has a long amount of time between speeches.

9.                  Assign mentors for 1-3 speeches – possible switch mentors at speech 5.

10.              Buddy vs mentor naming convention

JD also talked about Fellowship, Variety and communication

1.                  Social events: attend inter club events

2.                  Multi-club members

3.                  After the evaluation reports, the meeting was returned to our President John Desmond.

12:35   Meeting Adjourned