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THE
SPEAKER
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December 2008
Randolph
Toastmaster Club 2845
Chartered in October, 1958
Area 80, Division H, District 55 |
GREETINGS FROM OUR PRESIDENT
WOW, what a Toastmasters Year we have had. Since July 1st we
have accomplished so much….we installed new officers, we have had six (6)
new members join our club. We have had one individual already achieve his
educational goal for our Club Success Plan (DTM Brooks earned another
Competent Communicator Award—Congratulations. We had an AWESOME speech
contest with some AWESOME contestants. We have had some great meetings. We
were successful in collecting our dues and we are 27 members strong (Thank
you) and most recently we CELEBRATED our 50th anniversary as a
club!! WOW or should I say WHEW!
What fun we have had just these past few months. On Saturday, December 13,
we had our Christmas Party. We not only had a great turnout of members but
many of our members brought their children and grandchildren. We had some
great food by way of Potluck and enhanced our Table Topic speaking skills by
telling each other about our favorite Christmas tree ornament. In the latter
part of November, the club also showed its Christmas Spirit by participating
in a gift wrapping project with other organizations on base. All proceeds
went to the Veterans
Christmas Tree.
We just elected our club officers for the coming six months (1 January to 30
June 2009). The new group of officers are: President, AC-B Espinoza, VP
Education, CC/CL O’Neal, VP Membership, TM Schloemer, VP Public Relations,
TM Madsen, Secretary, ATM-B Houtman, Treasurer, TM Haire, Sergeant-at-Arms,
ATM-B Houtman, Immediate Past Pres, ATM-B Houtman.
Well that’s it for now. Keep communicating effectively.
---AC- B, CL Amy Espinoza
Golden Moments
Where were you on the evening of October 25th 2008? I
was at the 50th Anniversary Party along with other members, past
and present, and their families of Randolph Toastmasters Club 2845 at Dragon
Lake Restaurant in Universal City.
Fifty
Years of Golden Moments
was the theme. The restaurant staff prepared a fabulous buffet. DTM Don
Brooks was Toastmaster for the evening, ATM George Houtman provided CD’s of
50s music that we listened to while we ate and chatted. Local businesses
donated some super door prizes that added to the excitement. We had fun
reminiscing on some 50s table topic trivia and a 1958 Music Trivia contest,
both furnished by George. Of course, it wouldn’t have been a successful
party without the many folks that came just like it wouldn’t be a successful
club without the members. If you weren’t there you truly missed a great
evening of fun and laughter!
The highlight of the event was our Guest Speaker, DTM Lark Doley.
She was noted as “our Golden Lady” by AC-B Amy Espinoza in the program. She
definitely was a golden lady and not just because she wore a gold suit to
match her golden blonde hair. She is truly a professional lady, a dedicated
Toastmaster since 1990 and was the First District 55 Governor in 1997. Her
honors, leadership and contributions during her tenure are numerous; she is
a great role model. Lark was elegantly dressed in a gold suit – perfect for
the occasion. Our Golden Lady recited numerous facts, including dates,
about our club’s awards and various honors over the past 50 years just like
it happened yesterday. We were elated that she cared so much and made us
feel so special.
To be a member of a club that has been in existence since 1958 just
tops the chart of my history at Randolph Air Force Base. The whole event
was tremendous fun for me from the get-go. Being on the planning and
decorating committee, getting the flyers out to past and present members,
and seeing it all come-together successfully was the greatest joy. Randolph
Toastmasters is truly a club to be recognized for the members that have
dedicated their love, leadership skills and so much more to keeping this
club on the charts. I’m honored to be a member and a part of its history.
Lark summarized the evening by asking each person to say one or two
words about what Toastmasters means to them. Amy, our Club President, said
it best with just one word -- PRICELESS. Everyone received a beautiful ink
pen with the inscription “Randolph Toastmasters 50th Anniversary
1958-2008”. Amy’s added touch – a scroll wrapped around the pens made this
a fabulous memento. Here’s what was typed on the scroll:
Friends Youthful Oratory Great Times
Memories
Inspiration Elaborate Fearless Opportunities
Others
Fun Audience
Leadership Mentors
Teamwork Reachable Dedication
Entertaining
Yare Style
Education Non-verbal
Notable Thankful
Special
Now that’s what Toastmasters is all about!
CC/CL Carol O’Neal
Club Secretary
“Your Best Self Ever”
Say it again – “Your Best Self Ever”. That
was the theme of the District 55 Toastmasters Fall Conference held in
Austin, Texas on November 14, 2008. As a “First Timer” to a Toastmasters
Conference, my first session was a 45 minute meet and greet with
approximately 30 other first timers. We were tasked with a scavenger hunt
which forced us to talk to people and find out where they came from, why
they joined Toastmasters, their favorite book, finding someone with an
accent, and so on. It was a great way to get acquainted with others. Those
of us that participated and turned in our completed list received a small
token and very useful gift; mine was a 2009 Monthly Planner. It was fun
talking to some interesting folks throughout the day, learning things about
them, and even learning things I didn’t know about some of the folks that
I’ve known for a while.
Everything was fabulous starting with the parade of banners and ending with
the Tall Tales Contest and Awards. Don Brooks did us proud by carrying our
club banner as well as our banner of ribbons. And seeing our Club and our
names highlighted for various accomplishments in the Hall of Fame Booklet
was awesome and such an eye opener to what great things and success is
possible through Toastmasters. I learned a lot at the educational sessions
-- about “listening from the heart,” “stress and self care,” “winning
speeches,” and the most enjoyable one for me was “unforgettable voice and
presence”. The facilitators that presented the sessions were the greatest,
very entertaining, and made learning fun.
Amy Espinoza and I talked about the day and what a great time we had on the
drive back home. It was a fabulous Conference and I thoroughly enjoyed the
entire day. I’m looking forward to the next conference; in fact, I’m
planning on helping our Area Governor, Kim Wentrcek, with next year’s Spring
Conference, May 1-2, 2009. Hope to see you there.
CC/CL Carol O’Neal
Toastmasters Club 2845
WHAT IS THE DISTINGUISHED CLUB PLAN?
Many of you may recall in the “Wizard of Oz” that when Dorothy asked
how she could get to the Land of Oz, she was told to follow the Yellow Brick
Road. In Toastmasters, we have our own “Yellow Brick Road” and it is called
the Distinguished Club Plan. It gives us direction as to where we should be
going as a club and it measures how successful we are.
The plan is very simple in that it has only 10 main goals or objectives.
However, those goals cannot be met unless all the members work together as a
team. Just like Dorothy couldn’t get to Oz alone but relied on her fellow
travelers i. e. Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion, for support so we as a
club must rely on each other to accomplish the goals set forth in the
Distinguished Club Plan.
The ten goals are: (1) Two Competent Toastmasters
(2)
Two Additional Competent Toastmasters
(3)
One Advanced Toastmaster
(4)
One Additional Advanced Toastmaster
(5)
One Competent Leader, Advanced Leader, or Distinguished Toastmaster
(6)
One additional Competent Leader, Advanced Leader, or Distinguished
Toastmaster
(7)
Four New Members
(8)
Four Additional New Members
(9)
At least 4 club officers trained for both 6-month periods.
(10) Semi-annual dues and officers’ lists submitted on time.
If a club achieves 5 of these goals, it is recognized as a Distinguished
Club; if it achieves any seven of 10 goals, it is recognized as a Select
Distinguished Club, and if it achieves any nine of the 10 goals, it is
recognized as President’s Distinguished Club. Now is the time to decide
where you fit into the Club Plan. Whether it is inviting a potential member
to a meeting, serving as a Club Officer and attending the required training,
or advancing in either one or both the Education or Leadership Tracks, there
is something for all of us to do. Our club has been a President’s
Distinguished Club for several years and with each members help, we should
have no problem doing it again this year.
Don Brooks, DTM
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT RANDOLPH
TOASTMASTERS
New Years Resolutions
In addition to working the Distinguished Club Plan, we all have other goals
that we would like to achieve. Here are some goals for our club that I have.
You are welcome to make these goals your own or modify them as you wish.
The experts say that in order to meet our goals they should be in writing
and they should be written as though they have already been achieved. So
here they are:
1.
I see 20 members
at every meeting.
2.
I see at least 2
guests at every meeting.
3.
I always learn
something new.
4.
There is a sense
of friendship between members.
5.
Guests comments
are complimentary, like
“ The meeting was well-organized”
“ I felt welcomed”
“ I learned something”
6.
Each evaluation is
helpful.
7.
Members are using
their creativity.
8.
Members find their
own substitutes, if they can’t attend.
9.
The TM, GE,
speakers and evaluators are prepared.
10.
There is
laughter.
11. Members volunteer willingly for projects like speech contests
Don Brooks, DTM
THE YEAR IN PICTURES
Figure 1: Kim, Dan, Carol, Don, and Amy at Fall Conference
Figure 2: Titus and Derek Joined the Club this year
Figure 3:
Amy, Carol, and Christine representing Randolph Toastmasters at Famaganza
Figure 4: From Left to Right George Houtman, Carol O'Neal, Christine
Murray, Chris Goodall, and Amy Espinoza were installed as Club Officers by
Toastmaster Clarence Mathis (far right). Don Brooks is also pictured
in center.
Figure 5: Amy, Christine, Carol at 50th Anniversary Party
Figure 6: Gwin and Christine share a moment at the Anniversary Party
Figure 7: Jan and Larry at Anniversary Party
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