Club Business Dec 11, 2008

Dates to Remember
> TBD – After Christmas Pot Luck Party.
> Officer Training to be held January 24th, 2008 in Plainview, TX.
> Registration for the Spring Conference in Las Cruces on April 24 - 26, 2009 is now open <Link>

Club News/Updates
Thus far, we’ve met 5 out of our 10 DCP goals. We’ve got a ways to go to become a President’s Distinguished Club again. The good news is we have 6 months more to reach that goal. Please check your progress and see what you missing to meet your individual goals!

> Congratulations to our new officers for the upcoming Term:
President: Siva
VP of Education: Natalie
VP of Membership: Chandon
VP of Public Relations: Cheng-Chu
Secretary: Dean
Treasurer: Bob
Sergeant at Arms: OPEN

Happy Thanksgiving!

At the time when you are eating turkeys, please also read some club's notes:

1. We will be electing new officers for the upcoming term January 1st through June 30th, 2009 – NEXT WEEK MEETING – DEC. 2nd
The Club Treasurer leadership role will continue to be filled by Bob. All others roles are open. Please be thinking of what office you would like to hold in order to enhance your leadership skills. Please see Siva, our illustrious president, or ask any of the current/past officer’s what they do/did and they will tell you. If you wish to be Re-elected, please let Siva know as well.

2. If you are going to out of town or on vacation over the holiday seasons, please let VP-Education know ASAP, so she can make changes where needed.

Club Business Nov 5, 2008

Dates to Remember
November 7-9th, 2008 – District 23 Fall Conference to be held in Moriarty, NM. Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking will be the Keynote Speaker. Please check out their district website for more information: http://www.district23.org/

Club News/Updates
Welcome WEI CHEN – our newest member of Club 884. She is a PhD student in Management and another student of Jerry Hunt’s tutelage. Please help me welcome her to the club and make her feel at home!

Congratulations to CHANDON LOYA for completing his first speech – The Ice Breaker! Way to GO!

Welcome Bradon Loya

Bradon had decided to join our club this morning. Even better yet, he stepped in on his first day as 884 member and fulfilled the Awarder role. He did an excellent job. Congratulations and welcome to our club.

Cheng as the Table Topic Master this morning continued our 884 tradition and gave Bradon a table topic during his first 884 meeting as a member. It was a role play question, and Bradon was asked to introduce himself to a lady that he just met and he was interested in. Bradon did a good job as a first time table topic speaker with his "I am Bradon". Good job!!

First Club Improvement Day Oct 7, 2008

We started our Club Improvement Day program this morning. Donna was the Toastmaster and she presented the "Beginning Your Speech" module from the "Better Speaker Series". For our club members who could not make it to our meeting this morning, here is a quick recap on the "Beginning Your Speech" educational module:

1. Criteria for a successful speech openings:
- Get the attention of the audience
- Introduce the topic
- Establish rapport
- Take less than five to 10 percent of the entire speech time.
2. Some opening techniques:
- State the importance of your topic
- Make a startling statement
- Arouse suspense or curiosity
- Tell a story or anecdote
- Ask a rhetorical question
- Begin with a quotation
- Reference the occasion

It was a good educational module for our new members and a good refresher for the seasoned Toastmasters as well. We tend to select a few opening techniques that work best for us and kept using them. Over time, this had become a habit and we had forgotten to try out some other techniques that we are not familiar with.

Donna did an excellent job this morning. She presented the information in a very concise way, easy to grasp and easy to understand. She also managed the time very well as a Toastmasters: we had two longer speeches this morning and with all the information presented, we still ended the meeting on time.

Our "Club Improvement Day" is still under evaluation (and scrutinization). It seems to work well this morning with Donna as our Toastmaster. Maybe Donna is an experienced Toastmaster and that's why it turned out right. We do not know yet. We will continue to monitor the progress in the meantime and make adjustment if it is necessary. If any of you have any comment or suggestions, please feel free to let us know.

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS TO RANDALL MERRIOTT (TALL TALE CONTEST WINNER) AND RUSS PETIT (EVALUATION CONTEST WINNER) !!

If you can make it, please come out and support Randall and Russ on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Area 61 Speech Contests to be held at the LP&L Operational Unit on 404 Municipal Drive at 9:30am. This building is right across from MacKenzie Park. Link for the map.

The contests should last about 2 hours. Plus, it will give you a chance to hear, meet, and greet other Toastmasters from around Lubbock. It should be a lot of fun…

Tall Tale and Evaluation Contest

Siva and Pelin are chairing the Fall 2008 Tall Tale and Evaluation Contest. The club level contest will be on September 23rd, 2008 during club meeting. There is no specific eligibility concern for this contest. As long as you are a paid member in a club with good standing, you are eligible to participate.

Tall Tale is a three to five minute speech on something outlandish and funny. Evaluation is two to three minute, evaluating a target speaker. Winner from our club will proceed to Area level contest, which will be on October 4th, 2008, 9.30 a.m. in LP&L Operation Center in Lubbock.

All members are encouraged to participate. Please inform Siva or Pelin as soon as you have decided. Guests are welcome to attend the contest as well.

Area 61 Governer Visit

Our Area 61 Governer, Ms. Lacy Stone visited our club this morning. She presented a speech on our club new alliance and a hands-on exercise to help club members remember where we are in our new Division. Once our President got the feedback on the performance, it will be posted here.

Officer Meeting Report

The officers of Club 884 had an officer meeting on September 8th, 6pm at J&B Coffee House. 83.33% of the officers attended the meeting. Following is a summary of the decisions made during meeting:

1. Encourage all members to purchase and wear nametag during the meeting.
2. Create a guest package for our guests.
3. Revive the mentor-mentee program for new members. Assign a mentor for all new members.
4. Encourage all members to review the details/duties of each meeting roles as stated in the CC manual and actively perform all the duties noted in the manual.
5. Club 884 official meeting time is 6.30 a.m. to 7.45 a.m. Toastmaster is responsible to ensure that each meeting ends on time.
6. The first Tuesday of each month is designated as the "Club Improvement Day". The Toastmaster for that meeting is responsible to conduct a manual from Successful Club/Better Speaker/Leadership Excellence series as the theme for the day. Any member who is interested in presenting and obtaining credit for ALB and ACS, please contact the VPE to get scheduled. If no volunteer, the VPE will assign members that are qualify to conduct such series.
7. Members that are working on advanced manual should contact VPE if the speech project requires more than 15 minutes presentation time.
8. Purchase Successful Club Series for club members' use. The Successful Club Series will remain in the club cabinet. Members can check out the material from the Sargeant at Arms.
9. Purchase a computer projector for club use. Members that wish to use the projector should contact the Sargeant at Arms before hand to have the projector set up before the meeting. Also, members will need to bring his/her own notebook computer for that purpose.
10. Members are highly encouraged to organize social events for the club.

Moments of Truth (II)

Our VP Education, Ms Wiki Aguas completed the Moments of (second half) Truth on August 19th. Members of the club were split into three groups; each group evaluates two areas that TI deems as crucial in influencing members and potential members.

The ratings on each of the six critical areas that influence our members or potential members are:
1. First impressions - 4 over 6
2. Membership orientation - 4 over 6
3. Fellowship, variety and communication - 5.5 over 6
4. Program planning and meeting organization - 5.5 over 6
5. Membership strength - 4 over 6
6. Achievement recognition - 6 over 6

The minimum ratings for each of the six critical areas are 4 out of 6 for our club, as evaluated by our members. Based on this evaluation, our club is in a good standing according to the Moments of Truth manual. However, given that we are evaluating ourselves, there is a high possibility of bias and rating leniency. We should probably give ourselves a pat on the shoulder, then move on to the recommendations that our club members suggested. Following are a few highlights that the club officers had decided to implement:

1. End on time.
2. Every first Tuesday of the month, Toastmaster presents a program from The Better Speaker Series/Better Club Series/Leadership Excellence Series. This is to provide more opportunities for members to enhance their speaking skills beyond the basic manuals and evaluations.
3. Notes and phone calls made to visitors and prospective members (standardize this practice).

For the detail of the standard rating and recommendations by our members, please click on the link.

Moments of Truth (I)

Wiki Aguas conducted half of the Moments of Truth (or Moments of Half Truth??) Module from the Successful Club Series this morning. Moments of Truth Module can be conducted in two separate sessions: first part is a speech on the conduct of a club's regular meeting and the influence on members and potential members, second part is an honest and objective evaluation by all the attending members to assess the club's strengths and weaknesses that our club needs to address.

From the Moments of Truth Module, the Moments of Truth as applied to our club specifically is defined as "A Moment of Truth is an episode when a prospective member or Toastmaster comes in contact with any aspect of the Toastmasters experience and forms an impression of a Club's quality and service."

The six critical areas that influence our members or potential members are:
1. First impressions
2. Membership orientation
3. Fellowship, variety and communication
4. Program planning and meeting organization
5. Membership strength
6. Achievement recognition

For those members who missed the meeting morning, Wiki Aguas will be conducting the second half of the Moments of Truth on August 19th. All members are encouraged to attend and provide his/her evaluation as this will help the club greatly.

James G. (Jerry) Hunt

James G. (Jerry) Hunt, Ph.D.

Our beloved seasoned Toastmaster, Dr. James G. (Jerry) Hunt passed away on Tuesday July 22, 2008. Jerry joined Toastmasters in December 1982 and he achieved the ATM-S. He supported and actively participated in Club 884 for over 25 years. Jerry was a highly valued, dedicated, and loving member of Lubbock Toastmasters Club 884.

Jerry continuously encouraged countless fellow Toastmasters to practice and he was a huge proponent of videotaping each and every speech in order to fully review and see the actual you in action. Jerry's wealth of experience in scholarly conferences and symposiums was a great resource for graduate students in our club. As a fantastic (fanatic?) grammarian, Jerry kept his fellow Toastmaster very well in line when it comes to grammatical usage and errors.

Jerry loved Texas Tech as well. He was a dedicated “Red Raider” often wearing Texas Tech apparel. Jerry loved his BMW roadster; imagine Jerry speeding in his convertible. In 2006, we celebrated Jerry and Donna’s 50th wedding anniversary and what a glorious celebration it was. Jerry was standing by his Red Raider Cherry cake asking us if we would like a slice of his favorite cherry cake. Jerry had a great smile and ability to instantly bond with people.

Who could forget Jerry’s Red ‘n’ Black belt buckle, double T cowboy boots and his infamous “Guns Up!” gesture? Remember the “Fig leaf” analogy for body gestures? Remember the “Progressive Revelation” method? The distinction between “I”, “me” and “myself”? Jerry will be greatly missed in our Toastmaster family. Rest in Peace…

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home, 5740 W. 19th St., Lubbock Texas.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm Friday, July 25 at Lakeridge United Methodist Church, 4701 82nd Street, Lubbock Texas.

1970's, back in the time when Jerry still had (some) hair. (Thanks Bob)

Congrats to Siva

Siva completed his 10th speech from the Basic Competent Communicator manual and he is a CC now (I mean Competent Communicator, not Carbon Copy). In his 10th speech, Siva inspired us to be happy, and to be happy in the present and future, we should be an ideal burger.

p/s: if you don't know what I am talking about, here's a suggestion: Come to our meeting!

Officers Trained

Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy your ride with Lubbock TM 884, because your officers for this term had been trained this morning. Yes, we were trained. Four of us attended the Toastmaster Leadership Institute (TLI) this morning. Some updates for our members that we found out this morning.

Club 884 "Allegiance"
From July 1st 2008 onwards, Club 884 in TM organization chart after the district change is as follow:
Area: 61
Division: F
Region: III

Speeches Outside TM Club
At most two speeches from every TM Manual can be given outside TM Club. Though there was a debate whether giving a manual speech in other TM club is considered as outside speech or not, that's still up for individual interpretation.

International Speech Contest
A judge can be disqualified if he/she does not meet the qualifications or is proven to be unobjective in the judging or being influenced by others.
The identity of Tie-Breaker Judge should be known by the Chief Judge only.
Tie-Breaker Judge should rank ALL contestants based on his/her judging where as other judges will provide only First, Second and Third place contestants to the Chief Judge.
Under no circumstances should the Tie-Breaker Judge's vote be revealed, except when a tie occurs.

To "Spice" Things Up In Weekly Meeting
Several things that club could do to break the routine of a Toastmaster meeting:
Pot-luck meeting. Members will not know what their duties are until before the meeting, where each member will draw from a hat for their roles for the meeting.
Reverse meeting. Meeting order is reverse, i.e. Club business by Presiding Officer, Awarder present award, General Evaluator evaluates the meeting, General Evaluator calls upon individual evaluators for evaluations, then Speakers present his/her speech, Toastmaster introduces the Speakers, Table Topics, Toastmaster opens the meeting, Presiding officer introduce the Toastmaster, Invocation/Pledge and Sargeant at Arms calls the meeting to order.

Congratulations to Lalo and Gerardo

On the 8th day of 7th month of Gregorian Calendar, year of two thousand and eight, Lalo gave this 10th speech from the basic manual and thus, he is now officially a Competent Communicator. Lalo talked about his experience in Lubbock, away from all his family and friends, and stucked in this little city which he had never heard of before his professor told him. Congratulations Lalo!!

And the same went to Gerardo, for giving his 10th speech this morning. Congratulations to both.

Mari Carmen: Congrats!!

Mari Carmen gave her 10th speech this morning and now, she is officially a Competent Communicator. Ooppss, not so fast, Wiki Aguas has to submit your award details first. Anyway, Congratulations!

Mari Carmen delivered a very inspiring speech on donating organ. She presented some information on donating organs, including how the process works and if you have decided to be an organ donor, you need to let your family members know so that they will respect your will if the worst should happen. Thank you for the inspiring speech and Congratulations on your achievement.

Congralutions Bob!!

Bob placed second in Region III International Speech Contest. Congratulations!!

They Look So Pretty

Here are the long awaited pictures of our two hospitality baskets that we all together for the District 44 Conference that was held on May 3rd, 2008. Also shown is the total number of baskets that were provided for the entire District conference. I can tell you ours were a big hit!!!

Thanks to everyone who contributed coffees, teas, baskets, packaging, taping, and most of all support!!! Thanks everyone - the baskets looked great and our club was well represented!!!

Welcome our Newest Member, Donna Mac

A BIG WELCOME to our newest member, Donna L. McMillan!! Since we have two Donna’s, she said we can refer to her as Donna Mac. Donna Mac, thanks for joining our Toastmaster family. We look forward to supporting and encouraging you!!

Publicity Flyer - Lubbock Business Expo 2008

When: May 8th, 2008 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Where: Lubbock Civic Center

Several of our members already signed up with Area 5 Governer to man the Toastmaster District 44 booth. Other members who did not sign up are more than welcome to come by and give us a hand. Give WikiAguas or Rekamelbuort13 a call if you have any problem getting in the expo or finding the booth. As alway, the more the merrier. Show up whenever you can.

This is a PDF flyer that 884 prepared for dustribution during Business Expo 2008. Feel free to use it for other publicity events. If you need the original file, please contact Rekamelbuort13.

It's Official - Club 884 is a President's Distinguished Club

Fellow Toastmasters,

It’s Official…

Your club, Club 884, is a President’s Distinguished Club for program year 2007- 2008.

We have achieved 9 out of the 10 requirements on the Distinguished Club Program.

Congratulations!!!

Toastmasters District 44 Spring Conference

Where: Lubbock Civic Center

When: May 2nd (Friday) and May 3rd (Saturday), 2008

Who: Anyone can attend

What: Tall Tale & International Speech Contest, Educational speeches and Entertaining Speeches

How: Registration Form

Why: This is the LAST District 44 conference, ever.

Congratulations!

Just to let all know that Gerardo Perez placed third in the North Division Tall Tale Contest and Robert Barnhill won the International Speech Contest. It was a very good tournament with a close competition.
Please join me in congratulating both Gerardo and Bob in their participation in their mutual contests.
Great job Gentlemen!!

Ask Wiki Aguas

Wiki Aguas, how long did it take NW to complete her 2007 tax return?