Dennis Rowe, ATM, got the evening off to a whimsical start with his Table Topics session. Maureen Farrell told a story about how she got to watch B-movies as part of her career, while Shelly Bright related how she interviewed 10 lawyers and did not find a single one who liked his job.  John Graves took home the ribbon for best Table Topic after explaining how he had a great propensity for remembering numbers, but a harder time remembering names.  However, the most memorable Table Topic response came from Larry Blackford who announced his impending fatherhood. 

Our first speaker of the evening was Elyse Galvan, giving her second Toastmaster's speech.  Elyse explained how training for a beauty pageant renewed her sense of self-worth and taught her the real definition of a winner.  "No matter how they look on TV, each one is beautiful" she said of the women with whom she competes.  In an age where most women feel pressured to live up to unrealistic physical expectations, Elyse's speech was a pleasant reminder that our beauty is more than just the outward manifestation of our selves. 

In a moving speech about the entrepreneurial spirit, David Wurth reminded us that "life is too short to settle for status quo."  His speech was all about taking chances, reaching for your goals, and "not allowing the redundancy of life to let you get comfortable." Through a tale of his own entrepreneurial undertakings, David's speech urged us to take risks and never ever settle.  His passionate delivery captured the audience and won him the best speaker award for the evening. 

"I came from an old ranching family from way back," began Alan Reveles in his speech about Los Encinos State Park.  Alan's experience as a docent for the park allowed him to take us all on a fact-filled trip through the park's past.  He impressed the audience by providing a very informative speech and by being "present at the lectern" he was able to "reach out to the audience" noted his evaluator Loan Carrison, ATM-B. 

Vlada Dmytrenko's fourth speech was the tale of her transition from teen to adult in the most unlikely of places: Siberia.  Vlada recalled arriving in Siberia after an arduous journey by train and discovered that "it was very foolish of us to expect showers and flushing toilets."  Despite her initial unwillingness to take part in the everyday activities, she overcame her reservations and now reflects fondly on her experiences.   

Our VP of Education, Carolyn Goldman, took us on a tour of her professional life through the eyes various pieces of technology: typewriters, voicemail systems, and computers.  Her humorous tale started in 1973 after deciding to become a secretary, which she reminded us, was a job and not a career at the time.  She had the audience laughing out loud when she confessed that "White Out had become her best friend."  Carolyn's pleasant demeanor and friendly speaking style allowed us all to relate to her topic, even if we had never been secretaries ourselves. 

Best Table Topic John Graves	Best Speaker David Wurth	Best Evaluator Susan Mayberry, ATM-B

Are you thinking of visiting Warner Center Toastmasters?
  
The purpose of Toastmasters is to help you develop your public (and private) speaking skills, improve your self-confidence in business and personal situations, and to help you define yourself to your world more clearly. Why fumble around in the dark with your self-image? You can communicate more effectively than you ever dreamed possible!

If this sounds good to you, then come join us for a light buffet and some great speakers at the Warner Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. Among the most prestigious and popular Toastmasters meeting locations in greater Los Angeles, the Marriott provides a wide variety of superb meeting rooms for one of Los Angeles' finest Toastmasters organizations.  

Warner Center Toastmasters has been enhancing careers and enriching interpersonal communications for our members for more than two decades. Why leave great speaking skills to politicians and CEO's? You too can speak like a pro, and we'll show you how. 

It all comes together in a clearly defined and well-supported program of speeches and exercises that help you to sharpen your verbal skills, organize your words and gestures, and make you fast on your feet. Lose your fear of speaking in front of a large group, and you'll feel more relaxed speaking to anyone!

The Warner Marriott is located at 21850 Oxnard Street at the corner of Topanga. From Granada Hills to Calabasas, Santa Monica to Chatsworth, we have active members from all over the area.

We DO meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month without fail. Meeting begins at 630pm, gavel at 7pm. Meeting concludes approximately 9pm. Guest fee: five dollars.  This site is updated twice a month with forthcoming meeting details, so check back often.  For more information, please contact: