May 10, 2007                                             Club #2966                                         Editor: Bill Anderson
                                                     Meeting Theme: "Heroes"

Guests Welcome

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Mayberry Does Well at Division “A” Contest

Susan Mayberry, ATM-B did WCTM proud, taking second place in the District 52, Division “A” International Speech contest held at William H. Taft High School in Woodland Hills on Saturday, April 28^th.  Reprising, “If Your Life Depends on It, Exercise Your Choice,” the speech that won the Area 13 contest in March, Susan again showcased the performing skills that have made her one of the District’s very best speakers. Taking first place in the International Speech Contest was Darren Ng of Area 10’s Spirent Speakers while Area 13’s Siri De Licori (Countrywide Westlake) won the Evaluations Contest.    

Letter from the President

In her monthly letter to the club, Warner Center Toastmasters President, Carolyn Goldman urges all members to attend the District 52 Spring Conference in Burbank. Click here to go to Carolyn’s letter.

Toastmasters: Many Helping Hands (Recap of April 26^th Meeting)

          “Helping Others” was the theme of the night as 28 members and twelve guests gathered in the Pearls Room at the Marriott for Warner Center Toastmasters’ (WCTM) April 26^th meeting. The evening’s Toastmaster, Susan Mayberry, ATM-B, used her opening remarks to explore how the meeting’s theme related those present. “The perfect symbol of help and service to others is the hand that reaches out to those in need,” she observed. “Toastmasters is the hand of encouragement that we give to each other through out our meetings.” These words were particularly appropriate as applied to Susan. Our Ms. Mayberry took the meeting’s Toastmaster reins at the very last minute due to a leg injury that put the scheduled Toastmaster, Dan Marzec, ATM-B, on crutches. Thank you Susan!

Table Topics: Can I Help You?

Table Topics, the opening segment of the evening’s program was led by Topics Master, Beverly Rankel, CTM. Citing a quote from super salesman, Zig Zigler, “You can get anything you want, if you help others to get what they want,” Beverly set the tone for the Table Topics questions to follow. Five WCTM members were queried about their own philanthropic impulses:  Norm Dornfest, CTM, Tess Asiala, CTM, Francisco Rotich, Glen Rankel, CC, and Stuart Juggler. The Best Table Topics award went to Glen Rankel for his response to the guest ion, “To whom would you give a Nobel Prize and why?”

Prepared Speeches: Sailing with a Wheel Chair and a Remote

          The “Prepared Speeches” portion of the evening’s program featured terrific efforts by three WCTM members. First up was Audrey Forte with “Keep on Sailing” her Communications & Leadership Manual (CLM) Icebreaker. Recounting a memorable vacation cruise during which she both won big at video poker and was hospitalized in Barbados with a double ankle fracture, Audrey observed, “Life is an adventure. You can choose to ride and enjoy all that it has to offer.”

Colin Giles followed with “My Wheel Chair,” speech #8 from the CLM. “I’m a fan of the wheel chair. I use it every day!” Colin began his talk. He then proceeded to describe the many features of his wheel chair and how important it is to his day-to-day life. “Thank God they invented the wheel chair!” he concluded. For his moving and very personal effort, Colin Giles was voted the evening’s Best Speaker.

“Control the Remote,” the evening’s final Prepared Speech (#9 from the CLM) was given by Shelly Bright. Lamenting that television had come to dominate her family’s life Shelly described the changes that occurred once they decided to give it up. Chief amongst these was more free time for a variety of hobbies including, Toastmasters. “Instead of the remote controlling you, I urge you to control the remote,” she advised.

Evaluations: Good Job Everyone!

“Evaluations”, the evening’s final segment, was moderated by General Evaluator, Donna Stewart. Sharing her trepidation as a first time “GE”, Donna spoke of the important role that Evaluations play in the Toastmaster experience. Summing up the meeting, she commented, “Everyone did a wonderful job!” Individual evaluations were done by Carol Steffen, CTM (Audrey Forte), Bill Anderson (Colin Giles), and Rose Lane, DTM (Shelly Bright). Bill Anderson was voted the evening’s Best Evaluator.

Competent Leader Educational Program

WCTM President, Carolyn Goldman, CTM then took the lectern for a special educational offering from “The Successful Club Series.”  “What is mentoring?” she asked rhetorically. “It’s helping others.” Mentors, she explained, play a vital role, in the development of the skills and confidence that new members must acquire in order to succeed at Toastmasters. “Mentoring is the most rewarding thing I’ve done in Toastmasters,” Carolyn advised.

Announcements

New Member

Warner Center Toastmasters is pleased to welcome Joanne Nail to its Membership ranks. An Inventory Appraiser with BTA, Joanne joined WCTM at the club’s April 26^th meeting. Welcome Joanne!

WCTM Summer Party Set for July 21^st

Arrangements for WCTM Annual Summer Party are in full swing. This year’s event will held on the afternoon / evening of Saturday, July 21^st.  Glen and Beverly Rankel have volunteered to host the party at their house in the Walnut Acres section of Woodland Hills. WCTM members are advised to mark this date on your calendars and get ready to Paaartay!

Invitation to New Club Demo Meeting  

          WCTM members are invited to attend a “Demonstration Meeting” for a new Toastmasters Club being formed by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will be held at Stargazers Restaurant, 6501 Fallbrook Avenue (at Victory) in West Hills on Monday, May 7^th. Gavel will be at 7 p.m. There will be no charge to attend the meeting. Food may be ordered from the regular restaurant menu. However, there is no obligation to do so. WCTM’s own Eva Barry is assisting the group in its organizing efforts and is actively seeking a senior WCTM member to act as mentor for the new club. This would entail a six month commitment. For more information on the new club and the mentoring opportunity available, contact Eva directly. 

May 10, 2007                                                                                                Club #2966                 
                                                      Meeting Theme: "Heroes"

Announcements (continued)

District 52 Spring Conference  

Saturday, May 19. Where: Beverly Garland Holiday Inn; 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA. For more information go to the District 52 Web Site: http://www.district52.org/.