Editor: Bill Anderson    July 13, 2006      Warner Center Toastmasters      guests welcomed
"Liberty"

June 22^nd Meeting

           After braving the wilds of the Marriott’s Garden Gazebo at its previous conclave, Warner Center Toastmasters’ (WCTM) June 22^nd meeting found 31 members and three guests back in the comfy confines of the Marriott’s Pearls Suite. The theme of the day was “The Stuff of Dreams”, an inspirational topic made even more so by the presence of WCTM’s founder, Rose Lane, DTM, who was back in the Toastmasters “saddle” just days after her recent heart attack. The evening’s Toastmaster, Shelly Bright put it best, “Rose you are an inspiration to us all!”

What’s Your Dream…?  

          Table Topics Master, Dan Marzec, ATM-B opened his segment of the program by expanding upon the theme of the evening, telling all that, “Whatever we can dream, we can do.” With that Mr. Marzec went to work, posing a series of questions to ten WCTM members that took them beyond site and sound to the landscape of their own individual “dreamscape”. Participating in the psychic journey were Norm Dornfest, CTM, Alan Reveles, Arnold Arch, Eva Barry, Lois Coburn, Mohnish Sharma, Jackie Goldberg, Marie Umali, Tess Asiala, and Art Hugon. Jackie Goldberg took Best Table Topics with her response to the question, “What do you like about living in Los Angeles ?” Reminding one and all of a vivacious incarnation of Don Quixote’s Dulcinea, Jackie told the group that, “ Los Angeles allows you to dream the impossible dream.”  

Four Qualifying Speeches  

          The evening’s five Prepared Speeches included efforts by Carolyn Goldman, Carol Steffen, and Erin O’Neil who all gave a version speech #10 (Inspire Your Audience) in fulfillment of the requirements for Competent Toastmaster (CTM). Current CTM, Soraya Deen’s speech from the  Advanced Manual fulfilled the requirements for the Advanced Toastmaster – Bronze (ATM-B) designation.  

Leading off the program was Don West whose speech #7 (Research Your Topic) “Why Do Men Have Nipples?” offered a thoughtful look at how an individual can develop a deeper and more mature understanding of the human condition. In “Expect to Achieve the Unexpected”, Carolyn Goldman described how joining Toastmasters to improve her public speaking had enabled her to  her blossom socially into a more confident, outgoing person. “It was such an unexpected pot of gold at the end of the WCTM rainbow,” she said. Carol Steffen’s tenth speech “I Have a Dream” encouraged us all to develop a personal dream and to follow it with tenacity. Citing the example of former drug addict, foster care survivor, and now a San Francisco attorney, Cupcake Brown, she opined “Only as high as we reach can we go.”  

In “Four Letter Words”, Erin O’Neil talked about the attitudinal shift that occurs when we say we “can’t” do something when what we really mean is we “won’t” do it. “We are wont to say ‘can’t’ when we won’t but that is cant,” she aphoristically concluded. How we view those with whom we have disagreements was the subject of, “Focus on the Problem, Not the Person”, the evening’s final prepared speech. In it Soraya Deen told us how conflict can cause us to focus on beating our opponent and not on solving the problem. “Don’t close off communication, engage in the dispute,” she counseled. The ribbon for the evening’s Best Speaker went to Carolyn Goldman .  

On Target Evaluations  

Evaluations followed led by General Evaluator John Graves , CTM-CL whose review of the meeting provided insights that were accurate, entertaining, and above all offered with helpful. Individual evaluations were done by Vlada Dymtrenko (Don West), Marc Cohn, CTM ( Carolyn Goldman ), Bill Anderson (Carol Steffen), Maya Debus, CTM (Erin O’Neil), and Loan Carrison, ATM-B (Soraya Deen). Bill Anderson was judged the evening’s “Best Evaluator”.  

Installation of New Officers  

At the conclusion of the meeting, WCTM’s Officers for the 2006 – 2007 Toastmasters years were installed. Maya Debus, CTM conducted the ceremony telling the new Board Members at its conclusion, “Y’all are done!” (See “President’s Corner” below for a listing of the new Officers.)

Achievements / Awards  

WCTM / Area 13 Have Good Year  

WCTM is proud to announce that four Members have received educational promotions during the Month of June. Carolyn Goldman , Erin O’Neil, and Carol Steffen all received their Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation. The month of June also saw Soraya Deen achieve Advanced Toastmaster – Bronze (ATM-B) status while Rose Lane was promoted to Advanced Toastmasters – Gold (ATM-G). As a result of these promotions, WCTM achieved was received the “Distinguished” Club” status for 2005 – 2006 and Area 13, WCTM’s home area, was awarded “Distinguished” Area status for the year.

O’Neill & Deen to Higher TM Office  

WCTM’s Erin O’Neil and Soraya Dean have accepted leadership positions in the greater Toastmasters organization for 2006 – 2007. Effective July 1^st, Erin has become Division A Governor in District 52.  In this position she will be responsible for the achievement of Division membership, club and educational goals. Also effective July 1^st is Soraya’s appointment as Area 13 Governor in Division A. In this capacity she will be working with the Area’s six clubs (including WCTM) motivating them toward Distinguished Club status, acting as liaison between the clubs and Toastmasters International, and serving on the District 52 Executive Council. Congratulations Erin & Soraya!  

Mayberry Makes Good Showing in Hawaii  

Reports out of the Region II "International Speech Contest" held in Honolulu on June 24 have WCTM’s Susan Mayberry making an excellent showing. Unfortunately, it is reported that she went overtime by just two seconds! As close only counts in a game of “horseshoes”, Susan will not be going to Washington D.C. for the finals. WCTM congratulates Susan on her outstanding effort. We’re proud of you Susan!

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