Preston Persuaders

A fun meeting tonight with plenty of laughs and energy. The theme of Spring was perfect, with Spring in the air, as we enter the Genesis of a new year and season.  We heard two fantastic speeches tonight.

First up was a very well organized, clear and concise speech on design elements by Alpa where we learned about composition, positive and negative elements. Next up, a talented speaker with an important message, such as the world is synergized by the many talented and hardworking and not just the few “super stars” of the world.

The word of the day (WOTD), “genesis” went very well with the Spring theme. Genesis (noun) – jen-uh-sis – beginning, or origin. The word was used in creative ways throughout the meeting including a reference to the awesome 80-90’s band, Genesis and the Hyundai Genesis automobile.

We had a lot of fun and laughs. The helpers gave some great tips on how to approach areas of improvement, such as hand movements and posture. We also learned how to improve grammar as well as other opportunity areas.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting Monday (4/6) for fun, laughs and good times.

Ribbon Winners

5 Star Helper: Danielle
Best Evaluator: Chris
Best Table Topics: Mickey
Best of the Big 3: Ann
Best Speaker: Alpa
Sparkplug: Shiny

A very high energy gathering tonight with spirited speeches from three veterans. We learned of God’s Country nestled in the South of India named Kerala. Followed by a speech with plenty of pizzazz on juggling, where even the novice could learn juggling, with practice. The speeches were rounded off by (what? a second ice breaker?) on the importance on providing the right environment for learning and success.

The theme this evening was “allergies” due to the wonderful Spring allergies many of us suffer from. The word of the day was: Conundrum – co-nun-drum - a riddle or difficult problem. The word was used perfectly throughout the meeting, by not only table topics speakers, but others as well. The word "conundrum" was even woven into one of the prepared speeches we heard tonight.

Each helper performed their roles above expectation ensuring participants identified areas of opportunity and providing ways of improving in each area of opportunity, such as posture, grammar, timing, listening and general mastery of the English language.

Please join us next Monday (3/30) and grow and mature your communication and leadership skills.

Ribbon winners

5-Star Helper: Mickey
Best Evaluator: Robi
Best Table Topics: Ann
Best of the Big 3: Jyo
Best Speaker: Dean
Sparkplug: Ed

We had a very fun and exciting meeting, even more fun than in recent memory! The speeches were inspiring, funny, brilliant and interesting. Janak P., who won Best Speaker, entertained us with dramatic and exciting poetry quoting Lewis Carrol’s, Jabberwocky while Alpa A., in her ice breaker, confidently inspired us to find courage in believing in and being ourselves. Chris J. gave us a fresh glimpse into the hearts and minds of Americans in his speech about Transcendentalism.

The theme for tonight’s meeting was “Key Differentiator” (what is your brand?). The word of the day (WOTD) was: Preeminent – pre-em-uh-nuh-nt (adj) – surpassing, superior, eminent above all others The theme was perfect for the very active Preston Pursuaders club. Our President, Mark, announced two area awards Preston Pursuaders received as a result of their preeminent performance in the area.

The helpers were, well… very helpful! Jyo winning the 5-Star Helper award for her role as Lexicologist shared tools to help us become better speakers through our vocabulary, praising those using the word of the day in unexpected places and ways.

Stephanie attended our Monday meeting even on her birthday. Having a member attend on their birthday shows the dedication and determination of this club and members. Of course we had to sing happy birthday to this very special lady.

Please join us next Monday (3/16) and plan to feel inspired and energized.

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper: Jyo
Best Evaluator: Susan
Best Table Topics: Ed
Best of the Big 3: Don
Best Speaker: Janak
Sparkplug: Melanie

Tonight's theme was "snow" and it was a fitting theme given the enormous snow storm headed for the Northeast. We learned a very unusual word, "gelid" an adjective describing something very cold. The guests were out in force once more as we see more and more people interested in the Preston Persuaders chapter of Toastmasters!

We heard three very passionate speeches! First, a very compelling speech about dreaming, where Don M. challenged us to not only dream but turn those dreams/ideas/goals into reality by being a person who follows through and does things with those dreams (a doer).

Next up, a speech on voting where Autumn J. compared the very common and popular voting in pop media, such as American Idol, with much of the political voting Americans are avoiding. She challenged us to speak loud and make a difference by voting in political elections.

Finally, a fantastic and very passionate speech by Jyo P. on the subject of integrity. She taught what it was to have integrity and challenged the audience to practice integrity to better their lives and the lives around them.

The table topics speeches were very passionate as well! Susan, the Best Table Topics speaker winner, moved us to be more passionate speakers, showing emotion and having conviction in our voices. The Spark Plug of the evening was our visitor Larry who delivered a fantastic, energetic table topics speech.

Evaluators, perhaps the most important of jobs, were spot on. Three veterans showed up who never disappoint. First was Mark's evaluation. Mark gave Don tools to improve his speeches even more. Brian gave Autumn great pointers on bringing props or other items to improve her speech quality even more. Patrick very naturally delivered the evaluation for Jyo, giving pointers to improve an already great speech.

A very fun night, as usual, and not too gelid for the audience and our many guests.

Join us next Monday at Preston Persuaders!

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper: Janak
Best Evaluator: Patrick
Best Table Topics: Susan
Best of the Big 3: Ed
Best Speaker: Don
Sparkplug: Larry (guest)

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper: Mickey
Best Evaluator: Mark
Best Table Topics: Sheri (guest)
Best of the Big 3: Brian
Best Speaker: Eileen
Sparkplug: Don

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper: Brian
Best Evaluator: Janak
Best Table Topics: Amar
Best of the Big 3: Mike
Best Speaker: Susan
Spark Plug: Susan

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper: Autumn
Best Evaluator: Allison
Best Table Topics: Autumn
Best of the Big 3: Mark
Best Speaker: Jyo
Spark Plug: Don

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

This quote by Albert Schweitzer was shared by our Invocator Ann. We hope that your inner fire can be rekindled each week with your fellow Preston Persuaders!

As our Toastmaster, Durai inspired us all with his story of how he followed his heart to reunite with his wife and support her through a difficult time, even though his mind told him it wasn’t the best thing for his career.

Amar’s mission is to change one of the most prevalent stereotypes about engineers. For Amar, engineers are not just calculators that can be tucked away in windowless cubicles, they are people with personalities that can bring more value than just their calculations. In his Ice Breaker speech he told us how he went from studying engineering in Kuwait at the time Saddam Hussein invaded to now leading an engineering firm in Texas with 12 other engineers. His speech was expertly delivered! An excellent start to your Toastmasters career, Amar!

Stephanie began by lighting the first two candles of her manora. She shared with us the story of Hanukkah that she has always known and then proceeded to set the story straight. Apparently the jews under the command of Judah Maccabee (“the Hammer”), weren’t as defenseless as Stephanie had been led to believe when they drove their Greek-Syrian oppressors out of Jerusalem over a two year period.

Brian got his speech started off by apologizing for not bringing props (food) for his after-dinner role-playing speech. He shared three funny and touching stories about his boss Kevin as he wished him well on his new promotion. Brian knew he had arrived in Texas when Kevin took him out to lunch for the first time and it involved a long shopping trip to the gun store.

During Table Topics we heard lots of stories from our members around the theme of following their heart. As if by instinct (Word of the Day), the Big 3, evaluators, and helpers all performed their duties to perfection!

Before being inducted, our newest member Mays shared how the members of Preston Persuaders provided the first space in two years where she felt she was herself, the way she was in her home country. Mays is a tremendous addition to our growing Preston Persuaders family!

We had three guests, Sonia, Saeed, and Sherry, who all participated in Table Topics. We loved having them and they are welcome back anytime!

As our meeting theme taught us, remember to follow your heart! See you at next weeks meeting!

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper - Jyo
Best Evaluator - Lisa
Best Table Topics - Mays and guest Sherry
Best of the Big 3 - Durai
Best Speaker - Amar
Spark Plug - Stephanie

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals”. This quote by Henry David Thoreau, accompanied by a supporting personal story, was shared by our invocator Chris to kick off our meeting about goals.

For his Ice Breaker speech, Jonas took us on a wild ride through his early career. His evaluator Jyo said it had been a long time since she had heard an Ice Breaker with so much energy and honesty. Jonas’ happiness and peace-of-mind are his true measure of success! His speech was fun and inspirational. Way to go Jonas!

Eileen got to the point for project #3: Music is a Language. Babies naturally recognize the beat of music and observe the joy music brings to the adults around them. Eileen taught us that babies and children learn spoken languages through exposure and that they can learn the language of music in the same way. If children were praised for their musical accomplishments in the same way they are praised for their first spoken words, we would probably have fewer children dropping out of music lessons in favor of other activities.

Dean taught us about the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Using powerpoint like a pro, he provided a very balanced view about what is working and what isn’t so far. On the plus side, 20 million people have gained insurance coverage who didn’t previously have it. Not so great: large companies with 10,000 or more employees had their healthcare costs per employee increased by $4,800 to $5,900. PPACA has a long road ahead of it with changing political leadership and the need to address the fact that healthcare costs are still extremely high.

After the meeting, our Toastmaster of the Day Mickey sent us some video links to reinforce the simple process for settings goals that he taught us: Short and Simple Process for Setting Goals by Brian Tracy, Brian Tracy on How to Word Your Goals, and How Goal Setting Has Impacted Brian Tracy’s Life.

All of the Big 3, Evaluators, and Helpers ambitiously (Word of the Day) completed their roles to produce a top-notch meeting. Our two guests, Sonia and Stacy, certainly enjoyed it based on their feedback at the end of the meeting.

Join us next week as Durai takes the reigns as Toastmaster!

Ribbon Winners

5-Star Helper - Durai
Best Evaluator - Jyo
Best Table Topics - Patrick
Best of the Big 3 - Mickey
Best Speaker - Eileen
Spark Plug - Jonas

Our invocator Don shared the evocative (Word of the Day) Gettysburg address, plus some fun Thanksgiving facts. Did you know Thanksgiving was made an official holiday by President Lincoln?

Our theme for the evening was “Home Is Where The Heart Is” and throughout the meeting our Toastmaster of the Day Stephanie shared stories of why Preston Persuaders is a home to her. She had an anecdote for just about every member of the audience and we could certainly feel her gratitude.

The wise can conquer the foolish. Power is nothing, strength is nothing. The wise, gentle, and careful can always win. These are the lessons Lisa brought to life in her retelling of the Chinese fable of the lion and the mosquitos. Lisa’s gestures and vocal variety drew the audience in and thoroughly entertained us!

Brian’s objective was to deliver a dramatic speech. He had everyone’s rapt attention as he retold the story of arriving at a terrible car accident back when he was in college. After sitting for what felt like 40 minutes holding an injured man’s neck straight, Brian developed a much greater appreciation for the work done by his girlfriend at the time who was an EMT.

While Jyo didn’t grow up with Thanksgiving, we learned that it has come to be her favorite holiday. With her objective to use visual aids effectively, Jyo, in true infomercial-style, demonstrated how to prepare her delicious and now famous cranberry sauce. Jyo was totally prepared with samples and printed recipes for everyone!

All of the big 3, the evaluators, and helpers did an amazing job as always. We are all so grateful for the role everyone plays every week in creating such educational and fun meetings!

We were glad to have our guests Sonia and Rachel and they are welcome back any time!

See everyone next Monday!

 

Ribbon Winners

Best Speaker - Lisa
Best Evaluator - Shiny
Best of Big 3 - Stephanie
Best Table Topics - Patrick
5-Star Helper - Mark
Sparkplug - Patrick