December 14, 2006 Meeting Summary

Theme of the Day: Reducing Holiday Stress

Our Toastmaster, Mike C, chose a theme that must be on everyone’s mind because there was a lot to say about holiday stress and reducing it. Suggestions from ignore it to deal with it were among the many ideas.

Laura B, the Wordmaster/Grammarian, chose a good word for the day according to our General Evaluator. Good thing she wasn’t evaluating my summarizing skills because they were less than par!

Speaker #1, Kathy J, presented “RFP – Happy Holiday” from the Speaking to Inform Manual. RFP stands for Relationship, Finances, Physical Demand; three of the stressors during the holiday season. To reduce our stress, Kathy suggested 1) Be realistic (Hallmark holidays ARE NOT REAL), 2) Set differences aside (i.e., between family members), 3) Stick to a budget, 4) Plan ahead, 5) Learn to say, “NO!”, 6) Healthy habits (don’t forget them!), 7) Take a breather, 8) Rethink resolutions, 9) Forget perfection (part of the fun is appreciating the way your three year wrapped your gift). Keeping these ideas in mind, we’ll all have a less stressful season! (Time: 6 minutes 56 seconds)

Speaker #2, Marian J, shared stories demonstrating “It’s a Small World After All”. Marian recounted three experiences she and her family had had where they realized how small the world truly is, including her daughter running into a former camp counselor who was now a waitress at a wedding in England and her brother running into a former colleague at Niagra Falls that he had lost track of but was just discussing with a friend. (Time: 5 minutes 58 seconds)

Topics Master, Laura G, asked questions based on the theme of the day. To reduce holiday stress, Laura shops online and tries to get things done early so there’s not a mad rush on Christmas Eve. Roxie N was asked what she does. Roxie said that she accepts stress…at the holidays and year round. (Time: ? minutes ?? seconds)

Jeff S was asked to share a story, or make one up, about someone he knows or has heard of who is a Grinch at Christmas. He confessed that this year, he’s the Grinch! They went shopping for a Christmas tree, but didn’t find one so decided just not to put one up! (Time: ? minutes ?? seconds)

Laura B gave suggestions to Laura of things she could do to convince her mom to scale back at Christmas, in the hope of reducing stress on Christmas Eve. Laura B. formulated a very tender discussion demonstrating appreciation for Laura G’s Mom’s efforts, but suggesting that the funds be donated to charity. (Time: 2 minutes 02 seconds)

Evaluator #1, Dan B, evaluated Kathy’s speech, while Dave B performed double-duty, as Timer and Evaluator #2, evaluating Marian’s speech. Both highlighted the things that they liked and gave suggestions for future speeches.

During the reports portion of the meeting, Laura shared phrases she liked, such as “concrete feet” and “swipe your card”.

General Evaluator, Mary W, commended duty-holders. She noted everyone’s introduction of themselves and their duty for our guest, enjoyed the use of humor during the meeting, and appreciated duty-holders performing double-duty. Table topics responses and evaluations had good structure and provided good examples. The Spirit Award was given to Kathy J.

November 30, 2006 Meeting Summary

Theme of the Day: Leftovers

Kathy J kicked off our meeting with the theme of leftovers, asking us “How creative can you be?” She welcomed our guests, Bob who met Laura B at the contest and works in HR outside of Securian, and Brad Q, who works for Securian in Information Services Security.

Roxie selected the word, vapid, meaning: 1) lacking liveliness and spirit; unanimated; spiritless; dull 2) flavorless; lacking taste or zest; flat.

Sarah served as our timer. She asked everyone to send their leftovers her way since she doesn’t cook and just needs the sustenance to keep her going!

Speaker #1, Mary W, presented “For the Health of It”. Until six years ago, Mary couldn’t understand people who were not on a wellness program that included the following five components:
1) Aerobic Endurance – Supplying fuel during sustained activity (e.g., walking). Mary suggests that we all get in the pool for lower impact activities! For this component, we should work at a level in which we can carry on a conversation three times per week for 30 minutes, increasing to 45 minutes five days per week.
2&3) Muscle Strength & Muscle Endurance – For muscle strength, we must exert a force for 8-10 repetitions (reps). Muscle endurance requires performing without fatigue over time, requiring 12-20 reps. To build these, we must work against resistance, such as weights, machines, tubing, or gravity. We should work 8-10 muscle groups two – three times per week; focusing on technique.
4) Flexibility – Range of motion around a joint requires elongating massage; even stretching at our desks for stress relief is helpful.
5) Drink water…lots of water. It will help us to feel better, handle stress, and lead a longer, more productive life with less chance of disease. (Time: 8 minutes 02 seconds)

Table Topics Master, Dan B(who hates turkey because following Thanksgiving dinner was four meals of turkey leftovers!), provided very clever questions for our respondents:
v Dave B – What makes a food better as leftover than as regular food? Dave discussed characteristics of good leftovers. First, the amount of flavor—more flavor leads to better leftovers (e.g., there are a lot of flavors and spices in lasagna). Second, the durability of the food in the refrigerator or freezer (e.g., noodles and sauce keep well). Cheesecake, on the other hand, does not work well, nor does anything that comes out of the water since the textures and flavors don’t keep. (Time: 2 minutes 10 seconds)
v Brad Q – NASCAR requires cars to turn left, left, left, left…Why has NASCAR become so popular? Though Brad thinks that NASCAR could be challenged as a sport, he thinks its popularity stems from its ability to get a group of people together and the fact that advertising is a big part of it. (Time: 1 minute 40 seconds)
v Bob – Is it a good thing that people go over the top with decorations or not? Bob said that in general decorations remind us of the special nature of the season—to be thankful for our blessings, to think of others who are not so blessed, and of hope for the future. Displays that are added to year after year become entertainment and a nuisance, thus counteracting the message of joy and hope by causing disharmony in the neighborhood. (Time: 2 minutes 50 seconds)

Laura Bevaluated Mary’s speech for her “Get to the Point” project of the Competent Communicator Manual. She commend Mary on her eye contact when she wasn’t looking at her notes and her coverage of the subject. Laura suggested that an outline might help Mary to get away from her notes altogether, allowing her to use more gestures and more purposeful movement. (Time: 3 minutes 29 seconds)

Laura G inspired the group with stories of how Oprah’s guests spent their $1000 (Below: From Oprah’s website, a few of the stories that Laura shared). She wrapped by showing the group the mittens that she and her Mom’s group are making to put in “Shoeboxes of Love” for the Salvation Army. (Update: We were able to fill over 180 shoeboxes this year!)
v John, the sole provider for his family, has a neurological disease that causes part of his brain to soften. "He is really disabled at this point," Minnie says. "I wanted to be able to help them. I know that this [money] will be put to good use." Determined to make a difference, Minnie enlisted the help of friends and strangers, who were anxious to get in on the giving game. Her community opened their hearts, and in just three days, Minnie's $1,000 multiplied. With the help of the entire town, Minnie raised more than $70,000 for the Newcomb family! The money will help buy groceries for the family, pay off John's mounting hospital bills and send his oldest son to college…Carol, John's wife, says that thanks to the community's donations, the family was able to save their home from foreclosure. "You came into our lives when we didn't know what we were going to do," she tells Minnie. "I just can't thank you enough." John, who says his health is improving, is also overwhelmed by her kindness. "[Minnie] is amazing," he says…
v From a small town in Illinois to the sunny shores of Honolulu, Hawaii, almost every corner of America was touched by the kindness challenge. Megan O'Gorman decided to put her $1,000 to good use while she was in Honolulu on business. Instead of relaxing on the beach, Megan used her spare time to visit the Kapi'olani Medical Center, which is home to many sick children. Many parents of these children can't visit very often because they live on neighboring islands and can't afford flights to Honolulu, Megan says. Megan took action and went to the airport to purchase four tickets for heartsick mothers and fathers. Then, Go! Airlines surprised her by donating 40 additional tickets on the spot! Back at the hospital, Megan made sure the tickets got into the right hands and donated two video phones so that parents could check up on their children from home. Ruth, a 5-year-old patient at Kapi'olani, received three of Megan's plane tickets. Thanks to these unexpected gifts, her father, brother and sister were able to visit her on Thanksgiving. "It makes me really happy to have my whole family together," she writes. "Thanks for making that happen."
v Abbie, a first grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Pittsburgh, says new shoes are a luxury for many of her students. To help these children take a step in the right direction, Abbie and Claudette decided to buy new sneakers for all 425 students. They enlisted the help of Abbie's sister, who works in a shoe store, and before they knew it, the store had matched their donation! When Merrell footwear heard about Abbie and Claudette's mission, the company decided to donate all 425 pairs! "I love my shoes, Oprah, and I love you," one little girl says. To teach her students about helping others, Abbie came up with another great idea. In less than a week, she organized a walk-a-thon to raise money for the local children's hospital. Abbie, Claudette and the students of Liberty Elementary raised more than $63,000.
v With a little ingenuity and a lot of determination, two sisters from Atlanta turned their $2,000 into the biggest payout…by far. When Kasey and Kristy returned home from Chicago, they joined forces to help women in need. The sisters decided to adopt a local shelter called My Sister's House, which is a safe haven for battered women and children. "It's just a great place for women to be who are looking for a new chance of life," Kristy says. Kristy took a week off work to focus on Oprah's challenge, and Kasey made non-stop phone calls to local These resourceful sisters even hit the radio airwaves and pulled on the heartstrings of major corporations like Home Depot, Target, Pottery Barn, IKEA and Kroger grocery stores. Shoppers at local Kroger stores could tell cashiers that they wanted to "pay it forward," and their grocery bill would be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The money raised would be donated to My Sister's House at the end of the week. In the end, even Kasey and Kristy were stunned by the final tally.businesses. Donations began flooding in. The sisters received diapers, formula, backpacks, school supplies, blankets, bibs…everything a baby could need, Kasey says. In one week, Kristy and Kasey managed to raise $200,000 for My Sister's House. To this day, the sisters continue to receive generous contributions from people who want to help. Recently, someone donated an 18-wheeler full of items for the shelter. LaQuesha Agnew works at My Sister's House and says that the shelter is getting so many donations that they've run out of storage! "It's just overwhelming," she says. My Sister's House plans to distribute the donated items to deserving mothers, and use the money to improve counseling services, Lequesha says.
v When Heather Callahan was 27 years old, she was savagely attacked by a stranger outside her Denver, Colorado, home. The man struck from behind and stabbed her five times in the chest. "It's a miracle today that I'm here," she says. With support from the Denver Center for Crime Victims, Heather says she was able to move forward with her life. The moment Heather received $1,000 from Oprah, she knew she wanted to give back to the people who showed her such kindness 13 years ago. After the show, Heather reached out to the Denver Center for Crime Victims. That's when she heard the story of Martha Clark, a woman whose boyfriend shot her in the face at point blank range. For three years, Martha says she put up with constant abuse from her boyfriend, Thomas McBride. Then, on Christmas Eve in 2005, he walked into her bedroom, put a shotgun to her face and pulled the trigger. He was sentenced to 48 years in jail for first-degree attempted murder. Before Heather could meet Martha, she needed to come to terms with her own violent past. She returned to the home where she was attacked. "Standing here today is difficult," she says. "It makes me appreciate where I am in my life, and the gift I'm about to give to Martha. It's coming full circle for me, because I'm going to be able to help somebody." Finally, Heather was ready to meet Martha and surprise her with a check for $2,600, which will help pay for the reconstructive surgeries she needs to rebuild her smile. "You will never know how much this means to me," Martha says. "I'm just so blessed that you picked me and thought of me." Heather says that completing Oprah's Pay It Forward Challenge has helped her feel whole again. "I didn't realize I had anything missing," she says. "It was through the help of strangers 13 years ago that helped me heal. To this day, I am amazed by the kindness of strangers."

Reports
Roxie counted 13 ums/ahs/ohs during the meeting and noted Mary’s and Dave’s uses of vapid. She also noted that our grammar was good.

General Evaluator, Mike C, gave everyone feedback on their duties. Saving Kathy until last, Mike began with Roxie commending her on her presence, use of pauses, counting of ahs/ums, and choice of word. Mike also noted Sarah’s good job as timer, Dan’s presence and stories during his questions. He liked Dave’s comfortable style and story format, suggesting more organization. Applauded our guests, Brad & Bob, for agreeing to take a question, length of response, and stall tactics. He thought that Laura B. provided good points and areas to work on, but told her not to apologize at the beginning because it points out a problem that only she was likely to notice. He liked Laura G’s stories and suggested that she leave the names out and provide personal links. Finally, Mike commended Kathy on her friendly presence, segues, and timliness; suggesting that we make it easier for guests to opt out so they’re not uncomfortable.

Spirit Award: Laura G

Summary for December 7, 2006 Meeting

Theme: Winter Outdoor Activities
Toastmaster: Keri O'Brien
Word for the day: Abominable abominable snowman: a mysterious creature with human or apelike characteristics reported to exist in high Himalayas-- called also yeti.

Keri started us off on time telling us of the upcoming ski trip she is taking to Lutsen.
Dan B. our Wordmaster also enjoys skiing with his son.
Mary W. our timer is another skier.

Dave B. was our sole speaker today. His speech, "Reuse?" is from the Competent Leader Manual. Dave informed us of the benefits to reusing electronic assets. The 4 benefits to reuse are: 1. cost savings 2. collaboration among development teams 3. flexible resources 4. better products

Laura G. evaluated Dave's speech. She thought Dave met all the speech objectives. It would have been helpful for him to ask the Toastmaster to give an introduction of him and his background. She thought he did really well at explaining the tech terms for a wide audience and also used good gestures.

Mary Ellen was the humorist. She gave David Letterman's "Top 10 Questions Asked of Macy's Santa Claus Candidates".

Marian led our Table Topics today. Her first question to Mark H.:
1. Tell us of an outdoor activity gone array in your past?
Mark: First hockey game he invited his wife too--- he started a big fist fight

2. If you won the lottery would you stay in MN?
Roxie: She would keep her house here and travel for fun.

3. What's your answer to people who live in warm climates and ask, "How do you handle that MN COLD?"
Lori: Minnesotans are happier, heartier, and healthier than others and we can just handle it.

Reports
Dan B. Wordmaster: Nobody used abominable. Not many ahs/ums though.
Mary W. Timer: Dave B. 8.47, Laura G. 3.44, Mary Ellen 45 sec., Mark H. 1.35, Roxie 1.46, Lori 1.20

Jeff S. General Evaluator: Overall good meeting. Toastmaster had great transitions, Wordmaster chose good word with good example given, Table Topics were nice open-ended question, Humor was funny, Evaluation was good and descriptive, Table Topics answers were mini-speeches.

Spirit Award: Dave B.

November 16 Meeting Summary

Lori G was our Toastmaster today. All duty holders and our newmember Roxie N were in attendance. Lori announced the theme of themeeting: deer. It's not the theme due to the current deer hunting season,but due to a deer darting in front of her car while she was driving onHighway 61. She was fortunate not to hit it.Betsy S, today's Wordmaster/Grammarian, shared the word of the day:protocol. She commented that deer makes her think of Bambi.

Keri O was the Timer. She likes to eat deer meat.Sarah J was our first speaker and shared her ice breaker speechentitled "Dear to Me". She was able to incorporate the theme to help uslearn about her and what is important to her. The three things in her lifethat are most dear to her are her family, music, and an active lifestyle.We learned that Sarah has three older siblings and several nieces andnephews. She enjoys being an aunt because she can play with her nieces andnephews yet escape crises like diaper changing. Sarah grew up in a musicalfamily and enjoys all sorts of music. The Current is her favorite radiostation. As part of her active lifestyle, Sarah enjoys soccer, broomball,running, boxing, and cycling.

Laura B was our second speaker. She also shared an ice breakerspeech - her second - entitled "Just Call Me Laura". She told us abouther life and how her name has changed along the way. She was born LauraJean Bourgeault; one of eight children. Her best childhood friend wasnamed Lori A, so she also started going by "Lori". She married Markwhen she was young and became Lori Lee. That marriage lasted 5 years andthen she became Lori Bourgeault. She later married Rich C and becameLori C. Feeling the need to use a more grown up name, she switchedto Laura Bourgeault. This confused her family, so she said they shouldjust continue to call her "Lori." Now she's back to Laura Jean Bourgeault.She continues to love animals. Her best friends are her cat and her dog.She's also good friends with Rich C. If you're not sure what to callher, just call her Laura.

Jeff Streeper was our Topicsmaster. He first asked Kathy J if shefelt hunting was ethical. She responded that she has a strong personalpreference that her family does not hunt. However, she knows that huntingis important for managing a healthy deer population so it's good thatothers hunt. Her grandfather used to say that he only went "dear" huntingonce - for his wife.

Jeff next asked Roxie how many points she would haveif she was a buck. Roxie commented that she would have 24 points -elaborate but not too over the top. Jeff's last question was for Marian.He asked her to describe the most amazing scenery she has seen. Shedescribed a park in Jacksonhole, WY that's in the Grand Teton's NationalPark. She saw the park on a day when the sky was a beautiful blue.

Mary W evaluated Sarah's speech. She thought Sarah did an awesome job.She liked that she didn't use her notes, she stayed out in front of thepodium, made good eye contact, used good gestures, tied her speech in withthe theme, showed her passion, spoke clearly, and structured her speechwell. She suggests that Sarah use more of the room next time instead ofstanding right in the middle of the front.

Mike C evaluated Laura's speech. He had heard her first ice breakerspeech several years ago and commented on the wonderful progress Laura hasmade. He liked her catchy beginning, vocal variety, hand gestures andmovements, and how she showed pictures around the room and continued tospeak. The only improvement ideas Mike had were to tie the sections of herspeech together a little tighter, to share lessons learned in each of thephases of her life, and to strengthen the ending.

Keri provided the Timer's report: Sarah's speech was 4:44. Laura's speechwas 6:06. Kathy's table topic was 1:36, Roxie's was 1:28, and Marian's was1:20. Mary's evaluation of Sarah was 2:26 and Mike's evaluation of Laurawas 3:32.

Betsy provided the Wordmaster/Grammarian report. Lori used the word of theday. There weren't too many ums and ahs, but we still have room forimprovements. Some interesting uses of language included "boisterousbunch", "pigeon poop", and "vivid scenery".

Marian gave the general evaluation of today's meeting. She commented thatLori did a good job of leading the clapping and her topic connected witheveryone in the room in some way. Marian enjoyed today's speeches andlearning more about two of our members. She appreciated Jeff's novelquestions for table topics. The evaluators gave thorough evaluations andprovided good examples.

The Spirit Award was given to Sarah Johnson.