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.
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.
posted by Mutual Voices Toastmasters | 6:19 AM
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