Toastmaster Moises creaked open the door to introduce our theme of the day, “Halloween!” He told a few personal scary tales, one which actually involved a scary tail, to get us warmed up for the trick-or-treats about to be enjoyed by all. He also provided our quote of the day: “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Phyllis Diller
Cris stepped up last minute to fill the open Grammarian role. The word of the day was “Supernatural.” Paula was our Timer.
Steven gave us all a fright as he authentically revealed that his toast at our club is feeling a bit… stale. How can he jazz it up? Put it back in the toaster with “Mentorship,” the title of his speech. In this era of Zoom meetings, he hasn’t felt challenged to grow his speaking game. The energizing social interaction isn’t what it once was. To get out of this funk he’s turning to mentorship. With mentorship, we’re able to participate in the transformational journey of others who are becoming better and more confident speakers. We’re able to put what we’ve learned into action by guiding new members. Steven admitted that even though he’s been in the club a while, he too could benefit from having a seasoned mentor dedicated to helping him progress as a speaker. This mentor could come from a member of the club, an advanced club, or from hiring a professional speaking coach. His desire to get better is thrilling. What can we all do to help him? Commit to giving Steven feedback in evaluations that will challenge him to grow!
In his last speech, Saurabh gave us this quote: “10% of conflicts are due to difference in opinion. 90% are due to wrong tone of voice.” If we correct our tone of voice, there would be a lot less conflict. In Traci’s speech, she asks us to “Read… Set Your Voice Free, by Roger Love” to improve our tone of voice. You can train your voice to be a superpower. With this book you will learn to communicate more effectively, adjust your physiology to harness a better quality tone, and control how others perceive you. Roger Love is the world’s greatest voice coach and we have access to his advice and free voice lessons. Get Set Your Voice Free on audible!
Our last speech wasn’t spooky, but it was supernatural and left me with goosebumps. Jamie took us on a Big Magic inspired road trip with her two friends, in her speech titled “Dialog with the ghost of fears past.” This perspective-changing journey is one that I want to take every day! She told us about the unique qualities of her friends, their relationships with each other, and the impact they have. It was such a delight to hear this tale that Jamie creatively wove together. We want seconds from this trick-or-treat bowl. Please tell it again Jamie!
Ahmad, our Table Topics Master, offered virtual trick-or-treat table topics in exchange for virtual candy. He knocked on the door, and we answered:
What would you do to pull a scary prank on a friend? Bill would tell you, go to the gun store dressed in camo, buy a sawed-off shotgun, and blow the heck out of their front door.
What would you say to convince a senator that Halloween should be a day off? Traci would tell you, we need this day off to celebrate our community since all of our neighbors are coming over. We need the day to decorate, prepare our street fairs and connect with everyone around us.
What would you do if the kids in the neighborhood brought you all of the neighborhood pumpkins to reward you for having the best candy? Sarah would be overjoyed and would tell you that she would use those carved smelly pumpkins to build the world’s biggest pumpkin maze for her guinea pig to eat through.
What is the weirdest costume you have ever seen? Jinendra would tell you, the weirdest costume is when his roommate dressed as … Jinendra. It was very strange to look in the mirror, and then see his image in real life.
If you could wear any costume to work, what would you be? Tamsen would tell you she would go as herself.
A grumpy neighbor wants to cancel Halloween. You are elected by the rest of your neighbors to convince your neighbor otherwise. Moises would bring a cake with the message, “Halloween is Great!” He would wear a subtle shirt supporting Halloween and would tell grumpy neighbor a few scary stories. If grumpy neighbor still doesn’t get on board, Moises would ask Bill to play a scary prank on him.
Tell us about the spookiest experience that was fun? Paula loved scary books as a teenager. They were scary and fun. Once she read a book with her sister. Her sister was super scared and would not allow Paula to leave her side. Paula lost her attraction to scary books once she became a mother.
Our Evaluating entourage was Bill, Tamsen and Jinendra, with Sarah as General.
Keep sharpening your sword with Toastmasters!
Our next meeting is on November 13th.
Some ideas....What brought you to Seattle Sunrise? Where are you from? What would you like to learn? What's your proudest accomplishment? What did you want to be when you were small? What would you sing at Karaoke night?
