Ray, Nagisa, Dave, Dillibe, Sally, Johan, Scott, Nicole, Mineko and Madeleine were joined by guest Dick for round three of Speechcraft on the theme of Summer Sports.
President Scott welcomed founding member Madeleine and her friend Dick back from their 2-year stay on the E. Coast. After having all introduce themselves, Scott ushered in  meeting emcee Dave to lead the Speechcraft session. Dave in turn announced the presenters of today’s prepared speeches:

• Scott told us how to give “An Organized Speech” — one that has an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Using handouts, he demonstrated how supporting material can be grouped to convey our ideas and explained how to write an introduction and conclusion.
• Speechcrafter Mineko gave her second speech, “Stage Fright.” She described the symptoms of fear of public speaking and offered suggestions on overcoming this paralysis. These included not only the tried-and-true technique of deep breathing, but consciously expanding our peripheral vision as a way to banish panic.
• Speechcrafter Johan shared in her Ice Breaker (self-introduction) speech her path from childhood in Taiwan to getting a green card, to working in a medical laboratory, to selling real estate!

Spontaneous speaking. Table Topicsmaster Dillibe plied the audience with questions on the theme of Summer Sports for our impromptu speaking practice. Dick took the Best Table Topic award.
Feedback. Ray, Nicole and Sally provided supportive comments and suggestions for improvement to the speakers.

Instruction.  Dave explained the importance of speech evaluation and set out some techniques for effective evaluation, which speechcrafters will try next time.
Adviser/Speechcrafter discussions. Speechcrafters were briefed on next week’s speaking assignments and had Q&A time with advisers.
Program chair Dave wrapped up and returned control to Scott, who closed the meeting.
Business item: The club is purchasing two official signs from Toastmasters to help guests find us on campus.
Next meeting: Next Saturday, July 21 at 7:45.

 Dave, Scott, Ray, Sonja, Mary, Nicole, Steve, Sharon and Mineko were joined by guests Farah and Johan today.
Today the real and very big fun of Speechcraft began in earnest: Ice Breaker (self-introduction) speeches by our speechcrafters!
Before that, Scott introduced the topic of how to introduce a speaker. He explained that introducing a speaker to the audience is an important element of a helping the speaker succeed and shared suggestions based on his experience on the speaking stage.

Then it was time for newcomers to speak.
Mineko shared her story of growing up in a small town in rural Japan and being inspired by her mother to go out and see the world. She did this by heading to South America to study Spanish at 16 and has stopped living the international life since.
Sharon introduced herself by sharing one of the most memorable moments of her youth — the day school was interrupted with the terrible news of President Kennedy’s assassination.

After the speeches, everyone got a chance to practice impromptu speaking through Table Topics led by Steve.
Ray, Nicole and Dave gave supportive feedback and suggestions for improvement to our speakers, respectively.
Speechcrafters met with their advisors to map out their plans for next week’s speaking projects.
Farah and Johan decided to sign up and join the Speechcraft! Welcome!
Speechcraft’s third session is next Saturday, July 14th! See you there!

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Members Dave, Dillibe, Mary, Nicole, Ray, Sally and Sonja were joined by guests Mineko, Jennifer and Mihaela.
Toastmaster Dave led a high-energy showcase meeting on the benefits of Speechcraft, our introductory course for beginning speakers which launches on June 30th.
Our speaker was Sonja, who shared lessons she learned by giving her first three speeches in Toastmasters. Sonja spoke based on the fourth project from the Competent Communication manual, Working with Words.

Members and guests practiced speaking off the cuff in the Table Topics session led by Ray. Because the theme was after all Speaking Off the Cuff, Ray made up questions on the fly based on audience input. Sally won Best Table Topics for her spirited impromptu promotion of the search tool Bing over that other leading search tool!

Mary demonstrated speech evaluation by giving Sonja supportive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Toastmaster Dave explained the upcoming Speechcraft program and the meeting closed with a Q & A session. Mineko and Jennifer decided to join the Speechcraft at the close of the meeting! Yeah!
Speechcraft kicks off next meeting, June 30 at 7:45 sharp.
See you there!