We had a fun meeting focused humor and competition! Guest speakers Vladimir B. and Maria P. tried out speeches they hope to use in the humorous speech competition taking place in clubs throughout the area this fall.

• Meeting emcee (“Toastmaster”) Dave E.  explained how the contest  works and introduced the guest speakers. 
• Vladimir told us about his joys and tribulations in marriage in “Soul Mates.”
• Maria described some of the awful dates she’s been through in her quest to find Mr. Right in “Bad Date 101.”
• After the audience enjoyed the prepared speeches, we had impromptu speaking practice led by Amara D., our Table Topicsmaster.
• Evaluators Joel H. and Beth G. gave 3-minute evaluations of the two speeches and then conducted round robin evaluation sessions to give the speakers a 360-degree view of their performances. 
• General Evaluator Ray R. gave feedback on the meeting as a whole.
• Guest Chris decided to join the club! Welcome, Chris!

Business: The club is relocating to Merrill Gardens Northgate starting October 1st. See you there!

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We had a fun and educational meeting at Kona Kitchen. Dave E. emceed our meeting on the theme of “Change is Coming.”

Dave E. speaks on meeting venue options.

• Dave E. spoke on an advanced topic. In a project from the Speaking to Inform advanced manual, Dave reported on the status of the club’s search for a new home, comparing the options. His speech was titled “Where Will Northgate Sunrise Toastmasters Find a New Home?” The project, A Fact-Finding Report, called on Dave to prepare a report on a situation, event or problem of interest to the audience; deliver sufficient factual information in your report so the audience can make valid conclusions or a sound decision; and answer questions from the audience.
• Ray R. explained the Distinguished Club Program (DCP), the annual program clubs follow to achieve success, in a talk called “DCP — Is That for Me?” Working from the eighth project of the Competent Communicator (basic) manual, Get Comfortable with Visual Aids, Ray used flip chart and handouts to explain the program and how it translates to helping the individual member. Project goals: to select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and use them correctly, with ease and confidence.
• David B. conducted the spontaneous speaking session, Table Topics, for the first time.  David challenged members and guests to try their hands at answering real questions sent in to Dear Abby. Scott C. won Best Table Topics with his suggestions for how a prudish attendee might cope with the unwelcome appearance of a stripper at a birthday party. . .

David B. leads Table Topics

Sherry T. drives home point!

• Evaluations followed. Guest Sherry T. from the West Seattle 832 club gave Dave E. concrete suggestions for improving his fact-finding speech and Scott C. pointed out how Ray could better use visual aids next go-round.

Scott C. on flip-chart technique.

• Nagisa joined the club! Welcome, Nagisa!
• VENUE: Members decided after discussion that the Kona Kitchen is our best venue choice for the foreseeable future. We plan to meet here on September 10th.
• Speech contest season is coming. This time, the contests for for humorous speech and table topics. Can you compete on behalf of the club? See VP Education Dave E. 
• Toastmasters Brand Refresh. Toastmasters International announced a new branding initiative on August 17th and is asking clubs to support the brand by using the new logo and tag line.We decided to upgrade our banner to reflect this change as soon as possible.

We had a lively, fun meeting today! Highlights:

Toastmaster Scott leads our “parade” of speakers.

Scott C. did a turn as Toastmaster of the Day (meeting emcee). In full costume as the Grand Marshal, Scott shared with us why he just loves a parade! He led the meeting with great panache.
SPEECHES:

David gives first speech.

Joel tells of insurance strife.

• David B. gave his first speech, The Ice Breaker (Speech #1 from Competent Communicator Manual). His talk, “Peace and Pieces,” introduced us to David with a focus on his interest in mediation and motorcycling. Welcome, David.
• Joel H. presented Speech #9 from CC Manual. In “A Story of Unbalanced Interests,” Joel shared how he, as a new solo lawyer, dealt with the mix of negligence and perfidy surrounding a homeowner’s fight with his insurance company. 

SPONTANEOUS SPEAKING: Amara D. led the impromptu speaking session with questions on the theme of parades. Seven attendees, members and guests, fielded questions.

Guest Vivek answers Amara’s query in Table Topics.

General Evaluator Norma reviews the meeting.

EVALUATIONS: Mary L. offered feedback to David, and guest Maryallene O. from the Ballard Weekenders club made suggestions to Joel. Our guest from the Northeast Club, Norma D., evaluated our entire meeting and gave feedback to the evaluators as the general evaluator. 
CLUB NEWS:
Meeting of August 20: We will meet at the Kona Kitchen, 8501 Fifth Ave NE. 
MEMBER NEWS:
Lisa L. sends us greetings from Liberia (W. Africa), where she is putting her speaking and leadership skills to use this summer presenting public-health talks in villages.

Market in Grand Bassa County, Liberia