Dave E. led the meeting as coordinator of our Speechcraft. Five speeches included:

1. John N., Be in Earnest project speech: “Who Makes a Better Pet, a Teenager or a Lap Dog?” John used a tongue-in-cheek comparison to comment on the tribulations of raising a teenager.
2. Ray R.,  Ice Breaker speech: “What am I Doing Here?” Ray talked about what he enjoys about Toastmasters after all these years.
3. Raj N., Organize Your Speech project speech: “Balanced Life” Raj offered suggestions for work/life balance.
4. Diane B., Organize Your Speech project speech: “Is My Teen Using Alcohol or Drugs? I Don’t Wanna Know!” Diane provided advice for parents on how to relate to teenagers so they stay away from drugs and alcohol.
5. Nicole B,  Organize Your Speech project speech: “When the Clients Come to Town” Nicole related how she handled a visit by out-of-town clients.

Joel H. provided spontaneous speaking opportunities in Table Topics with questions on travel, since he had just returned from a brief vacation. The award for Best Table Topics went to John.
Evaluations followed. Nicole, Diane, John, Raj and Ray gave supportive feedback to the five speakers respectively. Timer Beth G. kept track of all times for speeches, table topics and evaluations. General Evaluator Amara D. observed each speech and evaluation, then gave suggestions for improvement to each evaluator.
Before the closing, Dave explained the preparations for next week and Ray gave a brief explanation of how to hand  control of the lectern to the next speaker during transitions.
Next Meeting: Speechcraft finishes! We will have a special guest speaker, so don’t miss it!

We had a busy and fun Speechcraft meeting today!
Coordinator Dave E led off by introducing guest speaker Valerie T, who told us how to introduce a speaker in her talk, “Plan for a Smooth Flight.” Thank you, Valerie.
Next came three Ice Breaker (introductory) speeches from Speechcrafters Raj N., Diane B. and Nicole B. In talks titled “Me in a Nutshell, “Who I Am” and “The West Coast is the Best Coast,” our newcomers introduced themselves respectively and got started down the path to better speaking . Good job!
Tom led a brief Table Topics session, in which Scott C won the Best Table Topics ribbon.
John N. and Dan G. then gave their second speeches, from the Organize Your Speech project. We learned a lot about John’s passion for the game in “Why I Love Baseball” and heard harrowing personal stories in Dan’s “Early Morning Phone Calls & Text Messages.”
Speechcraft advisors Dave E., Lisa L. and Amara D. evaluated the Ice Breaker speeches; then Dan and John gave their first speech evaluations by evaluating each other’s speeches.
Dave led a discussion on speaking with conviction in a prelude to the third speech project, Be in Earnest, which Dan and John will tackle next week.
Each segment of the meeting was timed by Area 23 Governor Jerry W. Thanks for pitching in, Jerry.
Scott C. provided helpful feedback to the five speech evaluators in the general evaluation.

The second session of Speechcraft kicked off with an educational presentation on How to Organize Your Speech by Scott C. Scott set out the basics of Introduction, Body and Conclusion, but also led the audience through an exercise in organizing a sample speech using handout materials.
Next we heard introductory (called “Ice Breaker”) speeches from two Speechcraft participants. John N. and Dan G. gave their first speeches, getting past their jitters and starting down the path to confident public speaking. Go John and Dan!
Impromptu speaking practice followed. First-time Table Topicsmaster Beth G. put questions on “Health & Fitness” to members and guests. Beth’s cornucopia of food-related questions included:

• Which is more important, counting calories or exercising?
• A shake for breakfast, another for lunch, and then a sensible dinner. What could go wrong?
• Food allergies — are they real, or just an excuse to avoid eating what they don’t like?

Our winner for Best Table Topics was a visitor, Raj, for his answer on food allergies.
Next came the evaluation session. All three speakers received supportive feedback from evaluators Dave E., Ray R. and Joel H. General Evaluator Lisa L. summed things up and evaluated the meeting as a whole.
Club news: Raj N. decided to sign up and join the Speechcraft! He’ll give his Ice Breaker next session. Welcome, Raj!
Our next session is March 19th at 8:00 AM, when we will have an educational session on Introducing a Speaker and five — yes, five — short speeches from new members!