Nicole explains the contest rules

Today we held our club’s Humorous Speech & Table Topics Contest. Our acting president Scott launched the meeting by introducing the theme of the meeting and welcoming our guests. We had one returning guest Adrian, and two new guests, Ndingin and Eurayna. Then Nicole, as today’s toastmaster briefed the meeting roles and responsibilities.

At the Humorous Speech Contest, our first contestant Dave’s topic was “Things Happen”. He shared his funny story at the Vietnam War when he and his buddy’s action was somehow matched with the war dog’s action in military training, while they were planning to play basketball. He concluded that sometimes things just happen and don’t go the way you want.

Dave adds gestures to his speech

Our second contestant Steve presented about his “autopilot” story from high school. He talked about how his buddy in high school forgot to put on his speedo after a swimming training, whiled being watched by everybody. After much hilarity, he suggested that don’t engage in autopilot when you are in a speedo.

Petra uses visual aids in her speech

Our third contestant, Petra taught us the driving lessons about manual cars. She grew up in Slovenia in an engineering family. That’s why she learned to drive sticks. She talked about how to engage the clutch and gas pedal at the same time in order to shift gears, and also how to start the car at an uphill. She suggested that while you don’t need a third leg to drive a manual car, you would need a third hand to text while driving. So no texting while driving.

The Table Topics Contestants were Michelle and Steve. The question was “is it better to watch or to be watched”. They both answered that they wanted to watch than to be watched. Michelle stated that as her maturity evolved, her talent lied when she watched. Steve said he would only want to be watched on a stage.

Angie describes the Table Topics timing

Then, our district representative Lance and acting president Scott announced today’s winners. Dave won the first prize in Speech Contest, and Petra was the runner up. For Table Topics Awards, Steve won the first prize and Michelle was the runner up. The winners, Dave and Steve would represent our club at the regional contest in Snohomish PUD on Oct. 5th.

Michelle is runner-up in Table Topics Contest

Petra is runner-up in Humorous Speech Contest

Steve is winner of Table Topics

Dave is Winner of Humorous Speech contest

Our acting president Scott received the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award, and then he went on to close the meeting by introducing the theme of our next meeting, SpeEch a tHon. It was an incredibly fun and successful contest for today’s meeting.

Shen delivers his first Toastmasters speech.

Janell, launched the meeting as Toastmaster by taking us back in time to Seattle’s jazz history on Jackson Street showing off part of her vinyl collection with the meeting’s theme, “Golden Oldies.” Twelve members and two guests, Karen and Adrien, attended the meeting.

Members write feedback for speakers.

Shegkun (Shen) presented his first project from the competent communicator manual, the Icebreaker. He made an inspiring speech entitled “Risk that Makes My Life T
hrilling,” emphasizing the value of taking risks as he described his excitement in deciding to turn down opportunities at home in China to study here (and then at MIT), and his goal of helping address food security in China.

Our second speaker, Michelle, presented project #3 from the competent communicator manual in a speech entitled “You, Too, Can Be an Urban Farmer . . . Starting Today!” With carrot and trowel in hand, she discussed the benefits of home gardens and how easy it is to get started, even in late August.

Nicole presented project #2 from the “Special Occasion Speeches” advanced manual. Her speech, entitled “Farewell,” was what she would say to praise her colleagues, both as a group and individually, if she were leaving her job (which she isn’t!).

Junlei presents a song title to Mike for Table Topics.

Karen selects another song title for Table Topics.

Junlei, this meeting’s Topicsmaster, asked participants to imagine themselves at an international conference on global warming where the speaker suddenly receives a note requiring use a specific song title. Mike, Andrea, Karen, and Auggie were our brave Table Topics volunteers. After much hilarity, Auggie won the ribbon for best Table Topics for his use of “Hit the Road, Jack” in a speech about governmental corruption in Uganda.

Auggie wins the ribbon for Best Table Topics.

Andrea, Scott, and Madeleine presented evaluations of the speeches. Johan gave a general evaluation of the meeting. Scott won best evaluator for the meeting.

Club president, Johan, inducted two new members, Auggie and Shen. Nicole ended the meeting with a reminder and call for participants in the club’s speech contest on September 14—our next meeting!

Nicole, as today’s Toastmaster, introduced the meeting’s theme, “Siblings.” Fifteen members were in attendance.

The first speaker of the day was Mary, who presented project #5 from the competent communicator manual. In her speech,  entitled “Do As I Say, Not As I Did: Friendly Advice from Mother,” Mary described her colorful “misadventures” in Europe and her cherished hope that her daughter, now heading to college, will make better choices.

Andrea then presented project #3 from the competent communicator manual. She researched her speech, entitled “Arguing Children Can Be Healthy,” mostly by bicycling to parks in the city over the summer and observing children’s interactions there. She told us how she had observed in her own life that children learn problem-solving skills, respect for different perspectives, and confidence, all through arguing with each other.

Dick takes a question from the audience about the dangers of commuter planes.

Our last speaker, Dick, drew on decades of experience in the airline regulation field to present “Three Airline Secrets Your Travel Agent Won’t Tell You,” from the “Speaking to Inform” advanced manual. Though recognizing that flying today is mostly safe, he taught us about three “safety gaps” to avoid in order to increase our chances of arriving safely at our destinations.

Janell describes her childhood antics for Table Topics.

As Topicsmaster for the meeting, Michelle posed questions about siblings to Dave, Junlei, Angie, and Janell. Janell, who recounted an anecdote of when her brother kindly took the blame for her mischief with her mother’s expensive perfume, won as best Table Topics speaker.

Patrick, Scott, and Rich presented evaluations of the speeches. Madeleine gave a general evaluation of the meeting. Scott won best evaluator for the meeting.

Johan presents Dave with his Competent Leader Award.

Club president, Johan, inducted our two new members, Angie and Mark. Johan also presented Dave with a competent leader award. Nicole ended the meeting by announcing the club’s upcoming contest on September 14 and making a call for contestants; all contestants in the humorous speech contest will receive an advanced manual on making humorous speeches.

Our next meeting is August 24.

Junlei holds up a map of South Africa as a visual aid

As the Toastmaster for the day, Dave introduced the meeting theme, “Consequences,” with a focus on positive consequences, especially the positive relationships, friendships, and skills in clear communication and effective leadership that result from participation in Toastmasters. Thirteen members and three guests were in attendance.

As Grammarian and Ah Counter, Violetta presented “auspicious” as the word of the day: a fitting start for a great meeting on a sunny morning.

Members enjoy a speech

Junlei launched the speaker portion of the meeting with her speech, “A dream trip to Safari,” the seventh speech from the competent communicator manual. She shared with us her extensive research on this topic, which reflects an important item on her “bucket list.” Replete with a map of South Africa highlighting the best parks to visit, her speech included dazzling descriptions of scenery, a sample itinerary, advice on visas, and guidelines on costs. We all look forward to hearing another speech on this topic whenever she returns from making this trip!

Madeleine demonstrates how to use a mandolin

Madeleine, DTM, presented the second speech from the advanced Speaking to Inform Manual. Entitled “3 great gizmos you can use to prepare healthful meals and save time in the kitchen,” her speech included not only the gizmos as visual aids but also a lively demonstration, complete with various vegetables. Madeleine also gave practical tips on recipes for quick, nutritious dinners.

Johan, our third speaker, delivered an inspiring speech entitled “Beyond the CC manual,” the tenth speech from the competent communicator manual. She provided information, including handouts, to help us succeed in Toastmasters through both the communication and leadership tracks. Johan emphasized the value of diving into advance manuals, even concurrently with the competent communicator manual. She also described the many reasons awards matter for individual members, such as by garnering recognition and honors for our club.

Members listen to a table topics response

Andrea served as Topicsmaster for the meeting with a question about consequences tied to breaking of rules in childhood.  One of our guests, Mark, won best Table Topics speaker for the meeting. Petra and Dick also participated as Table Topics speakers.

Our evaluators were Patrick, Michelle, and Petra, with Dick as the general evaluator. Michelle won as best evaluator for the meeting.

Violetta delivers the Grammarian report

Johan invited each of our guests, Mark, Angie, and Shen, to share their impressions of the meeting before the meeting closed. Their comments were very positive about how organized the meeting was and the enthusiastic support. Angie and Shen both decided to sign up as new members!

Guest, Mark, wins best table topics response

The next meeting will take place on August 10.