I almost didn’t want to come because the day ran too long. I was going to come up with some excuse why I wouldn’t make it to the meeting. I was too tired. I needed some self care.
But then we left at a decent time and traffic wasn’t so bad on the Parkway. I got home with enough time to spare. I had my outfit ready to change into. Yes I call jeans, a V-neck top, sweater and boots 👢 an outfit. I ate dinner and left a little before 6 for my Toastmasters meeting.
I arrived just as we were ready to start. Michelle Teague served as acting President since Jim was out sick. We had a guest speaking from the Westinghouse chapter, Denise McMurdo. She’s working towards her Distinguished Toastmaster award. Our other speaker, Faerie Grace, was preparing for the area contest. Some of the inspiration for my blogs comes from her videos.
Ina Bazley was our Toastmaster for the evening. She introduced our speakers. Denise’s speech was on her Toastmasters journey. It was an interesting journey indeed as closes in on getting her DTM. Along the way she won Area Director of the Year honors and chaired the recent Fall Symposium in October 2019. She got my excitement going as she mentioned the DTM gauntlet, which I will be running in April.
Faerie gave her contest speech that she’ll be presenting on Saturday at the area contest. While she felt unprepared, and she didn’t have her pump for her balloons 🎈, it’s apparent she could have done this speech in her sleep. She spoke from the heart on her topic and she got us involved in her speech. She is a great motivational speaker. I can’t wait to hear this speech on Saturday.
Mike Dalton had a great Table Topics session. He called on one of the members to pick a word that fit the question. Tell us about a great (insert word here). Then he called on another person to tell that story. Everyone had a funny or heartfelt story to tell. Mine was about my trip to Maryland for the District 18 Fall TLI event. I met new Toastmasters and enjoyed some great workshops.
Sam Wieder served as General Evaluator. He introduced me as the first Evaluator and Diane Svec as the second evaluator. I gave Denise feedback on her speech and it was one of the richest evaluations I have given in almost nine years of Toastmasters. Diane was doing just her second speech evaluation and she reviewed Faerie’s contest speech. She was impressed with how well it was put together.
Sam always gives great feedback of the meeting. Last night’s meeting was no different. For me, he suggested some great pointers for Saturday’s evaluation contest. He got reports from Michelle and Denise (Pullen) for Grammar and Timing. Chuck Dietz served as ballot counter. I won best evaluator of the meeting.
I want to give a shoutout to Michelle Teague for how well she ran the meeting in place of her husband. She is doing awesome as Vice President of Education. I also learned that she was recently named club coach for Achievers. That was a godsend for me. I’ve been bogged down serving two roles. I’ve focused more on my presidential duties and unfortunately, the VPE role has suffered. With Michelle coming in as club coach, she should be a huge asset.
I wish I had been able to get some pictures of the meeting to post to the blog as well as on Facebook. I also wish I’d have had sometime take my picture because I had a very stylish photo opportunity in mind. I was rocking my outfit very well and I had the perfect pose planned. Oh well, there’s always next time.
It’s been a while since my last green and white university. Spring break is coming soon. I remember how I spent mine at Slippery Rock. That’ll be coming to a blog in the near future. Today was a beautiful day and the sunshine really makes this campus stand out.
Time to close off the blog with my advice to you. Live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it.
Spring will be here before you know it. That means warmer weather. Therefore, come sit on the porch with me. The drinks 🍷 🍸 🍹 are cold and the friendship’s free. Stay awhile.
Friends make the best memories. A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).
The weekend’s almost here. Make it lovely.
Bye everyone. ❤️ you 😚 🤗.
Stylish 🍒 