What does the word distinguished mean? To be respected and admired for excellence. Synonyms for distinguished include: important, grand, imposing, and magisterial. That was the theme at our Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting last night.
The meeting started a few minutes late as we awaited the arrival of our president and vice president. But we got going really quick. Our jokemaster had us laughing with his riddles. At the beginning of the meeting, the Toastmaster confirms roles to make sure everyone is ready to go. If we need to double or triple duty, we get it done. A Toastmaster wears many hats. We also read the mission statement at the top of the agenda.
Laurel Highlands and Western Maryland Toastmasters are battling for who gets Distinguished first. I just heard the news that one of our members will be coming back, getting us our three members we need to qualify for Distinguished. My next speech should complete my Level 2 requirements and I will be giving that to the club. We have a chance to make Select Distinguished as well, as long as we’re giving speeches and submitting our education awards. Western Maryland meets tomorrow night and they too are close to being a Distinguished club. They chartered last Spring, just behind DuBois Toastmasters. I was going to visit this month, but pushed that back to April.
It was a family affair last night as our three speakers were all related. All of them gave great speeches including Jeniffer who displayed her art as part of her speech. These three speakers will evaluate at the next meeting on April 8, as Gary, Ryan, and I come up and deliver our speeches. Officer elections will also be happening soon.
We got a nice group picture after the meeting ended. We also celebrated the Imeses on their second wedding anniversary with a smorgabord of fruit, cupcakes, and brownies, as well as water. Here is the picture of our little Laurel Highlands family.
Our Toastmasters club has members whose faith in Jesus Christ is strong. While religion and politics aren’t subjects we normally discuss in Toastmasters, it’s nice to see that we carry this distinction at Laurel Highlands. I still believe in God but have been away from the church since the Fall of 2021 (save for a few visits in between). After three and a half years away, I’m getting interested in God once again and finding a church. There is a place in Greensburg (in the city) that I may go to when I have a free Sunday morning. It was recommended to me by a fellow Toastmaster.
Upon giving my speech on Cutie’s a few weeks ago, I have some of my members interested in going there for coffee. I was even asked about the Bible Study which is starting up at the end of April. It’s amazing that a speech about a local coffee shop in Greensburg has carried a lot of weight, even to people in Fayette County and Western Maryland.
Finally, this weekend wraps up the Division run of the speech contests in District 13 as Division D’s best will compete for a spot in the District contest in April. I won’t be there in person as my schedule has changed this week. But, I will be there in spirit and I know that social media will be buzzing with pictures from the contest. Whomever wins on Saturday, I look forward to hearing on April 26 at the Spring conference!
Stylish 🍒 