Last week's meeting started a trifle early at 6:29 pm and 45 seconds. Big D! is experiencing a wave of enthusiasm and we just cannot wait to get started! This week's theme was "The Wonderful World of Butterflies" chosen by Kathy Toler. Paul Carter called the meeting to order. Katherine quoted from Emerson in her beautiful invocation. The business session was going just fine until Eric raised a motion to record and report actual times taken by speakers through out the meeting. That was an invitation for some fun and frolic at the expense of one person - Mr. Jagadeesh Krishnan. Paul sought to amend the motion to record only times taken for prepared speeches. Danni seconded. Katherine chimed in by requesting that all times are recorded but only times for prepared speeches are reported. Adam called for the question and that put Jagadeesh off. In the end Paul's amendment was voted on and approved, but Eric then chose to withdraw his motion. John Sessions, Parliamentarian, saved the day by suggesting that the motion be laid on the table until next week. I am sure the Jagadeesh will spend the intervening period brushing up his knowledge of Robert Rules of Order, knowing fully well what awaits him in the manner of unfinished business. In other business John Sessions informed us that a nominating committee consisting of himself, Katherine Gean and Paul Carter is looking for members eager to take on office bearer roles.

Kathy began her innings as toastmaster with a flourish and informed us of her butterfly IQ Quiz. That was quite an idea, Kathy. Adam motivated us with a very personal story about his dad and how we could achieve what we wanted not with overnight-success-pills but with hard work, perseverance and a love and respect for people around us. Adam, you proved once gain that the best stories are the ones we call our own.

I knew when I saw Cliff's name as table topics master that we were in for a wild ride and what a ride it was! Starting with Jim expounding on Devil's Island and marriage if ever there was a connection to Therese commenting on Led Zeppelin and the fist fights at the symphony it was a smorgasbord of topics. Cliff succeeded in having the highest number of people called to speak in recent times - 8.

After the break, prepared speeches were given by Deanna Frazier - Ice Breaker "Lots of New Beginnings", Keith Moore on "Lightning, A Beautiful, Natural Phenomenon or a Cold Blooded Killer" and John Sessions on "In praise of Lawyers". Deanna walked us through her adventurous life and how her entrepreneurial gene has helped her make the most of it. Keith busted some myths on lightning and we added yet another item to our list of things to stay away from. John actually made a speech in defense of lawyers but he said that wouldn't stop him from continuing to tell lawyer jokes.

The master evaluator was Paul Carter and Individual evaluators were Tony Brucks Jr., Eric Dyson and TingTing Li. The awards were won by Elizabeth for table topics, Deanna for best speaker and Eric for best evaluator and toastmaster of the meeting.

Debbie Allen, our area governor was in attendance. We had five guests - Windrss, Joseph Kennard, Alvin Kennard, Babbar Sultan and Afroza Ahsan.

There WAS unfinished business and the meeting ended at 8:24 pm.