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 This is the first of three with pictures taken at the last meeting of District 50's 2009-2010 Executive Committee. (The district's Senior Three is the district governor, the lieutenant governor for education and training, and the lieutenant governor for marketing. The Senior Seven in District 50 is the Senior 3 plus the public relations officer, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past district governor. The Executive Committee is made up of the Senior 7 plus all the division and area governors in the district.) This was the last EC meeting for me as governor of the current Area 33 in Metro Division; our own Danni Babik was there as incoming LGET and spent a lot of time finalizing the TLI Kick-off's schedule and planning ahead for the Fall 2010 contest season.
The first picture includes Jerry Caspell (currently Area 43 governor and incoming Plains Division governor) facing away. Facing the camera were Area 65 Governor Alan Balthrop (first-year wonder club Timberglen—including DCP “Perfect 10” less than 12 months after chartering—was in his area), Immediate Past District Governor Les Guse, Area 35 Gov. Sally McKelvey, Area 32 Gov. Lee King, and Area 62 Gov. Georgia Wargetz. In the second picture, incoming Area 31 Asst. Gov. Zhanat Elliston was sitting next to Lee King (current Area 32 gov. and next Area 31 gov.) who is talking to Sally with Les to her right; across is Metro Division Governor Denise Cothern with Area 31 Asst. Gov. Tim Pike to her right.
At the bottom, we continued a tradition of celebrating the birthdays since the previous EC meeting. Singing "Happy Birthday" with the rest of us, L to R: District 50 Secretary and Spring 2010 Conference Chair Patty Kim, Area 35 Gov. Sally McKelvey, Area 32 Gov. Lee King, Sergeant-at-Arms Tracey Lynn Ditter, Southern Division Gov. Tracie Henderson, Hospitality Chair Frances Guse (who brought the cake), incoming Area Gov. Lisette Cumberland, incoming Metro Division Governor Joseph Díaz, and District 50 Governor Paulette Harvey.
   
Lunch break and celebrating May-June birthdays |
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Brandon Holloway, Stew Carson, Jennifer Huch,
and Brenna Smith during general evaluation
Meeting's Best Speaker Brenna Smith, Sergeant-at-Arms-elect
Jennifer Huch, and President Steve Patterson after the meeting
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The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on June 17, 2010, was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with a quorum being present and Vice-President for Education Linda Martin presiding. With the person scheduled for the inspiration absent, Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Kozel promptly led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The business session started at 6:33, and John Sessions immediately moved that the minutes of the previous meeting not be read, which was seconded; by voice vote, this motion was overwhelmingly defeated. The minutes of the previous meeting were then approved as read. Treasurer Victoria Perez asked us once again to help with end of the meeting housekeeping. President Steve Patterson then announced the officer-installation dinner party and meeting will be on July 1 at his house and will be catered; details will follow. The business session ended at 6:42 with only Cliff Hutchinson’s unresolved motion as unfinished business.
Frank Kozel served as first-time Toastmaster of the Evening with the theme of “Honoring Our Fathers on Father’s Day.” First-time Table Topicsmaster Jennifer Huch had time to ask questions of no less than six impromptu speakers. Prepared speeches were given by Vicky Tamez, President-elect Diane Kirksey, Brenna Smith, and Stew Carson. General Evaluator Steve Patterson managed the speech evaluations by Chase Miller, Essam El-Beik, Mac Smith, and John Sessions, and then evaluated the entire meeting.
 The meetings awards were:
Best Table Topic—John Lawson
Best Prepared Speech—Brenna Smith
Best Speech Evaluation—Mac Smith
Outstanding Toastmaster of the Meeting—Jennifer Huch.
Stew Carson was also recognized for having just become the club's latest Competent Communicator.
Our guests were Craig Hargrove, Hunter Williams, former member Doris Bobo, Michelle Oh for the second time, and Big “D” friend Wanda Campbell. The meeting ended at 8:35 p.m., and a good time was had by all. |
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Stew Carson, Canadian transplant to Texas, professional voice actor, diehard hockey fan, youth hockey coach—and brand-new Competent Communicator! Congratulations, Stew! You deserve it!
His tenth speech was “Is There a Psychiatrist in the House?” for Competent Communication manual Project #7 (Research Your Topic) and was about the superstitions in professional sports, especially in hockey and baseball.
As of June 17, that also gives Big "D" eight points in this Toastmaster year's Distinguished Club Program! |
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From District 50's 2009-2010 Public Relations Officer Christy McCrary who wants to remind every club member to attend:
Join us for the Summer TLI Kick-Off on Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sessions from 9:00AM - 4:00 PM (Registration 8:00AM - 9:00AM)
State Farm Insurance - 17301 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75252
Who should attend? Club members, club officers, and others interested in finding out more about Toastmasters.
Why should I attend? TLI is your chance to receive training for club officer roles, personal growth, club growth, and so much more!
Having your club’s officers trained every 6 months is one of the easiest ways to achieve one of your ten
Distinguished Club Program goals!
See attached for all the details!
Remember! Big "D" has a tradition of getting all seven officers trained! Also, a lot of good "electives" are being lined up plus a "can't-miss" keynote speaker and lots of just plain meeting and enjoying the company of other Toastmasters from all over District 50. Of course, our own Danni Babik will be there as the new D50 Lieutenant Governor Education and Training! Come catch the enthusiasm and learn what it really means to be a Toastmaster. If you're fairly new, a lot of your questions will answered right here! — David |
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Who are we the voices of Big D Talk anyway?
First of all, Paul Carter started the club's blog in mid-November 2006, only two months after joining Big “D” Toastmasters and 1½ months before becoming an officer. Most of the postings were written by him; he edited the rest! He was laid off in early summer 2008 then landed a “dream job” (as he called it) of travelling around the world; however, he could only be home on weekends, so he had to leave the club—but not before giving a farewell speech that received a standing ovation. He expressed his desire that the blog continue; but, it languished 15 months. Still, it was so well optimized that it continued to draw as many as 2000 hits every month; the spike of almost 3000 hits in March 2009 later made him ask us, “What did you do?” (“Nothing,” we replied!) July 2009 recorded 1,797 hits! Paul made one last post on August 22 once we finally made arrangements to reactive the blog. Finally, on August 26, 2009, he showed Angelo Pereira and me how to use the blog and explained some nifty options he had never had time to use. Paul then transferred ownership to Angelo.
In the meantime, Angelo became extremely busy and had other issues that delayed its effective use again. After setting us up as “authors,” Mike has been posting since January, and I've been posting since May while following as much as possible Paul's highly successful model. So, here we are (although I think all of us but Danni have changed a bit):
Angelo Pereira—Owner and
Editor (August 26, 2009-present)
  
Danni Babik Mike Weibel David Medart
Paul Carter, Blog Founder and
Editor (Nov. 2006-Aug. 26, 2009)
Occasionally, while Angelo was secretary, the president or someone else would send Paul a summary based on their minutes; but these are the current editor and “authors.” I could explain our credentials and why we're here, but that can wait. Yes, it takes four of us right now to do what Paul used to do. Let's just say for now that we're all busy, especially Angelo (who just got married; long story condensed into two speeches!) and Danni who joined Big “D” in February 2001 and will become District 50's lieutenant governor for education and training on July 1! Mike is currently VPPR; and, I cared enough to persist and not let the blog fade away. But, now those of you who haven't visited our club yet know what we look like! |
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It's That Time of Year!
The regular meeting of the Big “D” Toastmasters on June 10, 2010, was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with a quorum being present and Vice-President for Education Linda Martin presiding. The business session started at 6:34, and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.
There were no reports from officers or committees. Danni Babik, recently elected District 50's lieutenant governor for education and training for the Toastmasters year starting July 1, announced that a location has been chosen for the TLI Kick-off on Saturday, July 10—the State Farm building on Preston Road in Dallas north of Campbell Road. Able Toastmaster Cliff Hutchinson moved that the Hospitality Committee of Big “D” extend an offer to help 60-year White House reporter Helen Thomas with the Toastmasters communication program after her recent public gaffe. Advanced Toastmaster Gold John Sessions began to point out that that committee doesn’t exactly exist; so, Cliff amended his motion that such a committee be formed. John shortly noted the time and called for the orders of the day; the business session then ended at 6:45 with unfinished business.
Competent Toastmaster Mac Smith was gladly welcomed to the lectern as Toastmaster of the Evening with the timely theme of “Summer Vacation.” Master Table Topicsmaster John Sessions asked a variety of vacation and public-relations questions of five gourmand speakers. Prepared speeches were given by Angelo Pereira, Gabriel Muñuz-Fitch, and Jim Wolff. Angelo told the all-too-true story of his marriage and reception with his nearly perfected unique sense of humor (think Texas, Oregon, Turkey, and India)! Gabriel's icebreaker was very comfortable and naturally humorous with no notes! Jim Wolff masterfully demonstrated how to cut glass—including a disk! (The only thing missing was Mac's impromptu introduction of Gabriel.J) General Evaluator Mike Weibel steered us through the speech evaluations by Victoria Perez, Diane Kirksey, and Luke Donev, and then perceptively evaluated the entire meeting.
The awards this week:
Best Table Topic—Danni Babik
Best Prepared Speaker—Gabriel Muñuz-Fitch
Best Speech Evaluation—Diane Kirksey, and
Outstanding Toastmaster of the Meeting—Grammarian Cliff Hutchinson.
(Yes, Cliff's report was so humorously yet masterfully done that I didn't think to record it!)
Our guests were Sophia Smith-Sabadov and a transplanted former Toastmaster Michelle Oh. The meeting ended at 8:19 p.m., and a good time was had by all. |
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Metro Division's Competent Communication Speech-a-Brunch-a-thon, by all accounts, was a rousing success! (For one, it's a lot easier to say than to type!) The only real surprise is the speaking slots didn't fill up more in advance. Leadership Lambda Toastmasters hosted it, and their members held all the meeting roles: Sgt.-at-Arms Danni Babik was vote-counter, District 50 2009-10 Proofreader/Grammarian Andrea Briden was timer, and President D. Scott Cooper was Toastmaster of the Event. Secretary (and Event Chair) Helen Humphrey gave the inspiration, led the Pledge of Allegiance, gave a speech, and evaluated Joseph Pezanowski's speech. (From just the evaluation and his props, I now know why he loves to grill! Daisy Santosh was also there, but I missed hers altogether; yours truly spoke after Joseph P. and Daisy left during the second break. But, that made three speakers from Big “D”!) Both of us in my group went past 7½ minutes, so we were both disqualified.
At least one speaker cancelled the day before, there were 2 or 3 added speakers, and several people (like me) spoke in the next group after arriving. I didn't know I was the first speaker after the break until my name was called! Helen was a little surprised by the unexpectedly fluid agenda; but, we all just went with the flow and enjoyed the time anyway. Some bought the brunch that smelled wonderful when they brought more food in!
Danni also designed and printed the agendas, brought spare manuals (thank goodness), and provided certificates (not just ribbons) for the best speaker and evaluator in each group of three. I left off my name badge as a speaker; but then, I was surprised to find out I was the only current governor in Metro who was there! However, incoming Metro Division Governor Joseph Díaz was there—and evaulated my speech—as were Tim Pike and Zhanat Elliston, the assistant governors for the current and the soon-to-be-realigned Area 31!
Not only was a good time had by all, but it is an excellent way to help clubs achieve their DCP goals by June 30! |
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Resolved, that the Flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.
— June 14, 1777, Second Continental Congress
June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. It is not an official holiday but every president since Woodrow Wilson in 1916 has issued a proclamation for this day. The U.S. flag was officially adopted 233 years ago; but Congess did not pass a law creating a national Flag Day until 1949.
Every Toastmasters event and club meeting opens with the Pledge of Allegiance except when “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful” is sung instead. |
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  Are you trying to complete your Competent Communicator educational award before June 30? Grab a speaking slot now at the Metro Division's Speech-a-Brunch-a-thon sponsored by the Leadership Lambda Toastmasters Club! Download the flyer (in PDF format) now and plan to be there: Metro Division Speech-a-thon.
According to the latest information I have from nearly midnight Thursday night, there are still four speaking slots available, all in the afternoon. If 1:45-2:30 is a bit too late for you, someone in the group that starts at noon will probably be glad to trade. (Everyone each of the other speakers in the group he or she is in so that no-one except the organizers has to stay for the whole thing—unless you want to.) Go to the District 50 Toastmasters Website for more information and how to contact Helen Humphrey right on the home page. Even if you won't complete your CC by June 30 but want to get that much closer, inquire because there may be room for you!
When you come, bring both your Competent Communication and Competent Leadership manuals with you so you can also get a written evaluation of, and credit for, your speech evaluation.
Last night, Co-Chair Danni Babik said they also need a few people to be helpers, such as timers vote-counters. Also, anyone who just wants to get out and have a good time—and lunch—with other Toastmasters, it will be a great opportunity to actually have time for fun and fellowship as well as hearing some good speeches and evaluations.
If you don't have time on June 12, then you may be able to fit into the combined Town North & Vista Divisions' Speech-a-thon a week later immediately following the last meeting of District 50's current Executive Committee at Thomson-Reuters on Midway Road north of LBJ Freeway. |
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