Brian led a meeting of firsts.  It was his first time as Toastmaster.  It was also John’s first time back with us in a while, and it was the first time in a long while that we had a fun group of foreign students visit the club.

Leeanne, whose memorable first involved a microphone and a restroom, opened the meeting.  Taline, whose memorable first involved a bad grade in kindergarten, served as timer.  Susana, whose memorable first involved kisses and the smell of artichokes, served as grammarian.

We turned things around a bit and did speeches first.  Nora, whose memorable first was her first job in a movie theater, delivered her icebreaker.  We learned that she loves travel, the solar industry, dining (not dieing), and taking care of herself.  Wendy, whose first time was about crawfish, told us a true story about Alexander Fleming and Winston Churchill that taught us that the things we do can change lives, including our own.

Amy, the alpha mentor, table topics mastered.   Our table topics speakers were by no means first timers.  Corky spoke on his first job as a collections agent for his dad’s rental television business.  Stuart spoke of the first date that never happened because he wanted to avoid being received as a suitor.  Brendan spoke of his first time in a foreign country.  Keith spoke in great detail about his first time getting drunk.  As someone aptly noted, these were contest quality table topics.  First timers, have no fear.  You too can be this good.  These guys have done this for a long time.

Louis, whose first time involved jumping out of an airplane, generally evaluated.  Lora, whose first time involved experimenting with a vegan diet (which may have compromised her ability to speak or think or both), evaluated and praised good organization and good humor.    Finally, Bert praised the use of a solid introduction, tension, and gestures.

It was not our first great meeting, but it was great nonetheless.

  • Best Table Topic:  Stuart
  • Best Speech: Wendy
  • Best Evaluation: Bert
  • Best Humor: Keith
  • Most Enthusiasm:  John S.

Up this week, a meeting on pets.  Seems appropriate given the new puppy in the White House.  Bring your best pet story and perhaps a photo or two and join us for another great meeting.