The Ability to Improvise

Attendance 9 (1 Guest, 2 Distinguished and 6 Regulars)
Meeting Duration – 12pm-12:50pm
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

One of the key abilities that any Toastmaster should have in his/her arsenal is the ability to think and communicate ideas on their feet. Being able to prepare for and deliver a presentation is also important, but responding quickly and effectively can go a long way in your business day. This week’s meeting gave the group an opportunity to put that concept into practice and we shined brightly. Due to a scheduling issue a portion of today’s program would not be presented (prepared speeches). How would we handle it?

The meeting began with an inspirational invocation by Vice President of Education, Bertha Bruner; Toastmaster Joe Simpson introduced Cynthia Jimerson with our Word of the Day, braggadocio. Not to brag or boast but Drena Graham’s Table Topics were outstanding! Table Topics were extended as the featured item on the agenda to round out today’s program.

Based on the book, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman, members and guests were asked to discuss how technology effects the way the entire world reacts to it.

How does it effect customer service (Paul Burke); how will we raise our kids (Cynthia); how to teach our children (Garth Garrett); how we grow up utilizing technology in your profession (Co-President Falan Guan); not being afraid of technology as adults and children (Joe); and how quickly technology changes and purchasing software (Jay Fisgus). To close the program, this thought-provoking book garnered such a response that members continued to riff ideas in a roundtable forum.

Congratulations to our Table Topics winner, Garth! He exemplifies creativity, flair and an extremely quick wit when in front of an audience. He is a valuable example of being able to entertain as you need to speak at a moment's notice. Also, kudos goes out to Tony Li for making his first trip up to the podium during today’s meeting as well.

Finally, anyone interested in either participating in upcoming contests or taking the role of Area Governor should contact Falan for more information.

Thanks again for pulling together and presenting another exciting meeting even when things don’t go as planned. See you next week!

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