About our Club

Club Officers for 2007-2008:

• President: David Babbin
  Chairs meetings and supervises all other officers
  
  
• Vice President - Education: John Keck
  Schedules meeting assignments and works with members to see that their needs are met
  
  
• Vice President - Membership: Christine C
  Runs club membership drive and also works to keep members satisfied and happy
  
  
• Vice President - Public Relations: Laurie Glaude
  Makes external media contacts, keeps members informed of events and other news
  
  
• Secretary: Sam Pontuck
  Sends correspondence on behalf of the club, keeps club records and minutes
  
  
• Treasurer: Mary Devine
  Handles financial affairs, suh as dues and purchases
  
  
• Sergeant-at-Arms: Sal Napolitano
  Sets up/takes down meeting room supplies, introduces presiding officer, greets guests
  
  

At each meeting, Members participate in a learn by doing process. We receive training and practice in:

• Impromptu Speaking
• Prepared Speeches
• Effective Listening Skills
• Evaluation Techniques
• Leadership Development

The Table Topics portion of the meeting offers members the opportunity to develop skill in the art of impromptu speaking. The leader for this part of the program is called the Table Topics Master, and is the only person who knows the topics to be discussed and which Toastmaster will be called upon to respond tothe topic for 1 to 2.5 minutes. The objectives of the Table Topics exercise are to:

• Think quickly
• Respond intelligently
• Maintain poise when confronted with the unexpected question or comment

The Prepared Speeches given by our members are from 5 to 7 minutes for the basic manual, longer for the advanced manuals. Each speech teaches a different public speaking technique. Toastmasters prepare to give their speeches by:

• Reading the requirements for a particular speech project
• Selecting a subject
• Writing the speech
• Practicing the speech several times.

The Evaluation portion of the program offers members feedback that will help us progress as speakers and reach our goals. The evaluation feedback gives information about::

• How the speech was delivered and received
• Areas that were done well
• Areas where improvements could be made to help us become more effective speakers

Evaluators:

• Listen Carefully
• Follows an Evaluation Guide corresponding to the speaker's speech project
• Give friendly, encouraging personal opinions about the speech

Timing:

All parts of the program are timed so that we may learn to use time effectively.

Invocation/Pledge:  A Toastmaster offers an invocation or inspirational thought followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Educational Minute:  Frequently a special presentation of educational material is presented at the beginning of the meeting.  It normally covers better speaking skills or actions for having a successful club.

Toastmaster:  Leads the main part of the meeting.  Introduces the program speakers.

Jokemaster:  Tells a lighthearted joke/tale in good taste.

Wordmaster:  Presents a word with its definition and use of it in a sentence.  The use of the word is encouraged throughout the meeting.

A 10 minute dinner break allows us to visit with each other and to chat with our guests.  this is an excellent time for guests to ask questions of any member.

General Evaluator:  Leads the evaluation part of the meeting.  Asks for reports from the quizmaster, ah counter/grammarian, and timer.  Introduces the evaluators of the prepared speeches.

Quizmaster:  Asks the audience questions pertaining to what has been said throughout the meeting.  Encourages active listening.

Ah Counter/Grammarian:  Keeps a running tally on grammatical errors and all sentence fillers such as ah's and ums.