Learning Curve – Meeting summary from October 12, 2013

Johan, as Toastmaster, introduced the meeting’s theme, “Learning Curve.” Two guests and 17 members attended the meeting.

Johan launches the meeting.

Johan launches the meeting.

Patrick delivered the meeting’s first speech, “Care about Your Work,” the third project from the competent communicator manual. He recounted his experiences working as a stocker, through which he learned the importance of a good attitude in his work—a lesson that he applies now in his career as a graphic designer, and which he called on his audience to adopt as well.

Patrick describes his first job.

Patrick describes his first job.

Shen was our second speaker, presenting “Cultural Differences,” his second project from the competent communicator manual. Based on his observations of three cultures, growing up in China, studying in the U.S., and starting a business in Africa, Shen explained several differences between the three cultures. He persuasively exhorted the audience to “embrace the differences” among cultures.

Junlei, as the third speaker, delivered her ninth(!!) project from the competent communicator manual, a speech she entitled “The Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Prefabricated House.” She quickly dispelled notions of trailer parks with striking images of modern modular homes. She focused on persuading the audience to consider prefabricated houses as a good option by explaining many benefits, including financial savings and environmental advantages of prefabricated housing.

Scott, this meeting’s Topicsmaster, asked attendees to consider the special learning opportunities presented by road trips through his series of questions. Angie, Violetta, Shane, Adrian, and Mary delivered short speeches in response to the questions. With his humorous remarks on running out of gas on the road, our guest Shane won the ribbon for best Table Topics.

Madeleine, Nicole, and Stephen presented evaluations of the speeches. Dick gave a general evaluation of the meeting. Stephen won best evaluator for the meeting.

Madeleine shows why speakers should not look at the ceiling during a speech!

Madeleine shows why speakers should not look at the ceiling during a speech!

Our next meeting is October 26, 2013.

Posted in Meeting Summary