Toastmaster Hui led a lively meeting about rainy day activities. Suitably attired in a rain jacket, Hui reminisced about her days as a little girl dancing in the rain in her rainboots and rain coat. Belle presented ” Ode to Seattle,” reflections of a east coast transplant about the evergreen trees, alabaster and mountains of the Pacific North West. Lara presented ” Surprise! Two impromptu speeches”, the first one being an acceptance speech and the second one an entertaining speech to family on a rainy day. Moises presented ” Pathways Level 1″, a short introduction on Pathways.

Cris led a round of table topics.

Bethany officiated as Timekeeper and Bill, as Grammarian.

Our next meeting is March 23rd.

 “The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim; he or she has become a threat.”  James Baldwin

Toastmaster Paula opened the meeting with the following:

“ Use your voice” How many of you heard that as a child? The moment you left home to go to school, you learned that there are times when you should SPEAK, and not DO . Over time, for some of us, this became NOT SPEAK, NOT DO. And slowly, we lost the words to describe many hard  things that happened to us. We lived in silent ignorance, thinking that we had imagined those hard things. Yet, we felt trapped in the grips of a dark, lonely and imaginary secret.

When you want to control someone, silence them, deny them their language, nip their stories at the cellular level. Until they find their words to process what happened to them, until they find their voice to tell the world their story, they do not EXIST.“

Seattle Sunrisers and their guests gathered on this first Saturday after Valentine’s day to tell and listen to each other’s stories. When you join our group, you find yourself learning the technique of public speaking but also finding your voice. When you tell your stories, you accept, assert and affirm your place as a unique and deserving human being in the midst of others.

Elliot presented “ Elliot’s Love Life” a reflection on the progression of his love life through the lens of ghosting. It hurts to be ghosted. Notable quote: ” When I was the ghostest with the mostest, I was invulnerable”.

Lori presented “ Unravelling the layers of my voice“, three examples of how Lori’s diverse experiences such as back packing solo in Australia, yoga and meditating in New Zealand and braving her fear of public speaking at Seattle Sunrise have shaped the intricate layers of her voice. Notable quote: “I have two distinct voices: Gorilla ( Lorella) when I have to fend for myself and Panda, when I want to make friends.”

Steven led the meeting through a round of original toastmasters where members of the audience had to answer questions using a different persona. Featured appearances: Dolly Parton and Owen Wilson.

Thanks to our guests Dina, Ekta, Summer and Brittany for joining our meeting today.

Our next meeting is February 24th, 2024

Toastmaster Belle on weekend routines: the weekend is here for rest and restore. But what about studying the crushing mysteries of advanced mathematics, being lured out for a late night of fun that ends in a very loud Uber ride home and waking up earlier than usual for a Seattle Sunrise Toastmaster meeting that is waaaaay too early?

Joseph presented his speech titled ” Today’s family gives me stability”, thoughts inspired by a book by John Maxwell. In our quest for success in the world, it can be easy to lose track of what real success is: having the love and respect of those closest to you. This support system is what one draws on when the path of life leads you through the valleys on the way to the peaks. Put family first on the calendar, create family rituals and traditions and find ways to spend time together and you will enjoy success.

Paula led a round of table topics on weekend routines. In addition to a few interesting weekend routines such as juggling, moving through chores through 10 min bursts, exercising, sleeping in, our members would also like to be biking, especially on a clear, crisp day as today.

The word of the day presented by Grammarian Steven was Yada,yada,yada. An example of the use of the word of the day:

Elaine: I met this lawyer, we went out to dinner, I had the lobster bisque yada, yada,yada…

Seinfeld: But you yada yada-ed over the best part.”

Elaine: No, I mentioned the bisque”

Our next meeting is Saturday, February 17, 2024.

“is Mentoring the latest and greatest recreational activity?”
Cris Fowler