Jan 26th 2016 Theme: “File Early or Someone Will”

“The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that still carries any reward.” ~~ John Maynard Keynes

Welcome to the fourth meeting in January blog.

               Dave A. was our toastmaster of the day.

The GAT(e) team comprised of - Grammarian – Warren [ensure], Ah Counter – Chizuko, Timer – Tobias.

Amritha was the first speaker of the day. She completed her Project #10 from the CC Manual – Inspire Your Audience. The title of her speech “Good Bye Creepy Habit” which she completed within 11 mins.

During her college years, while staying in a hostel for the first time, enjoying the fun and excitement that came living with a bunch of first year grad students, Amritha gradually developed the habit of procrastinating her college projects and assignments. The habit gradually spread to other areas of her life as well.

Years later, as she looks back, she realizes she that she is still carrying the habit of procrastinating with her. She sees similar behavior in her daughter’s attitude towards piano practice at home. She questions herself– “What kind of a role model is she being by procrastinating? Is her daughter learning from her?” In an attempt to teach her children to be on task as well as perform better in her own tasks, she is now making sincere attempts to stop procrastinating and start taking action towards set realistic goals.

Towards the end of her speech, by sharing the loss of a teacher at her children’s school she shares the message that Life is short and Time is precious.

Kathy was her evaluator. She appreciated the stories and illustrations that the audience could relate to and the message that was tied in to the speech. As a suggestion, Kathy offered Amritha to use bring more emotions or walk up to someone in the audience while delivering an important dialogue.

Our second speaker was Julie. He completed Project #5 from the CC Manual – Your Body Speaks. Title of her speech “Being on Fire” which she completed within 7 mins.

Julie shared a story from her life while she was in her adolescent teen years. Her parents took her to baton twirling lessons and she enjoyed taking them. With time, she became an expert in baton twirling and took part in parades and other events. Eventually she took up fire batons and developed great reputation in that area.

During Junior High, she was invited to perform during the half time of a basketball game. Having taken all precautions necessary to keep herself safe, she started performing during half time. The lights went off and she started twirling the batons with great passion, energy and enthusiasm. She felt so awakened and present. Within minutes, the show concluded and from being the vibrant energetic Julie, she now became the shy little girl who wanted to hide herself away from the crowd.

Towards the end of her speech, she asks – don’t so many of us hide our power and passion. As a success coach, she invites us to a program of hers which can help anyone reclaim their true beauty and excitement.

Julie was voted the best speaker.

Anisha was her evaluator. Anisha appreciated Julie’s speech which had a thoughtful message – “reclaim the hidden power and passion within”. She thought Julie did a great with stance, body movements and natural expressions. As a suggestion, she offered Julie to possibly use more vocal variety.

Anisha was voted the best evaluator.

Jung was our table topics master. Our table topics speakers were Pauline, Tobias, Warren and Rance.

Question to Pauline: What is your goal for this year?

Pauline hopes to speak more and move forward in her CC manual. Due to busy work schedule, she has not been able to concentrate on speaking much. This year she hopes to finish more speeches and get better at impromptu speaking.

Question to Tobias: What is the most important quality you look for in friends?

For Tobias, the most important quality that he would look for in friends is loyalty. In his opinion, friends who are loyal try to do the best thing they can. These are also the people who stick by you in thick and thin.

Question to Warren: What skill would you like to have someday?

Warren would like to develop the ability to sing. He shared how his mom always said he could not sing and later after marriage his wife also came up with the same opinion. Now, he loves to watch the idol and cheers for them.

Question to Rance: What one thing would you like to know about the future?

If Rance had an option, he would like to know about when would he ever win a powerball lottery. Though he has bought tickets multiple times, he has never been lucky enough to win it.

Warren was voted the best table topics speaker.

Pauline was our humorist. 

Members who attended the meeting numbered to 16 and were:  Amritha, Anisha, Chizuko, Dan, Dave, Grace, Julie, Jung, Kathy, Lynne, Naser, Pauline, Rance, Robert, Tobias and Warren.  

Our active membership total currently is at 30.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amritha Imandi, Secretary

Public Speaking Northwest #9406