Saturday, May 28, 2016

May 24, 2016 Theme: Renewal


Human beings, by change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden. ~~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Welcome to the 4th meeting in May.


Barb was our toastmaster for today and provided the theme of renewal.

Her GAT(E) Team was Robert as Grammarian, who introduced the word subitize (perceive how many without counting). Jim as the Ah Counter and Pauline as the Timer.

We had two speakers provide talks. The first speaker was Jan, who completed project #2 (Organize Your Speech) within 7 minutes. Her speech was entitled: Positive Healing Through Guided Relaxation.



Jan told about a time in her life when she was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia and asthma and was required to remain in bed for 2 days. She made a healing tape containing positive affirmations ("I see myself as healthy and well; there is light entering my lungs for greater health." and played it nearly non-stop. When she saw the doctor again, he was amazed at her most rapid recovery. She shared this relation improvement method by providing a sample Guided Relaxation, which was very effective.



Her evaluator was Anisha. Anisha liked her opening story and its transition to the idea of healing through positive relaxation. Anisha pointed out the extreme effectiveness of telling, showing and demonstrating the same idea. Anisha recommended replacing the summary at the end by either silence or a call to action to us.



Warren was our second speaker. He also spoke from the Competent Communicators manual project #9, (Persuade With Power). His speech was entitled: Make sure They Are Conscious.

In the hiring of managers, Warren posits that it is a better strategy to hire people who are conscious (as against unconscious) as a more important characteristic than competency. In fact, it is easier to develop a competent person than a conscious person, since unconscious people are unaware of why they made mistakes (or were successful) and so do not learn from them. When interviewing potential new hires, probe for what mistakes they made, how they learned from these mistakes and what improvements occurred. People who are conscious and (temporarily) incompetent can learn as they go and adapt rapidly to change. Warren was voted best speaker.



Jean was his evaluator. Jean felt that Warren is a natural teacher and offered a great speech title. His persuasiveness was based on logical considerations rather than emotion. She suggested that the use of the white board and its contents be replaced with individual handouts.  Jean was voted best evaluator.



Julie was our Table Topics Master. She split the audience up into two teams at opposite sides of the room. She gave each person a paper with a secret phrase or action to speak or do. She also required each speaker to weave in the word of the day (Subitize) in their 30 second or less story segment. Then the teams alternated while a story which started about skiing to repeated, unexpected turns. This was great fun and was fully involving of all.



Robert was the humorist for the meeting and told a touching story about a musician who played his heart out at a "funeral" service.

There were two guests: Randy and Jason and altogether 13 members in attendance: Anisha, Barb, Chizuko, Dan, Jan, Jean, Jim, Julie, Kathy, Lynne, Pauline, Robert and Warren.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Katz
for
Amritha Imandi, Secretary


Public Speaking Northwest #9406.

2 comments:

  1. Nicely summarized, Robert. It was a meeting with mind stimulating talks, relaxation, and fun table topics. You nailed it!

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  2. Though I missed the meeting, I could feel the essence and energy of the meeting through Robert's summary. Thanks Robert.

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