May 27, 2014 Theme: Summer Fun

Kate was our Toastmaster today.  She chose Summer Fun as the theme. She shared many of the fun and often free activities that happen around the Northwest in the Summer.  Kate passed out copies of the Seafair activities plus showed us how to get lists of free summer concerts and farmer's markets. Follow her lead and you are bound to have a fun filled summer.

Barb was our first speaker today.  She completed project #4 in the Humorously Speaking manual. The title of her talk was My New Hobby. Barb discussed the process she went through to find a new hobby. She wanted a hobby that would require shopping and be productive. She finally decided to make doilies. She learned of a woman who made a doily every time she felt like arguing with her husband. Barb thought she could make a fortune when she envisioned selling all the doilies she would need to make. Please note, this does not give Barb justice. Her presentation was hilarious and entertaining!

Linda was our second speaker.  She completed project #7 in the CC manual.  Linda talked about her favorite new exercise class called Zumba.  Linda explained that Zumba is not only fun, but also an efficient workout.  Zumba is described as a big dance party.  The benefits of Zumba include improved cardio and coordination. On average,Zumba classes. Zumba makes the world a better place because it improves peoples mood and helps them relax.


participants burn 369 calories per class. This makes it a great workout for weight loss. Twelve million people around the world have participated in

Welcome to our newest member Anna! She came as a guest and decided to join us. Whether you want to join our club or just visit, know that guests are always welcome.

May 20, 2014 Theme: Signs

We had a great meeting today. Ash was our Toastmaster and she chose “signs” as the theme. She talked about many different signs and their meanings. Rock Paper Scissors is a game that uses nothing but signs. The acronym FAST indicates signs of a stroke. F: facial drooping, A: arm weakness S: speech difficulty, T: time to call 911 if you see the other signs. During Table Topics Ash challenged us to make up our own signs.

Kathy was our first speaker. She completed project three from the Technical Presentations manual.  The title of her speech was The Biology of Migraines.  Kathy shared statistics on how many people are affected, costs, and related problems caused by the migraines. She also discussed triggers, research and treatment. She concluded her presentation with a question and answer session.

Robert was our second speaker.  He completed project eight from the CC manual.  The title of his talk was Chindogu: Unuseless Inventions. Chindogu is a term started by a Japanese inventor in the 1980’s. For an invention to be a Chindogu it must have a purpose, be nearly useless, physically exist, and uselessness be self-evident. Robert used PowerPoint to show us several Chindogu examples. Some of them include: umbrella tie, noodle guard and eye drop funnel glasses.

Though we met in a different room today, everyone found us. We were especially pleased that Geetha joined us.  Please visit us next week.  Guests are always welcome.

May 13, 2014 Theme: Birthdays

Today we celebrated our club's eleventh birthday.  On May 19, 2003 Jean Tracy founded Public Speaking Northwest. We celebrated with refreshments including cupcakes and birthday wishes. Jean was presented with a dozen roses..... one for each year of the club and one to grow on.

Alice was our first speaker. She gave her Icebreaker titled My Most Memorable English Experience. Alice spoke about how hard it was for her to learn English when she moved from Taiwan to the United States. It wasn't until she worked 18 hour days in Alaska that she finally became proficient. Alice learned that many blessings are hidden among challenges.

Ash was our second speaker. She completed project 7 from the CC manual. The title of her presentation was Solidarity in the 21st Century: Hashtag Activism. Ash gave us a detailed explanation of how Twitter/hashtags work. It is a conversational tool. It connects ordinary people with people in power.

Please excuse the brevity of/inconsistencies with today's blog. This blogger was joyfully distracted throughout the meeting with the most adorable guest to ever  attend our meeting! Our Toastmaster Barb brought her beautiful four month old granddaughter Jenny to the meeting. This blogger was privileged. to hold Jenny during the entire meeting.  Young or old guests are always welcome.

May 6,2014 Theme: The Four Gentlemen: Flower Symbolism in Chinese Culture

Linda was our Toastmaster today. She chose Chinese flower symbolism as the theme.  The Plum blossom, Orchid, Chrysanthemum and Bamboo are known as the four gentlemen.  The Plum blossom represents winter transitioning into spring. The Orchid symbolizes beauty and grace.  The Chrysanthemum represents strength and bamboo symbolizes vitality and longevity.

Kate was our only speaker today. The title of her presentation was the Importance of Mentoring. This was from the Successful Club Series. Kate explained the mentoring program in detail. The mentoring program is designed so members can learn from each other and reach their goals faster.

Many members were out sick today, but it was still a powerful meeting. Join us next week as we complete our membership drive and celebrate our eleventh anniversary. Refreshments and fun will abound.  Guests are always welcome. Please join us.

April 29, 2014 Theme: Bite of China

Yanhong was our Toastmaster again this week.  She chose Bite of China as the theme. Bite of China is a TV documentary series.  It is in its second season and very popular in China. It covers the history, culture and story of food in China. It is a very beautiful documentary and can be viewed in the US via You Tube.

Kate was our first speaker.  Her presentation was from the Successful Club Series. The title of her speech was Meeting Roles and Responsibilities. Kate gave out a handout and explained the meeting roles and their importance.  She also explained how to sign up for meeting roles.

Barb was our second speaker.  Her presentation was also from the Successful Club Series.  The title of her talk was Creating the Best Club Climate. Research has shown that successful clubs have a positive learning environment and strong member interaction.  To create a positive learning experience it is important to arrive prepared, sign up for roles and support other members. To encourage ember interaction be a mentor, show interest in others, be considerate, evaluate effectively, recognize achievements, and foster comeradity.

Today Linda brought a guest. Yensone joined us for the first time. Welcome Yensone.  We hope you will join us again.  Guests are always welcome.

April 22, 2014 Theme: QingMing ( Tomb Sweeping Festival )

We had a wonderful meeting today.  Yanhong was our Toastmaster today.  The theme was QingMing (Tomb Sweeping Festival).  QingMing is a Chinese National holiday that takes place 15 days after the Spring Equinox. It is a time to honor those who have died through tragic events such as Tanimin Square.  Special cakes and bright green dumplings are served at this festival.

Linda was our first speaker today.  She completed project # 6 from the CC manual.  The title of her presentation was A Kite Out of Site.  Linda shared a touching story of how a gentleman she knew compared kite flying to child rearing.  At first with a kite and child you are trying to stabilize it and guide it.  Then with guidance, they start to soar. After a while they soar so high you can’t see them. However the string is always attached to you. This becomes an everlasting bond whether they are out of site or not.

Robert was our second speaker. He also completed project #6 from the CC manual. The title of his presentation was From Test Patterns to Screensavers to Slow TV.   Robert talked about how with the invention of electricity (170 years ago) technology has evolved.  Test patterns on TV are just screen savers. Television itself is just animated screen savers.  Now with computers (streaming) one can watch an entire season in one sitting this is called binge viewing.  If we are not careful, a child can change from an irresistible force to an immovable object.

Jean was our third speaker today.  She completed project #5 from the CC manual.  The title of her speech was How Mentors Can Help.  Jean took us back to 1995 when she attended her first Toastmasters meeting.  She told us how she was hesitant at first to get help from her mentor. Jean then led a discussion on what mentors can do for mentees. She also inquired what mentees would like from their mentors. Jean mentored all of us on the mentoring process.

Today’s meeting was extra special because we had two guests join us. Welcome Rie and Pauline.  We are glad you joined us and we hope to see you again soon.

April 8, 2014 Theme: Sister Cities

 Lynne was our Toastmaster today.  She chose sister cities as the theme.  President Eisenhower started the program in 1956.  All US presidents since then have served as honorary chairs for the program.  The purpose is to promote peace and prosperity.  Currently there are 600 sister cities around the world.

Kathy was our first speaker today. Her project was from the Technical Presentation Manual.  The title of her talk was Movies…Coming Soon?  Kathy proposed that the Eastside could benefit from having a small luxury theatre that would show limited run and foreign films. She discussed the pros and cons and answered questions from members.

Roy was our second speaker.  He completed his Icebreaker.  He shared his family genealogy dating back to 450b.c.  Roy impressed all of us with his natural poise and being able to give his Icebreaker without using notes.

Our Area 54 Governor Pat Sultan joined us.  Pat promoted the upcoming Speech and Evaluation contest.  We always welcome guests.  Whether you want to participate or just observe, please join us.  We are running another membership drive with all new guests being entered into a drawing for a Starbucks card. Drawing will be held May 13^th.