Jan. 13th 2015 Theme: New Years Resolutions Part 2

A year from now, you're gonna weigh more or less than what you do right now. ~~Phil McGraw

For those entering this blog late, once again, Happy New Year! Today, we were revisited by a returning guest. Lynne was our toastmaster. She offered 4 major resolution suggestions: Start a daily gratitude journal, maintain a larger perspective, enjoy today and clean up your messes. 

The GAT(e) team was: Amritha as Grammarian (plethora*), Grace as "Ah" Counter, and Pauline as Timer.                                                                               (*Another lisper test word!)

Jim was our first speaker today. He completed the 7th project, Research Your Topic, from the Competent Communication Manual in 7 minutes. His speech title was "A HIT for New Year’s Resolutions". In his speech, Jim talked about the acronym HIT, which stands for History, Information and Tips.

Historically, the Babylonians were the first to offer New Year’s Resolutions, and they were always the same: Return borrowings and Repay debts.

He suggested that Resolutions should be reframed as goals and (measurable) objectives. His tips included:

• Recording what we do,

• Showing in plain sight a goal card with post-it note objectives to complete and
• Teaming up with a friend with a similar goal to get it done together and witnessed.

Barb was his evaluator. Each was best in their respective categories. She was positively struck by Jim’s use of a hen and egg analogy corresponding to showing a card with a written goal and successive post-it notes representing tactical objectives to be accomplished in pursuit of the goal.

 Our second speaker, Dave, completed his 1^st project, known as the “ice-breaker”, from the Competent Communication Manual in 6 minutes. The name of his speech was "From Sea To Shining Sea". Dave pointed out in his introduction that he hailed from Center Moriches, Long Island, NY and ultimately arrived at the Puget Sound Area to maintain his contact with the water environment. He loves swimming and has two children (Washington natives). His light tone and composure made his humorous stories quite funny.

 Robert was Dave’s evaluator. He was pleased to meet another New Yorker with a great sense of humor and admired his development from a very young plumber’s helper to a Civil Engineer thanks to the Coast Guard Academy. His love of water shows in his initial profession in the Coast Guard and his relocation to the waters of Puget Sound. 

Jean provided a small set of Resolutions for each speaker to creatively speak about and emphasize some aspect of good speaking practice like body language, gesturing, and role play. Naser received the best table topics speaker award for getting people to come to his party.

Our humorist for today was Linda. She told a funny story about a Hawaiian squirrel, that she learned about during her trip to Hawaii last month.

Amritha received a certificate for completing her first speech last week, accomplishing her first objective to reach her goal of becoming a Competent Communicator.

Attendees were: Linda, Lynne, Jean, Jim, Robert, Barb, Pauline, Jung, Grace, Amritha, Kathy, Dave, Naser along with our returning guest Kim B. today.  Kim decided to join our club today.  We welcome her with delight. This brings our membership total to 20.

~~~~~ Respectfully Submitted by Robert, the Secretary [keep commenting] ~~~~~