Sunrise Toastmasters, Greensboro, NC

Hello Sunrise Toastmasters Members and guests!

Rewind from February 12

This meeting was held at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in the North Tower (Room NT102A) and started at 7:00 AM with 10 members present.

President Summer Murphy opened our meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, she handed it over to Steve Stephens to lead the meeting as Toastmaster for the morning. As is fitting for this time of the year, Steve chose to dwell on a Valentine’s Day meeting theme. Where did this strange tradition get its start? Steve explained this and several other mysteries as the meeting began. True to form, the Word of the Day was affection.

Today’s speaker, Bryan Alston, completed his third speech in the Competent Communicator’s manual, titled “A Six Week Check-Up on New Year’s Resolution”. According to Bryan, it’s no surprise that many people fall short of reaching that lofty resolution, especially when motivation and focus begin to dwindle at weeks five and six. For anyone (read: nearly everyone) out there who’s struggling to keep that lifestyle revolution, Bryan offered tips for keeping your goals within your reach. In accomplishing the speech’s objectives, Bryan also artfully blended practicality and inspiration in this well-timed speech.

Today, a robust round of TableTopics was the name of the game! Topicsmaster Dave Burr showed up with his bag of tricks – this time, quite literally! Each respondent was tasked to channel their best ‘Ron Popeil’ and sell a random object from Dave’s bag to the masses as the perfect, just-in-time Valentine’s day gift. Everyone – including the Topicsmaster – got in on the action! Thanks to Walt Abele for evaluating the speech, to Tim Murphy for evaluating the meeting in general, and to Mike Stipanov for serving as Timer/Grammarian.

 Fast-Forward to February 19

Please see the slated roles below: