Lingo Advanced Communicators Toastmasters Club had good intentions to have an in-person Christmas Party on December 20/22. However, not many members could attend, it might have been the cold, it might have been that they were busy, “Oh me, Oh my. “

In the end, we met by Zoom, from the warmth of our own room. Nonetheless, we had a very entertaining and “jovial” meeting. Everyone looked festive, either in dress/new hairdo or virtual background. After introductions led by TM Shiao, who asked “what Christmas meant to us,” we delved right into two rounds of Tabletopics led by special guest, Mrs. Claus (Edith B). She sought advice for her husband’s stresses and problems at this time of the year. Craig B won best tabletopic round #1 being adamant that “reindeer power” should remain, not electric, hybrid, or fusion. Dan Mc won best tabletopics round #2 with his very expressive thoughts that Donald Trump would be a good replacement for Santa when he retires - he would make the world “great again.” Lots of laughs. Craig B did all the hard work evaluating 10 table topics speeches and managed to do it less than 3 minutes.

Cherry C, as speech moderator, gave all of us three minutes to develop a speech of our choice and then deliver it in three minutes. We rotated being speech evaluators as well. The topics for speeches varied from “I don’t know,” making a delicious dinner dish, raising property taxes, “Socks 4 Hope” campaign, a Bad hair day and “Frightful not Delightful” about winter air travel, which Edith won best Speaker. From news reports today, this is still the case, if not worse. Best speech evaluator was Eileen S

A good time was held by all, and no headaches, except maybe Dan who timed the Tabletopics, speeches and evaluations. At least it wasn’t the whiskey, nor the gin as there was none. There was lots of laughter. We will attempt meeting in-person again on January 3/23 at 6 pm (pot luck) with meeting at 7 pm. The theme is “Out with the old and in with the new.” Lingo Advanced Communicators wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2023. DTM Edith B, President.

Submitted by Edith Baraniecki, DTM

Dec 6, 2022 Lingo Business Engagement Evening

SAA Eileen called upon the Grammarian Craig for WOD: "Profit" then introduced the TM Cherry. TM opened the meeting with  5 types of business engagement models and functions:

1. Marketing,

2. Outreach,

3. Assessing business needs,

4. Responding to business needs/requests, and 

5. Evaluating Customer Satisfaction. 

 

Then she asked everyone to name what business engagement meant to them. Everyone was delighted to share their understanding of business engagement. Eileen liked to know how the business engagement model can be applied to Toastmasters or vice versa. What a great question, Eileen!

 

Our Presenter Dan M. with his speech titled: Vibrant Corporate Clubs are our Future.  His PPT focused on how to build and sustain vibrant Toastmasters programs in corporations including valuable tips and tricks. Although Eileen was Dan's silent Evaluator, Dan also welcomed everyone's feedback on his presentation. He often says that our Club is all about ensuring everyone becomes a better version of themselves after each meeting.

 

Richard joined us just in time to our role play game hosted by Dan:

Team 1: Craig to Eileen,

Team 2. Shiao to Richard,

Team 3. Dan to Cherry      

 

Within each team, one played a TM District Dignitary promoting Toastmasters Club to a Representative of a medium size corporation. The conversation evolved with a goal to convince the corporate Representative to adapt Toastmasters into their corporation planning.  We got to practise our convincing techniques and new skills on marketing Toastmasters better.  

 

Our enlightening meeting was coming to an end while everyone was still excited to share their experiences from the role play game. Indeed, it was a fun and useful exercise!

 

At 9:03pm TM asked for the Timer Shiao and Grammarian Craig's reports.  Immediately, a Christmas celebration at Edith/Morris' house became a hot discussion. Everyone with their Christmas spirit was already envisioning the laughs, friendship, drinking, foods, etc. It is indeed going to be another lovely and Christmassy night with our Lingo family.   

 

With that, our meeting ended with a suggestion if we may start our Christmas celebration early at 6:00pm, friends and family of Toastmasters are welcomed to join us.  More details will come from our planning team (Cherry, Shiao and Edith). Stay tuned!                               

 

Submitted by Cherry C