Eagle Toastmasters June 15 2020 Meeting

Eagles,

Our June 15^th meeting included 14 members and 1 guest. Tom Corrigan, Eagle Toastmaster’s most seasoned member made his debut as the virtual Toastmaster. After a brief roll call and acknowledgment of John Bates, a Cheshire Toastmaster who was technically a guest, we dived (or is that dove) into the meeting.

Speaker number 1 was Alexis Kozmon, with her Icebreaker speech. Alexis told us that she joined Toastmasters to gain skills that will help her give presentations to audiences and her leadership at Bridgeport Hospital. Alexis shared her anxiety about public speaking….Her Icebreaker was an auspicious beginning to her Toastmaster journey! We also learned that she has 2,385 days until retirement (I think it’s 2380 now).

Christine Austin, Speaker #2, who is working on her Motivational Strategy Path, gave a speech about “The COVID Coaster”. Her project was about understanding her emotional intelligence. She shared observations about how being cooped up at home 24X7 has been affecting her. To accomplish this project, Christine journaled her feelings and observations.

Chan Myae Kyi was our Table Topic Master. Chan encouraged our members to speak out on such hard hitting issues as “what 3 wishes would you make of your genie” (Michelle Madeaux) and “what will the world be like in 2030” (John Bates). Diana Grippen shared a story about her favorite book and Sandra Centorino talked about what would be her favorite day. (This day involved your Eagle Toastmaster Secretary doing dishes….so I can assure you, that would not be my favorite day). Debbie Herget offered a movie recommendation as a non sequitur (Miss Congeniality). Debbie…I know you did more than that but my notes are unreadable.

Speaking of books and non sequiturs….Fellow Eagle, B.W. “Brad” Leete, just published a book about his experience of not speaking for 30 days. The title is “30 Days of Silence”. Brad ended his silence at an Eagle Toastmaster meeting last year.  It is available on Amazon……spoiler alert…he speaks at the end. (or not…I haven’t read it yet.)

Thanks to all of the dignitaries not mentioned above that made our meeting another fun night in. Robin Corrigan, General Evaluator….Speech Evaluators Tony Centorino and Sandra Centorino. Grammarian Ross Grippen and Ah Counter, Markus Schumacher. Last but not least….Maryanne Shirshac our Timer.

As for “dived” versus “dove” either word is acceptable…..both are used in American and British English…”dove” tends to be used more in America. (Ian Brooks, what say you on this subject?)

Our next meeting is scheduled for July 6^th. The agenda for the next 4 meetings are up on www.Eagletoastmasters.com. Please sign up for a role!

Tony Centorino

Eagle Toastmaster Secretary