Our Club's First Speech-A-Thon

One of our amazing club members, Laurie Rangel DTM, organized a "Speech-A-Thon" for our Cottonwood Toastmasters members who wanted to get a few speeches accomplished FAST. At our event we did the following:

Opening remarks by Speech-A-Thon Chair person Laurie
First speech introduced by their evaluator
Speech
Next!

It was so fast, easy, and FUN!! We had refreshments to nibble on while we listened, then we had a short break half way through the meeting. Our meeting lasted for two hours. Were we bored? Not in the least. And here is why:

1. We have a supportive group
2. We have respect for each other
3. We have amazing talent and speakers who teach us as they grow and learn
4. We enjoy being together and have become friends

Some of the things we learned about from the speakers were:

1. The importance of alkaline foods and Kangen water
2. Things we don't know that we don't know! Great speech about learning from topics speakers speak about, and acquiring leadership skills.
3. Things seem big when we are small and small when we are big!
4. Rainbow herbicide and the Vietnam war: fascinating speech by one of our own Cottonwood Toastmasters Veterans. We applaud and honor you Merle!
5. Animals, their fears and need for loving care.
6. Walmart through the years
7. Healing after 35 years: the healing process and return to Vietnam.

Applause, Applause, Applause! 

Well done Cottonwood Toastmasters!

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina at 928-300-8638 or Dave at 634-6540

Five Basic Public Speaking Tips

New to Toastmasters? Long time member to Toastmasters? Check out this video on "Five Basic Public Speaking Tips" and learn or freshen up on your public speaking skills:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AykYRO5d_lI



Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or Dave Ellison at 634-6540

The Distinguished Toastmaster

Did you know that the highest honor Toastmasters awards is that of Distinguished Toastmaster, commonly known as the DTM? Members who have achieved both the Advanced Communication Gold and Advanced Leader Silver awards are given this recognition. To achieve this award usually takes five to eight years of dedicated service and leadership! Of the 4 million past and present members of Toastmasters fewer than 12,000 members have achieved this elite DTM status. Members who have earned their DTM are usually honored and presented with a medal at a district conference following their achievement.

 At Cottonwood Toastmasters we have two members who have achieved DTM status. Our most recent DTM is Laurie Rangel who  received her medal at the past conference. Laurie, we congratulate you and honor you as one of our clubs DTM's and say, "Way to go Laurie. You make us proud!"

In a recent email I received from Laurie she says "Becoming a DTM was a long road, however I did not take that road alone. I could not have achieved this without help from all of you." At our last meeting Laurie shared with us how it felt to receive this Distinguished Toastmaster award, encouraged us all to do the same, and told us her next goal is to get a second DTM. And she will too!

Here you see a surprised Laurie at our Toastmasters meeting.

We surprised her and dedicated the entire meeting to her!

This is Laurie, Denise our "ah"counter, and Dave our timer

 Laurie, serving as our General Evaluator, shared with

us how she feels about accomplishing this award and what her future goals are

Paula, our current VP of ED

and

Laurie

Laurie cutting her cake. YUM!

This is Lou, Laurie's husband. He created his speech around Laurie 

and her amazing accomplishments and growth from being 

a Toastmaster

This is me and Laurie, Merle is in the background. He is a valued

new member of our Cottonwood Toastmasters club!

To view pictures of the recent District 3 Conference go to: 

 http://toastmastersdistrict3.shutterfly.com/

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or Dave Ellison at 634-6540

Earthworms and Public Speaking

In our Cottonwood Toastmasters Club we are fortunate to have a Master Gardener. He recently gave us a speech on "Earthworms the Living Soil". He even brought some of the little wiggly creatures for us to see. Did you know that earthworms are major decomposers of dead and decomposing organic matter and get their nutrition from the bacteria and fungi that grow upon these decaying materials? Did you also know that there are over 7,000 species of these little creatures?

Charles Darwin calculated that earthworms can move large amounts of soil from the lower strata to the surface and also carry organic matter down into deeper soil layers. A large portion of soil passes through the guts of earthworms, and they turn over the top 6 inches of soil in 10 to 20 years. The channels made by deep burrowing earthworms, lined with readily available nutrients, make it easier for roots to penetrate deep into the soil. 

As a child I was always fascinated with worms. After a rainstorm I would run outside to watch them wiggle in puddles of water. I remember touching their slimy bodies, yuck, running in the house to wash my hands, then running back outside to touch them again. Holding an earthworm in my hand was a little too gross, but as I got older I grew to appreciate them and often got excited when I found some in my garden. To me this was a sign of healthy soil. 

So next time you see an earthworm, think of Cottonwood Toastmasters! The place where we provide channels and nurturing for deep personal growth!

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or Dave Ellison at 634-6540