HIGHLIGHTS

May 16th, 2005
 

Election Night for the Club Executive on the of eve of BC Provincial Elections
The meeting played out like a well rehearsed Classical Symphony- with every member of the orchestra having spent time preparing for their parts. Kudos’ to all.
Simon Russell one of our new members called the meeting to order then introduced our chairman Don Ekroth with kind reference to his many years with our club.
Gill Hardman followed with the Inspiration that reminded us that Canadians fought for freedom during the 2nd. World war and that we should use our freedom to vote wisely in the Provincial elections.
The word of the day “Pontificate” cleverly selected by Marlene Findlayson was a perfect fit to the Theme “Soapbox Speakers”
The Joke with sustain suspense to the final punch line was well narrated by Anne Marie Deluise another new member.
Our Guests including the Area Governor Jan Furst were welcomed by Stuart Manning with a formal and politically correct introduction.
Our Timer Veronica Marshall another new member aptly explained her role. It became patently clear that she took this role it very seriously when she later provided her final very detailed report. Congratulations Veronica.
Our Chairman Don commenced the election. Don’s excellent performance kept us entertained, interested and involved in the election process it was a “Command Performance”
He was well prepared and had a well planned script to cover all contingencies.
The outgoing committee was thanked by Li Ying Koa as Past President and in her role as head of the nominating committee. Li Ying explained especially for new members the procedure for the election of officers for the ensuing year. She hoped the elections would provide some fun and competition.
The positions of VP Education and Sgt at Arms were both contested.
Neville Cohen was elected as VP Education after defeating a strong challenge from Li Ying Koa.
Stuart Manning secured the Sgt at Arms position after a spirited challenge by Simon Russell who was prepared to turn his hand to some club house keeping even though his background is in accounting.

Following the reversed agenda format Toastmaster Joyce Soti with her usual enthusiasm provided the Toast: “ To Care! To Vote!” prompted by the pending Provincial elections.
Ruth Sol who provided our only speech for the evening speaker was enthusiastically introduced..

Ruth jumped into a political theme poking fun at the politicians for their “shenanigans” with our public funds and citing other areas of governmental mismanagement. Using humour to emphasise her points. She cleverly provided examples of euphemistic expressions and words use by politicians to try to sugar coat their actions. In a great analogy to the tax collectors role Ruth coined the very vivid expression “Plucking the maximum amount of feathers out of the goose with the least amount of hissing”
Table Topics Master Dave Steward who seems to have featured prominently in recent Highlights advised if given a choice he would like to be President of the Flat Earth Society, He then set up a ”soap box” which he recommended for “Pontificating” accompanied by good hand and body gestures.
Some speakers concerned for their safety opted to remain on the floor. The subjects varied from a debate between 2 speakers on the pro and cons of the STV to Dogs and Cats. Jan Khubyar was voted the winner for her views on the STV debate
Gerhard Rentsch evaluated Ruth Sol’s speech, Wilma Atchison the Table Topics evaluator and General evaluator Stuart Manning summed it all up for us. The evaluators provide the speakers with both positive and constructive evaluations to help them to move to higher levels
Stuarts General Evaluation made us appreciate the continued need to prepare with fore thought for all our meeting and especially when timing is under pressure due to factors such as an election.
Our Area Governor then thanked us for an enjoyable meeting having to leave early to catch his last ferry to Bowen Island.
Before adjourning the meeting our intrepid Don Ekroth advised that he would be back in September. He has literally “Gone Fishing” We will all miss his enthusiastic contribution to our meetings and all the help he has given the club by taking over some of the organization work and the preparing of the agendas. Thank you Don and have a safe trip Bon Voyage
No meeting was planned for 23rd May being Victoria Day
Hope to see everybody on the 30th May.

Privacy Statement    Advertising Policy   Webmaster

© 2004-2008 North Shore Toastmasters. All rights reserved.
West Vancouver United Church
2062 Esquimalt Avenue, West Vancouver
Revised: