Challenge Toastmasters

Our meeting of September 24, 2005 saw a core group of Challengers meet at the main Presbyterian hospital. Our President, John Shelton, led us in a business meeting, in which we commented that we have not had steady attendance by the Sergeant-at-Arms and hence have not been well prepared for meetings. We also noted the loss of several members. It was decided that Elliot Essman would prepare an article on advanced Toastmasters clubs to be published in the district newsletter that would serve as a recruitment vehicle for the club.

We had one guest courtesy of the College of Santa Fe, Jack, who apparently is not really named Jack, but who prefers Jack to his more complicated real name. Don Dubois and Area Governor Tony Gallegos, arriving early to the area contest, also sat in and no doubt enjoyed our meeting. Jack participated in all the round-table evaluations and gave encouraging comments after the meeting.

Marianne Powers gave a skill-builder all about blogs, indicating she had created an Albuquerque Challenge blog for our benefit.

Toastmaster Adam Avery did yeoman work in leading the meeting. Merv Jersak, evaluated by John Ward, spoke about “Looking Out for Number Two.” Elliot Essman, evaluated by TK O’Geary, did his humorous speech “I Dunno.” John Shelton then gave an impromptu speech in which he treated several items in the news.

Since we didn’t have an actual humorous speech contest as originally planned we unanimously appointed Marianne Powers to represent the club in the Area contest, which took place immediately after our own meeting.

Submitted by Elliot Essman