November 2015



I've not been diligent keeping this up to date mainly as a result of some significant not for profit business travel. I have the privilege of serving all of our Toastmasters International members as their International President for 2015-2016 and this is quite a busy volunteer position involving quite a lot of travel. In recent months this has involved the Bahamas and Florida, Wisconsin, Korea, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Our Saint John club, founded in 1954, is doing well.  We've had about 10 guests since we returned from summer break. Guests are always welcome to visit and observe. New members are doing well.  On Monday a member who joined in the winter completed his 5th speech to the group and I see his progress.  Often it's difficult for one to recognize progress in themselves, but much easier for someone else to see and recognize the advancement. We all desire at least a little bit of recognition.

We had three speeches Monday and the impromptu speaking session, our Table Topics, were very light, led by me, on celebrity culture. The questions revolved around Donald Trump's bid for the Republican Presidential nomination in the U.S. and Whoopi Goldberg's Casino New Brunswick adventure and comments about Moncton. Sometimes Table Topics are serious, sometimes very light. It's important to offer a variety to stretch people's skills.

Three more speeches scheduled for Monday, 6pm-8pm at St Macs High off Sydney Street, downstairs in room 002.

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