7/29/2025 Club Meeting Minutes

Attendance: A bunch of members and returning guests Paul, Kaitlin, and Matt, and first-time guests Larry, Liam, Hannah, and Jennifer.

Meeting Theme: Speech-a-Thon

Functionaries:

• Presiding Officer: Mariah

• Toastmaster: Michael M.

• Timer: Lien

Speeches:

• Speaker #1: Tammy - "The Wallflower Princess" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Introduction to Vocal Variety & Body Language

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Tammy encouraged everyone to notice those around us who offer quiet contributions, in her beautifully composed narrative about the Wallflower Princess. Though she tends to keep to herself, the observant Princess notices so many things that others miss, and she grew through all her experiences and discovered her own strength.

• Speaker #2: Don - "YES, I CAN" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Writing a Speech with a Purpose

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Don presented a past International Speech Contest speech that was originally delivered in 2014. Don discussed how some disabilities are not always visible… and some who APPEAR to be disabled – such as Jessica Cox – refuse to allow themselves to be defined as disabled. Don challenged us to be like Jessica and to overcome our own limiting beliefs.

• Speaker #3: Mariah - "Success is Overrated" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Managing a Difficult Audience

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: “Failure” can be one of our greatest teachers. While coping with interruptions from the audience (required for this particular speech project), Mariah highlighted how she sets big goals for herself even though she might not achieve them as imagined, so that she can learn and grow even through what she might have earlier defined as “failure.” Mariah looks forward to achieving the YET – those successes that lie ahead.

• Speaker #4: Ben - "The Power of Why" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Evaluation & Feedback (2/2)

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Ben reprised his speech in this presentation about how he was able to go from not showing up at the starting line for his first marathon to completing an ultra-marathon. Ben triumphed through the pain of training, and thanks to the support of his family – those who he wished to inspire; his WHY – he was ultimately able to complete the ultra-marathon.

• Speaker #5: Cami - "Indirect Mentoring" Engaging Humor Path, Level 3: Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Cami described how an individual can be a mentor even in an informal capacity. For example, we can learn a lot from those we admire - such as authors, teachers, and more – or just people in our lives who we observe. An example of this was how Cami learned a lot from her older sister. Therefore, we should remember to set a good example for those around us who may be using us as a mentor.

• Speaker #6: Mona - "My Communication Style Presentation Mastery Path, Level 2: Understanding Your Communication Style

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Using anecdotes and her excellent sense of humor, Mona shared how her primary communication style – direct communication – manifested in her life. Mona appreciates it most when people get to the point quickly and don’t repeat themselves. Her secondary communication style – supportive – tends to manifest when it comes to making decisions Mona sees as unimportant, such as where to go for a meal.

• Speaker #7: Kaitlynn - "Tea Time with Coffee" Motivational Strategies Path, Level 1: Evaluation & Feedback (2/2)

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Kaitlynn shared a journey she took to Europe alone, some of the challenges she faced, and some of the lessons she learned along the way… such as the fact that coffeeshops in the Netherlands don’t sell what we know as coffee, but a product that shouldn’t be followed up with alcohol consumption. And reconnecting with exes should also be avoided.

• Speaker #8: Nikki M. - "Peer Pressure Isn’t Just for Teenagers" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Evaluation & Feedback (1/2)

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Nikki shared a story about how, in a previous job, she observed coworkers bending the rules to meet goals. This demonstrated the power of peer pressure in that workplace. The solution Nikki proposed is to know what your convictions are, speak up for yourself, and support others who resist peer pressure in a healthy way.

• Speaker #9: Rayven - "The Power of Peer Support" Presentation Mastery Path, Level 1: Evaluation & Feedback (1/2)

  Brief Summary / Main Idea: Rayven decided to show the counterpart to peer pressure – peer support. The example she gave was how, throughout her journey to becoming an attorney, she had many around her to provide encouragement, mentoring, and opportunity. In law school, her classmates were there for her, and after that, her future coworkers continued to provide the support she needed to kick off her career through making themselves available. And family was an essential source of support as well.

Awards were not given out this week. No items of business were shared.

Minutes Taken By: Emi