“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”, Albert Einstein.
After a long holiday in the USA Sybille takes over her role as presiding officer in the new toastmaster year. She thanked Poorana, the immediate past president and currant VP Membership for his dedication and commitment. She also thanked the officers’ team for their exceptional motivation to keep the club running.
She welcomed the guests Natheer, Shruti and Patrick who had participated in previous meetings already and Florian who joined in a toastmasters club for the first time.
Armin has become a new member and was voted in by the club members. Welcome to the Toastmaster family, dear Armin.
As Toastmaster of the evening Sybille put on a cap to indicate she is assuming a new role. She briefly explained the structure of the evening for the benefit of Florian. Then she referred to her holiday in the USA where she encountered breathtaking natural beauties. She shared some photos of these wonders.
Awe-inspiring was the word of the day – something is causing you to feel great respect or admiration. It was chosen because the combination of awe and inspiring was new and it fitted so well to the theme.
Examples: “Niagara Falls really is an awe-inspiring sight.” “Her knowledge of computers is quite awe-inspiring.”
As joke of the evening Jeff had a quiz with fun questions on natural wonders.
- How can you tell the ocean is friendly? It waves
- What did the trees wear to the pool party? Swimming trunks
- What do you get when you cross a cat with a lemon tree? A sour puss
Our guests did extremely well in finding the answers.
Oliver used the theme Natural Wonders for his questions as Table Topics Master.
- 1. Aurora Borealis: If you did not know what is is, what would your explanation be? JP described how he enjoys the light.
- 2. Grand Canyon – climate zones. Armin pointed out the greatness and vastness of this natural wonder.
- 3. Volcano in Mexico – how would you feel as a farmer in Mexico when you see its eruption? Patrick refers to his stay in Mexico where he has seen his share of volcanoes. As a farmer he would run for his life.
- 4. Victory Falls – swim in Devil’s pools at the edge of the falls. Natheer describes how he feels in the water, the refreshment but also the danger.
- 5. Harbor of Rio – experience the view from a cruise ship. Shruti put herself in the shoes of a passenger on the cruise ship and shares what she sees – the beach, sugar loaf etc.
We had one prepared speech by Alexya with the title: “Who are you, truly, when no one is watching”. Her project is the path visionary communication Level 2, 3. She shared with us the importance of having a mentor. She gave us teeny tiny bits about 2 mentors in her life.
Her project was evaluated by Jeff. He gave examples how Alexya could have used more vocal variety in her already very excellent speech.
JP as General Evaluator rounded off the meeting, pointing out the unusual way the Toastmaster introduced the theme and the special joke of the evening.
The award for the best TT speech went to Natheer. The guests gave their feedback to the meeting. Florian appreciated the clear and helpful feedback in the meeting; Natheer loved the meeting and said he found lots that he wants to take back to his home club in S. Africa; and Shruthi said that this evening was time well spent. Finally, the presiding officer adjourned the evening.
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” Theodore Roosevelt
Here is a photo of the evening:
