The Rotary Beacon - Archive  Mar 26, 2004

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March 26, 2004

Happy Dollars:   Tony Mont is happy that his son, Duke (& wife), had a baby girl, Keara Elizabeth Mont; Ben will soon be a Rotarian!;  Ray Bald is proud that his son accomplished his first tax return and is happy that his father-in-law is okay after having a heart attack; Anne is sad as she forgot the birthday and anniversary list;  John DeStefano is happy to have a student in training with his office; Steve Jendzejec is happy about the musical, Mame, at the high school—starring Lindsey Sweet. 

Lates:   Mike Myers, Bob Hayward, Russ Peterson.

No Make-ups:   John DeStefano, Bob Hayward, Steve Jendzejec, Mike Lee. 

Greeter next week:   Bill Anderson and Paul Mercer.

Raffle: #985; Steve LaPointe won!

Steve LaPointe—the x-ray machine for Africa has gone through.   Tom Elias stated that the deadline for applications for the scholarships is 5/3/04.  The committee will meet mid-May.  Stacie said that Whitney Sullivan is having a great time.  The incoming student is all set with three families.   Doug stated that 178 hot tub tickets are still out there “to be sold.”  Raffle next week.  Need a few volunteers for the raffle at Yorkwise on 4/3/04.  District Assembly on 4/21/04 is recommended for incoming Rotary Board members.  Spring Dance at the Portsmouth Sheraton is on 4/24/04.

Guest speaker—Annette Fazio - speaking about Toastmasters, a club that helps people gain the confidence to speak in public.   It allows you to “step into your own greatness and step out of your comfort zone” all in a controlled environment.  For 17 years Annette ran a business.  Although she was dedicated and committed, she did not have a passion for the business.  She sold the business to a fellow Rotarian and then decided that she would choose to do something that she loved.  Annette realized that the one thing she got charged up by is motivational speaking.  Toastmasters is a very organized club.  Its purpose is to make you better at being you.  Meetings are held at Pease and are for one hour on Tuesdays.  Everyone has the task of running a meeting, which allows members to practice in a safe environment.  The whole meeting is very structured:  someone is the joke master, the word master, the quiz master, and someone leads the applause.  Members give speeches and then receive positive feedback and suggestions on how to improve in certain areas.  In addition to becoming more self-confident, members improve their listening skills.  Toastmasters started in 1924 in the basement of a YMCA in California.  It now has approximately 195,000 members at a cost of about $43.00 per year. An excellent presentation—not at all magniloquent or grandiloquent! 

Meeting adjourned.