Our master of ceremonies, Teri Kingston DTM, led the evening in a format that was a little bit different to our typical agenda. Chris Semchuk chaired a very interesting table topics session which allowed several of us to talk about why it is our dream to be various objects. While the voting was forgone, in my opinion I believe Carole Anne's dream to be a television was the most entertaining. We also heard Chantal Finn Losier tell us why it is her dream to be a diary, Joey Losier dreamed of being a dog, and I, Kimberley Thompson let everyone know why it was my dream to be a garden.
After the table topics, Teri gave recognition to the outgoing executive, and after that, Past President, Harry Kingston DTM formally installed the new executive team. The Seaway Toastmasters Club is and has been for the last little while going through a period of transition and it was a very emotional time for us as we looked back as well as looked to the future. Harry says, "It's time to pass the torch to a new Seaway dynamic," and we are all proud to finish the year as a distinguished club.
Our Keynote speaker was Superintendent Doug Anthony of the RCMP. Doug joined Toastmasters in 2009 and is the Charter President of the RCMP Leadership Excellence Toastmaster Club. Doug had also studied the Dale Carnegie course and spoke highly of Toastmasters and how what he learned in just one year with Toastmasters was above and beyond the more than 1'800$ Carnegie course. Doug said that while Dale Carnegie's course taught him how to speak to people, Toastmasters taught him how to talk with people.
Harry, who will be the new VP Education for the RCMP Leadership Excellence Toastmaster Club, won't be returning to The Seaway Toastmasters Club next year. Neither will a few others of us, but the club may see us "come home" as Harry puts it sometime in the near future. We remembered in particular John Anderson who had to leave the club for health reasons, and we wish him well and hope to see him again soon. John will be remembered as one of the best Sergeant at Arms the Seaway Toastmasters ever had. No matter how early members arrived for a meeting, John had everything ready to go. We miss you John.
Four Seaway Toastmasters Annual Recognition Awards were presented Thursday night. Our new President, Denise Paquette won the Seaway Spirit of Success award. This award is given to the member (new or senior) who has made presentations of a significant number enough to demonstrate their commitment to getting ahead in the Toastmasters program.
The Bell Canada Spirit of Success award went to Vincent Foy. This trophy goes to the member who best exemplifies the ideal Toastmaster profile. The executive makes this award to any member who sets an example considered good enough for others in the club to aspire to.
Harry Kingston was awarded the Loeb Toastmaster of the Year trophy which is awarded to the member who has done the most to promote Toastmasters outside the club. The executive makes this award to:
- a more senior Toastmaster
- a member who has reported that they have made any type of presentation (Toastmaster related or not) to audiences outside of the club
- If there are tow or more potential recipients, the executive looks at the qualifications and achievements of both potential winners.
Our incoming President Denise Paquette's vision for the future is to "turn people on to Toastmasters" It was Denise's father who was the charter President of The Seaway Toastmasters Club 51 years ago, and Denise paid homage to him as well as the more senior members such as Harry Kingston and Earle DePass for carrying the torch and maintaining the club's tradition of commitment to quality and excellence.
So as we wrap up 2009 / 2010, here's to an exciting 2010 / 2011 season of The Seaway Toastmasters Club of Cornwall.
We look forward to seeing you when we reconvene in September.
Your outgoing VP Public Relations
Practice Table Topics at Home
Great post! I look forward to reading these and seeing how the club is doing.
ReplyDeleteChris