2/2/05
If, as Wednesday's Toastmaster Debra Wilson-Brown said, " A Toastmasters meeting is like a menu," it's hard to say which course was most enjoyable on Feb 2. The humor level was superb with an "appetizer" story from Jokemaster Lou- who is a very friendly guy even during vacation rest stops, and the "soup" course of 30-second responses about that hallowed holiday, Groundhog Day. The "salad" responses were real "sizzlers" thanks to Jim's creative curiosity. Then the main course of two well-crafted and delivered speeches by Brian and Lorraine. Dessert? The great sense of friendship that is like icing on the cake at every meeting! A warm welcome and please join us again to Jim's guest, Fred. 10/21/04
The demonstration meeting held at 1600 Valley Road yesterday was great! Although the student attendance was small, the feedback from the session was tremendously positive! One student's comment was that she was delightfully surprised that this was not just the usual lecture with, at best, a power point presentation, but she was actually able to participate. Another student enthusiastically took part in the Table Topics session and, finally, an international student who was the "Ah Counter" admitted her reluctance to speak publicly because of her accent, but she found this atmosphere comfortable and encouraging.

I must thank Lynn for putting this together so well and professionally. My hat goes off to Paulette Brower-Garret for her enthusiastic, bubbly and positive participation. Paulette admitted that she is limited in her attendance at our regular meetings, but her heart will always be with WPU Toastmasters...and it shows.

Finally, I must thank Jim for not only giving his support by taking time out of his busy schedule to attend, but for giving, by far, the best speech I've heard from him. His speech was extremely relevant to his audience. He spoke about the fears he had in going to the interview for his current job...very relevant to an audience of Business major students.
9/15/04
Our 9/15 meeting was graciously led by first-time -as-Toastmaster Sheila Dempsey, Secretary. Our two prepared speeches were Jim Powell’s inspiring fifth manual speech, and a very articulate Successful Club Series presentation on “Mentoring” by Past President and current Treasurer Debra Wilson-Brown CTM. Both Jim Powell and Lorraine Rivezzi received their half and half awards! Our highlight was having a full agenda to showcase for 14 guests!!! Welcome to Gladys Erickson, Eileen Erickson, Mary Ellen Bakker, Ken Gold, Rob Hubbard, Carl Turso, Brian Whelan, Debra Bendett, Bhanu Goldsmith, Linda Brown, Dick McCracken, Megan, Felicia Beach, and Glenn Villmann. All our guests are invited back to join us- on a permanent basis. We also welcome Chris Richards as a new member. Chris Richards and Orietta Daniels will be inducted with pins, certificates, and awards in the very near future, as both have signed up to give their Icebreaker Speeches!!! Smiles were apparent as Ken Gold, a local publicist, snapped our pictures for local newspapers. Business: 1. Send your 6 month dues $25 payable William Paterson University Toastmasters to Debra Wilson-Brown, Treasurer 2. Read that black book at each meeting so you can sign up for roles in the future. Make sure you try each one as you move along giving manual speeches. Start small- Invocation/pledge, Timer, Ahcounter/grammarian, Jokemaster, Table Topics, then move to Evaulator (after you have given 3 manual speeches), then General Evaluator, then the big one-Toastmaster!! Speakers- email a short intro to the Toastmaster before the meeting, and have Ross Mandel sign your manual after each speech is presented. 7/22/04
For those who missed yesterday's exciting meeting we had JUMBO Summer fun, we heard speeches about Todd & facts on Tomato's / Ringers! Table Topics were about BBQ's, an Amusement Park event , & a Home Improvement. FYI - In September our club is privileged to get some newspaper coverage - bring guests - HOORAY! REMINDER: Come on down & Signup! Dues are due $25 WPUNJ Toastmasters.

Question to all: Any volunteers to be mentors (primary contacts, help with ice-breaker speech, 1 to 1 outside meeting support) for new incoming members?

Club Meeting - 2/4/04
Wednesday night's meeting took a flight!--By the seat of its pants! That became out impromptu theme: "Flying By the Seat of Our Pants" Lynne Orr, current Area Governor, was our Toastmaster/Pilot for the evening and what a flight it became! Wilma Tomevi not only opened the meeting with a refective inspirational thought, but later came back as the Jokemaster. Too bad you were not there, you would have gotten a GREAT excuse to use the next time you have to miss a day of work.Jim Powell, one of our newer members, was the Grammarian and helped us understand not only the DYNAMICS of our group, but also how DYNAMIC we are.For the first time in the history of our club, we had duo Table Topics Masters. Almeta Scott and Diana Von Boerum [welcome back! Diana] did a table topics that was beyond imaginative! All I will say is that we nearly had a REAL snowball fight...indoors!Debbie McCracken let us know that there is still hope in finding a specimen from "The Planet of the Man That Cooks"! Clever, Clever! BUT! The Oscar goes too--drum roll, please--ETHELEE MILLER! Ethel completed her final speech to acquire the title of Distinguished Toastmaster! Her speech was a portion of the play, which also became a movie, "All About Eve". Her task was to play the role of five different characters...I thought I was at the movies!These are just mere touches of the highlights of what went on at our meeting. Please come out an meet our VERY newest member, Sheila Dempsey, but, most of all, we want our new members to meet YOU!The next meeting will be Feb. 18th and it will be the International Speech and Evaluation Contest. Members have completed 5 speeches or more and are in good standing can participate!Debra Wilson-Brown, President
Club Contest 2/20/02
Congratulations for ALL the contestants who participated in Contest last night. Results of the International Speech Contest are:
Dan Bel Tempo - 1st place; Debra Wilson-Brown - 2nd place; Wilma Tomevi - 3rd place. Results of the Evaluation Contest are:
Lynne Orr - 1st place; Ken Zurich - 2nd place; Dan Bel Tempo - 3rd place. A hearty congratulations to the winners. They will be our representatives in the Area Contest. Continue to show your support. Club Contest 9/19/01
Congratulations to our winners and participants of the Club Contest on September 19, 2001. The Humorous Speech Contest's First Place Winner was, Debra Wilson Brown (Employment Equity), Second Place went to Larry Blomberg, and Certificate of Participation to Wilma Tomevi (Campus Police). The Table Topics Contest was won by Louise Albers (Career Development) placing first, followed by Leigh Verhoest (Alumni) and Kenneth Zurich (Career Development), placing second and third.

"The names "Toastmasters International," "Toastmasters," and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the United States, Canada, and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs exist. Unauthorized use is prohibited."