October 15, 2026

October 8, 2026

 

September 10, 2026

 

Aug 6 2026

 

Tribute to Ana Illsen - July 30

 A.I. Meeting Summary from Zoom

Meeting Introduction and Format Changes

The meeting began with introductions and welcoming attendees, including Marie's daughter Valentina. Pam led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Gail sharing a joke. Randolph announced that the format would be different, including a word of the day ("courage") and self-introductions, starting with Marie Rock.

Anna Tribute and Celebration Meeting

The meeting was a tribute to Anna, with Toastmasters and guests sharing memories and expressing admiration for her courage and contributions. Many speakers highlighted Anna's strength, authenticity, and the wisdom she shared about Cuban history and personal experiences. The gathering served as a celebration of Anna's life and the impact she had on those around her, with participants expressing gratitude for her friendship and leadership. The conversation ended with plans to start the formal agenda, including a video presentation.

Anna's Speech Compilation Presentation

Marie Rock presented a 13-minute video compilation of Anna's speeches, which Chris Gould and Jim Gould had created by collecting recorded speeches since April 2020. The video showcased Anna's legendary recaps and humorous moments from Early Bird Toastmasters meetings, including her stories about wearing masks, the origin of Fort Lauderdale's nickname, and her journey to joining Toastmasters in 2009 after receiving encouragement from friend Peggy Gallagher.

Early Birds Toastmasters Club Meeting

The video shared Ana's journey with the Early Birds Toastmasters club, describing how she joined after being impressed by the meetings and eventually held multiple leadership roles. She then shared personal stories about her Cuban heritage and family traditions, including how her mother used food to express love and care, and how her health habits evolved over time. Randolph Bastien and Chris discussed the video presentation, with Chris suggesting they should have arranged to serve flan in honor of the occasion at their former Denny's meeting location. The meeting then continued with Veronica Wininger's eulogy for Anna, describing her as a wordsmith who wrote three books and shared her experiences from Cuba, Spain, and America.

Anna Ilson Memorial Tribute Meeting

The meeting was a tribute to Anna Ilson, a long-standing member of Early Bird Toastmasters who passed away recently. Several speakers, including David, Aleta, Marie, and Becky Jo, shared memories of Anna's dedication to the club, her role as Vice President of Education, and her legendary meeting recaps. The speakers highlighted Anna's values of connection, generosity, and authenticity, as well as her impact on welcoming new members and fostering a sense of community within the club. The conversation ended with reflections on Anna's legacy and a commitment to continuing her spirit through the club's activities.

Anna Ilson Toastmasters Tribute Meeting

The meeting was a tribute to Anna Ilson, a beloved member of the Toastmasters club who passed away recently. Distinguished Toastmasters Mary Helen Day and Pam shared personal memories of Anna, highlighting her dedication to the club, her meticulous speech preparation, and her unique humor. RandolphBastien, the meeting president, expressed gratitude for Anna's courage and leadership, especially during Kip Barkley's transition, and encouraged the club to continue shining in her memory. The conversation ended with a message of support to Anna's family and friends, emphasizing the importance of finding strength in the face of loss.

Anna Memorial Tribute Meeting

The meeting was a tribute to Anna, with participants sharing memories and expressing gratitude for her impact on their lives. Jose shared a story about Anna's love for birdwatching at Lake George, comparing it to how her presence and "beautiful call" would be missed. The group discussed plans for Anna's memorial service on Saturday, with Jose promising to share a link for those who cannot attend in person. The conversation ended with thanks to RandolphBastien for organizing the tribute and plans to reconvene for the next meeting agenda at a later time.

Profound thoughts and Preparing a Good Meeting - a rollicking morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Marie launched us with thoughts from Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh which reminded us to keep breathing in whatever we do - in case we forget!!

Flamingo emulator and Joke Master Kim is definitely putting her foot down...

And then TM Randolph gave us some picturesque thoughts to ponder....

* TM David concluded that perception is everything and leads to infinity, as parallel lines that never meet...

* TM Pam is practicing, practicing, practicing resting before she gets tired - it's a most non-productive habit, after all!  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* Guest Kim has difficulties finding clothes, let alone camouflage shirts, even in a town swarming with military.  She rollicks from store to store.

* TM Ellen loves to make a grand entrance - she causes whiplash from her fake eyelashes and dresses like an old hooker with a cane.  She Won Most Hilarious Use of Grammar and Imagery Award.

* TM Marie mused that whiteboards are indeed remarkable because everything changes and adults nowadays have the attention span of a gnat.

* TM BeckyJo tries to subtly let youngsters know that "she may know something about that" (particular pickle they've gotten into) but they throw it back at her.

* TM Aleta would jump from a moving van and break her ankle even if the boss didn't tell her to.... she's always considered herself lucky, except lately.

* Guest Manohar ("Mano") acknowledges you can't trust an atom cause they're everywhere but we must trust each other, except wild untamed animals to avoid stranger danger.

We had one outstanding prepared speech today...

* TM Aleta gave us 6 points to make a great meeting:  1)be prepared; 2) start/end on time; 3) respect timing requirements; 4) welcome guests; 5)Give focused intros and meaningful evaluations (no criticism on dry toast); 6) Keep members informed.  She Won Most Improved Speaker Award.

We had one evaluation today..

* TM Pam praised TM Aleta for giving an otherwise tediously challenging speech with great animation, rollick and a great sense of humor.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

ROLLICK, noun

To behave in a jovial manner, uninhibited, lively.

Example:  Our EarlyBirds meetings are always full of rollick.  If it's not fun, it's not Toastmasters!

The link to the recording will be forthcoming at some point.

See you next week!

Ana

Recap Writer

Presentations, Icebreaker and Speak Slowly - an uplifting morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

Our seafaring TM Chris and Jim joined us today!  Welcome back!!  We have missed you!

TM Marie shared a few mishaps in last week's presentation before a large group and asked for our take on....

* Equipment failure - TM Jim informed us it's what happened to Janet Jackson at the Superbowl a number of years ago... Moral of the story: bring your own stuff...

* TM Chris has had echo echo echo in rooms with tiled floors and no curtains.  Make lemonades out of lemons.

* TM Gail praised TM Marie for preparing ahead of time and having the foresight to test ahead in order to achieve best audience connection.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Pam indicated the goal is to have slides - both the good point and the bad point are the slides - enlarge the letters so those in the back can see, darn it!

* TM Christina used to dress for success, now is professional casual as an engineer must, but she will dress up for Australian zoom audiences to avoid criticism.   Jeez!!

* TM Veronica has always practiced, practiced, practiced but is now practicing how NOT to practice.  Improvise, improvise, improvise.

* TM BeckyJo is a pivoting pro.  Children's theater helped her learn to embellish and have humor - they can fact-check you later....

Along came the prepared speeches...

* I, Ana, reminisced about my traumatic exit from Cuba with several glitches which led me to join in the 250th Celebration of the Best Country on Earth.  I Won Most Improved Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta emphasized the importance of comic timing and pause before the punchline.  Dare to be quiet!  And "Take my wife..... PLEASE!"

As far as evaluations go...

* TM Christina praised my inspirational speech and encouraged me to dramatize the fact that the secret police took my father away from the line... momentarily.

* TM David stressed that this speech is very important to us as public speakers and slowing down is critical because it takes the audience twice as long to absorb the message as it does the speaker to present it.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

UPLIFTING, adj.

Something that makes you feel happier, more hopeful or spiritually and emotionally elevated.

Example:  The uplifting speech was very invigorating.

The link to the recording is here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEkN1DVK0uM

Our new officers are officially starting next week, July 2.  Welcome aboard!

See you next week!

Ana

Recap Writer

Sports, Growing and Moving - a galvanizing morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Veronica led us in a very inspirational invocation.

We had our Club Elections.  Thank you to the Outgoing Officers for your labor of love.  Welcome to our New Officers (effective July 1)

Sargeant-at-Arms:  TM Christina Kurth

President:  TM Randolph Bastien (6 months)

VP Education:  TM Aleta Richmond

Secretary:  TM Pam Schrimsher

Treasurer  TM Marie Rock

VP Public Relations:  David Raleche

VP Membership:  TM BeckyJo Bean

Immediate Past President:  TM BeckyJo Bean

Assistant Sargeant-at-Arms: TM Veronica Winninger

Recap Writer:  TM Ana Illsen

CONGRATULATIONS, New Officers!

TM Pam introduced some galvanzing sports topics to our consciousness levels.  We soon learned that some of us are galvanized by sports, some of us have rusty sports pipes.

* TM Gail knows The Knicks are the original Knickerbokers which originated in the Dutch.  A galvanizing game last night indeed... She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Aleta loves The Spurs because it's the cowboy boot accessory used to control horses and brings her back to her barrel racing days....

* I, Ana, am clueless about predictive markets and online gambling.  It's a mystery to me, although I wish I got a clue so I could make some money!

* TM Veronica's happiest college memories are from pre-game and game parties in the days of wine and roses, and beer and pretzels.

* TM Marie's weak ankles flared up while trying to skate in Western Pennsylvania - she's a swimmer, for heaven's sake, and prefers figure skating to ice hockey, anyway!

* TM Jorge pondered about hat-tricks and rat-tricks - the former being when 3 goals are served by one person and throwing the hats on the rink; the latter being when 3 goals are served by one rat.

Along came (2) galvanizing prepared speeches...

* TM David told us if we're perfectly comfortable in our day-to-day, we are perfectly unchallenged.  Research the power of WHY WHY WHY....

* TM Aleta told us WHY - moving on down on size, complications and discovering gardening without Ibuprofen.  Freedom, freedom, freedom rings!  She Won Most Improved Speaker Award.

As far as (galvanizing) evaluations are concerned...

* TM BeckyJo praised TM David for his perfect diction, deliberate messaging and chock-full of informatino speech.  Work on changing tempo and modulation - ask WHY WHY WHY?

* TM Marie clearly valued how TM Aleta brought us down and lifted us up with the help of extraordinary cartoon maps.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

GALVANIZE, verb

1) To shock, excite or stimulate someone into suddenly taking action.

2) Steel pipes covered with zinc.

Example:  The prepared speeches today were galvanizing and they covered our tracheal pipes with zinc lozenges while listening to Steely Dan.

The link to the recording is here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HsTy3JJX_k

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Travel, Milk and Shopping Carts - no subterfuges in EarlyBirds this morning!

Dear Members, Guests, and Friends,

TM Christina led us with fun, travel-related Table Topics...

* TM The Tom's most memorable meal was a Chicago hot dog eaten at Wrigley Field during a game of the Chicago Cubs.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Jorge rode a bus from Bogota to Medellin, wondering for 7 hours if he was going to be taken hostage by the FARC guerrilla.  Thankfully he wasn't!

* TM BeckyJo nearly got ripped off by a cabdriver in flooded Prague who used subterfuge to overcharge her.

* I, Ana, would go back to French Polynesia,  island of Taha'a,  to the bungalow on stilts with a natural fish tank on the floor-  if I got a free airline ticket.  Maybe.

* TM Aleta is drawn to a country, Cuba, where natural beauty is abundant and people are nice but they live in abject poverty.

* TM Marie stated that wonders of the world are those right in front of our very eyes in that precise moment.

* TM Randolph's first impression of Tokyo, Japan, is that the Asian community puts up a great production!

As far as prepared speeches go...

* I, Ana, told the evolution of humans drinking Elsie The Cow's milk while trying to comb down our pesky cowlicks.  In a very contested vote, I Won Most Improved Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta alerted us that Shopping Carts of the World Will Unite! (Especially on the eve of May 1, Labor Day for the rest of the world).

And then came evaluations...

* TM The Tom enjoyed the history of milk and is perplexed by the multiple choices between almond, coconut, soy, oat, rice, hemp, cow, goat, buffalo, lactose-free, organic, whole, 2%, 1%, skim, raw...  All in a day's work....

* TM Marie praised TM Aleta for her excellent hand gestures, vocal variety and for making us realize that shopping carts have bodies and souls.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

SUBTERFUGE, noun

To use tricks to hide, avoid, or get something.

Example:  Subterfuge is the equivalent of manipulation.

Here's the link to the recording...

https://youtu.be/TMy6ySqtQCI

See you next week!

Ana

Recap Writer

Topic Wordplay, Meeting Roles and Wake Up Your Audience - an alleviating morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Veronica led us with an inspiring Invocation.

And, we voted for (following Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure) and inducted our new VP Membership, TM Christina.  Thank you!

TM BeckyJo brought us very original Table Topics, based on wordplay.  We found out that...

* TM Pam's mother made bathtub gin and went to speakeasies during Prohibition and then became a teetotaler... nothing like extremes!

* TM David's kitchen in France exploded with Nutella and frogs while crushing the linoleum floor...

* TM Randolph has a lucky silk tie which endows him with extraordinary charisma.

* TM Jorge's rubberband pistol was confiscated by his teacher who called it a Weapon of Math Destruction.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.  Go Jorge!

* TM Veronica visited a silkworm farm in Thailand and met some backward poets who write inverse.

* Guest Fernanda sometimes pushes the envelope and that has caused her to acquire writer's block.  It's still stationery....

* TM Gail feels for puppies who give birth on the side of the road and get cited for littering.... Life isn't fair....!!

* TM Christine went to a farm and actually saw a meat grinder in action and managed not to get behind...

* TM Aleta saw many chickens crossing the road, getting decapitated by the cook, feathers plucked, and roasted in the oven.  Poultry in motion...

Along came (2) fantabulous educational speeches...

* TM Pam presented us all the available roles in Toastmasters - from the sublime to the ridiculous, which make us outstanding speakers.

* TM Aleta shared some attention magnets to keep our audience engaged:  "Here's the thing", "To be Clear", "My point is this", "Rest Assured", "Here's What Really Matters"....  She Won Best Speaker Award.

And then the evaluations...

* TM David praised TM Pam for her amazing speech which was clear and organized in spite of encomapping a lot of information.  Next time he suggested she use personal names to exemplify club roles.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM Randolph called TM Aleta a Toastmaster in Top Form as she showed us once more how to master a room.  No critiques were forthcoming!

The Word of the Day was 

ALLEVIATE, verb

To make less severe

Example:   Coffee alleviates headaches and morning grogginess.

Here's the link to the recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH9xMZt0D10

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Contest, Inspiration and Is It Fair? - a contested morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

We heard very inspirational speeches...

* TM Marie expressed to us how the most important gifts we receive in life are those invitations we accept....  She Won First Place

* TM Veronica clearly showed us how life happens while we're getting prepared so we must reverse course and take action first!  She Won Second Place

* TM Jose reiterated that we are responsible for our own actions and we need to actively build a healthy life and determine what we refuse to tolerate.

* TM David declared that life marches along and we must not allow any small hiccup to cause upheavals.  That's why he goes to Toastmasters.  He Won Third Place.

* I, Ana, gave a bird's eyeview of life from the shoreline instead of focusing on one finite point in my realm.

* TM Aleta explained to us what a modern pioneer woman is - perseverance, stamina and WiFi!  Go Starlink!

While votes were being tallied, we had outstanding Table Topics led by TM Randolph - is life fair and does money make a difference?

* TM Jose's life indeed changed by the lack of money when he learned to hunt and cook and then as he made more money, expenses always caught up!

* TM Veronica found herself in Costa Rica, 21 years old with no money but she had generous friends who spotted her till she got back home.

* TM Aleta said you can't depend on what you learn in college because life itself is the best teacher.

* TM Pam stated that no, life is indeed not fair, but hey people, learn to be empathetic to those below - it needs to become trendy again.

* TM BeckyJo said it's fair to cut in line if you pay Premium but it's not fair to cut in line for organ donation just because you're wealthy.  No sireeee...

The Word of the Day was 

CONTEST, noun

An exercise to determine one's place in a competition.

Here's the link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9wJWefpXwE

Next week, on to Table Topics Contest!!!

See you then!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Memorables, Marriage, Cuban Style and Blink And You Missed It - we espoused the EarlyBird meeting

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM The Tom launched us off on fun table topics...

* TM Christina's favorites are software innovations but she wishes for more manufacturing inventions.

* I, Ana, travelled to a small town in Baja California and had a drink at a Hotel where you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave....

* TM Veronica would not block anyone from social media but she does not take new friends, either.

* TM Aleta can never have a Harvey Wallbanger (vodka, orange juice and a float of Galliano liqueur) because she can't afford to recarpet her entire house.

* TM Gail's celebrity couple that males no sense is Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey although she wishes them well in their espousing each other.

* TM Jose's hardest learned life lesson is that you can't force solutions, although sometimes he tries... while attempting to have others espouse his cause!

* TM Marie's friend's 5-yr-old dressed up as Santa for Halloween and ended up winning first prize! Moral of the story, be true to yourself even if others mock you. She Won Best Table Topics Award.

Along came prepared speeches....

* I, Ana, told the tale of love and betrayal of Margarita Conchita Josefa and Juan Manuel Roberto Gonzalez, who espoused Santeria and bolstered the Botanicas business in Miami and mutually espoused the marriage commitment.  I Won Best Speaker Award - (for fear of retaliation?)

* TM Aleta alerted us that if we blinked, we missed it.  2025 went by like a movie played at double speed and flew by like a speeding train, leaving little time for negotiation.

As far as evaluations go...

* TM BeckyJo got so captivated by Love Potion # None that she forgot to evaluate, but she found the speech very entertaining and a full reflection of reality.

* TM Jose asked TM Aleta to expound on the 4 styles of negotiation while reminiscing about Mutiny on the Bounty and The World According to Aleta.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

ESPOUSE, verb

Adopt or support a cause, belief or way of life

Marry

Example:  The members of EarlyBirds espouse the value of public speaking and leadership while having fun.

The link to the recording is

https://youtube.com/live/UQASD1yxE1c?feature=share

Feliz Navidad y Prospero 2026!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Joyeux Noel 

Mele Kalikimaka

See you on January 8th!

Ana

Recap Writer

Rock Around the Clock, Spain's Passport and the Toastmasters' Promise - a day of advent in EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Marie led us in a thoughtful invocation, followed by timely Table Topics.

We soon found out that...

* TM David makes time to be happy, take care of his wife and son and watch his favorite tv series, Landman.

* TM Pam does not make dinner, and gladly announced it to her then-retiring husband who was hoping to be the Dinner Planning Contriubutor and has become the Full-Fledged Cook.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Veronica practiced making up stories and adventures as a little girl and has continued her practice into adulthood, so... never a dull moment for her!

* TM BeckyJo could not make magic by clicking the unmute button.

* TM Christine makes a wish that her Mom will bring pizza, or she will find a special present under the tree.  Her husband is also a Full Time Cook.

* TM Gail is forever grateful for her new host of friends in Church and in EarlyBirds which keep her from getting bored and isolating.

*I, Ana, learned to ask God to remove my resentments so I can make peace with myself and my fellows.

Next came our prepared speeches...

* TM Jose presented us with a mouth-watering array of Spanish culinary delights, from Jamon Iberico which lowers cholesterol to Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Frittatta) and on to the ineffable Paella.  He Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta educated us on the promises of Toastmasters, which can be fulfilled if we participate, participate, participate.

As far as evaluations are concerned...

* TM Christina showed surprising knowledge of Spanish history, mentioning King Juan Carlos I as a fan of Spanish gourmet food.  Christina  was last seen mixing the ingredients for a flourless Spanish Tortilla.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM Gail praised TM Aleta for excellence built over the years and asked her to make a video for new members on how to embark on Pathways.  

The Word of the Day was

ADVENT, noun

The beginning of an event, invention of something or the arrival of a person.In lowercase.

In Christianity, the 4 weeks before Christmas.  In uppercase.

Example, The advent of the Gregorian calendar marked the start of Advent for Christians everywhere, including calendars and other rites.

Here's the link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1C7ugWdg38

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Engaging storytelling, Diffusiophoresis, Vaya Con Dios - a fantasticated morning at Early Birds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Marie led us in fantasticated topics...

* TM Jose transported us dreamily into owning his (and our) first car, when we were in awe of our newly-found autonomy and wanted to sleep in the car.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM BeckyJo captivates her audience when she embellishes and that's why she had a hard time telling the truth as a child.  Right, good excuse!

* TM Gail likes our local comedians, ie Beckyjo and Christine, but emulated her humor after Victor Borge's phonetic punctuation which got her kicked out of class.

* TM Christine recently broke into Auschwitz concentration camp and blended into a non-English speaking tourist tour group  to see everything first hand.

* TM Randolph credits Toastmasters for not interrupting others and making good use of pauses.  He's got a lot more friends now!

* TM David reminisced about after-dinner talks with family when growing up, and recalled when someone said Jesus was buried in their back yard....

Along came two great fantasticated speeches...

* TM Pam revealed that pelagic means living in the open sea, whether you're an albatross, a sardine or a large tuna, and diffusiophoresis is when things go from concentrates to equilibrium, for example, dishwasher detergent.  Do your research, people, instead of relying on TikTok!

* TM Aleta found a fork in her road as she sang "There she was just walking down the street, singing du-wa-di-di-di-di-dum-di-di-du, and she has applied BeckyJo's mantra "Go With God or don't go" to all her choices, decisions, losses, as well as her fantasticated Cheshire cat.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

As far as evaluations...

* TM David praised TM Pam's great setup of visual aids and suggested more gestures and pauses.  Why?  Because....  we're emotional people who like to fantasticate...

* TM Christine was riveted by TM Aleta's speech for attaining her goal of connecting with her audience.  It will be a fantasticated church sermon.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

FANTASTICATE, verb

to make or render fantastic

Example:  In Toastmasters we learn to fantasticate - instead of obfuscate or prevaricate - our speaking skills.

Here's the link to the recording...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcCb84z48Fs  

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Prevarication, lies and untruths - a morning of embellishment at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Pam inspired us with an embellished invocation.

We then proceeded to hear Tall Tales, Untruths and Other Prevarications from our group.

* TM Aleta finds old coins, arrowheads and other antique relics when excavating her back yard and told the tale of Sugarfoot, who was murdered by Tom Quinn, who buried the money and never found the money because TM Aleta has it.

* TM BeckyJo, aka Queen Marley, is a redheaded Royal Hawaiian, a descendant of the Goddess Pele of the Volcano who has flashes of temper from time to time, just like she does....

* TM Christina saved Space Camp Canada when the simulator crashed and they lost power to Quebec - she won the ribbon for such accomplishments.

* TM Pam kayaked with her pet alligator, Eleanor, and eventually got rid of the pet and invented standing paddle board on a gator.  She Won Best Tall Tales Speaker Award.

* I, Ana, resorted to a psychic in Madrid who transformed my ex into a pigeon which flew back to Bolivia in the wings of a 747 with a pigeonesque logo tatooed on his forehead.

* TM Randolph, radiotransmitting today from Australia, had no car and no job on his first date and a mother who won the Lotto.  He had to buy his date a new car after drowning her car in Slushies.  And only then she agreed to marry him...

* TM Veronica lived a gothic soap opera in a French Chateau surrounded by bats, liver pate and duck during  a hideously dehydrating weekend.  No fromage in sight....

* TM The Tom had his first legal case in Homestead (aka Dysfunction Junction) in the 60s where the charges were dismissed due to the Judge's hilarity attack.

* TM Jose drove his Harley up a mountain, met up with Pedro, the insomniac chef of a 2-star Michelin restaurant who donated Bon Am to Jose, who has now enlisted all of EarlyBirds to fly his private jet and go run the restaurant with him.  We're all headed to Fort Lauderdale airport as we speak!

The Word of the Day was

EMBELLISHMENT, noun

A detail, especially one that is not true, added to a statement or story to make it more interesting or entertaining.

Example:  At EarlyBirds today, we did not let pesky facts get in the way of our embellishments.

Here's the link to our recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ8CODQHK8c

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Idioms & Proverbs, Leadership Styles and Unsung Heroes - a peopled meeting at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

In honor of our late TM Carmine, TM Randolph led us in idioms and proverbs.  We soon learned that...

* TM The Tom usually bites more than he can chew and tries to make sense of it  while speaking Gaelic.

* TM Veronica recalled this was one of her Dad's favorite expressions but if you enjoy something, do it often instead of once in a blue moon!

* TM Gail has counted her chickens before they hatched plenty of times and learned that it only leads to broken plans and disappointments.  Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans, as John Lennon used to say...

* TM David's grandpa used to say be happy with what you have instead of wishing for what you don't - bird in hand is better than 2 birds in the bush.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Christina's Dutch ancestry makes her avoid beating around the bush and she is very direct even if it's hard on the other person, but her Canadian side softens it up.

* TM Jorge ate plenty of pasta while spending time in Rome and doing as the Romans do....

* I, Ana, mused that words are empty when not backed by loud actions....

* TM Cory thinks he will build muscle by buying books on bodybuilding and stacking them neatly on his bookshelf.  Don't we all wish...

We had (2) excellent speeches...

* TM Pam described several leadership styles - coaching, innovative, authoritative (her favorite) and democratic while cajoling her youngest daughter to learn how to ride a bike in Long Key State Park.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta inspired us with the kindness of strangers who helped her untangle the chaos produced by an Act of Nature.

Along came evaluations...

* First-time evaluator TM Christina loved TM Pam's speech and as a child growing up in a helmetless world, she related to Pam's daughter...  Great job, Christina!

* TM David loved TM Aleta's phrase "Hope is never washed away" because perfect strangers become friends when disaster strikes.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was 

PEOPLED, verb

To populate, inhabit

PEOPLED, adjective

To be filled with people

Example:  It is people who are peopled by constantly peopling those peopled.

We had a plesantly surprising visit from TM Chris and TM Jim all the way from Japan, where cities are densely peopled!  Great to see you, friends!

Next week we will receive the visit of our Area Director.  

Here's the link to the recording....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDITWQ86bM  

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer 

Administrator Console, But For a Small Twist of Fate, Protecting Girls' Sports - a morning of great impetus at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Pam introduced us to different facets of the Administrator's Console in our EarlyBirds website.  We realized that...

* TM Randolph understands that, although an annoyance, he needs a secondary email so when he drifts away from our group, we can reach out to him and reel him back in!!

* TM Marie joined EarlyBirds on a Mad Hatter day when our late DTM Kip was at his funniest and she just couldn't resist and joined on the spot.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Christina started FB while in college but doesn't use it anymore.  She uses - and recommends - Instagram, Instagram, Instagram.

* TM BeckyJo recommends that your pubic bio best include why you joined TM, why you stay.  If you have a colorful, intriguing life, describe it.  And keep your old picture in there!

Along came (2) longer-than-usual speeches...

* I, TM Ana, shared with the audience my personal recollections of leaving Communist Cuba in 1960 and shared some factual data about pre-Castro Cuba.  I Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta regaled us with a speech about her Protect Girls' Sports presentation in BPW (Business Professional Women),  which was arbitrarily handled outside of her presence and betrayed her, but primarily betrayed young girls and women.  We hope there is more action to be taken by you, TM Aleta!

As far as evaluations...

* TM Gail praised my father's impetus in taking the family out of an increasingly perilous situation and suggested I allow more time for audience questions next time.

* TM Jose lauded TM Aleta's courage, empathized with her feelings of having been betrayed, liked her appropriately sober virtual background and suggested she give us a better sense of BPW's structure and a stronger ending for our "Big Comeback Toastmaster"...  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

IMPETUS, noun

Force that makes something happen or happen more quickly.

Example:  The discovery of a hidden stash of cookies was the impetus for a sugar-fueled adventure that ended with a sugar crash and a smile on my face.

Here's the link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OywF7Dy1LIo

See you next week!

Ana 

VP Education

Looking back, The Model Prayer and Let It Go - a gallant morning at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM David launched us off by having us take a look at our past....

* TM Gail would tell her younger self to take the job she turned down, although in hindsight, it turned out to be the right choice!

* TM The Tom made a turning point decision to write down his memoir for his children to enjoy.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* Guest Kimberly would not compare herself to others if she could change one thing about her life.  She would focus on her own life!

* TM BeckyJo took longer to learn math, which she thought was irrelevant, and it turned out to be present everywhere in her life.  2 + 2 = 4

* TM Jorge regrets having dropped out of high school although he later made out all right!

* TM Veronica's most valuable lesson has been not to get distracted by distractions and focus on being herself.

* DTM Mary Helen wishes she had learned to ski as a girl, learned a musical instrument, although she became a professional astrologer  while playing the ukelele and signing German songs.

* I, Ana, would have chosen to study a career instead of wasting my time figuring out how to buy myself trendy clothes.

Then we listened to prepared speeches...

* TM Aleta presented a detailed description of The Lord's Prayer, where we pour out our hearts to God instead of using it as a private wish factory.

* TM Pam redid her Let It Go speech about purging holy family relics by storing them in Nostalgia Plastic Bins.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

Regarding our evaluations....

* TM BeckyJo commended TM Aleta for speaking at a moment's notice and urged her to watch prolific speakers to improve her vocal variety.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM The Tom praised TM Pam's ability to purge her belongings while singing Let It Go in B-minor and assigning her husband one storage drawer in the entire household.  

The Word of the Day was

GALLANT, adj

brave, heroic

Example:  At EarlyBirds we learn to be gallant while improvising different tasks.

The link to the recording is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5j-t_WEPM4

See you next week!

Ana

VP Education

Joy & Happiness, Working Together - a nimble morning at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

We had a few First Timers fulfilling roles today, and it all worked out well...

First-timer Toastmaster of the Day TM Gail ran a smooth effortless meeting.  Good job, Gail!

First-timer TM David led us in very uplifting Table Topics.  We learned that...

* TM Gail finds happiness in memories of shared times with friends and family and watching the swans glide by in a nearby lake.

* TM Aleta expands her boundless energy with efficient time management of her virtues, Peppy and Happy.

* I, Ana, am adept at rearranging priorities to allow time for amenities.

* TM Chris is semi-retired but hangs on to her beloved technology demos and kayak diving with her diving partner.

* TM Randolph finds pure happiness in the magic of his IPhone's self-generated memories, for which he is very grateful!

* TM Jim G. describes happiness as a globe which is generated from the inside.

* TM Cory's cat, his partner and their foodie experiences and a feeling of gratitude are the top (3) happiness generators in his life.  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM The Tom finds happiness in the internal process of the little things, of which gratitude is an essential element.

* Area Director Marc finds that happiness is definitely a choice, which only a nimble mind can make over chance.

* TM Jorge stated that happiness prevails over stress by showing gratitude, meditating and calming his thoughts.

We had one panel speech entitled Working Together, facilitated by TM Aleta...

* After sharing her Toastmasters background and how much she has benefited from serving as President of the Club, TM Aleta proceded to ask questions of the officers who were present:

* Sargeant-at-Arms and Immediate Past President, TM Jim G. described his (mostly) behind-the-scenes role, which he is thoroughly enjoying, and would gladly continue if only he were not embarking on a worldwide cruising lifetime adventure.

* DTM Mary Helen reminisced about being Treasurer many years ago in another Club, where she gave an approximate figure for the Treasury Report.  She is now being our Treasurer till the end of this Panel- and doing a mighty fine job!  Besides being VP of Membership and officially registering and  welcoming our new Members.  

* I, Ana, talked about the role of the VP Education, which I am enjoying doing so that we have a fun program every week.

* Our Secretary and our VP Public Outreach were absent today due to illness but would definitely be available for questions any time.

Next, we fielded some questions from the audience, who asked where to find job descriptions for the various officer roles and how long should a member wait until they take on an officer position.  Both questions were addressed.

Excellent informative speech, TM Aleta!

Then we moved on to our Evaluation/General Evaluation...

* TM The Tom praised TM Aleta for presenting us with a plethora of information disguised as plates of spaghetti - carbonara and bolognese - which were impossible to refuse and hence be enticed to take on a role for the next Panel starting in July (Elections will be held in June).  We support each other, we encourage each other, and this is a very SAFE place to try different roles to keep our minds nimble and our sense of humor intact!

The Word of the Day was

NIMBLE, adj.

Quick and light in movement, agile

Quick to understand

Example: Jack, be nimble, Jack, be agile, Jack, jump over the box marked "Fragile"; Jack, be nimble, Jack, good luck, Jack, jump over the ice cream truck..."  (sung to the tune of "Jack Be Nimble")

Here's the link to the recording...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vpxA0UgaF0

See you next week!

Ana I

VP Education

Mono-themed topics, Icebreaker and Lead the Followers - no snarks at Early Birds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Marie led us with an inspirational invocation and dove right in to mono-themed Table Topics.  We found out that...

* TM Gail has found creativity in EarlyBirds, with its varied assortment of characters, nationalities, accents, and travel experiences.

* Guest Chantal talked about honesty resulting from the lessons learned, lessons earned and from a firm foundation while growing up.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* Guest Jean-Marc stated that gratitude is so very important, to count our blessings and start our days off  thankful for even things we're not aware we have.

* TM Jose reminisced about his curiosity as a child breaking valuable toys to find out what made them tick and his inability to reassemble them, which almost got him killed by the Big Cats.

* Our cowboy-at-large, TM The Tom, revealed that humor is the essential breath of fresh air that keeps him alive.

* TM Chris explained the Ps of a successful small business: Perseverance, Passion, Poverty and Partner.  Maybe we could add Prayer?

* TM Christine aspires to openness as a virtuous trait - to stay teachable.  That's a quality she seeks for herself.

We had (2) excellent prepared speeches today...

* TM David gave an excellent Icebreaker where he shared a part of his story with us and how he has achieved his dream of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave - in Florida weather!  He Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM Aleta explained with great vitality what the role of President of EarlyBird entails - team building, leading, conflict resolution, meeting facilitation.  More to come in next week's panel speech.

As far as evaluations go...

* TM Christine praised TM David's courage in presenting such a powerful Icebreaker and the variety of experiences he has gathered from living in different parts of the United States.  She encouraged him to look straight at the camera to emulate eye contact when speaking in person to a group.

* TM Gail stated that TM Aleta personifies dynamic leadership, hence the Pathways she has embarked on.  Her vocal variety and hand gestures are second to none; however, work on not using notes.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

SNARK, noun

An expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm.  

Example:  A snark is a cross between a snake and a shark, as expressed by our President.  The case rests.

TM Cory did an impeccable job as Timer.  Go Cory!

For the local members: 

The Division Contest is this Saturday April 5 from 10 am to 1 pm at:

Liberty Life Center

6800 SW 21st Ct

Davie, FL

Let's go and support our contestants!

Here's a link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgrdktVn2_U

See you next week!

Ana 

VP Education