March 2007 Newsletter

Dear Lexington Toastmasters,

With last week’s deep freeze it’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner! However, spring always does arrive. My friend’s snowdrops did not bend a bit during the cold spell, she was worried they would not survive. The strength and will of nature in the spring amazes me every year; just watch the crocus push through ice and snow and appear in glorious color.

Let’s hope that spring does not only bring us a renewed sense of being, but also lots of energy! We have a lot of things lined up for you. At our last meeting, many of you participated in the International Speech contest. The courageous contestants were Ann Burgess, Steve Silva and Duncan Stewart. And the lucky winner is Steve Silva! Congratulations! He will compete at the AreaB5 competition on Monday March 26th at 6:30pm at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. Join me in supporting Steve at his next round. If you are interested in helping with a task, please contact David Carnes .

Special Meeting:
Thursday, March 29, 2007
You do not want to miss this “regular’ meeting! We will have some speeches, but the rest will be a surprise. I think routines are comforting, but sometimes they get in the way of spontaneity, so we are trying it out on you! In Switzerland people organize trips “into the blue”; you sign up and let the day happen. So I encourage you to show up and let the hour happen. We will have lots of fun!

Open House:
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Guest Speaker: Bo Bennett
This event will be a little different from the past ones! We will have an “Open House” and publicize it in the local papers inviting the public to attend. Bo Bennett has already kindly accepted the invitation. He is truly an inspirational and professional speaker and you will enjoy listening to him and learn. You might want t o check him out at his two websites: http://www.yeartosuccess.com and http://www.bellado.org . The rest of the meeting will be a modified Toastmasters meeting with an educational twist. We will explain the purpose of each section of the meeting. Put this date on your calendar! You will not want to miss this exciting event!

Educational Bits:
In the last newsletter I mentioned that a group is forming to create our own ‘Succession Plan’ with Toastmasters’ material. This would apply after you finish your first ten speeches. Many of us have found the new tracks, communicator and leadership, a little confusing. I have ordered the entire set of advanced speech booklets for $50; now we can sit down and evaluate the booklets and hopefully come up with a plan that is easier to follow and keep you speaking in front of the public. Carolyn Kingston and Ann Burgess are on the committee. Join us and/or share your ideas in how to best approach this task!


Party, Party, Party:
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Another party is upon us, yeah! Kumiko Suzuki has been busy planning this next event. Please note the date change; it will be on Saturday, June 2 at Linda Coyne’s house at around 7pm. Invitations will be mailed with all the details. For the newcomers, this is an ideal time to get to know your fellow Toastmasters better and without the stress of speaking in public! For the oldcomers, start thinking of your favorite dish to make and share with your toasties! This is a time to have fun and bring your friends, spouses and partners.


Snow Day Policy:
The snow policy for the Lexington Toastmasters Club is that we will not meet on days when the Lexington Public Schools are closed due to snow. To find out if the Lexington Schools are closed, you may try one of three options:

Go to the Town of Lexington website and click on Public Schools in the left column. The resulting page should indicate whether schools are closed due to snow.

Call the Lexington Schools at 781-861-2580. This number should have recorded information about school closings. Check your local TV station, 4, 5 or 7, which will announce school closings on snow days.

Calendar:
Monday, Mar 19 12noon-1:30pm Officer Meeting at Rudi's
Monday, Mar 26 6:30pm International Speech Contest
Thursday, Mar 29 12noon – 1:00pm Special Meeting
Tuesday, May 22 7:00pm – 9:00pm Open House
Saturday, June 2 Evening Toastmasters Party Social