Peace Speakers Louisville Toastmasters Club: 2016

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Peace Speakers Focus on Gratitude for Open House

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Megan, our president of Peace Speakers, greets members and guests warmly at our Open House. She expresses gratitude for the many visitors and our members' willingness to take on different roles during our meeting. She extends thanks to those who've brought in all kinds of treats for us to enjoy.

Megan has an epiphany she shares with us. Being in Toastmasters is why she's able to stand up there today and lead our club. Epiphany is our Word for the Day, which means an ah-ha moment of realization and clarity. Her involvement in Peace Speakers allows her to feel more confident and comfortable in a leadership and speaking role, which wasn't the case prior to joining our Toastmasters club.

Catherine, VP of Public Relations and our Toastmaster today, jokes about the possibility of having food lodged in her teeth. She's been enjoying the treats, which takes us to the theme of our meeting today: GRATITUDE. She reminds us to be grateful for what we do have...not what we don't have. She appreciates being surrounded by friends, Peace Speakers, who allow her to occasionally get flustered when trying to express herself. This is a safe environment in which to try new things and wobble a bit before getting grounded.

Today George fills the role of the Ah Counter and Grammarian. This calls for him to listen carefully as people speak during our meeting, noting words like uh, um, you know, and other unnecessary fillers. Awkward sentence shifts are also on his radar. He chose epiphany as the Word of the Day and listens for its use as well. He keeps record of all of this and makes a general report at the end of the meeting. This lets us know what changes we need to make to improve our speaking skills.

Kathryn is our Timer today, and she explains how the light system helps speakers. The individual green, yellow and red lights indicate how much time remains for each speaker. They are friendly warnings to remind speakers that time is running out. The red light is not a mandate to stop, but it does encourage the speaker to bring the talk to a close.

Catherine introduces our prepared speaker for the day. Kerri is giving her 5th speech from the Competent Commun- ication Manual, which focuses on "Your Body Talks". Her speech is called "Books I Think You'll Like". As Kerri walks to the podium, Catherine begins clapping and says, "We also get a lot of practice clapping at Toastmasters. It's just another way to show gratitude."

Prepared Speech - "Books I Think You'll Like" by Kerri Daly

In honor of today’s theme, I’d like to talk to you about something I’m grateful for....books. I am thankful for books for many reasons. First of all, I actually work at a publishing house – Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, which is located in this very building. Books in my world are the reason why I get a paycheck, and as I’m sure you can guess, I’m grateful for my bi-weekly income. I also am grateful for books because more often than not they transport me through time. From magical worlds to a good biography, all of them release me from my daily routine, and I’m grateful for the journeys they take me on.

Today I’d like to talk to you about four books that I think are worth checking out. Full disclaimer though: My list of favorite books is always evolving. As a result, this presentation is not a top 4 list of all time but instead information on a few books that I’ve recently read that I thought might be of interest to you. So without any further adieu, let’s get started.

The first book I want to mention is The Year Without a Purchase by Scott Dannemiller. Now by a show of hands, how many of y’all have purchased a non-essential item this month – an article of clothing, something from the always-tempting dollar bin at Target, etc.? Okay, then this title might be of interest to you. In this book, Dannemiller shares the story of his family’s quest to stop shopping and start connecting. The idea came about because both Scott and his wife Gabby were former missionaries. It’s been 10 years since they made their vow of simple living, and they both admit that they’re failing miserably at it. So they decide not to make any purchases for a year. Now to clarify – they still use money throughout the year. They buy food, toiletries and they pay their bills. But all extra, non-essential items, no more! No more clothes, shoes, extra items for their home, toys for their kids, etc. They use what they have. When they forget to pack extra socks for a business trip, they wash and re-wear the ones they have on in the hotel sink. When it’s time to go to a party or celebrate a holiday, they re-wear outfits they’ve previously worn. Now for a lot of people, these habits are already part of their daily life out of necessity. However, for those lucky enough to live a life of privilege, this book offers a wake-up call that not only had me laughing out loud but inspired me to refocus my spending habits and prioritize what’s really important – my connection with others.

The second book I want to talk about is Kindred. I read this over the summer, and I seriously couldn’t put it down. I tend to be a slow reader, but I inhaled this book in 3 days! Inside Kindred, Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her husband when she is taken abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. For whatever reason, she’s been selected by the universe to help a boy named Rufus, who is the white son of a plantation owner. Throughout the book, Dana is drawn back repeatedly through time to help him during his times of need. But with each visit, her stay grows longer and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end. If you’re interested in a book that deals with history, African American studies or time travel, I strongly urge you to check this book out.

Next up is Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. This was the first graphic novel I’d ever read. My husband actually got the book for me, and when I opened it and saw all of the cartoon images, I said to him, “I don’t want to read a comic book!” He encouraged me to give it a shot, and I’m glad I did. While Persepolis is compiled of black and white images like a comic book, it’s actually a memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Inside the author gives readers insight into her daily life starting at age 6. As the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, she has a unique perspective of Iranian life. Readers get her take on everything from war and political changes to clothing options. If you’re interested in Iranian culture or simply want to try reading a graphic novel, I recommend giving Persepolis a chance too.

The last book I want to talk about with you today is Change of Heart by Jeanne Bishop. This is a story of restorative justice unlike any other I’ve heard. Inside this book, which is based on a true story, Bishop explains how her faith challenged her to forgive the man who murdered her sister, brother-in-law and their unborn child. It doesn’t end there, though. On top of already doing what I feel like for many is the unthinkable, Bishop, who is a lawyer, now actively works towards getting the murderer’s life sentence reduced. She also works daily to help make positive reforms to our criminal justice system that gives inmates a second chance. For her, faith requires us to show mercy to those who have done us wrong. There’s no way to sugar coat it – this is a straight up tear-jerker, and I found myself crying at various points. And I’ll be honest – I don’t know if I could ever forgive the way she has. But my goodness… does this powerful book give you something to think about!

In conclusion, I want to encourage you all to make time to read something for yourself this week. Whether it’s a blog post you’ve been wanting to read, a classic novel, or a book I mentioned today - life is too short not enjoy good stories on a regular basis. Thank you so much, and happy reading everyone!

As the blogger, what I love about the 7-minute speeches Peace Speakers give is the insight we get into our members as a result. It makes sense that Kerri would deliver such a thoughtful speech using content to entice us to read. Not only are the speeches we hear informative, but they are often fun and have unexpected elements. New members can expect to get ample education and guidance for creating their first 10 speeches, and you can move through them at your own pace. There is always support when you need it!

In staying with our theme of gratitude, Perry briefly shares tips for expressing our gratitude to others:

Be aware and on the lookout for opportunities around you to say thank you.
Be immediate, as this might be your only chance to express your gratitude.
Be specific and personal.
Be succinct and positive. Don't mix the message with any negative.
Be authentic and accurate. What you express must ring true, or it won't seem sincere.

Malinda, our Table Topics Master for the day, holds an envelope of prompts she created that pertain to gratitude. She encourages those attending our meeting to volunteer and pull a prompt, read the question; then answer it spontaneously within 1-2 minutes. This trains us to think on our feet and remain composed as we formulate a response. It gets easier with time; I can assure you of that!!!!!

Who is a teacher you're especially grateful for and why?

Brittany, a first-time-guest, surprises us by volunteering to speak during Table Topics. She pulls the prompt, steps up to the front, reads it, says she's grateful for her science teacher, then draws a blank. (I'm still sitting there impressed that she was the first volunteer for this!) This is the classic "deer in headlights" response when all eyes are on you, which every Toastmaster understands. We've all been there, Brittany, and you telling me you'll come back is even more impressive!

Imagine you're living in the beginning of the 20th century. Would you be more grateful for electricity or running water?

Jewel says she'd be more grateful for running water because she likes to stay clean and keep things washed off. She finds the sound of running water soothing and focuses on a clear spring during meditations. She's lived in communities and shared a lot. When a cup of sugar was borrowed, then they'd share the lemonade they made, which is another way to enjoy running water.

Tell a story about something you weren't happy about in the moment but you're grateful for now.

Andrea shares that she was in law school in 2009 and wanted to work in public interest but couldn't find a position in New York. Her husband was here, so she started volunteering at the Legal Aid Society, making the best of a bad situation. She ran into obstacles but soon began to enjoy her volunteer work because it changed people's lives. So it all worked out. She's grateful to be here in Louisville, a foodie city she's come to enjoy.

Describe how being grateful for the gift of the earth affects how you live your life.

Kathryn admits that she really loves living on earth. Enjoying the seasons, traveling, experiencing different foods, and exploring are some of her favorite things to do. She strives to live life to the fullest each day and tries to be selfless. She is grateful for earth and realizes there's no way to know if it'll be here in the future, which is why she appreciates it every day.

Members and guests vote for the Table Topics speech they liked the best.

We meet in cafeteria style for Open House to make room for our more visitors.

With the votes tallied, listeners chose Jewel as the Table Topics winner today. Now she has bragging rights until December 7, when our Peace Speakers club meets again. Display that trophy proudly in the meantime, Jewel!

Eva, the evaluator for Kerri's speech, notes how well done it was. She admits that she had an epiphany. After listening to Kerri's speech, she realizes that Kerri has the perfect job - publishing and selling books! She goes on to add that Kerri tied her talk nicely to the theme of gratitude. She used lots of natural gestures and enthusiasm to promote her ideas. Eva loved the 4 book choices...all quite different and interesting. She did a good job of selling them to the audience. Kerri could improve by just stepping away from the podium once in a while; then she could use more body movement.

Before closing today's program, our Toastmaster, Catherine, conducts three drawings in honor of our Open House. The first gift card goes to Deb, a visitor and friend of mine. Somehow I failed to recall the other winners, but I'm sure they're grateful as well. I am, too, just to be here sharing in the fun and the growth.

If you're visiting my blog, don't be a stranger! Drop in sometime to one of our Peace Speakers meetings. You'll witness a gentle group of Toastmasters with a variety of reasons why they joined. However, we all share a common mission, which is in bold print at the top of this blog. It's a safe place to try new things, where people are growing in confidence and skills in both speaking and leadership. So get out of your comfort zone and join us! We'll lend you the support you need to create a better life for yourself both professionally and personally.

OUR NEXT FEW 2016 MEETINGS:

Wed., Dec. 7- Conference Room B

Wed., Dec. 21- Conference Room B

2017
Wed., Jan. 4 - Conference Room B

Wed., Jan. 18 - Conference Room B

Peace Speakers Toastmasters Club

1st and 3rd Wednesdays (usually)

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

100 Witherspoon Street

Downtown Louisville, KY

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Chambers

Blogger for Peace Speakers

and VP of Education

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

No Untoward Types in Peace Speakers!

Megan, President of Peace Speakers, opens our meeting on a bright note. She hopes we've enjoyed our Labor Day weekend and are ready to be engaged in our meeting today. She also notes that 6 out of 7 of our officers have already attended training for their positions. Now that's commendable!

Today's Toastmaster, Eva, talks about the kids pictured on our agenda today...all decked out in different vocational outfits. With the theme of Labor Day for our meeting, Eva references workers rights, being mindful of those who really struggle to find or hold jobs, and asks us to be grateful for the good jobs we hold.

Opening up the educational segment of our Toastmasters meeting, Eva introduces those who've agreed to take on special responsibilities during our meeting. Let's meet two of them right now.

Octavia, our Ah Counter & Grammarian, makes note of the space fillers that speakers use like "um" and "uh" as well as awkward sentence shifts. She also comes up with a word for the day and chose "untoward" for us to try and use. It means difficult to manage or work with; unruly. She keeps track of how many times it's used and makes a general report to the club at the end of the meeting. No one's name is called out for errors, but each person can check with her at the end of the meeting to see how they might improve their speaking skills in the future.

Catherine, our Timer, uses a timing device and a 3-light system to give speakers a visual notice regarding the amount of time they have left to speak. Most prepared speeches are 5-7 minutes, and the green, yellow and red lights are a speaker's reminders as the clock hits 5, 6 and 7 minutes. Additionally, she times the Speech Evaluator, who has 3 minutes to share their opinion. She also keeps track of times during Table Topics, when speakers have 1-2 minutes to talk. (By the way, Catherine hasn't been the Timer for quite a while and admits that she just loves playing with the lights. That playful nature of hers often makes for a lot of fun!)

Ada introduces and leads today's prepared speaker, Kristi, to the podium. Kristi is working on Project #7: Research Your Topic. The title of her speech is "Overcoming Barriers of Unemployment Among the Blind."

How would you feel if, throughout your career, either you couldn't find employment, you were grossly under-employed, (in other words, vastly over-qualified for the jobs you did get) or, if you managed to keep a job, that no matter how long you worked, how glowing your evaluations, no matter how well you got along with your co-workers...you were never promoted above the token position in which you originally started? How would you feel if, when approached by someone who didn't know how you do a thing you've done all your life, the person assumed that if he or she couldn't do it, then you must not really be adequate to the task either? How would you feel if any of the adaptive kinds of equipment you needed had to be justified by vocational rehabilitation counselors, your workplace compliance department, or by some state agency, and it could cost at least $4,000? Today I'm going to share, through my own experience, that of others I know, and research, what has been an ongoing problem among the blindness population for years, all over the US, and, I suspect, internationally as well: that of unemployment and under-employment, hence, low earning power.

Since I know statistics can become rather dull, the last part of my speech will be directed to what I propose to do about it.

Much of my material is from the National Federation of the Blind, a consumer-based organization in which 2/3 of the majority are blind--founded in 1940; the American Foundation for the blind, and government departments, such as the Bureau of the Census and the US Department of Labor.

Let me begin by saying I don't know first-hand, having not been a teen or adult who was sighted and then became blind--how it feels to lose your sight. So I'm not at all minimizing the trauma that can affect people's lives. It must unbelievably scary to become blind.. Scary as hell! Having to relearn things--maybe Braille, travel techniques, how to cook and ways to live and work in today's society safely. Scary, yes; a tragedy, no. At least with something scary, with proper training and commitment, determination, and utilizing the tools or resources available to us, techniques can be learned, just as we learn alternative techniques when we have some other setback in life: like a heart attack, cancer, or maybe something like twisting your ankle and having to develop different ways of navigation. I think it's helpful, therefore, to define what people mean when they say "blind". Or "blindness". There are several ways of defining them: the inability to see at all, or at best to discern light from darkness. The National Federation of the Blind takes a broader view: people consider themselves to be blind if their sight is bad enough even with corrected lenses, that they must use alternative methods to engage in any activity that persons with normal vision would do using their eyes. The US Bureau of the Census' question about "significant vision loss" encompasses both total or near-total blindness and "trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses". The statutory definition of "legally blind" is that central visual acuity must be 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction or that the visual field must be 20 degrees or less. There are no generally accepted definitions for "visually impaired" or "low vision" or "vision loss".

These statistics are estimates: for adults 16 and older reporting significant vision loss, who were in the non-institutionalized, civilian population) meaning not in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and the like...are all derived from the American Community Survey results of 2013, as interpreted by Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute, (EDI).

Income and Poverty Status:

The annual earnings and poverty status in the United States in 2013, median annual earnings: $35,300. Median annual household income: $36,500 (I believe this is the exception, not the rule).

Number living below the poverty line: 1,098,100 or 30.1%. The number of people aged 21 to 64 receiving Supplemental Security Income with a visual disability, in the United States, who received these benefits in 2013 was 631,100 (17.2%). Unemployment ("not in the labor force") actively looking: 263,80. Therefore, for working aged adults reporting significant vision loss, only 40.2% were employed in 2013. Those who aren't looking who are "not in the labor force" are either on SSI, SSDI, in institutions, or they just gave up altogether. The NFB has stated (I believe this came from the US Department of Labor) that 70% of the employable blind are unemployed; and of the 70% who are employed, 70% are under-employed. I have been in the work force off and on for 40 years, and this has been my experience.

What about the Office for the Blind? They show 11 people employed at the Census all in the same position, and several at Pizza Hut. In contrast, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current unemployment rate of all categories is 4.9%. (Data.bls.gov.)

I can't go in to the statistics about sheltered workshops, like LCI (Lions Club Industries) located at 1900 Brownsboro Road, since none of my research addressed them. These places employ people doing menial, assembly-line type tasks like wrapping plastic flatware salt and pepper, napkins, say for the Military, or other such menial tasks. Of all the people I have spoken with who work there (and this is not a scientific study) none liked their jobs, but at least they had a job. Many of the people are performing far beneath their capabilities. Vocational Rehabilitation just care about closing cases, not about good job matches.

Louisville Metro Government has about three or four blind people employed there, and isn't replacing any who leave, as in my Transcriber position, for example. Of all the transcribers working there since 1999, when Adelle was the first blind person employed by them, or the Louisville Division of Police, I am the only one at Headquarters left. The tragedy isn't being blind, it's the waste of talent and resources, and people's lives.

What I'd like to do to Change this:

I would like to use my resources, skills, and experience to launch a consulting firm that would work with companies that think outside the box; that would contract with me to screen qualified, motivated blind people with a strong work ethic to become employed with them; with a guarantee that these companies, upon their employees' high performance rates, would, in due time, be promoted in-house. I would work with the employee and that company ongoing, to support both of them to make this a very satisfactory fit. And I wouldn't just infiltrate one company with 10 blind guys in a token position, so they can take credit for closing cases. Rather, I would always be looking to expand to other companies, nationally and internationally, so that these businesses would receive low turnover, highly competent employees, and these employees would thereby have a lifelong opportunity for career advancement and a better life. I'm currently looking for investors to help me accomplish this end.

Kristi, you always give us another way to look at things. This speech makes us aware of many things we may not have otherwise considered!

Another role a member can agree to take during our meetings is the Table Topics Master. Kathryn runs with the Labor Day theme and creates prompts that relate to that holiday. She first encourages volunteers to draw a slip of paper from her basket, then she looks for those who haven't had an opportunity to speak during the meeting. After all, that's why we're here!

What is the most favorite job and least favorite job that you've ever held?

Malinda replies that they say in life that you only get one good man, one good job and one good dog in life, and she's had them all. She was a stay-at-home mom for a while but saw a sign for Christian education that seemed to nearly rolled in front of her. After many hurdles, she took that job (here at the Presbyterian Center). It's been a match made in heaven. As for the worst job, she worked in retail and didn't get treated well. That one thankfully only lasted a few months!

Some countries only work 4 days a week. Do you think this would be beneficial for the U.S.? Why or why not?

Octavia likes the idea of a 4-day work week. That would give her a long weekend to enjoy, giving her more options for relaxing and being with family. It would also give her an extra day for her to handle a doctor's appointment and any other business she might want or need to conduct. She believes the 4-day work week would be beneficial.

Do you have a Labor Day weekend tradition, and if not, how do you spend it?

George used to spend his time watching football when the pro-season ran through Labor Day, but it doesn't any more. Now he labors on that day! Restaurant work is very challenging, and he listed numerous duties that waiters face daily. Daunting!!!!! He added that being in the weeds is something everyone needs to experience. Until you've waited tables, you can't imagine how demanding it is!

What career did you dream of as kid?

Kristi admits that as a child she dreamed of being a stewardess. There was a long bus ride she took where sandwiches, mints and reading materials were passed out to the passengers. She thought that working on a plane would be on a grander scale. However, she didn't anticipate problems like unruly or untoward passengers. As a youngster, she also tried to type out what everyone around her said. Now she actually writes and transcribes for a living!

In what ways do you think the under-employment rate in the U.S. could be improved?

Perry says that unfortunately not everyone can get their skills and gifts matched to a job. One answer is to improve education, which does its best to train people on computers and in writing skills. He adds that he thinks Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have some good ideas in this area.

What is your dream job?

Kay admits that she's never learned how to work smart...just hard! As a teacher, she was in the classroom early, out late, and worked all weekends on lesson plans. Too much for her! But her dream job might be owning a Holistic Disco. She's into wellness and loves to dance. The hours would be from 8-12 midnight at the latest...so that people could come after dinner and enjoy 70's music and great dance tunes like "Uptown Funk" but wouldn't have to stay up so late to enjoy it, the disco ball, or her whole-grain cookies.

Members, Catherine, Kerri and Octavia, mull over the speeches they heard during our Table Topics session. Everyone votes and Kay, this blogger, is honored to take home the trophy. I decided to announce my little achievement to my sisters because they know I have struggled with fears over public expression. My sister Lynn replied, "I always admired your courage to tackle public speaking reluctance in such a structured, committed fashion. You are a conqueror." I must add that Toastmasters and my friends in Peace Speakers gave me the tools to overcome!

Vicki, our Area 66 Director, visits us today in her usual helpful mode: to share what's going on in Toastmasters that is potentially beneficial to our club. Here's a summation of what she imparted:

Toastmasters coins reflect 4 core values: integrity, service, respect, and excellence. Vicki recommends that we share a coin when someone in our club exhibits one of these 4 core values. She wants to hear stories of how they got passed to individuals.
Let's get members involved in a practice speech contest and shoot for the international. Our club could do a practice contest, where we'd have to adhere to exact times and fill roles. Vicki will enter this contest and wants us to put ourselves out there as well. It would be a good experience for us all. Vicki would help us and hopes we'll make it a first of the year goal.
Look at other potential contests to enter. To start off, get a few volunteers for the Newsletter Contest and a few more for the Video Contest. Involve people here from the Presbyterian Center to experience the format as well. This is a great opportunity to work as a team!
Go back and read the Pathways article on page 12 of the July 2016 Toastmaster Magazine. Get informed about this more liberal arts and dynamic pathway - the revitalized Toastmasters education program. Vicki really likes it!
Consider doing a round table discussion for Table Topics pertaining to that Toastmaster Magazine Pathways article at an upcoming meeting. Let members know in advance so they can review beforehand!
Visit the Toastmasters International website to personalize Toastmasters business cards for yourself. It's easy to print your own! This site has been updated and is fascinating: Create a scavenger hunt to get members to peruse it. Here's the link to it: www.Toastmasters.org
Make sure members are clapping the entire time speakers are moving either to or from the podium. Also, never leave the podium unattended or empty. That's a vacuum that is unacceptable!
Attend the District 11 Fall Conference this fall. It's here in Louisville and our Peace Speakers are already signed up as a club to attend! Vicki said this conference is VERY different, and we'll want to be there.

District 11 2016 Fall Conference
November 4-5, 2016
Hosted by Division F

Ramada Plaza Hotel
9700 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, KY 40299
Phone: (502) 491-4830

Another role one of our members assumed today is the Speech Evaluator. Katie shares her opinion of Kristi's speech using the guide in the Competent Communication Manual. She notes that Kristi fulfilled the goals of the speech and that it was well-researched. Her speech was very purposeful, had good flow, and points made were all supported. Kristi made very relatable tips and posed questions for the audience to ponder. Katie also appreciated the solution given at the conclusion of Kristi's speech. Katie recommended that she give more testimonials, as she's great at sharing anecdotes.

Megan, our president, returns to the podium at the conclusion of our 1-hour Peace Speakers meeting. She thanked Vicki, our Area 66 Director, for keeping us moving along. Megan notes the good cross section of people that we have in our club, which gives us different perspectives and enriches us. That's indisputable, along with the fact there are no untoward types who are members. We work together harmoniously and eagerly!

If you're a visitor to this blog, I hope you've learned enough about our Toastmasters meeting to be intrigued and will possibly visit us some 1st or 3rd Wednesday. Give yourself a chance to experience a fun way to grow your leadership and speaking skills in a warm and inviting environment. We hope to see you soon!