Business Meeting

Jim Akers presiding

Club President Jim Akers announced that annual elections of club officers will occur in two weeks, at the May 17 meeting, and appointed a Nominating Committee consisting of Toastmasters David Rafanowicz, Ulrich Leinhase and Richard Welty. Any member interested in serving was invited to contact the Nominating Committee. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the time of the election.

President Akers also announced that Toastmaster Ulrich Leinhase represented the Club very well in the Division Contest for Table Topics last evening.

On behalf of the Club, Toastmasters Steve Lazar and David Rafanowicz accepted from President Akers an award titled “Next Generation – Planting the Seed” The award, presented to the Club at Friday’s Division level contests by Division Governor Holley Walker. recognizes the Club’s efforts in Youth Leadership and Speechcraft programs.

President Akers also recognized Beverly Farnell, in absentia, for her article in  Division 47’s newsletter, The Sunshiner, which also highlighted Club involvement in the Youth Leadership and Speechcraft programs. The article is available on the club’s website <here>.

Toastmaster David Rafanowicz made a motion to accept the membership application of Ramin Mahmoodi's. The motion was duly seconded, opened for discussion and approved. Welcome aboard Ramin Mahmoodi. Ramin’s new e-mail address will be Ramin@toastofjax.org.

Regular Club Meeting

Toastmaster

Ron Johnson (Big Dogs & Club History

Word of the Day

The Word of the Day today was actually a rolling word (words), with the word changing for each new speaker. Some words used were: virtue, creator, creation, and ordinary.

Table Topics

Steve Lazar (I Let the Dogs Out!)

Using a bag full of dog “stuff” each participant pulled one item from the bag and was asked to comment on the topic provided.)

Ray Gordon (Guest)

“My Favorite Canine Experience” (Leash) (1:06)

Roy Kenski

“I know I’m in the Dog House When” (A Violin) (1:13)

Gail Antonie

“Sell This Item to the Club”(Dog Chew Bone) (1:43) (Best)

John Roberts

My Favorite Trick (Doggie Biscuit)(2:04)

Felix Unger

When You Pat a Dog on the Head, He Wags His Tail. What Would a Goose Do?  (But why would you goose a dog anyway?)  (2:02)

Speakers

Jackie Pease

Second Hand (The dangers of second hand crabs and smoke) (7:37)

Dale Howard

The Creator (An Inspired Speaker) (6:40)

Milo Holt

Dare to Be More than Average and Ordinary (Going for the Gusto) (6:56)

Betty Gambill

"Why Do We Serve"?  Women In Combat (Protect and Defend Against All Enemies, Domestic or Foreign Regardless of Your Sex) (9:44) (Best)

Evalumaster

Jim Akers (Meeting lived up to expectations)

Evaluators

David Rafanowicz (3:22)

Richard Welty (2:51)

Ulrich Leinhase (3:12) (Best)

John Roberts (3:02)

Educational

Cancelled in the interest of time.

Miscellaneous

Guest Comments

Tom Dyszkiewicz – Very interesting meeting. Plan to join.

James Schultz – Interesting to see.

Riza Stang – New member. Getting prepared for her Ice Breaker.

Ramin Mahmoodi – Enjoyed the meeting.

Mrs. Mahmoodi- Enjoyed the meeting and astonished by the diversity and different levels represented in the club.

Ray Gordon – Visiting Toastmaster from South Africa. Really enjoyed being here. An outstanding club. Incredible group.

Joke Meister

Grant McManus

There was a haunted house on the outskirts of town, which was avoided by all the townfolk – the ghost who lived' there was feared by all.

However, an enterprising journalist decided to get the scoop of the day by photographing the fearsome phantom. When he entered the house, armed with only his camera, the ghost descended upon him, clanking chains. He told the ghost "I mean no harm - I just want your photograph". The ghost was quite happy at the chance to make the headlines – he posed for a number of ghostly shots.

The happy journalist rushed back to his dark room, and began developing the photos. Unfortunately, they turned out to be black and underexposed.

So what's the moral of the story?

The spirit was willing but the flash was weak.

Announcements

None

Attendance   25 members, four adult guests and one child

Presiding Officer Jim Akers adjourned the meeting with a decidedly Presidential flourish at approximately 9:19 a.m.

Another great meeting and a good time was had by all!

Yurania Causey reporting

David J. Rafanowicz, Editor