Traveling Gavel

Traveling Gavel Drew captured March 9, 2010
Story by John Parla

l to r. Glen Cope, CTM; Michelle DeDominicis, DTM; Jon Toner, ACS, Bidyadhara (Bidy) Agasti, Roskshana Ruma, John Parla (aka "Coupon John"), ACS, CL

CIGNA Lunchtime Toastmasters' Rokshana Ruma, Bidyadhara Agasti and John Parla captured Traveling Gavel Drew from MassMutual Toastmasters. We currently have 3 Traveling Gavels and are setting our sites for the 3 remaining Traveling Gavels. Capturing Traveling Gavel Drew has, so far, been our greatest challenge. We made 3 previous attempts but were thwarted each time by other clubs. But we were not to be denied. We are half way to our goal and no club has attempted to capture any of the Traveling Gavels in our possession. Socially Speaking, Pfizer Phrasemakers and Saratoga Care, we are coming. Now you see your Traveling Gavel. Now you don't.

l. to r.  Michael Lavery, CC, ALB; Michelle DeDominicis, DTM; Nate Filip, CL; Jon Toner, ACB; Glen Cope, CTM

The MassMutual Toastmasters club celebrated their 25th anniversary by liberating Traveling Gavel Drew from their sister club, the MassMutual Speakers.

Anything but rivals, the two clubs share meeting facilities, membership drives and even members.  Members commonly attend each others' meetings, and there are quite a few dual members.

Michelle kicked off the meeting speculating that Glen (if that is his real name) is actually a covert agent, with his frequent cross-country trips to "visit grandchildren" as little more than a cover story for his missions to headquarters.  She wrapped up the story encouraging everyone to consider competing in the upcoming Tall Tales and International Speech competition.

So while Drew hasn't left the building - he's left his spot alongside the lectern of the Wednesday noontime meeting to the Tuesday afternoon club's.

Who will liberate Drew next?

Traveling Gavel Drew Captured January 14, 2010
Story by Richard Chang

l. to r.: Charnaie Gordon, CC; Richard Chang, CC; Cheryl Mason, ACG, ALB; Michael Lavery, CC, ALB; Jon Toner, ACB

Michael Lavery, Jon Toner and I were successful at attending the meeting as well as capturing the Gavel at Middlesex County Toastmasters # 8340 last evening hosted by Cheryl Mason and Middlesex Community College.

It was good for me to re-connect with my former home town as I attended high school here in Middletown at Woodrow Wilson High School back in the early 1980's.

Everyone greeted us warmly and it was most fortunate that we all arrived early so that we may introduce ourselves and socialize little bit prior to the start of the meeting.

Michael, his wife Virginia, my friend Seth Gottlieb and I had met up earlier to break bread at a local Japanese restaurant, Osaka where we enjoyed a nice dinner prior to the meeting.

I certainly appreciate the initiative that Michael took in organizing this event as well as the thoughtfulness to include myself.

I was happy to see my friend Seth attend his very first Toastmasters meeting, he seemed interested in the meeting. Seth, I do hope that you enjoyed it and would encourage you to continue to attend other networking opportunities within Toastmasters International chapters.

Michael served the role as Invocater which is a new role to our Toastmasters chapter. Jon graciously volunteered to be the General Evaluator as we were short one.

I delivered a speech evaluation for Deborah Nason. Deborah had just been awarded her half Competent Communicator from the last meeting as this was her 6th project speech.

The room was impressive but more distinct was the cathedral like ceiling. The room definitely had character.

I made several observations that I would like to note:

The meeting was 2 hours long with a break for 10 minutes, I really enjoyed this format. They meet biweekly thus it is only a 4 hour commitment of time per month, which is a piece of cake.

The different roles of Invocator which I thought was cool.

The first thing that I noticed immediately upon walking into the room is how well that it was setup and prepared. I looked forward to meeting Peter, their SAA officer but he was apparently not able to make the meeting. Cheryl did a wonderful job in prepping the room prior to the meeting.

The second thing that I noticed and I mentioned this during a closing comment was the fact that "Pledge of Allegiance" was actually listed in the agenda being in the very beginning. This was unique and most impressive.
We need to get back to saying "I Pledge of Allegiance" within our school system, universities, colleges, as well as civic, social activities.

It was good to see Jon Toner, Mike Lavery, and Seth. It was wonderful to form new friendships with Cheryl, Sharon, Murugan, Kim, and Craig. This is the way that God intended it to be to be with one another and to help one another.