MarathonMasters

Trailside Center * 9901 Holmes Road * Kansas City, MO 64131

To celebrate our last meeting before the Christmas and New Year break, we are having a white elephant gift exchange.  A white elephant is defined as a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness.  For our white elephant gift exchange, each member should bring a gift which is something he or she wants to get rid of.  It could be a gift you received but never used, or just something you no longer want.  It doesn't have to be expensive to purchase or to maintain.  Gifts should be wrapped prior to the meeting.

Toastmasters District 22 is putting on their semiannual district conference this weekend on Friday and Saturday (11/20 and 11/21).  Expect the usual - fantastic keynote speeches, thrilling contests, and amazing food.  This fall's conference is being held in Topeka at the Kansas History Museum.  For more information, see the official website.

Join us Thursday, November 19, for a pre-Thanksgiving potluck lunch. We will be bringing turkey and plenty of sides to keep everyone satisfied. As always guests are welcome, so come by to check us out and enjoy a delicious lunch on us.

This Saturday, November 7, is the Division S speech and evaluation contest.  It's a proven fact that attendance to events like this improve the contestants' confidence and abilities, so make some time in your schedule to attend and cheer on our club's contestants . Here are the details.

Congratulations to both Eldon and Mary, both of whom received trophies in today's area level speech and evaluation contest.  Eldon took first place in both contests, while Mary took second place in the speech contest.  Both contestants delivered excellent presentations and earned their respective victories.

If you've ever wondered what Toastmasters is about.  If you've ever wanted to get your feet wet in the organization, but didn't know the best time to visit.  If you ever just wanted to hear some great speeches and enjoy some free refreshments, now is the time.  MarathonMasters is having an open house this Thursday, September 24.  Come join us for this event.  Sit back, relax, enjoy some snacks, and find out if MarathonMasters is right for you.

Looming directly ahead of us is our semi annual drive for money, otherwise known as pizza for dues.  To show support of our dedicated members who selflessly choose to pay their dues of $42 ($35 if you're a full time student) on time, our club provides pizza for all attending members for a day.  That day is Thursday, September 17.  If you miss this meeting, you will not have another opportunity to enjoy pizza with your MarathonMasters friends for another 6 months.  Don't miss out on the fun.  You know you want to be there.

MarathonMasters just completed the club level Humourous Speech and Evaluation contests.  Congratulations to all our contest winners who will be advancing to the area level contests to be help on October 3.  Our winners for both contests are:

Officer training is coming up for all 2009-2010 officers.  Training this summer (well, late spring) will be held at Shawnee Mission North High School on June 20.  Here are the details and agenda:

Saturday, June 20, Mission, Kansas
Shawnee Mission North High School, 7401 Johnson Drive
8:30 am Registration begins
9:00 am General session, club team and the following breakout sessions:

• Breakout sessions for 7 club officer positions
• Effective Evaluations
• How to Give an Effective Table Topic
• Managing Your Club’s Website
• Charting a Course for Club Success
• Motivating Achievement
• Toastmasters International Resources
• 12:00 Lunch & Learn ($7 at the door) “Leading by the Book: The CL Manual”

12:45 Conducting Quality Speech Contests
12:45 Exploring the Leadership Excellence Series
1:30 Judges training