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Valley Town Toastmasters participated in Area 53's first annual WINTER CELEBRATION on January 8, 2009, at the Burlington Holiday Inn. Our Tony Bratschitsch was the Toastmaster (Master of Ceremonies) and our club was also represented by Jonathan Spiegel (far right closest table) and Tom Allen (back towards camera).
We got involved with Area 53's Open House on Monday, January 19/09, at the Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church in Burlington. Representing Valley Town Toastmasters were James Ferris, Jonathan Spiegel (Loyal Toast), Mark Mullins and Tony Bratschitsch. James earned the Best Table Topics Award and Tony won the Best Evaluator Award.
Our Open House, February 26, featured a very special guest speaker - 9 year old John Goede (son of Valley Town Toastmaster Cam Goede). John presented his Grade 4 Championship speech on the Guiness Book of World Records. Gary Reid, VP Education, (RH photo) is shown awarding John with a Certificate of Participation. Cam Goede, (LH photo: 3rd from the right) watches his son, John, present his guest speech.
As can been seen, Cam wasn't the only one thoroughly engrossed by John's great presentation!
On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, Kenrick Chin presented the "Target Speech" to Ambitious City Toastmasters at the Ronald McDonald House in West Hamilton.
Valley Town Toastmasters had nine of its members attend Area 53's Speech and Evaluation Contests on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at the Skyway Club in Burlington. Pictured, left to right, are Mark Mullins, James Ferris, Patrice Bernard, Karen Wood and Gerri McManamy (back to camera). Also present but not in the photo are Jonathan Spiegel, Beverley and Gary Reid, and our contestant, Tony Bratschitsch.
Our band, Uncorked!, dutifully attended April 9's meeting and, afterwards, adjourned to Ancaster's Coach and Lantern tavern to play a few tunes to their ever-growing following. It was no coincidence that the place was packed with a standing-room-only audience!
THE GREAT DEBATE: Brant Toastmasters visited our club Thursday, April 16, 2009, at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Dundas. We all participated in a formal debate with a resolution involving the banning of battled water in our province. The Table Topics, themselves, were 6 mini-debate issues that were extremely well done.
District 86 - which covers a large part of Ontario - held its Spring Conference at the Burlington Holiday Inn on April 24-26.
Gerri McManamy, above, elegantly represented Valley Town Toastmasters.
Our Open House of February 26/09 garnished 2nd Place in the District 86's Open House Contest and was presented during the Conference on Saturday, April 25, 2009.
Accepting the award on behalf of Valley Town Toastmasters from District 86 Public Relations Ambassador Charlotte King was our Tony Bratschitsch.
James Ferris presented an unique twist on "bean counting" on Thursday, April 30/09. He described a thoroughly well-researched business plan on purchasing an existing specialty coffee shop in Dundas. James' feasibilty study provided for an in-depth analysis of demographics and customer behaviour patters. One of the best features is that we could drop in before our meetings. We can taste (and toast) the success!
The Valley Town Toastmaster Club has achieved the SELECT DISTINGUISHED CLUB status for the 2008-09 period. Toastmasters International's Distinguished Club Program (DCP) is designed to encourage its nearly 5,000 world-wide clubs to work within themselves to achieve a high standard of performance. The program measures 10 levels of club and member achievement that range from course completions to officer training to administrative functions.
Summer Fun
Summer Fun
On Thursday, June 25, 2009, Mark and Carrie Mullins opened their home to host Valley Town Toastmasters' year end barbeque party. The weather was warm and so was the hospitality. Kenrick Chin entertained with his guitar playing, there were two excellent speeches, the food and refreshments were overflowing and we were all able to share another memorable experience.
Parade Pleaser
Parade Pleaser
The 2009 Cactus Festival kicked off with the parade on Thursday evening, August 13/09.
The Toastmaster procession was led by Valley Town TM's Yolanda Miller on her electric scooter.
Banner carriers were Gerri McManamy (Valley Town), Veronica Taylor (Access TM) and Kenrick Chin (Valley Town).
Marching behind were Nelson Ruiz Blanco (Division L Governor, Ambitious City TM), Jonathan Spiegel and Tony Bratschitsch (Valley Town).
Cactus Festival
Cactus Festival
The 2009 Cactus Festival was held on August 14 - 16, 2009, with our club fully participating in the parade and with an information pavilion. For more details, please click on Festival Fun.
Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests
Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests
October 1, 2009, Valley Town Toastmasters held its annual HUMOROUS SPEECH & TABLE TOPICS CONTESTS. The Humorous Speeches featured prepared 5-7 minute entertaining presentations with James Ferris, CC, being the winner and Tony Bratschitsch, ACB CL, the runner-up. Both contestants advanced to the Area 53 contest on October 6/09. The Table Topics were 1-2 minute impromptu speeches based on the word "shallow" which was presented to each contestant just before they spoke. The Table Topics winner was Tony Bratschitsch and James Ferris placed 2nd. Both also advanced to the Area 53 contest
Division L Champion
Division L Champion
After wining the Area 53 contests on October 6, 2009, our Tony Bratschitsch won the Division L Table Topics Contest held at Niagara College, St. Catharines, on Friday, Oct 16/09. Tony also placed 2nd in the Humorous Speech Contest. He is seen here receiving congratulations from Janice McDonald, Contest Chair, and Nelson Ruiz Blanco, Division L Governor. Tony will go on to represent the Division at the District 86 Conference Contest on November 15, 2009. Valley Town Proud!
Arrghh! you ready . . . for effective communications?
We were treated to a special visit from Cap'n James (Ferris) of the Good Ship Valley Town and his side-kick parrot, Polly (on his left shoulder), on Thursday, October 29/09.
Cap'n James demonstrated excellent communication skills by winning the evening's Table Topics award. Polly also did quite well with her "cheep" jokes.
David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, was a special guest speaker at Valley Town Toastmasters' meeting, Thursday, November 12, 2009.
He spoke about growing up as a Canadian and, in particular, visiting the Lester B Pearson History Train as a youth. That visit inspired David to become involved in Canadian politics. David also spoke about his own experience as a Toastmaster and how membership can help Canadians become better citizens.
David is being shown welcomed by Nelson Ruiz Blanco, ACS, ALB, Toastmaster District 86 Division L Governor, and James Ferris, CC, Vice-President Membership, Valley Town Toastmasters.
District 86's 2009 TABLE TOPICS CONTEST was held during the Fall Conference at the Blue Mountaun Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, on Sunday, November 15/09. Valley Town's own Tony Bratschitsch, Division L champion, placed 4th of 8 contestants. Tony said that "it was a fantastic and unforgettable experience - an opportunity to learn and grow in front of a warm and enthusiastic audience".
On Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the Youth Leadership Program concluded with its graduation ceremony. Valedictorian Ruthann Vander Meulen (last row, 3rd from right) provided an excellent address that described the class' experience in improving their communication skills. The YLP was conducted by co-ordinators Patrice Bernard, CC, (far left) and Gerri McManamy (far right).
Valley Town Toastmasters celebrated the 2009 holiday season on December 17 with a Christmas party. The band, UNCORKED!, returned to its MISTLE TOASTS origins for the event and Bill Brody, District 86 Humorous Speech Champion entertained us with a repeat performance. Pictured is Karen Wood leading the club in a rendition of the 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
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