Swamp TALK

Okefenokee Toastmasters Club #8269, District 14, Area 11B

Volume 4 Issue 2 February 2012

Chartered in 1991

Mission: 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. Meetings: We meet every Wednesday morning at 7:00am at Quality Inn, 1725 Memorial Drive, Waycross. Click here for map. Membership: Open to anyone 18 years old and over.
Membership Building Campaign: Recruit, Reinstate, Renew
The focus for District 14 for the period January 1, 2012 through March 31,2012 is membership. Here is what each member can do: 1. Highlight the benefits and value of Toastmasters to friends, coworkers and family: http://bit.ly/blBHIK Extend an invitation to a meeting. Make a Membership Application form available: http://bit.ly/siBHWL

. Officers for Okefenokee

Toastmasters 2011-2012 President: Bud Montero VP Education: Kathy Odam VP Membership: John Conger VP Public Relations/Secretary: Janice Williams Treasurer: Addie Crews Sergeant of Arms: Larry Kearson
Upcoming Events
February 4: Officers Training Middle Georgia Technical College, 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, Ga. March 24: Division 14 contest Waycross, Ga. May 4-5: Spring Conference, The Leaders Network, Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, Atlanta, Ga.

First Guest of the Year

Valada Elliott was the clubs first guest on January 4, 2012. Interestingly, Elliott was a guest of a previous guest, Rev. Linda Titus. The speaker at the meeting was Janice Williams, the club's VP for Public Relations. In her seven-minute speech titled, Entering the Twitter Universe, she encouraged those present to check in periodically on the clubs Twitter handle oketoast to get ideas for speech topics as well as tips on leadership, public speaking, and story-telling techniques. Make
every Wednesday a Special Guest Day!

August 15-18: International Convention. It will be in Orlando, Florida

2. 3.

GRAMMARIANS CORNER

Metaphors of Love in February A metaphor is a word or phrase used as a figure of speech; an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that have something in common.
Love is a fruit in season at all times. Love is a spice with many tastes. Love is a rose but you better not pick it. Love is a rosy cloud in the morning of life. Read more: http://bit.ly/fRvi2K

Communication from District 14 says, Attracting new members to Toastmasters and retaining existing members means that more people are learning the vital skills of speaking, listening, and leadership.

How to Retain Club Members

1. Show that you care. 2. Call when members are absent. 3. Praise them 4. Use each members special skills. 5. Talk up the benefits of Toastmasters. 6. Break up the routine. 7. Motivate and teach. 8. Have social yet learning atmosphere. 9. Use the Moments of Truth. 10. Use guiltDont quit or well die. Read more: http://d4tm.org/Documents/106_Retain.pdf

Shane Worth was voted Best Speaker on January 11, 2012. He travels about 45 minutes every Wednesday morning to attend Okefenokee Toastmasters. His title was, What the World Needs Now. According to Shane who has traveled around the world, often on missionary trips, what the world needs now is good leaders. He spoke of several leaders who seemed to have unsuitable backgrounds or had tremendous obstacles and failures but turned out to be great leaders. For example, Moses was a murderer, David was a simple Shepherd boy, Helen Keller was blind and deaf, and President Lincoln faced personal tragedies. His speech was evaluated by Toastmaster John Conger.

Connect with Us
Follow Okefenokee Toastmasters on Twitter: http://twitter.com/oketoast Follow Georgia District 14 Toastmasters on Twitter: http://Twitter.com/D14Toastmasters Browse the Virtual Toastmasters Museum: http://bit.ly/ukFQb4

Small Steps Lead to Great Things. Forbes Magazine: Leadership Tip Smart leaders spend their time starting or advancing conversations, not avoiding or ending them. The more you engage others, the better leader youll become. Its nearly impossible to engender the type of confidence, trust, and loyalty a leader must possess without being fully engaged. In person, over the phone, via email, through the social web, or even by sending a good old fashion thank you note Engage. Link to: http://linkd.in/w83mNt

Quality Meetings = Quality Clubs

Role of Sergeant of Arms
Keeper of Club Properties

Maintains safety and order. Maintains club equipment and ensures adequate supplies. Ensures that the room is prepared. Greets members and guests. Ensures the meeting starts on time. Collects ballots and tally votes for awards. Attend club executive meetings. Attend district sponsored meetings.

CHARTER MEMBERS: John Penland (Sponsor), Andrew Slocum, Joe Gant, Harry D. Dixon, Jr., Carolyn Morton (Akins), Phil Wysong, C.J. Broome, Paul OCain, James C. Bunch, W.F. Stephens, Jeanette Stipe, Tom Strickland, Fred Barber, John Karew, Reuben Flanders, E. Nash Williams, Jerri Davis, Doris Germano, Andy Spivey, Audrey West, and Margaret Park. Edited by Janice Williams