Rapport
A Quarterly Newsletter of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
June 7, 2001

Thank you, Burien Breakfast!

As I look back on this past Toastmaster Year, I consider myself among the most fortunate of Toastmasters. I have loved every minute as Division D Governor because of clubs like Burien Breakfast. 

Your gift of Mildred Gartin for our Area 41 Governor this year has created a strong Toastmaster community that will be hard to emulate. The two West Seattle clubs, Leading Knights, Seamasters and Jetsetters have all expressed to me how wonderful Mildred has been as their Area Governor. This kind of success reflects the kind of club that Mildred calls “home”. Thank you, Burien Breakfast, for your support of  Mildred and for the help that you have given to her throughout this year. (Mildred’s Area has achieved Distinguished Status!)

I would also like to express my personal appreciation for the friendship of Burien Breakfast. I have always felt welcome among you but this year I have been particularly moved by your expressions of support, by your participation and help at our various division events. Please believe that I am always ready to reciprocate the friendship in whatever I can.

Soon I will relinquish the role of serving our division in an official capacity and resume the simple responsibilities of member. I hope that your friendship will follow me, and that I will see you again at trainings, contests and all the events that make us grow in communication and in leadership. Thank you, Burien Breakfast, for the memory of a wonderful Toastmaster Year.

Emmy Hager, ATM-S
2000-2001 Division D Governor

Excited to be Here!
Tom Gray

Trish Bordon, a treasured Toastmaster friend, once advised me "don't get nervous before you speak, get EXCITED!" I have never forgotten her sage advice. It has been invaluable. I believe that almost everyone has experienced nervousness before a speech. But not everyone turns that nervousness into excitement. This shift in thinking can be the difference between a successful speaking experience or a less desirable outcome.

I often experience nervousness before speaking. The more invested I am in the outcome of the speech experience, it seems the more nervous I feel. When I notice my nervousness, I remember what Trish said. I think, this feeling is not my enemy, but a friend that I can transform into EXCITEMENT! Then I consider all the things I am excited about at that moment. I am excited about my message, the opportunity to present it, and the honor to address the audience. I am also excited about my knowledge, the information, entertainment and humor I will provide. I realize the privilege of being where I am. As I concentrate on these positive aspects, my ambivalence and nervousness disappear and I find I have become enthusiastic! I can't wait get up to the lectern to speak! This shift in belief makes all the difference in the world. When I convert the belief in my mind from "I am nervous" to "I am excited" my body follows suit and gets excited too. Suddenly the extra shot of adrenaline is a wonderful benefit. It helps me with confidence. I find myself thinking more clearly, positively and faster. When I speak, talking is easier, with more intensity, emotion and emphasis. Consequently, I make a more positive emotional connection with the audience. Actors and athletes often say, "I was on" after a good performance. You too will feel "on" about you performance as a speaker. 

Remember a simple message to yourself that "I am excited to speak" does not work on its own all the time. You must do the groundwork ahead of time. Preparation and practice are important. In impromptu situations following this advice will transform your natural nervousness into excitement and help you deliver a more successful speech.

I cannot over emphasize how this little shift in thinking can enhance your public speaking performance! Try it! Let me know how it works.

The Inside Corner
Ron Peltola

If you pamper a cow, you’ll get spoiled milk. Yes, it’s time to put humor into your speech. Any speech could use at least a little humor (so could The Inside Corner). Appropriate humor that is. The topic of this month’s Inside Corner (in case you can’t figure it out) is putting humor into your speeches.

And what a start for our beloved Mariners! 37 wins 12 losses now just after their latest royal sweep in Kansas City this weekend. (44, 12 as of publication.) My Oh My. And you may ask, “What’s appropriate humor?” Please remember these “DOs” or tests for appropriate humor: 1. Humor is based on caring and empathy. 2. Humor builds confidence. 3. Humor involves people in the fun. 4. Humor invites people to laugh and brings people closer. 5. Humor is supportive. 

Even traditional non-baseball folks are noticing the Mariners. I think I overheard Kathleen Appleyard say “Yup, Lou is pushing all the right buttons.” And you may ask, “What’s inappropriate humor?”  Please remember these “DON’Ts” or tests for avoiding inappropriate humor. 1. It is not humor if it is based on contempt or insensitivity. 2. It is not humor if it destroys confidence through put-downs. 3. It is not humor if it excludes some people. 4. It is not humor if it is sarcastic and divides people. 5. It is not humor if it reinforces stereotypes.

Edgar is batting .313. My three favorite techniques for adding humor are 1. Play on words. “The person who invented the door knocker, should receive the no bell prize.” 2. Poke fun at myself. “My wife thought I was spending too much time on my speech about Martha Washington (The Lost Love Letters). But I wanted to make sure I got my facts straight.” 3. Exaggeration or hyperbole. “He could fiddle the bugs off a sweet potato vine.”

16 doubles. 39 RBIs. When I first became a toastmaster, the most important thing I thought I should do, was to share all my profound insights into life. However, after a few months I found out that people thought I was just making small talk. I then decided to focus on humor. And for Edgar, an amazing 2 stolen bases.

Time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like bananas. I encourage everyone to add humor to their speeches. I assure you the audience will enjoy your speeches more and you will feel good about it too. And if the audience doesn’t laugh everytime, well, it hasn’t stopped me yet. And who will stop the Mariners? It’s one of the best starts in baseball history. Just ask Kathleen.

February 28, 2001
Earthquake

Where were Burien Breakfast Toastmasters?

Kathleen Appleyard was about to buy a plant at a nursery. Mike Deleon was working at Safeway (where are the paper plates?). Megan Fairweather was at home on the couch reading with her protective dog. Elizabth Daniels-Gray was at home without a protective dog. Jim Ghiglione was in Omaha, Nebraska (farthest member from the epicenter). Tom Gray’s work that day led him to Ft. Lewis (closest member to the epicenter). Karina Miller was at a job interview on Captial Hill, under the table. Tina Sorensen was at work—stood in the doorway. Ron Perry was at Boeing—went under his desk. Ron Peltola was at work—still under his desk. And Mildred Gartin was at church. And it was Mildred who decided it was time for another prayer.	

Member Achievements

Karina Miller achieved her CTM. Ron Perry achieved his ATM Silver. Congratulations to Karina and Ron.

Club Officers Wanted
Please consider being a club officer for 2001-02. As Mildred says, “It’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.” If you are interested, please contact Tom Gray.

Words We’ve Learned
Palliate
	To reduce violence. Moderate in tensity. To cover by excuses or apologies.

Esoteric
	Knowledge that is restricted to a small group.

Poop
	Tiredness; ship deck; information or anything.

Laconic
        Use of minimum words. Concise to the point of rudeness.

Irony
	The literal meaning opposite of  what is intended.

Sarcasm
	Derides harshly; cutting manner.

Galumping
	Inexhaustible play; energy.
	
 Toastmaster of the Year
Karina Miller
Our recipient for the Bill DePue Toastmaster of the Year Award in Burien Breakfast Toastmasters for year 2000 is Karina Miller. Well deserved, Karina. You stepped in as President. You stepped in as a speech contestant. You took steps to begin our club newsletter. You took steps to create our club web page. All of us members thank you.	    
     
Summer Party
The annual summer picnic at the Duffy’s is scheduled for Sunday, August 19th at Noon. Gil says, “Come early, stay late!” Mark your calendar now. You won’t want to miss this summer tradition!

Meetings
Meetings are every Thursday morning from 7 – 8:15 a.m. at the Highline School District ERAC Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien, WA.

Call Karina Miller at 206-909-9403 for more information.  

Officers
Karina Miller, Acting President
Elizabeth Daniels-Gray, Vice President Education
Paul Hewett, Vice President Membership
Karina Miller, Vice President Public Relations
Kathleen Appleyard, Secretary
Mildred Gartin, Sargeant-at-Arms
Gil Duffy, Treasurer
Tom Gray, Immediate Past President

   Rapport

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
4212 NE 17th Street
Renton, WA  98059

www.geocities.com/jasker33