XLTM Meeting Minutes for March 11, 2007 (by Will)

The following members attended the meeting: Eric, Will, Jenny, Minghui, Connie, Cindy, Len, Xian, Mei, Elena, Robin, Sudhin. Ning was there only to set up room. Two guests – Madeline (former TM) and Sunny (moved to Chicago recently from South Carolina).

Mei was the Toastmaster of the day. She called the meeting to order at 1:18pm after trying to fill roles for those who couldn’t be at the meeting. It actually started at 1:25pm as roles were not yet finalized. Mei was glad to be back after a month absence.

Cindy gave her thought of the day about today. It is a beautiful day as she was hibernating most of the winter. She wants to the use today and other good days to spend more time with son.

Eric taught us a new word “espy”. It means seeing something not obvious.

Elena stepped in to give the Funny Bone. Two Jewish men had an argument and visited the rabbi to find out who’s right. After hearing the 1^st man the rabbi thought he was right. After hearing the 2^nd man the rabbi thought he too was right. The rabbi’s wife asked how both can be right at the same time. The rabbi replied that she is right too!

Xian delivered his Icebreaker speech titled ‘Myself related to public speaking’. Had a lot of public speaking experience in China. Twenty years ago he spent a year as a teacher, then majority of speaking was at work, first job in Beijing presenting for a computer company, then work at a Hong Kong company, later in Japan. Worked at research scientist in which presenations need to be made. His 1st job in U.S. was at SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo as research scientist. Joined Motorola a year ago, not many opportunities to speak, run team meetings. He now faces challenges as a non-native speaker raised in a different culture.

Elena gave speech #4 (How To Say It) titled “Insurance”. She went over the history of insurance. The 1st methods of insurance was 5000 years ago in China for going on boats. Life and health insurance came about in 600AD in Rome and Greece. Insurance policy as we know it started in 14th century Italy. Property insurance came along after Great Fire of 1666 in London, which covers catastrophic loss. 1680 was when the 1st insurance company was created by

Edward Lloyd of Lloyd’s of London.

Len was the 3^rd speaker, giving a speech about Asserting Yourself from the Interpersonal Communication manual. He went over the method to asserting: 1) state problem, 2) share feelings, 3) specify solution and 4) describe consequences. There were 4 tips: 1) speak up immediately, 2) be direct, 3) be pleasant and 4) remain calm.

He then had a role play with Jenny. The situation was the water heater in Len’s parents’ home has problems; Jenny is the repair person on the phone. Len reported that this is the 3^rd time the new water heater needed service, Jenny replied that it is dust problem in the house. Len claimed he wasn't told about this from previous repair person, but wants the company to stand by the product. Situation did not resolve - Len would send a letter to the Better Business Bureau, Jenny stood by the company products and believed that the home has issues that needs to be addressed as other places did not have a problem.

From feedback - Minghui suggested both sides give in a bit, Madeline suggested that Len needs to share more feelings during conversation.

There was no break as speeches concluded at 2:10pm.

Minghui was the Table Topics Master. He selected the following to reply to his questions:

Madeline - "A good mother to me" - based her motherhood on her experiences as a child

Robin - "How to protect yourself and how to drive safely" - Pay attention and never taken for granted, avoid multiple tasks while driving

Sunny - "How are you dealing with challenges" - try to accommodate today's situation

Jenny - "How to deal with layoffs at work" - experienced last year, just face it and looking forward. While on job, think for long term and independently.

Sudhin - "Who is your hero in India?" - lot of heroes, one notable is Mahatma Gandhi

Will - "Toastmaster to me" - great diverse group of people in XL club and in other places.

Will was the general evaluator. Robin, Cindy (first time!) and Eric evaluated the speeches of Xian, Elena and Len respectively. Sudhin did grammarian report and Connie gave time report. Will advised speakers to notify Toastmaster and VP Education if speeches are longer than 5-7 minutes so the agenda can be followed in a timely manner.

At the business session, Robin reminded members to submit their dues renewal to club Treasurer Len, next Sunday preferably. $39 for the April-September period.

Best speaker went to Len. Mei also presented Icebreaker ribbon to Xian.

Meeting ended at 2:50 pm.