Swamp TALK

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

Volume 5 Issue 7

July 2013

Chartered in 1991

New Mission: We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. Lunch Hour Meetings: We meet at South Georgia State College, Waycross Campus on Wednesdays 12:00pm Membership: Open to anyone 18 years old and over.
Tweets @Oketoast @the7minuteStar Picture a class without a teacher where everyone turns out to be an A student. Welcome to Toastmasters! @ArveeRobinson Public Speaking Tip: The 3 biggest mistakes business speakers make are no attention grabber, no stories, and no call to action. @TakeCareofUUU Embrace your opportunities. Face your fears. Move forward not backward. Listen sincerely. Give advice calmly. Be grateful you're alive. @PitchPerfectUK 4 networking mistakes you don't know you're making: http:// j.mp/13ktYjo

Officers for Okefenokee Toastmasters 2013-2014 President: Janice Williams VP Education: Kathy Odam VP Membership: Larry Kearson VP of Public Relations: Jeff Carr Treasurer: Bud Montero Secretary: Laura Fullard Sergeant of Arms: Rodney Hooks

Upcoming Events
International Conference: August 21-24, 2013, Cincinnati, Ohio. Georgia Toastmasters District 14 Fall Conference: November 12, 2013, Macon, Georgia

Grammarians Corner
Quote of the Month
The role of the Grammarian at a Toastmasters meeting is to listen and report on the use and misuse of grammar. According to Michelle Pierce, editorin-chief for Aqua Vita Creative, there are three grammar rules that you are now allowed to break:

Communication works best when we combine appropriateness with authenticity, finding that sweet spot where opinions are not brutally honest but delicately honest. Speaking truthfully without hurting feelings comes naturally to some and is an acquired skill for others. I definitely needed help in this area. Fortunately, I found it. Sheryl Sandberg. p. 78 in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

1. You may end a sentence with a preposition in the interest of clarity and readability. 2. You may start a sentence with And or But to grab attention or start a point. 3. You may split infinitives if the sentence will sound better.

The Benefit of Toastmasters Membership: Increased creativity. A supportive environment. A healthy social outlet. Constructive feedback and support. Fun, laughter and fulfillment. Common purposes with likeminded people. Heightened outward expression and personality.
Extracted from: How to Turn Resolutions into Reality by Craig Copeland, page 27 in Toastmaster, June 2013.

On June 26th Linda Zechmann, right, a past club President, led the installation of a new slate of officers for 2013 2014: Janice Williams, Kathy Odam, Larry Kearson, Jeff Carr, Bud Montero, and Rodney Hooks. Absent from the picture is club Secretary, Laura Fullard.

Connect with Us
Like us on Facebook. Follow Okefenokee Toastmasters on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oketoast Check out Okefenokee Toastmasters Club website: http://okefenokee.toastmastersclu bs.org Gerald Whitehurst, from Brantley County (left), was recently inducted as a new member of the Okefenokee Toastmasters Club. Also, at that club meeting held in the Dye Building at South Georgia State College, Waycross Campus, new member and recent graduate of South Georgia State College, Marlena Norman (right), delivered her first speech titled, Sound Tracks of Our Lives. New Club Presidents Vision for 2013-2014: For members to use speaking and leadership skills to empower self and the Waycross community.

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. Compiled and Edited by Janice Williams