What a great week to cap off our 2011- 2012 season!

At our regular Wednesday meeting, we elected the Executive for the 2012-2013 Toastmaster Season. 

• President:  Glenn Laycock
• VP Education:   Janet Adam
• VP Membership:  Ray Larkins
• VP Public Relations:  Andrew Smith
• Treasurer:  Nicolette Ling
• Secretary: Alexis Cherewayko
• Sergeant of Arms:  Tom Epp
• Past President: Don Eppler

Also, Don wanted to thank the members of his Executive Team; Darren, Glenn, Joel, Brianne, and Chantal.  Seeing as I am writing this on behalf of Don, I will take the liberty to thank Don for all his effort (what a work horse) and leadership -- Thank you Don. 

Last night was our club's big gala event -- our Annual Award's Dinner -- at Bailey's.   We were treated to our club's winning speeches from:

• Junior Speech:  Andrew Smith, and his speech entitled, "My American Hero"
• International Speech:  Janet Adam, and her speech entitled, "Baby Steps"
• and Humourist Speech:  Don Eppler, and his speech entitled, "Senior's Revenge"

All these presentations demonstrated to our membership and guests, why Toastmaster's is so relevant and effective.  Well done, everyone.

Congratulations to our Award Winner's last night, which were as follows.

• Most Improved Toastmaster: Alexis Cherewayko
• Evaluator of the Year:  Jean Travis
• Executive of the Year:  Glenn Laycock
• Toastmaster of the Year:  Glenn Laycock
• Mentor of the Year:  Ray Larkins

Again, his thanks and congratulations too ALL the membership for their individual and team successes this year.

Glenn Laycock, VP Membership 
for  Don Eppler, President
      Venio Dictum Toastmasters Club.

Area Speech Contest Feedback

Janet Adam and Andrew Smith both deservingly did our Club proud at the Area 4 Contests last night.

Andrew coming second in the Table Topic Contest, delivered a winning quality Table Topic.

Winning the TMI Speech Contest Janet now moves on to the Division B Speech Contest which will be held on Saturday April 28th at 1pm...exact location notification will be coming soon...so mark your calendar and please come out to show our Club's support for Janet.

Don Eppler

President, 2011-12

Our President Don Eppler, reports in from California.

This has been an unusual but great year so far for Venio Dictum.

Unusual in one sense because as their President here I am down in sunny warm California for two months attending other Toastmaster Clubs rather than my own.   Also I don't know the actual chances or how often this happens, but our club for the first time as I can remember, is actually holding a meeting on February 29th or on a Leap Year Day.

When I mention 'having a great year' I mean even in my absence our club is continually growing to its already 33 signed up members. The members are also been treated with learning something that has never happened in our club before and that is having different past presidents preside over the meetings in my absence and letting our members see how THEY ran their meetings during their term of office.  During this same period we've set up for our incoming President Glenn Laycock to get his feet wet at leading our club, so in September he'll be well ahead of the game when his term begins.

HP Northside Toastmasters Club

While in California, almost weekly I try to attend some TM club in this area.   One is the HP Northside TM Club (a company club with over 3000 employees to draw from).  At present they have only about 15 members with only 10 or less at each meeting, but still a very enthusiastic group of TM's.

Another club I've attended is the Roseville Toasters TM Club who meet at 7pm with about 30 signed up members and usually 20 plus out for each meeting.

I always come away from these meetings with some new idea or way to try at our club to make them more exciting...but after all is said and done there is no better club than Venio Dictum and I miss their meetings immensely...see you when I get back in early April.

Don Eppler

President 2011-12

Peter Thomas Story Telling Contest 2011

Chantal Parenty and Ray Larkins

Good morning everyone!...as your captain I couldn't wait to spread the good news about last night's Peter Thomas Story Telling Contest...we had FIVE PARTICIPANTS, the most our club has ever had..so a very big hand to our Contest Chair 'Jean Travis' for doing such an excellent promotion job.they were all winners in my mind, because taking that first step forward with the courage to enter the contest, does mean you're a winner...so we congratulate them all...but we had to pick a winner (as difficult as it was) and that turned out to be no other than our Sarg-at-Arms Chantel Parenty... Who couldn't believe how big the winners trophy was....For those of you who weren't there, you'll be able to hear her repeat this winning speech at our Awards Night Meeting next spring.

Last night we also had the chance to induct three new members into our club...and looking forward to do the same for others in the near future...

-- Don Eppler, President --