Tandem Toastmasters Newswire
August 1993

Table of Contents

Newswire Masthead (General Information)

Welcome to the August 1993 edition of Tandem Toastmasters Newswire, the on-line newsletter of the Tandem Toastmasters club. This newswire is intended to inform and inspire both club members and potential club members.

If you are an "inspired" nonmember and would like to experience a Tandem Toastmasters meeting firsthand, please come to a meeting -- as often as you want -- as a guest. We will ask you to introduce yourself and ask for your comments at the end of the meeting. We might invite you to participate in Table Topics (the impromptu part of our meeting). We will not pressure you to participate or to join the club.

Tandem Toastmasters meets Wednesdays, NOON to 1:00 PM, in room 2004 of building 201. Building 201 is at 10501 North Tantau Ave. (between Pruneridge Rd. and Vallco Parkway). Room 2004 is upstairs in the main hall -- look for the sign that says "Tandem Toastmasters meets here." Watch third class mail for our weekly agendas (but note that they are subject to change).

Tandem Toastmasters is part of Toastmasters International. In the Toastmasters International organization, Tandem Toastmasters is club #4658, in Area 6, Division G, District 4, and Region 2.

Give NEWSWIRE INPUT to Sheila Moore, Vice President of Public Relations, by e-mail (MOORE_SHEILA), "snail mail" (Loc. 252-30), or phone (285-5234).

For MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION, contact Tom Lawson, Vice President of Membership, by e-mail (CHEN_FRANK), "snail mail" (Loc. 201-01), or phone (285-4194).

To send E-MAIL to the Tandem Toastmasters club and interested persons, address it to LAWSON_THOMAS.TM-DL @TSII. To send e-mail to Tandem Toastmasters club members only, address it to LAWSON_THOMAS.TM-MEMBERS @TSII.

For a list of NETVIEWABLE FILES related to Tandem Toastmasters, see \PRUNE.$FACE.TM.README. Send any corrections to Sheila Moore.

New Member in July

Chandra Srivastava joined Tandem's Repository group in April 1989. Last year the Repository group merged into the DSM Subsystems group. Before joining Tandem, Chandra worked for Unisys in Orange County (Southern California). In his spare time, he likes to play tennis, camp, listen to soft rock (oldies), and spend time with his family.

Belated Messages From Incoming and Outgoing Officers

It is Ray Glasstone's baby's fault that these messages did not make it into Ray's last newswire, which would have covered the change of officers :-). Better late than never.

From Outgoing President Betty Snedaker

(-: Actually, whether leaving office or not, Betty is always outgoing. :-)

As your outgoing President, I'd like to say thanks to all of you for making Toastmasters such a dynamic, effective club. The club is YOU and YOU make it what you want it to be.

Special thanks to our past board who have been of valuable assistance to me and the club -- they deserve special thanks:

• Past President - David VanPoppelen
• VP Education - Jeff Mann
• VP Public Relations - Ray Glasstone
• VP Membership - Bob May
• Secretary - Jo Ann Cobb
• Treasurer - Robin Maybury
• Sergeant at Arms - Sheila Moore

I hope you will extend your support to the new board. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help lead the club.

Betty Snedaker
(Soon to be past) President

From Incoming President Jeff Mann

(-: Eat your heart out, Bill Clinton -- this President has a Manndate. :-)

I am looking forward to the next six months. The club is filled with interesting people, and it will be a good time to work on our speech-making, strengthen friendships as fellow club members, add new members, continue to make the club interesting for everyone, and have fun. Let's work together and make the next six months something to remember.

Regards,
Jeff

From Incoming Secretary Rich Ladd

(-: With a name like Rich Ladd, he should really be Treasurer. :-)

I received excellent on-the-job training from the outgoing Secretary Jo Ann Cobb. She did a great job with the organization of club records. I think this is an excellent board. It has new members as well as some old dinosaurs like Tom. A regular Jurassic Park of Toastmaster clubs!

Tandem Toastmasters Ads in Third-Class Mail

Tom Lawson, VP of Membership, has taken responsibility for advertising our weekly meetings in third class e-mail. Ideally, the Toastmaster of the week tells Tom the meeting's theme, the speakers' names, and the speech titles by Monday so that he can include them in the ad. If Tom doesn't receive that information in time, he can use a generic ad, such as this July 27 one:

TM: Learn to speak with confidence!

We tend to think of public speaking as in terms of large crowds and long formal presentations, but public speaking also refers to such commonplace activities as describing a new idea to your coworkers or summarizing the results of a meeting to your manager. Performing these activities more effectively directly impacts our productivity. Toastmasters can give you the skills that will raise your performance to a new level of excellence.

Tandem Toastmasters is a well-established club dedicated to perfecting the spoken word. Come join us at one of our meetings and see how the learning process works. We meet every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 at location 201 (the Comm building at 10501 N. Tantau Ave.) room 2004 (upstairs). You may attend as a guest as many times as you like.

Regards,
Tom Lawson, Administrative Vice President

Tandem Toastmasters Ad to a SIG

Sheila Moore, VP of Public Relations, sent this ad to the Photographers' SIG on July 19:

PHOTOSIG: Shoot First, Talk Later?

Hi, Photo SIG. You can shoot photos, but can you use them in a presentation later? Or would you rather die than speak in front of a group? If this fear is the only thing stopping you from sharing your slides with the rest of Tandem, Tandem Toastmasters can help you. Even if you're not afraid to speak in front of groups, Tandem Toastmasters can help you improve your delivery.

Tandem Toastmasters is dedicated to helping people improve their public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive environment. If you're interested, come to a meeting -- or as many as you want -- as a guest. We won't pressure you to participate or join. Of course, if you do join, we'll welcome you and look forward to your speeches. I bet you have a lot of good stories about how you got certain shots and other aspects of photography, from the technical details to the psychological ones.

Sheila Moore
VP of Public Relations, Tandem Toastmasters

TANDEM TOASTMASTERS MEETS:

Every Wednesday from noon to 1 PM Building 201, Room 2004 (upstairs in main hall, look for Toastmasters sign)

Messages From EVP Ann Hsu

Speakers & Evaluators Exchange

Ann Hsu, EVP (Vice President of Education) would like you to know that our club is now participating in a speakers and evaluators exchange with the other five clubs in our area (G6). Ann suggested to Area Governor Clare Mullin that we exchange one speaker and evaluator per month with another club. When Ann gets the exchange dates and names of contact persons in other clubs, she will contact those of you who have expressed an interest in this program. She encourages more of you to participate! This is an excellent opportunity to get speaking, evaluating, and "networking" experience outside the club. To get involved, contact Ann Hsu by e-mail (HSU_ANN), by phone (285-4251), or in person.

Persons on the CTM "Home Stretch"

Ray Tanaka is within one speech of his CTM. Jo Ann Cobb and Renee Harris are only two speechesaway from theirs. Everyone else, if you have topics you would like to hear our almost-CTMs talk about, please feel free to call them and inspire them! They're coming down the home stretch.

Message From VP of PR Sheila Moore

On July 16, I wrote the following letter to Toastmasters International about their Top 10 Newsletter Contest:

Dear T.I. Publications Department:

As Vice President of Public Relations for my club, I received your flier about the 1993-94 Top 10 Newsletter Contest. My club, Tandem Toastmasters, is sponsored by my employer, Tandem Computers. Because all members work for Tandem and have access to Tandem's electronic mail system, we distribute our newsletter by electronic mail. This medium is efficient and inexpensive, but it precludes photographs and all but the most primitive artwork. Though the content of our newsletter might be as valuable and interesting as that of our printed competitors, our layout could not compete with theirs. Do you, by any chance, have a separate category for on-line newsletters?

Sincerely,
Sheila Moore
VP of Public Relations, Club #4658

On August 2, Toastmasters International replied:

Dear Toastmaster Moore,

Thank you for your recent inquiry about the Top 10 Newsletter Contest. Unfortunately, we do not have a special category for on-line newsletters. However, your method of disseminating news to club members is both cost-efficient and and environmentally conscious and for that we commend you!

In addition, we encourage you to print and submit copies of the specific electronic mail messages containing your newsletter for consideration in the contest. Please be advised, however, that they must adhere to the Top 10 Rules just like any other entry.

Your concern about visual appeal is understandable. We do receive many entries of very high caliber in terms of layout and design and it would be difficult for yours to compete in those areas. But take heart! We STRONGLY stress content, so as long as your newsletter includes a mix of educational articles, member biographies or interviews, policy updates, and so on, it will most definitely be considered a strong contender.

Besides, at the least, your club will receive 300 points toward the Distinguished Club Program.

Producing a quality newsletter is a challenge and an excellent learning opportunity. We wish you the best in your efforts, and look forward to seeing your entry in the 1993-94 Top 10 Newsletter Awards Program.

Sincerely,
Kathy O'Connell
Associate Editor

I plan to submit printed copies of our newsletter to the Top 10 Newsletter Contest. We aren't likely to win, but we'll get 300 points, and the chance to show Toastmasters International how good an on-line newsletter can be. Perhaps our entry will even inspire TI to establish a separate category for on-line newsletters, which they obviously support. But whatever happens or doesn't happen, there's certainly nothing to lose.

In the September newswire, I will tell you the rules of the Top 10 Newsletter Contest and some of my ideas for bringing our newswire closer to "Top 10" quality.

Highlights of July Meetings

Highlights of the previous month's meetings will be a regular feature of the newswire while I am its editor. Unfortunately, I got the idea for it too late to note/remember all of the important details of each meeting. In the future, I will always note the numbers of manual speeches, the names of guests, and possibly additional details. However, I will be on sabbatical from August 9 through September 20, so I will only know the details of the meetings in that timeframe if someone else sends them to me. Please do! I'll read all my mail when I return.

Thanks,

Sheila (VP of PR, Newswire Editor)

July 7 Meeting

* Used Word of the Day

July 14 Meeting

* Used Word of the Day

The Master Evaluator noted that nouns (like "fandango") are often difficult to work into Table Topics responses -- something for future Word Masters to keep in mind.

July 21 Meeting

* Used Word of the Day

July 28 Meeting -- Special Soapbox Meeting

* Used Word of the Day

Minutes of July 30 Toastmasters Board Meeting

Sergeant at Arms

Jeff acted as Sergeant at Arms in July; Ann will take August.

Timekeeper's Timing Chart

Ray Tanaka told Jeff that he would make a new chart.

[Aug. 4: Ray brought the new chart to the August 4 meeting.]

Newswire Profiles and Privacy

Sheila will send the complete newswire, including profiles and names of private netviewable files, to HSU_ANN.TM-DL (Toastmasters members and interested persons). Then she will delete the profiles and file names from a copy of the newswire and send the new version to DL.LOCHQ (Silicon Valley).

Newsletter Format

Sheila will continue to send the newswire by e-mail (and send hard copies of it to Clare Mullin, Cyndi Chin-Lee, and anyone else who requests it). After she returns from sabbatical (Sept. 21), we might reconsider a printed newsletter. One concern about a printed newsletter is that Sheila's successor might not want to continue it, so should we even start?

Toastmasters Bulletin Board on Internet

We decided not to look into this, as we are not trying to attract members from outside Tandem. Frank will see if Tandem TM is represented in Courier, where Tandemites go for information about Tandem clubs.

Tandem Toastmasters Business Cards

We want to have a Tandem Toastmasters business card with the time and place of our meetings. Members could give these cards to interested persons. Frank and Sheila will look into it.

[Aug. 5: Sheila made a prototype on the Macintosh & sent copies to Frank.]

Area Picnic

The G6 area picnic is at Ortega Park in Sunnyvale, Sunday, August 29, probably 11 AM - 3 PM. Our club is responsible for preparation -- that is, finding the location and sending out fliers and maps. Jeff made a reservation at Ortega Park. Scott and Renee are our club coordinators for this event. Jeff will talk to Scott about sending out a message about the picnic.

Speakers' Exchange

Ann sent out a message about this and has received four replies so far -- two from members who want to participate, one from a member whose friend wants to participate, and one from a prospective member. Frank said that clubs usually exchange speakers AND evaluators. Ann will ask the Area Governor about exchanging evaluators.

[See "Messages from EVP," above, for more information on this subject.]

Club Contests

We have two club contests on August 25 -- one for humorous speeches and one for evaluations. We need a "test speaker" for the persons in the evaluation contest to evaluate. Frank said the "test speaker" is usually from outside the club, so it is a good opportunity for an exchange speaker -- he suggested that Ann contact the Area Governor for one.

Club Goals

Ann plans to have a special meeting every three or four weeks. We will encourage members who are close to their CTMs to give their last few speeches and get their CTMs.

[See "Messages from EVP," above, for more information on this subject.]

Alumni Day

Ann tentatively scheduled "Alumni Day," a special meeting featuring former members of Tandem Toastmasters, for the first week of October. Sheila will send a message to current members asking for the names of former members. ("Alumni Day" could also be called "Homecoming Day" -- it's at that time of year.)

[Aug. 5: See \PRUNE.$FACE.TM.ALUMNI for current list of Tandem TM alumni. If you know of missing names, send them to Sheila. Thanks.]

Jimmy to Speak to Us

Ann ran into Jimmy and invited him to speak to us again. He agreed to repeat his previous TM speech ("How to Give a Speech When You Don't Know How to Give a Speech"). Frank said this should be a well advertised, special meeting.

Tuesday Noon Talk

Ann said that Cyndi and three other Tandem TM members once gave a Tuesday Noon Talk on how to give a technical presentation. Ann and Cyndi were looking into doing this again, but Cyndi was laid off. It still might happen on October 12, but we postponed further discussion till our next board meeting.

Survey Results

Out of all the TM meetings you've attended, which theme did you like best?

Thanks to everyone who replied. No replies were left out.

Scott Townsend said:

I liked the meeting theme of Dancing the best. The reason I would rank this at the top is because this theme seemed to bring out the most information about our members.

Renee Harris said:

It's hard for me to remember which themes I am choosing from ... they've all all been fun ... Betty's "the 50's" stands out in my mind and then the "pets" one ... because I was sorry I missed it ...

Cyndi Chin-Lee said:

Dance and Water

Jeff Mann said:

I can't remember many meeting themes (maybe we should keep track of them). Garry Easop's "Space -- the final frontier," Ann Hsu's "Dance," Cyndi Chin-Lee's "Children's Books," Dave VanPoppelen's "Swimming (?)."

Ann Hsu said:

I liked the "hats" meeting by Jo-Ann. Can't seem to remember others, except my "dance" one./p>

Linda Galvin's vacation agent said:

I'm probably drowning in Iowa as you read this message. Some crazy idea came over me and I signed up for RAGBRAI this year, the bike ride across Iowa. I'll be back 8/3 (or earlier if my body wears out)! Please contact Jeff Boyer if you need information regarding ASTech services.

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(graphic by gregg mack)

New Netviewable File of Themes

From now on, I will add the theme of each meeting to the netviewable file \PRUNE.$FACE.TM.THEMES so that Toastmasters can use it for information ("What themes have we had so far? Have we ever had 'Dance?' How long ago?") and inspiration ("I see we had 'Swimming in the Water;' hey, 'Enjoying the Snow' would probably be a good one too").

The file currently contains all the themes that I could remember (with help from Scott, Renee, Cyndi, Jeff, Tom, and Bob), that is:

* Special Meeting

(-: Notice that Robin chose the robin-like themes of Spring and Trees. :-)

Give additions and corrections to me, Sheila Moore, by e-mail (MOORE_SHEILA), by phone (285-5234), or in person. I will update the file after returning from sabbatical (that is, after September 20).

New Index to Netviewable Files

\PRUNE.$FACE.TM.README is an index to my TM netviewable files. For TM members' privacy, please do not give the name of the index or the files that it lists to nonmembers.

Thanks,
Sheila

Extracurricular Activities

Although Tandem Toastmasters has no official social director, we have had the following "extracurricular" activities so far this year:

Good-Bye Message from Tandem TM Founder Cyndi Chin-Lee

Cyndi Chin-Lee, who founded Tandem Toastmasters, was laid off on July 27. As a contractor, she had been managing a publications group at Tandem. We hope to see Cyndi at meetings anyway, because Tandem TM is not restricted to Tandem employees.

(Reprinted with Cyndi's permission)

Tuesday was my last day at Tandem. I want to thank all of you who have helped and encouraged me over the years. Thank you.

Here is my home address and phone number. I hope we can stay in contact. I have no immediate plans and am open to ideas:

(Removed)