Saturday's General Body Meeting was a reunion of sorts. Our chapter had not held a general body meeting since February due to the NSBE National Convention in March. Before that, we met in January after two months off for holidays in November and December. All in all, it's been quite sporadic trying to see one another.
Saturday brought about a new room. Due to Santa Clara University campus tours (I think...) and other events, we met in a room reminiscent of a high school science lab instead of our usual one with individual seating. But the long desks of the science lab much more easily facilitated the workshop hosted by our guest speaker (more on that later.) Oh, and…science is awesome!!
The plan for Saturday was to raffle off an iPhone, participate in an interactive Toastmasters workshop, and nominate candidates for the 2008-2009 NSBE-AE-SVC executive board.
Let's just put it this way: it pays to check (and read!) your e-mail! Diego, our President Emeritus, somehow managed to get his hands on a brand new, still-in-the-box, iPhone. Why an iPhone? It was the best way to coerce the membership to submit their resumes to the chapter to be included in a resume CD as a thank you to our Banquet sponsors. If you're thinking, "Man, I don't want an iPhone!" or "I already have one!", you're dumb...or a liar…or both. SOMEONE would have bought it off of you, I guarantee it. I'm just stating a fact here. The lucky winner of the iPhone is pictured below...gloating at us. For what it's worth, please continue to send your resume to Diego.
Do you get nervous speaking in front of an audience? At staff meetings or at club (NSBE) meetings? Do you have trouble overcoming nerves when trying to express or convey an idea? Joining Toastmasters may be a way to improve your technique and calm your nerves, thereby preparing you for ANY (well, almost any...) public speaking event. Our guest speaker (whose name escapes my memory) is a chapter president of the Fair Oaks Toastmasters club. Toastmasters, an organization that began in 1924, has about 12,000 clubs internationally, all with the goal of helping its members enhance their ability to speak under various circumstances.
The guest speaker provided examples of the typical situations that nervousness creeps in when it comes time to speak. As it turns impromptu speeches are the most difficult ones to prepare for, the guest speaker provided a GREAT practice lesson. Brown paper bags were distributed to everyone in the room. The premise: Our chapter will be leaving for a year-long undersea research study. The activity: Talk about your item in the context of an undersea research study. The contents of the bags: Various office supplies!
Having just gotten riled up from our activity, we deposited all of that energy into nominating individuals for the 2008-2009 executive board. At the May General Body Meeting, the nominees will be given an opportunity to present why they believe they are the best candidate for the position they’re running for. Sounds like a great way to improve those speaking skills!
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