Club 4743 U, Japan Toastmasters Council (JTC)
April 08, 1998, Vol. 2, Issue 5

Editor:
Tom Davis, davis@vtt.co.jp

Headline for April : MEMBERS BECOME NEWLY-WEDS

WELCOME NEW MEMBER!

MASAKO TAKEDA, welcome aboard! You are the newest member in our circle to improve communication skills!

Megumi YAMADA will be your mentor as you learn the roles to play in meetings.

PRESIDENT'S PODIUM

Hello, Pioneers!

April is upon us and with it many new years have begun in Japan. New school years and new fiscal years.

We have lost a few members recently and we will see a couple more leave shortly. But letus on the other hand consider how many new people move to Sapporo in April--how many potential new Toastmasters!

One of our responsibilities as Toastmasters is to find some of these people and introduce our club to them. Once they have come, we must also make every effort to make them feel welcome and show them the benefits of joining the Sapporo
Pioneers TMC.

Turnover of Club members is natural. With everyone's cooperation and efforts our club will grow and thrive.

- by Steve Fylypchuk

PIONEERS 1ST STEP CLUB

Education Committee members Megumi YAMADA and Tom DAVIS assign a mentor to each new member. New members learn quickly, and experienced members play leadership roles.

The Education Commitee will now give recognition to new members who deliver the "Icebreaker" speech. We shall award a certificate marking an entry into "First Step Club".

YOUR SPECIAL DATES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Contact Tom Davis, Newspage editor, and let him know what's going on that is important to you!!!

Use davis@vtt.co.jp or phone (011)717-6660.

ASSIGNMENTS: April 08

Kaderu Hall 6F: Josei Plaza

Toastmaster: M. Yamada
Opening Thought: Y. Osaki
Table Topics: Emiko Higuchi
Current Topics: P. Firkola
General Evaluator:
Masami Nishimori

Speaker1: Tom Davis, Evaluator1: Atsuko Konishi

Speaker2: Shigeru Shinohara, Evaluator2: Steve Fylypchuk

Timer: Ms. Masako Takeda, Ah Counter: Ms. Ruiko Takeda, Grammarian: Naomi Komachi

Hot Seat: Hiroshi Tsukada

Sends Regrets: Xiao Bei Wu

- by Tomiko Andou

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING LATELY . . .

Three speakers and a newly - wed couple captivated members during the 25 Marchi Meeting.

Congratulations to newly-wed couple Steve Fylypchuk and Naomi Komachi! Steve announced their marriage and his new job in Yokohama. Steve will be with us for the rest of April, and Naomi will follow him in several months. This is an exciting time for both of them, and though meeting participants will miss them, the group wished them the best.

First speaker Atsuko Konishi gave an interesting and informative speech about the effect of blood type upon personality. What is your type?

Next, Megumi Yamada delighted the audience with her well-delivered personal story. While she inspired us by telling of her lifelong habit of morning exercise (jogging), she amused us with her explanation for resting on weekends and other religious holidays. Expressive and smooth in her delivery, Ms. Yamada received the Most Improved Speaker award.

Third speaker Tom Davis grappled with an Alaskan moose in his speech about nature's rule for survival in the Great North. This was the 4th speech, which emphasizes use of gestures.

Naomi Komachi helped the meeting set sail, delivering the opening thought. Inspired by the love story in the movie "Titanic", Ms. Komachi advised members to seize the day: the future is uncertain, and "we only truly own today".

Spring is the season to seize the moment and join Toastmasters. Pleaase bring your guests!

- T. Davis for Emiko Higuchi

ANOTHER NEW MEMBER!

RUIKO TAKEDA, we're glad you're joining us for better speaking, listening, and evaluating !

Emiko HIGUCHI will be your mentor as you learn the roles you can play in meetings.

FAREWELL to our FOUNDER

Shigeru SHINOHARA, CTM, has been the heart and soul of our club, a club pioneer and embodiment of the model communicator and leader.

Mr. Shinohara is retiring from Cathay Pacific Airways. He will return to his family and begin a new career back in his hometown of Fukuoka.

Mr. Shinohara, we are sorry to see you go! We appreciate the Club you founded and nurtured for all of us Pioneers. Pioneers can maintain contact with you via Fukuoka Toastmasters Club. Mr. Shinohara, "Happy Trails" for your new career and life in Fukuoka!

AMERICAN ADVENTURES

Masami NISHIMORI home stayed for 5 weeks in San Francisco and Davis, CA. The trip showed in her captivating performance as stand-in Speech Evaluator on 25 March!

Member Emiko HIGUCHI accompanied her husband to the United States.

CLUB MEETING TIP #9803: How to Keep a Lively Pace

Here are 5 tips to help your meeting gallop at a lively pace:

1. Start on time...End on time. Start the meeting right on time to set a lively pace early.

2. Save your announcements. Wait to announce club business until the end of the meeting.

3. Count votes as we go along. Count the best speaker votes as soon as possible. This way, the Toastmaster can avoid waiting at the podium for the results.

4. The Dancing Toastmaster. When you are Toastmaster, prepare entertaining comments for the meeting. If you do so, during slow moments in the meeting (when you wait for Best Speaker ballot results) you are ready with a "song and dance" to entertain your audience.

5. "Brevity is the soul of wit." Cogent speakers convince.

- by Tom Davis