Welcome to Mission Chapter Toastmasters!

If you live in the Santa Barbara or Goleta area and are looking for a Toastmaster club to join or just check out, look no further than Mission Chapter Toastmasters. We welcome you as our guest (no need to RSVP, just show up)!

Mission Chapter Toastmasters has been helping individuals become better communicators and leaders since 1979. The club is open to the community.

Improve your public speaking skills, become a better presenter, or work on your leadership skills with Toastmasters.  Affordable, effective, proven.

Semi-annual dues are modest – less than the cost of a small cup of coffee every week.  For more information on Toastmasters see our about page.

Where: Salvation Army 4849 Hollister Avenue. in Goleta.

When: Every Tuesday evening from 5:50PM to 7:20PM (best to arrive a few minutes early).

Questions? Please call us at (805) 729-3368. Leave a message, we’ll call you back. Or email Grace Rachow at grace.rachow@gmail.com.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, November 19!

Meeting Agenda: November 19, 2019

Meeting Theme: Drama

Toastmaster: Janna
Word-of-the-Day: Michelle
Speaking Tip: Grace
Jokemaster:  Julie
Ah-Counter:  Julie
Timer:  Jim
Awardsmaster:  Leonel

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Mary Jo
Speaker 2: OPEN
Speaker 3: Taiwo

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Al
Eval 1:  Mike
Eval 2:  Larry
Eval 3:  Ron

TABLE TOPICS:    Valerie

ROONEY:  Norma

Minutes for the November 12, 2019 “Traditions”-themed Meeting

Vice President of Education Janna opened the meeting.

13 members were present plus one guest.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Valerie.

Janna presented the word-of-the-day, “Buffet.”

Mary Jo’s speaking tip was on the “powerful pause.”

Jokemaster Ron told a joke about a banana who got out of jail on appeal.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

Norma was the first speaker and spoke about a talk she had with God.

Flannery gave a speech on public relations.

James gave a speech on “controlling your fears,” and how to recognize triggers, symptoms, and managing anxiety.

TABLE TOPICS

Topicsmaster Mary Jo asked us questions about traditions.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator  Jim introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Julie evaluated Norma’s speech.
Leonel evaluated Flannery’s speech.
Al evaluated James’ speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Taiwo griped about the switch from cable to streaming services.

AWARDS

Best Tapletopics: Michelle
Best Evaluator: Al
Best Speaker: James

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

President Al adjourned the meeting.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, November 12!

Meeting Agenda: November 12, 2019

Meeting Theme: Traditions

Toastmaster: Valerie
Word-of-the-Day: Janna
Speaking Tip: Mary Jo
Jokemaster:  Ron
Ah-Counter:  OPEN
Timer:  Grace
Awardsmaster:  Janna

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Norma
Speaker 2: Flannery
Speaker 3: James

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Jim
Eval 1:  Julie
Eval 2:  Leonel
Eval 3:  Al

TABLE TOPICS:    Mary Jo

ROONEY:  Taiwo

Minutes for the November 5, 2019 “Manners & Decorum”-themed Meeting

President Al opened the meeting.

12 members were present plus one guest.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Julie.

Grace presented the word-of-the-day, “Naughty.”

Valerie presented speaking tips for thinking on your feet. 1) RELAX 2) Use silence to command attention 3) Repeat the question 4) Clarify what you want to say.

Jokemaster Al said he wasn’t addicted to brake fluid because he could stop at any time.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

In Jim’s speech, “Water is Survival,” he taught us where the tap water in Santa Barbara comes from.

Ron’s speech, “120 Hours: The Challenge is the Lesson” walked us through the project of replacing the roof on his gazebo.

In Janna’s speech, “The Gift of Good Communications,” she described the iceberg model of culture theory, and her own communications style of being both direct and supportive.

TABLE TOPICS

Topicsmaster Larry asked us questions about our own manners.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator  Alyce introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Flannery evaluated Jim’s speech.
Grace evaluated Ron’s speech.
Mary Jo evaluated Janna’s speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Julie griped about styling short hair and trying to tame cowlicks.

AWARDS

Best Evaluator: Grace
Best Tapletopics: Ricardo
Best Speaker: Grace

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

Al adjourned the meeting.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, November 5!

Meeting Agenda: November 5, 2019

Meeting Theme: Manners & Decorum

Toastmaster: Julie
Word-of-the-Day: John
Speaking Tip: Valerie
Jokemaster:  Al
Ah-Counter:  OPEN
Timer:  Mike
Awardsmaster:  John

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Jim
Speaker 2: Ron
Speaker 3: Janna

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Alyce
Eval 1:  Flannery
Eval 2:  Grace
Eval 3:  Mary Jo

TABLE TOPICS:    Larry

ROONEY:  Julie

Minutes for the October 29, 2019 “Three Little Pigs”-themed Meeting

President Al opened the meeting.

17 members were present.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Ron.

Julie presented the word-of-the-day. “Swine” is a noun that means a pig or board. Informally, it is used to describe an unpleasant person.

Al’s speaking tip was to take charge when you’re on stage.

Jokemaster Julie told a joke when pigs play tug-of-war it’s called pulled pork.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

Janna’s speech, “Let’s Rumba” was all about the Cuban dance. She even taught the audience the basic steps.

Grace gave a “do over” speech titled, “An Exploration of the Outer and Inner Self of a Nebraska Farm Girl.”

In Mary Jo’s speech, “Questions Are the Answer,” she reported on recent library find “Questions Are the Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life” by Hal B. Gregersen.

TABLE TOPICS

Topicsmaster Taiwo asked questions about morality, villains, and ham.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator  Flannery introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Chris evaluated Janna’s speech.
James evaluated Grace’s speech.
Norma evaluated Mary Jo’s speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Al griped about how his trash bin is often mistaken for a public one.

AWARDS

Best Tapletopics: Lisa
Best Evaluator: James
Best Speaker: Grace

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

Al adjourned the meeting.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Meeting Agenda: October 29, 2019

Meeting Theme: Three Little Pigs

Toastmaster: Ron
Word-of-the-Day: Julie
Speaking Tip: Al
Jokemaster:  Julie
Ah-Counter:  Jim
Timer:  Vivian
Awardsmaster:  Mary Jo

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Janna
Speaker 2: Grace
Speaker 3: Cindy

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Flannery
Eval 1:  Zoe
Eval 2:  Leonel
Eval 3:  Norma

TABLE TOPICS:    Taiwo

ROONEY:  Mary Jo

Minutes for the October 22, 2019 “Pumpkins”-themed Meeting

President Al opened the meeting.

17 members were present.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Alyce, who introduced the meeting’s theme, “Pumpkins.”

Flannery presented the word-of-the-day. “Silo” is a verb that means: a tower or pit on a farm used to store grain; an underground chamber in which a guided missile is kept ready for firing; and [to] isolate (one system, process, department, etc.) from others.

Vivian’s speaking tip was to face your fears, and challenge your specific fears when preparing for your speech so that you can 1) take a preventative measure beforehand, or determine how you will react if it were to happen.

Jokemaster Leonel asked, “When is a pumpkin not a pumpkin?”
When dropped, it’s squash.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

Mike’s icebreaker speech, “Why Am I Here?” was a story of why he joined Toastmasters and the improvements he’s recognized in himself.

In Julie’s speech, “1-2-Hope,” she shared a story about her son’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes.

Zoe’s speech, “Mentee Forever,” explored the question, “What makes a good mentor?”

TABLE TOPICS

Topics master Al gave the audience the option to answer his questions about pumpkins or give an elevator pitch about Toastmasters.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator  Janna introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Norma evaluated Mike’s speech.
Mary Jo evaluated Julie’s speech.
Taiwo evaluated Zoe’s speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Valerie told us why she can’t stand Isla Vista.

AWARDS

Best Tapletopics: Jim
Best Evaluator: Mary Jo
Best Speaker: Mike

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

Al adjourned the meeting.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Meeting Agenda: October 22, 2019

Meeting Theme: Pumpkins

Toastmaster: Alyce
Word-of-the-Day: Flannery
Speaking Tip: Vivian
Jokemaster:  Leonel
Ah-Counter:  Jon
Timer:  Jim
Awardsmaster:  Grace

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Mike
Speaker 2: Julie
Speaker 3: Zoe

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Janna
Eval 1:  Norma
Eval 2:  Mary Jo
Eval 3:  Taiwo

TABLE TOPICS:    Al

ROONEY:  Mary Jo

Minutes for the October 15, 2019 “Orange”-themed Meeting

President Al opened the meeting.

15 members were present.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Grace.

Grace introduced the meeting’s theme, “Orange”. She explained that orange is versatile, it’s not only a color, but a taste, and smell.

Ron words-of-the-day were “peel” and “peal”. You could use either homonym.

Flannery’s speaking tip was to use “you” and “we” instead of “I” and “me.”

Jokemaster Larry told us that “demons are a ghouls best friend”.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

Chris’s speech, “The Key to Weight Loss” was about the “new normal” of obesity and the solution of intermittent fasting.

Al’s speech, “Why We Have Nice Things” was about the chain reaction that occurs after one member of society decides to delay gratification and be innovative.

Alyce’s speech was a follow-up to a previous speech, “What Do You Know About Your Social Security.”

TABLE TOPICS

Topics master Jim asked questions all about oranges.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator Leonel introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Janna evaluated Chris’ speech.
Jon evaluated Al’s speech.
Taiwo evaluated Alyce’s speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Norma griped about some annoying habits of housemates.

AWARDS

Best Tapletopics: James
Best Evaluator: Janna
Best Speaker: Al

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

Al adjourned the meeting.

You’re invited! Join us at Mission Chapter Toastmasters on Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Meeting Agenda: October 15, 2019

Meeting Theme: Orange

Toastmaster: Grace
Word-of-the-Day: Valerie
Speaking Tip: Flannery
Jokemaster:  Larry
Ah-Counter:  Julie
Timer:  Mary Jo
Awardsmaster:  OPEN

SPEAKERS
Speaker 1: Chris
Speaker 2: Al
Speaker 3: Alyce

GENERAL EVALUATOR:      Leonel
Eval 1:  Janna
Eval 2:  Jon
Eval 3:  Taiwo

TABLE TOPICS:    Jim

ROONEY:  Norma

Minutes for the October 8, 2019 “Lost & Found Items”-themed Meeting

President Al opened the meeting and welcomed the newest member to Mission Chapter Toastmasters, Mike.

Al introduced Toastmaster, Zoe.

Zoe introduced the meeting’s theme, “Lost & Found Items”. She chose the theme because of a recent theft.

Mary Jo’s word-of-the-day was Eureka! which is a cry of joy when one finds or discovers something.

Grace’s speaking tip was to utilize the other club members as a resource for helping you prepare for your speech.

Jokemaster Flannery made a joke about a grape that gets stepped on.

All roles were confirmed.

SPEAKERS

Norma’s speech, “What’s wrong with our country, and what can we do about it?” reminded us to lead with respect, kindness, and love.

Valerie’s speech, “Difficult Conversations,” explored conversation skills such as nonviolent communication.

Taiwo’s speech, “Truth or Fiction in the Digital Age” was a 10-15 minute speech about checking your sources. He also managed quite a few interruptions from the audience.

TABLE TOPICS

Topics master Jon asked theme-related questions about Lost & Found Items.

EVALUATORS

General Evaluator Cindy introduced each evaluator for the speakers.

Leonel evaluated Norma’s speech.
Mike evaluated Valerie’s speech.
Julie evaluated Taiwo’s speech.

All reports were given.

Rooneymaster Jim griped about the irony of choosing bottled water over tap water.

AWARDS

Best Tapletopics: Chris
Best Evaluator: Mike
Best Speaker: Norma

Janna confirmed next week’s roles.

Al adjourned the meeting.