Talking the talk at Toastmasters
By Michelle Maltais, Times Staff Writer
Toastmasters’ Jewel City 29 club in Glendale (so named because of the city’s nickname and because it was the organization’s 29th club to be chartered) was men-only until the 1980s.
Here’s a look at what a typical meeting entails.
The evening’s Table Topics master Alex Barber, right, calls on Gene Tefft, Jewel City 29’s longest active member, to speak extemporaneously on a question Barber just asked. This gives those who aren’t scheduled to speak at the meeting a chance to sharpen their skills.
Ron Peña delivers a prepared speech. Typically, three to four members are scheduled as speakers every meeting.
In the background on the lectern is the word of the evening, “transmute,†which members have to try to use properly during the meeting.
After the speaking portion of the meeting, evaluations are given for each speech. Member David Taylor evaluates Ron Peña’s performance, pointing out what worked and what he should work on.
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The timing device is used for such things as Table Topics (impromptu speaking), speeches and evaluations. If speakers run over their allotted time, they are disqualified from the vote for best performance.
At the end of the meeting, awards are presented to the members voted the evening’s best performers by their peers.
