Salve Regina University Toastmasters Newport Rhode, Island

5/27/2020

I heard a speech once titled, “Your attitude determines your altitude”.  As I visited this club, that title kept ringing in my ears.

Toastmasters Dashboard stats show Salve Regina has 7 members currently.  Meeting start time is 5:00

We logged on to Salve Regina and NaomiRuth, club coach/mentor was the only one on and she greeted us.  Before the meeting Steve offered us to fill any role that was needed and was told they would see who was at the meeting and let us know at that time. 7 people ended up logging on to the meeting, including Steve and me and at least one other visitor.  

The meeting finally started at 5:13. They spent a lot of the beginning time asking people to fill roles. Steve was asked to give an uplifting or humorous tale 1-2 minutes to start out the meeting.  This was something new to me. In a one-hour meeting, it would be beneficial to have meeting roles completed before hand.  This role could fall to VPE or Toastmaster of the Day.  The actual speaker didn’t start speaking until 5:21.  

They announced that since they were low on time that they would not have time for table topics.  I think table topics is one of the best parts of a toastmasters meeting.  It can lend itself to fun questions and answers, add much needed humor to some clubs and give everyone who doesn’t speak an opportunity to say a few words.  

I was really surprised that the president never said a word to us as guests.  I believe the Toastmaster of the Day sets the tone for the meeting and since the Toastmaster of the Day seemed very unenthusiastic and low energy, it followed that the others that did the roles followed the same suit.  Sadly, if I were a visitor looking for a club, this is not one I would return want to join.  

I do appreciate that they explained the roles beforehand, however,  the general feeling after the meeting for me was exhaustion.   I do hope since this was a one-time visit, that this does not reflect their usual meetings and if the Toastmaster of the Day was more upbeat, then the members would follow.   People really do overlook the importance of the attitude of the Toastmaster of the Day at the meeting.