Blue Heron Toastmasters

Another interesting meeting this week with 10 regulars and two guests courtesy of SB media blitz in search of new recruits to The Best Toastmasters In the World. Both expressed enjoyment and a desire to return … we will see what August brings. Well you guys will, I am leaving soon for a visit to my homeland.

This week's theme was “"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air." — Ralph Waldo Emerson” Courtesy Of DJ
Summer adventures. DJ did a stellar job as chair.

Recent Retiree jumped in as Sgt at Arms as well as being Toastmaster, trying to catch up with AT , bionic Man.Brazilian Bombshell was timer again trying hard to keep up with the brutal actions of AT. The timing lights were referred to by their sophisticated name “ doo dads “By the way she failed miserably and clapped no one off .JB was grammarian he chose the word “scrutinise “ and failed to use it!! TB was the GE for the first time and did a great job evaluating everyone , including the speakers!

You guys know , off course , what I can’t remember I simply make up, just like TT.

SS was first up on the speakers list with a brilliant speech that his evaluator referred to as a “MIni Ted talk”Well done MT. SS had a title and a pathways placement used protocols and gave a brilliant speech. He did his homework and some.

Brazilian Bombshell, didn’t do her homework ( she didn’t have any) but managed to deliver a brilliant impromptu speech on the assumption of privilege by intimidating male bullies of the smoking kind. ( And I don’t mean looks). Yes folks ci******es can and do cause forest fires. JB, an other double act ,evaluated BB and acknowledged how she can turn the ordinary into a great speech, Well done everyone.

Again delicious snacks with fresh cherries, blue berries and mini muffins . Yum yum.

You know what two speeches mean ….extra time for Table Topics and by a cruel twist of fate Bala our one legged Table topic master was made to stand for hours . He still has his leg encased in a boot and using crutches. Ask him what he did including the part he climbed a mountain after the injury and before the correct diagnosis.

Everyone except our guests participated in Table topics Bala had prepared 20 questions around the theme of summer adventures and sports.
RR wants to invent a Geriatic Zipline with no hard work to the top and a great descent.
SB is only going to mess with the past as long as the future needs changing.
JB “ Hell Yea” he is following the hidden treasure map.
TB , everyday is an adventure when she drives, especially when Sat Nav disappears.
MT is following Indian Jones ‘s lead and diving into adventure, she doesn’t even care where her plane is going .
Mama S is living the dream in MR watching the ups and downs of people in nature including their falling in flower pots. You had to be there.
SS is planning to stop taking time for granted , he is taking up a new hobby tomorrow. Pickle Ball ( he did).
Dorothy is going for Bungee jumping as a safer activity than hiking with bears as her slow moving dad won't join the hike.
BB tradition is to keep having her summer barbecue bring people together to eat and watch for bears.
Finally our injured TTMaster informed us how “fate “ changed his plans and there would be no bike tour this year.

SB had the difficult job of evaluating the TT and did a grand job so grand in fact she walked away with the ribbon AGAIN! Bala took the best table Topics ribbon. The ability to laugh at ourselves is a great human trait that breaks barriers .His questions were great too and got us all thinking and laughing.

Grammarian's report was short and sweet with few ums and aws.and as I said already the timer failed to clap anyone off.

TT as GE did a great job at one point she made the comment “The Child within’ , but I failed to note the context which I wish I had.She noted how organised Dorothy was, what great questions Bala had and SB actionable feedback. And of course much more.

All in all a fun meeting with lots of laughs and new insights into our eclectic membership. We are indeed , The Best Toastmasters Club in the WORLD.

We are always proud to showcase our members. Cyrus Ameli has been a valued member of our club for some time. A fellow first responder, active in more than advocation of public safety. He is a member of marine search and rescue, and a vice chair working with our youth in Scouts Canada, and his list of public service goes on from there.

We wish him well as he takes on a new challenge, running for Pitt Meadows city council. He's grown into the kind of leader others look to for example, and we're proud to have him as a member.

Cyrus Ameli for Pitt Meadows Council 2026 Announcement Cyrus Ameli has called Pitt Meadows home for more than 12 years. It...

Courtesy Flush and More
The following is my opinion and my opinion only and if you disagree ... Too bad.
What a meeting you missed if you were not there. Those of us who were had a veritable
blast. From an opening that sounded like a damp squid to one that was turned into the swelling roar of a revival meeting. Anatomical displays of the 51/2 inch variety and visual demos on using a ship board toilet the revelations were amazing. New phrases were learned such as the “courtesy flush” not the "embarrassed flush”, As for the snacks, fit for royalty and 10 year olds at the movies. The bar was set high, my friends.

If you haven’t guessed it was AT who opened the meeting rousing us from our slothful
lethargy and creating the enthusiastic chant worthy of any revival meeting. He went on to
introduce our chair person by her new nickname “ The Brazilian Bombshell”

Who was there you ask?

PS, who did his homework even though he had no role; Brazilian Bombshell as chair. TB as
grammarian , choosing a word worthy of the theme “Destination”. Pity she forgot to count the usage!! Her listening quiz was top grade and kept us thinking. AT as Sgt at arms, timer
and speaker 2. Boy did he relish his role as timer. I lost count of those he clapped off , bet CA didn't. DJ was Table topics evaluator and me as Table Topics master, this after much
confusion solely created by the recent retiree. CA was the General Evaluator who set out to
“JUDGE “ everyone, then quickly backtracked. SC was there accompanied by mama yet he
still managed to introduce toilet humour to his TT. Lastly CL who started the evening as our
only speaker and as mentioned above was joined by AT. Looks like AT is making up
for lost time as he takes on three roles per meeting!!

The thing I loved most when I joined the “Best Toastmasters club in the Universe" as aspired by AT was how multicultural and multigenerational we were and I am glad to say we still are.
TB in her introduction shared a memory from a childhood trip to the Caspian sea with her
family , a complete contrast to my images of the cold Northern Atlantic. She also shared the
literal translation of a beautiful childhood saying. Not “ are we there yet , are we there yet? “in a whiny voice, the opposite “ Are we there yet , I wish the journey was longer ? Deep down don’t we all?

To the Speeches : CL opened with a lie claiming she was speechless , well she did qualify
it by saying it only lasted 5 secs so I forgive her. I don;t know if her husband will when he learns of her graphic description of his attempt at age defying use of rollerblades sans protection. Suffice to say he has acquired safety gear or did he sell the blades? I digress.
CL spoke of the many ways, in the 5 to 30 secs we have to grab attention at the beginning of a speech, that we can use: Questions , Silence a quote and more. Almost clapped off AT's eyes were alive with anticipation. The speech was educational and interesting and it was off the cuff.

Five and a half inches was all AT needed , he stated, and with his title he hooked us in in
the first five seconds . When he bent forward to adjust his trousers the shock was palatable.
Finally he shows his 51/2 inches of pride.... The scar on his Knee. What followed was a graphic
description of the destruction of a pair of knees and their replacement with the latest titanium fittings. Bionic Man displayed a matching pair in all their glory before he returned to his brutal timekeeping capacity.

Snacks as stated were fabulous and varied provided not only by one GE but by four members. You know who you are cos I'm too lazy to record it. Fresh figs, sliced oranges, watermelon, blueberries for the Royalty and popcorn and skittles for the ten year old in us. Ten minutes was not long enough to devour this feast. Match that folks.

Evaluators SC and NS did adequate jobs though SC was clapped off at 3.33 . As
you may have guessed my notes for this part are pretty bad. I was too busy munching. Talking of bad stuff, that was SC's piece di resistance during table topics as he described his brush with Noro Virus on the wonderful cruise he and his family had last year. Not only did he describe, he demonstrated by using the piano stool as a toilet seat , facial expressions and accompanying noise, including innards being sucked out, had to be witnessed in person.

Table topic questions were ”Marvelous Darling “ staying welded to the theme of Vacations . From “ Hamel dae me” or staycation as you would say to trapped on an aircraft for two hours
during a lightning strike.

Notes only:
DJ practised camping by pitching her tent in the backyard before camping in Yellowstone.
CA ran a marathon then enjoyed Octoberfest in a city he couldn't remember !
Mama enjoyed a very busy cruise with her husband and sons but next time she is going on her own to relax
PS, two hours on a plane runway and crickets from the staff. I know that one.
TB chose a road trip with her dad as her companion.
Bionic Man is heading to mars to spread toastmaster greatness.
SC as mentioned above demonstrated his brush with Noro Virus and introduced me to
the phrase “ Courtesy Flush”
CL, again as described above, relished the story of her fearless eternal youth seeking
husband's skating disaster.
The Brazilian bombshell is not heading to the ski slopes. Thank you, she is staying right here on the beach doing Nada.
Recent retiree is choosing a museum tour over a wine tour and buying a full glass at lunch.
DJ as TTE gave the individuals personal evaluations mentioning everyone's strong points
in an endearing fashion with a special mention for SC's performance. CL took the
ribbon much to no one's surprise.
TB admitted getting lost on the job which is always a danger when we have a really good
meeting. CA had even bigger problems than forgetfulness, he couldn’t read his own
writing. Somehow he managed to make his report. Bionic Man was described as both brutal and ruthless.
Recent Retiree had Great Bridging and suddenly the meeting was over .
Fan daby dozy night.

Mosquitoes-AKA the Provincial Air Force!

Borrowed from Sharon Lee Valmont, a local comedian and a member of Positively Speaking Toastmasters!

When I found Blue Heron Toastmasters club, my life changed forever. These people took hold of me, wrapped me in their wings, and introduced me to Toastmasters International. They put me in leadership roles, listened to my ideas, and helped me rebuild my life. I now live a life I don’t have to leave at the door when I go home, surrounded by people who’ve earned my trust and have opened so many doors that feel not just safe, but exciting to walk through.

This is only a sample of what this great organization is capable of. Every one of them has the integrity, backbone, and clean ethics this world desperately needs right now. When I put out a call for help, an army shows up. No skeletons, no transactions. Quality people who genuinely just want to make the world a better place.

I’m in a community that refuses to let its members trip or fall, a community that stretches from Blue Heron Toastmasters to Positively Speaking Toastmasters Members, my second club, including Area 70 clubs in District 21. I’m proud to be your Area Director.

Here’s a toast to you. You’re not just making leaders and better speakers. You’re saving lives, and you’re helping people create lives beyond their imagination. My first “TOAST TO YOU” toast is to all Toastmasters.

Here’s to you, my fellow Toastmasters!

- Sarah!
Area Director, Area 70
Immediate past president- Blue Heron TM
Vice President of Public Relations- Blue Heron TM
Vice President of Membership-Positively Speaking TM

We had our annual bbq…. Good food, good fun, and even welcomed a few friends and guests.

We took a break from speaking publicly to enjoy a relaxed conversation, bocce ball and some dancing.

We were very privileged to host this event for the second year in a row at the UBC research forest.

Thank you to UBC research forest and our very own VP Ed who also hails as the unofficial den mother and charter member of this group. for arranging the use of this space.

Our club’s motto is "THE BEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB, IN THE WORLD!!" It is not just a motto; it is based on truth. We have seasoned speakers that use the skills learned in this program that helped them build a lucrative career for themselves.
We also have members who feel safe enough to share their most vulnerable moments with us.
Last meeting was no different. We got to celebrate one of our members major milestones and celebrate a 27 year career in education.
Congratulations Christine, to a beautiful life with plenty left to be written. We value you as a member and treasure your input in every meeting.

Tonight, Blue Heron toastmasters attended, ‘The Enchanted Forest Gala hosted by Burnaby entrepreneurs toastmasters club. Burnaby Entrepreneurs Toastmasters Club - BETM

Good food, fun dancing and amazing networking!

🇨🇦 🇨🇦 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 🇨🇦🇨🇦

Pitt Meadows resident Stefano Cossalter has advanced to the semifinals of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, a global competition that begins with more than 30,000 speakers competing in clubs around the world.
Cossalter earned his place in the semifinals after winning his quarterfinal contest and is now competing against the top 26 competitive speakers in the world.

“This is incredibly exciting, not just for me, but for our local Toastmaster District.” said Cossalter. “I'm looking forward to the opportunity to compete at the highest level and to represent Canada in the semifinals.

The Toastmasters International Speech Contest begins at the Club level and progresses through Area, Division, District, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds.

This year’s contest has special significance for local Toastmasters because the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, August 19–22. The convention will bring Toastmasters members from around the world to Vancouver and will include the International Speech Contest Semifinals and the World Championship of Public Speaking.

“For the international convention to be in Vancouver this year makes the opportunity even more meaningful,” said Cossalter. “The semifinals would take place close to home, with family, friends, and fellow Toastmasters nearby.”

Stefano is a member of Blue Heron Toastmasters, in District 21, and is part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that helps people build confidence, communication, and leadership skills through a supportive club environment. Members practise prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, meeting leadership, and constructive feedback.

“Toastmasters gives ordinary people a place to find their voice,” said Cossalter. “Whether someone wants to speak at work, lead more confidently, tell better stories, or simply stop fearing public speaking, a local club like Blue Heron Toastmasters can be life-changing. The organization has revolutionized my life, giving me the ability to communicate whether it's an audience of one thousand or an audience of one.”

For more information on Toastmasters International local to District 21 British Columbia & Yukon, please visit www.d21toastmasters.ca or contact [email protected].

We did it! Congratulations Blue Heron! Smedley Distinguished!