Toastmasters Eclectic Voices

Reminder to all from Tyrone today: Red pill yourself the challenge of getting OUT of your box!

Here's an additional thought to consider from Jan Bracken: "We are often bumping up against boundaries we have placed for ourselves."

Great messages for anyone who needs to re-examine their values, rules, and restrictions for themselves.

Reminder to all from Tyrone today: Red pill yourself the challenge of getting OUT of your box!

Here's an additional thought to consider from Jan Bracken: "We are often bumping up against boundaries we have placed for ourselves."

Great messages for anyone who needs to re-examine their values, rules, and restrictions for themselves.

We enjoyed a lot of laughter in our meeting today, shared
deep insights, and entertained some thought-provoking questions on the meeting theme of "Being YOU".

We enjoyed a lot of laughter in our meeting today, shared
deep insights, and entertained some thought-provoking questions on the meeting theme of "Being YOU".

Last week's meeting was small but powerful and fun!

Our theme was "In the Zone" and the simple explanation is as follows:

"In the Zone" is being engaged in doing as opposed to thinking.

"Out of the Zone", is when we are engaged in thinking (over-thinking) as opposed to doing.

Last week's meeting was small but powerful and fun!

Our theme was "In the Zone" and the simple explanation is as follows:

"In the Zone" is being engaged in doing as opposed to thinking.

"Out of the Zone", is when we are engaged in thinking (over-thinking) as opposed to doing.

Eclectic Voices and Statehouse Toastmasters recently held a joint Open House that saw many new guests in attendance. A fun time was had by all!
Kudos to Nancy Denniston for spearheading this event!

Eclectic Voices and Statehouse Toastmasters recently held a joint Open House that saw many new guests in attendance. A fun time was had by all!
Kudos to Nancy Denniston for spearheading this event!

Toastmasters OpenHouse

Let’s get together!

We’re hosting a new event, and we’d love to see you there. Join us for Toastmasters OpenHouse, June 3, 2021 at 12:00 PM.

Register soon because space is limited. We hope you’re able to join us!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toastmasters-openhouse-tickets-154752977321?utm_campaign=812330&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=ebcampaigns&aff=odeccpebemailcampaigns&utm_term=ctabutton&mipa=ABIdvVuxhpREyukcqnqWIG2D9NMgiJQkoXGt6H2QPb5flLz0o9irmQf4sqVB50_Pi_8U1E8tHoN4zJyZcihcmaSnA0WlTRsP4leGF7AZPZqMc77hSyk-t6JgFI8qGuGybmHeE-lpWmy08QXbvXXaDgco2BZYeh2ykJBVmQP7XBIJzOyfFT0LP5qll-IfQQkXUo7Fuggz0K1Lj14ExuTW8BOpF01D1okDar8H9IBJHHvnyzYrwxueQUnfXKS2zBPeyr1r8JVtUdYz5ikiJpMGtOX5_CRYvmhV2w#tickets

Toastmasters OpenHouse Experience how Toastmasters can transform your life--workplace, home, church, school, interpersonal skills!

Great meeting last week, Eclectic!
We enjoyed our guests, held a board meeting, and planned an open house!

Great meeting last week, Eclectic!
We enjoyed our guests, held a board meeting, and planned an open house!

Zoom meetings galore!
😁 Happy faces from the last couple of months seen here and in the comment section. 😁

Zoom meetings galore!
😁 Happy faces from the last couple of months seen here and in the comment section. 😁

Wow, our Zoom room was sure busy yesterday!

After the meeting, Beth graciously walked a handful of members through the Pathways program while Nancy hopped on near the end of the training with Jim Kroshus to use the room and prep him for the upcoming speech contest.

It's a happening place, this Zoom room of ours! 😄

One more item to celebrate~~~ Marshall Major won the table topics round. Congratulations, Marshall! 🎉🤩🎊🥳🎉

Leslie worked the room like a BOSS, operating the camera and Zoom at the same time for our club contest.
Jim Kroshus and Marshall Major both delivered entertaining and thought-provoking speeches that made us laugh and made us think.
Jim moves onto the next level at the end of March- exact date TBD.

Woo Hoo! We had a very successful run-through of our first hybrid meeting which also served as a practice for the Club Contest.

Great job, Eclectic Voices!

Blunders and laughter were voraciously apparent in today's meeting.

For our Table Topics round, the winners were Jeff & Megan! Congratulations, guys!

Blunders and laughter were voraciously apparent in today's meeting.

For our Table Topics round, the winners were Jeff & Megan! Congratulations, guys!

Today's word of the day was INTEGRITY.

When I look at all of these faces, that is what I see.
Each person, in their own unique way, has shown up in integrity for each other and that is what makes this group so GREAT!

Today's word of the day was INTEGRITY.

When I look at all of these faces, that is what I see.
Each person, in their own unique way, has shown up in integrity for each other and that is what makes this group so GREAT!

Hi everyone, please share the information for Darren LaCroix's presentation on Jan. 28th.

Hi everyone, please share the information for Darren LaCroix's presentation on Jan. 28th.

WOW, what a fantastic TLI! Eclectic voices had two of our members lead a breakout session: Beth Williams and Nancy Denniston. Great job, ladies!

Leadership Online

Be sure to sign up for TLI, everyone!
https://tvtli.weebly.com/?fbclid=IwAR0vN-NTtxcj0skrRN1RIyz468EkPc27QoCGSoyAIiqQzWDJ4QyaH88CdYE

Leadership Online What is Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI)? Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) is a one-day training event for club officers, members and guests in the Treasure Valley and beyond. The goal...

Great meeting last week, Eclectic!

Great meeting last week, Eclectic!

What an inspiring round of deep and meaningful sharing this group engaged in on Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful way to close 2020 and celebrate all that we have learned.

AND it was Nancy Denniston's BIRTHDAY!

What an inspiring round of deep and meaningful sharing this group engaged in on Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful way to close 2020 and celebrate all that we have learned.

AND it was Nancy Denniston's BIRTHDAY!

Volunteering with Nancy Denniston and Brice at the Boise Bicycle Project Holiday Giveaway

Volunteering with Nancy Denniston and Brice at the Boise Bicycle Project Holiday Giveaway

🥳 Happy Birthday to Megan! 🥳

🥳 Happy Birthday to Megan! 🥳

Great meeting today, Eclectic!

We had the privilege of hearing 2 fantastic speeches (Beth and Ebenezer) and Brice Sloan won the table topics round!

Great meeting today, Eclectic!

We had the privilege of hearing 2 fantastic speeches (Beth and Ebenezer) and Brice Sloan won the table topics round!

Table Topics winners the past 3 weeks were: Ebenezer Makinde, Jeff Jensen, and Stephanie Mullani.

Jeff & Stephanie also celebrated their Distinguished Toastmaster achievement awards over lunch since in-person award ceremonies were not able to take place at the most recent TLI.

Table Topics winners the past 3 weeks were: Ebenezer Makinde, Jeff Jensen, and Stephanie Mullani.

Jeff & Stephanie also celebrated their Distinguished Toastmaster achievement awards over lunch since in-person award ceremonies were not able to take place at the most recent TLI.

Last week we welcomed a new guest, Nathan, while enjoying a moment of laughter regarding stressful traffic in the Treasure Valley. 🤣

Last week we welcomed a new guest, Nathan, while enjoying a moment of laughter regarding stressful traffic in the Treasure Valley. 🤣

What a phenomenal meeting we had today with the theme of resistance, and how even learning to be more open-hearted and open-minded can be a form of resistance. Deep, dimensional, and thought-provoking as per usual from this magnificent group.
Congratulations to Jeff Jensen on his Table Topics win!!!

What a phenomenal meeting we had today with the theme of resistance, and how even learning to be more open-hearted and open-minded can be a form of resistance. Deep, dimensional, and thought-provoking as per usual from this magnificent group.
Congratulations to Jeff Jensen on his Table Topics win!!!

Last week's meeting was smaller than usual but still a ton of fun, as evidenced by the laughter. Chris Ealing won the Table topics round and had us cracking up with her acceptance speech. Chris, you are a HOOT!

Last week's meeting was smaller than usual but still a ton of fun, as evidenced by the laughter. Chris Ealing won the Table topics round and had us cracking up with her acceptance speech. Chris, you are a HOOT!

WOW, what a meeting! It was deep, impactful, tearful, and joyful all at the same time.

Bipasha Barman won the Table Topics round with her incredibly touching answer about turning points in her life AND we celebrated TWO birthdays: Bip's daughter, Deeya, and Vincent Kituku! ⭐️🥳🎈🎊🎉💗⭐️

Not only that — we had a returning guest, Pamela, in attendance PLUS new guest, Jamie!

WOW, what a meeting! It was deep, impactful, tearful, and joyful all at the same time.

Bipasha Barman won the Table Topics round with her incredibly touching answer about turning points in her life AND we celebrated TWO birthdays: Bip's daughter, Deeya, and Vincent Kituku! ⭐️🥳🎈🎊🎉💗⭐️

Not only that — we had a returning guest, Pamela, in attendance PLUS new guest, Jamie!

Incredible meeting today with so many wonderful faces in the Zoom room.

Megan Carney won the Table Topics round ~ Go, Megan!

🎉🥳🏆🥇

Incredible meeting today with so many wonderful faces in the Zoom room.

Megan Carney won the Table Topics round ~ Go, Megan!

🎉🥳🏆🥇

Let's all wish Chris Ealing a very Happy Birthday today! 🎁🎊⭐️🥳

Let's all wish Chris Ealing a very Happy Birthday today! 🎁🎊⭐️🥳

Brice Sloan gave an impactful and thoughtful speech yesterday while Leslie Major nabbed the Table Topics award.⭐️🎊🏆🥇

Brice Sloan gave an impactful and thoughtful speech yesterday while Leslie Major nabbed the Table Topics award.⭐️🎊🏆🥇

Our friend and fellow Toastmaster Dr. Vincent Kituku spoke to a local Rotary Club yesterday on the challenges, updates, and achievements the kids are making at the Caring Hearts & Hands school in Kenya.

The kids grow their own food, learn to prepare meals, and keep up with their studies. They are currently fundraising for additional computers and for purchasing a boy's school!

⭐️⭐️⭐️The inspiration is non-stop! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our friend and fellow Toastmaster Dr. Vincent Kituku spoke to a local Rotary Club yesterday on the challenges, updates, and achievements the kids are making at the Caring Hearts & Hands school in Kenya.

The kids grow their own food, learn to prepare meals, and keep up with their studies. They are currently fundraising for additional computers and for purchasing a boy's school!

⭐️⭐️⭐️The inspiration is non-stop! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOW- did we ever have a full house in the Zoom room last week!

WOW- did we ever have a full house in the Zoom room last week!

A beautiful reason to celebrate our friend and fellow Toastmaster, Natalie.

The second parole hearing for Edgar, the man who drove drunk and killed my husband and daughter, was Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM. This time the hearing was different because of COVID-19, we all attended the hearing virtually.

After making sure my laptop's camera and audio were turned on, I gently held Sage’s shirt in my hands to caress it. I was anxious about the proceedings and was seeking comfort from one of the few material items I have left of her. The soft fibers, now almost 18 years old, reminded me why we were all here and soothed my anxious soul, as I sat in front of my computer screen waiting for the hearing to begin. This hearing, like the one that happened 5 years ago, was meant to assess whether Edgar could be released from prison earlier than his 40-year sentence demanded. I couldn’t elevate my hopes for his early release like I did for the first parole hearing. I naively believed my honest and heartfelt words mattered, but disappointedly learned that it wasn’t my testimony that was the deciding factor in the commissioners’ decision. This time around, I felt tired and worn-down by the repetitive demands of justice, expecting the hearing would extract deep emotional pain from me once again only to be disappointed by the resulting decision to keep him in prison and get another future date to do it all over again.

Finally, the hearing began. One of the commissioners stated, “We are here on behalf of Edgar Vasquez Hernandez who has been charged with aggravated driving and vehicular manslaughter which occurred on February 27, 2003. Edgar, what will you do if you are released from prison?” In his native Spanish language, I heard Edgar speak. When he finished, his translator told us all what Edgar had said,

“Edgar said he wants to educate others of the dangers of drinking and driving and tell them what it has done in his life. He wants to encourage others not to drink alcohol.”

Finally, after all of the discussion ended and before the commissioners made their decision, I was given the opportunity to speak. My eyes filled with tears when I opened my mouth to voice my will for Edgar’s possible parole. “In a couple of weeks, my daughter would have turned 18 years old. She was only five months and nine days old when she was killed. I know I have missed out on so many experiences and memories with her and with Shawn. It has been hard living without them. Ten years ago, I made the decision to forgive Edgar and have had the opportunity to get to know him by visiting him at the prison. I have personally learned what a good man he is.”

I paused to let the translator catch up. In that minute or so, I felt a distinct peace enter my soul. I still felt the heavy burden of what I was doing, like a hiker’s backpack carrying a mountain. But when I began speaking again, I could sense the divine guiding my words. Every word I uttered, seemed infused with light and eased the heaviness I felt. Eventually, I ended by saying, “Please, let this man be released.”

There was a short pause before one of the commissioners said, “We are going to talk and make our decision.”

The virtual call was paused, and I sat there holding Sage’s shirt, aching for Shawn and Sage. Grieving over the time that was ripped away from us, the life we never had, the memories we never made. I cried for myself, my broken body and mind I still struggle with. I cried for our families and friends who have all been affected and have suffered in their own ways over the years. I cried for Edgar and his loved ones, who I knew had suffered tremendously from all of this. But most importantly, I cried with joy because I already knew what the commissioners were going to decide, the knowledge given to me from the divine while pleading for his release.

After finishing their discussion, one of the commissioners began the virtual call again. He said, “Edgar will be granted parole.”

After catching my breath, I closed my laptop, put my head down, and sobbed. Feeling overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. I felt lighter and lighter as the reality of Edgar's release settled in. This mountainous burden I have been carrying for so long, a burden that had defined so much of my post-crash existence is now cast off behind me, a giant landmark on my journey through life.

Peace surrounds me and fills me. The decision made at Tuesday’s parole hearing was an answer to my prayer. Edgar will be released from prison. Freedom has been given to us both.

This isn’t what Toastmasters are exactly, but my daughter thought it might be helpful... 😁

This isn’t what Toastmasters are exactly, but my daughter thought it might be helpful... 😁

🥳🎉Three cheers for Nancy Denniston for taking 1st place in the Tall Tales speech contest!🎉🥳 We wish her the best of luck in the next round of the competition. 🏆

More reasons to celebrate: Caring Hearts from Kenya was in attendance as our guests for the second week in a row, AND we had an additional brand new guest, Rucha Kulkarni, in attendance today. Welcome!

🥳🎉Three cheers for Nancy Denniston for taking 1st place in the Tall Tales speech contest!🎉🥳 We wish her the best of luck in the next round of the competition. 🏆

More reasons to celebrate: Caring Hearts from Kenya was in attendance as our guests for the second week in a row, AND we had an additional brand new guest, Rucha Kulkarni, in attendance today. Welcome!

What a fun meeting we had last week with Dr. Kituku's Caring Hearts high school joining us from Kenya!

What a fun meeting we had last week with Dr. Kituku's Caring Hearts high school joining us from Kenya!