MetroWest Toastmasters Club

IMP (noun)
a little demon; mischievous child
Example: I scooped up the little imp and put her to bed.



Image: Cartoon cat-like gremlin character with a mischievous smile and sharp teeth. Source: Free Vector https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/imp by Vecteezy. Thanks to Tanmoy Chandra Biswas

HUNKER (verb)
1. crouch, squat —usually used with down
2. o settle in or dig in for a sustained period —used with down

Example: We hunkered down and ate snacks during the blizzard.

Etymology: probably akin to Middle Dutch hucken, huken to squat, Middle Low German hōken to squat, peddle, Old Norse hūka to squat
First Known Use: 1720


Image: an orange shorthair cat wrapped in a blue blanket. Image generated by Canva AI.

Definition from Merriam-Webster.com

OSTENTATIOUS (adjective)
Seeking attention through gaudiness or unnecessary show

Example: I don't have a fleet of ostentatious cars, but check out my coffee machine.


Image: The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) (Central America) has iridescent turquoise, black and red feathers The male's tail feathers are 12 to 40 inches (31 to 100 cm) long. Photo by Sidney Bragg, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

BALMY (adjective)
Mild and pleasantly warm weather.

Examples:
The balmy weather was perfect for a walk.
A balmy breeze rustled the leaves.
The island is known for its balmy climate.

BALM (noun)
a fragrant cream or liquid used to heal or sooth the skin:
Archaeological evidence, from tomb paintings to alabaster jars discovered in burial sites, shows that pharaohs and the nobility regularly bathed in scented oils and applied richly fragranced balms to their skin, not only as a display of wealth but also as part of ritual purification.

Image: A balmy evening on the Zambezi River just upstream of Victoria Falls. There is a full moon rising above the Zambia side, its beams reflected in the river, while a hippopotamus munches on grass along the shore. Photo taken by a member of Metrowest Toastmasters

SQUALL (noun)
a sudden strong wind with rain or snow.

Example: "A ship was caught in a fierce squall."

Image: A weather radar image of a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) over Pennsylvania, USA, with a leading squall line in 2003

Image: David Roth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Image credit: David Roth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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There's always more to learn about Pathways. Attend one or more sessions; each one covers different content on the Pathways learning system. This is free, however, registration is required. All sessions are online.

📣 District 31 Pathways 101–105 Training Series 📣

Launching Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 PM ET

This 5-part series is tailored for VPEs and club officers as a step-by-step guide to:

* Onboarding members into Pathways with confidence
* Motivating continued speeches and Base Camp use
* Equipping officers with tools to coach, track, and celebrate progress

Quincy Toastmasters used this exact program to successfully engage both new and seasoned members.

🗓 Course Schedule (Thursdays, 7:00–8:00 PM ET):
* Pathways 101: October 23
* Pathways 102: October 30
* Pathways 103: November 6
* Pathways 104: November 13
* Pathways 105: November 20

🎓 Facilitators: Quincy Toastmaster’s Nigel Griffith & Priscilla Wambui
✅ Credit: Attend all five sessions to earn full Winter COT credit

🔗 Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5O1JFRh2Tba1SKEkNoaTww

Let’s make Pathways easier, clearer, and more impactful for every club in District 31.

The October 8 District Dispatch newsletter has arrived! It is focused on public relations. District 31 supports Toastmasters in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

What's Coming Up? - *|https://district31.org/wp-content/uploads/Oct.-8-Whats-Coming-Up.pdf|*

Read the October edition of Toastmaster!

The October Toastmaster is out! 🚀 Learn how corporate clubs succeed, pick up podcast tips, and find ways to use humor at work—all while building personal and professional skills. Start reading today: toastmasters.org/Magazine.

Tips for a successful club Open House.

The Open House Playbook - *|https://district31.org/wp-content/uploads/Oct-1-Open-Houses-2.pdf|*

Gain insights mentoring and being mentored. Webinar is Monday, September 29, 8 pm Eastern time. Registration required for this free event.

Want to know more about the Mentor / Protégé Relationship?

Attend this Panel Discussion by registering: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mentor-protege-relationship-panel-discussion-tickets-1734222258459?aff=oddtdtcreator