Travel Talkers Toastmasters

The September 18th meeting opened with introductions and welcome remarks from Jacqueline Maynard-Campbell, who noted the theme of the evening as “Travel Bucket List.” Preetha Menon, who recently returned from India, was introduced as the Toastmaster for the evening. The meeting included a brief discussion about the importance of travel experiences, with a quote shared about travel enriching one’s life. Mark Twain famously said that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” underscoring how travel challenges the mind.

Destination Master

Jessy Hutchins introduced our club’s unique Destination Master activity by presenting these clues for a Travel Bucket List island destination.

• This location is the second-largest Island country.
• It is known for its unique wildlife, including the Aye-Aye.
• This country includes a nature preserve island named for this unique animal.

If you guessed the island country of Madagascar you are correct!

Victoria’s Public Speaking Journey

Victoria Quiroz presented her icebreaker speech and shared her journey with public speaking. She recounted her experiences from high school drama class, restaurant jobs, and her role as a gingerbread angel, all of which taught her valuable communication skills. She emphasized how these experiences have prepared her for future interactions with her children, particularly in setting rules and explaining consequences. Preetha commended Victoria for her insightful speech and encouraged the audience to provide constructive feedback to help her improve for future speeches.

Global Journeys for Family Bonding

Avis Russell delivered a Level 3 speech using presentation software to illustrate her travel bucket list. Her recent adventure took her to Canada, Japan, and Amsterdam to reconnect with her daughter. Avis shared her journey of traveling across continents, emphasizing the importance of family connections and personal growth through travel. She encouraged all of us to attend the Toastmasters International Convention in August 2026 in the beautiful city of Vancouver Canada.

Travel Topics–Dreams and Destination Insights

Lisa Hamil led the Travel Topics impromptu session with questions about travel preferences and experiences. She asked participants about their bucket list destinations, armchair travel options, and the aspects of travel they find most intriguing. Jacqueline expressed a desire to visit Antarctica but cited age and physical limitations as deterrents, while Colette and Sandria shared their interest in vibrant destinations like Thailand and Japan. Jessy suggested using Google and Reddit for travel research and relying on pilots for destination decisions, and Elma was asked about her preference for attending the Toastmasters International Convention next year.

September 25th meeting

The theme of our September 25 meeting is “Fall Festivals.” Join the Travel Talkers Toastmasters Club for a fun evening sharing your adventures. Engage with fellow members as we share our stories about traveling. This is your opportunity to focus on your public speaking skills and get valuable feedback in a supportive Toastmasters-style environment. The meeting is on Thursday, September 25th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Pacific time. We want to hear about your favorite Fall Festival.

Guests are always welcome to attend our meetings. If you would like to join the club, contact Helen Josephine for an application form.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

We look forward to hearing your travel stories! Join us to be inspired to take your next trip.