Lorin Pollmann

This award was created in 2001 to honor Lorin Pollmann. Lorin was a charter member of the Hutchinson II Toastmasters Club, its first president and from the very start was very active at the District level. Lorin was Area Governor of the Year for 1985-86 and Toastmaster of the Year in 1988. Lorin served in many capacities outside his Club including District Public Relations Officer, District Treasurer, Credentials Chair, and Achievement Though Education Chair among many others. From 1996 until he passed away in 2000, Lorin served the District as Speechcraft Chair where he recognized and promoted Speechcraft as both an educational tool and club growth opportunity for Toastmasters. His Toastmaster friends established this award in his memory.

Each year the Lorin Pollmann award is presented at the District Spring Convention to a Toastmaster Club that has conducted Speechcraft sessions to help educate members of their community and to help promote membership growth in Toastmasters.

Qualifications

The nominated Club must be in good standing and must have completed one or more successful Speechcrafts during the current Toastmaster year.

This article was taken from the Hutchinson Leader newspaper, May 1989.

Lorin Pollmann of rural Glencoe, a five-year member of the Hutchinson Toastmasters II club, was named Outstanding Toastmaster for Toastmasters International District 6 last month in Bloomington. At the presentation are: (from left) Joanne Dahlin, district administrative lieutenant governor; Pollmann; Richard Peterson, district governor; and Sally Muraski, district educational lieutenant governor.

A charter member of the Hutchinson Toastmasters II club recently received two of the highest awards bestowed by the international organization.

Lori Pollmann, a five-year member of the Hutchinson club, earned his Distinguished master (DTM) designation from Toastmasters International “for outstanding accomplishments in the total masters program.” It is the highest honor Toastmasters grants for program participation.

“The significance of the DTM reflects the highest ideals of service and dedication to others as you have shown though the promotion of the educational and leadership programs…” read a letter to Pollmann from Toastmasters International Executive Director Terrence McCann.

Prior to reaching DTM status, Pollmann also earned Competent Toastmaster and Able Toastmaster designations.

The DTM award is based on years in the organization, number of speeches given in the community, involvement in a youth leadership seminar and in “Speechcraft” for adult education. In addition, candidates had to have served as a club and district officers and have helped start a new club. Pollmann helped organize a Toastmasters in Montevideo.

The second honor was bestowed in April at the District 6 spring conference at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington when Pollmann was named the district’s Outstanding Toastmaster.

He earned the award for his outstanding leadership within the district and by helping fellow club members to achieve their goals, according to District Governor Richard Peterson. Pollmann’s activities within the organization that contributed to his honor include assisting in training programs, judging and chairing speech contests and attending educational workshops and meetings. His community involvement includes membership in the county livestock Exhibitors Association, church stewardship committee, American legion and Disabled American Veterans.

Pollmann is a past president of Hutchinson Toastmasters II, past area governor and past division lieutenant governor. He currently holds the district offices of achievement through education chairman, registration and finance conference chairman and district club extension committee member. The extension committee works to establish new Toastmasters clubs.

In addition, Pollmann belongs to two specialty clubs which assist other clubs, Center Speakers of Bloomington and Crest O’the Hill in Richfield.

District 6 encompasses Minnesota and the southern part of Ontario, Canada, and is the top district in terms of achievement and recognition, Pollmann said.

It includes 220 clubs with 4,200 members. Toastmasters International, created about 60 years ago, now includes 68 districts worldwide. The organization exists to assist members in developing speaking, thinking and listening skills as well as in providing communication and leadership growth opportunities. Goals are accomplished through constructive evaluations.

Hutchinson Toastmasters II was chartered in 1984 and now includes 23 members. Pollmann said he has achieved the goals he set forth for himself when joining the organization but will continue to be an active Toastmaster. With his pending retirement from 3M Co. this summer, he said he plans to devote even more time to the organization.

Bob Lea, member of Hutchinson II Toastmaster Club, is presented with the first place trophy for the Prairie Division’s Table Topics event. Anne Groetsch, Prairie Division Governor, is making the presentation. Bob will go to compete at the District Six contest on May 12th, 2006.

Bob says that being a spontaneous speaker is difficult for him, but using techniques he learn through Toastmasters, he’s become much better at speaking on his feet.

Rotating Meeting Duties

Each meeting follows an agenda to ensure that every portion of the meeting is accomplished in a timely manner. Here are the duties involved:

Toastmaster: The Toastmaster is in charge of the meeting. He or she selects the meeting’s theme and promotes the meeting through emails, fliers or a theme message on the website.  He or she chooses activities to challenge the members and get everyone involved. The Toastmaster’s key roles are to warm up the audience, conduct the table topics presentations, and keep the meeting on schedule.  Our club does this differently than most clubs as our dual-role Toastmaster is also the Topic Master for Table Topics.

Tip of the Day: During the business meeting, this member presents a tip or suggestions for better speaking or leadership. This may be something that they’ve experienced or something they discovered that is good to pass along. The timing is between one and three minutes. Tips should also be posted on the web site to provide an ongoing resource for better speaking and leadership.

Word of the Day: The Word of the Day person selects a word that compliments the meeting’s theme. Everyone’s challenge is then to work that word into their speaking role. The Word of the Day person listens for the number of word usages and give a report at the end of the meeting.

Grammarian / Ah&Um Counter: The Grammarian / Ah&Um Counter listens for ahs, ums, improper grammar, crutch words, long pauses and “ear bangers”. They give a report at the end of the meeting.

Humorist / Vote Counter: The Humorist / Vote counter tells a joke or humorous story that compliments the meeting theme. They also count the votes for the best speech and best table topic presenter.

Timer: Every speech, table topic or evaluation is timed. Learning good timing is important so that you get to your point quickly and effectively. The Timer gives the timer’s report as needed.

Minutes: Meeting business, leadership roles, best speakers and table topics winners are recorded by the person keeping the minutes.

Speaker: Each meeting has two or three speakers who present speaking projects. Each speaker’s manual in Toastmasters is designed to develop a skill or ability in a person. Each speech has objectives and is timed. Club members vote the best speaker based on how well they met the objectives and stayed within the time limit.

Speech Evaluator: Every speaker get an evaluation by a person who closely listens and observes whether or not the objective are being met. The evaluator gives an evaluation to include things the speaker did well and things the speaker could improve on. Constructive feedback is a key element of the Toastmasters program.

Table Topics: The Toastmaster calls upon those who do not have other duties to come to the front and respond to a question based on the meeting’s theme. The Table Topic person then speaks spontaneously for one to two minutes. This fun exercise helps you think on your feet and make a good opening and conclusion. The members vote upon who best answers their question.

General Evaluator: The General Evaluator observes the flow of meeting and makes notes on its progress. He or she calls upon the Speech Evaluators and then gives a report on the meeting’s strong points and those areas that could be improved upon. The General Evaluator also comments on each of the Table Topic presenters.

Competent Leader Evaluator:  This evaluator focuses on a specific leadership skill performed by a member during the meeting. Strengths are high-lighted as well as opportunities for improvement.

Club Officers

Club officers begin their term on July 1st and end on June 30th of the following year.

President: Provides direction and leadership. Conducts the Distinguished Club program.

Vice President of Education: Schedules speeches so that each person can meet their award goals in Toastmasters. Tracks each member’s progress towards their goals.

Vice President of Membership: Conducts ongoing membership campaigns. Greets new members, answers questions and helps them complete new member applications.

Vice President of Publicity: Promotes club activities to the community.

Secretary: Keeps club records and files. Records business meeting minutes. Submits reports to World Headquarters. Handles club correspondence.

Treasurer: Maintains financial records and manages financial assets. Collects and submits new member applications. Collects and submits dues.

Sergeant At Arms: Arranges the room before the meeting or event begins. Greets members and guests. Starts the meeting on time. Responsible for club equipment.

Our club will have a joint meeting with the Carver County Communicators (North Of The River Gang) on January 12, 2006, at the Lake Auburn Moravian Church on County Road 11 in Victoria. Bring a dish for a pot luck at 6:30 PM. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM and ends promptly at 8:50 PM. Please plan on attending. We will have our normal meeting at 7:00 AM on the 12th.

Toastmasters Month 2005

October is Toastmasters month in the city of Hutchinson. Mayor Steve Cook made the proclamation and attended the meeting on Thursday, October 20th, to make the presentation to the club’s President, Bob Lea (on right). Mayor Cook described the importance of public speaking skills in his position as mayor and how he overcame the challenge to be a better speaker.

Dr. Ralph C. Smedley held the first Toastmasters meeting on October 22, 1924 in the YMCA building in Santa Ana, California. Dr. Smedley worked for the YMCA developing educational programs and saw a need for young men to develop speaking and debating skills. By 1930, there were 30 clubs, mostly in Southern California. This October, Toastmasters is 81 years old.

We are always looking for ways to make our money work harder for us. Money Magazine published a list of the 50 Smartest Things You Can Do With Your Money. A subcategory within this article is entitled, “Great Ways to Better Yourself.” They point out that no one ever got a raise by being a wallflower. Their smart money solution: join Toastmasters.

Toastmasters provides a motivating and encouraging environment where you can:

• Learn to communication confidently and effectively in public.
• Listen critically and provide constructive feedback.
• Improve your thinking ability.
• Learn leadership and project management skills.
• Network with peers and leaders at Hutchinson Technology and in the Hutchinson community.
• Serve your workplace, community and special interest group effectively by being better equipped for leadership roles.

Companies like Hutchinson Technology considers the Toastmaster program to be effective to the point where they will reimburse your membership dues. Your money stays in your pocket. Now that’s smart use of your money!

Congratulations to Cyndy Abramson for participating in the District Six Humorous Speech Contest. Her performance was a personal best and she appealed to the audience with her funny and insightful look at life in her speech, “Cinderella Lessons 101.” She proved that she is one of the top ten best speakers in Minnesota and Ontario.

Cyndy Abramson won first place at the Prairie Division Humorous speech contest and Bob Lea finished second in the Tall Tales contest. Cyndy represented our club, Area 64 and the Prairie Division at the District Six speech contest at Madden’ s Resort near Brainerd on October 14-15, 2005.

Hutchinson II Toastmasters club hosted Area 64’s Humorous and Tall Tales speech contest on September 10th, 2005.

Like David Letterman’s Top 10 Lists, here’s our:

1. Other options to consume your time could be much worse than practicing your presentation skills – like alligator wrestling or getting a root canal.
2. Practicing the delivery of an important message is much easier in front of a supportive crowd (we’re not an angry mob).
3. It’s a great way to jump start the day as we meet at 7:00 a.m. Your other option is to sleep in and waste good “exercising your brain” time.
4. If you feel your life is boring, you can life vicariously through other’s adventurous stories.
5. Where else can you have a blank mind in front of a room of people that truly relate to your dilemma and be applauded for being brave enough to give it a try?
6. It’s a low cost, high return on your investment unlike other returns we may count on like social security or winning the lottery for example.
7. When you’re done reading your monthly Toastmasters magazine, you can place it in the bottom of the birdcage and your parrot can improve his speaking skills.
8. You receive a Toastmasters Magazine each month that is packed full of great tips and insights that can help you improve your speaking skills. It’s a guarantee that you won’t just toss it in the trash or use it for starting a fire.
9. We have high quality members who are there to mentor and provide constructive feedback in order to help you meet your speaking goals.
10. When else do you have the opportunity to be a bit selfish and have a whole hour every week devoted to a focus on improving yourself?

h2tm.org and h2tm.info are domain names belonging to the Hutchinson Toastmaster II club.