I was the table topics master at my Agape Toastmasters meeting this week. Which means it was my responsibility to come up with a series of short topics to present to members. Each member that I presented a topic to then came up and gave an impromtu speech on the subject matter I provided.
Once I volunteered to be table topics master, it didn't take long for me to think of a theme I wanted to cover. You see, I have been interested in the power of the media and grass roots marketing for most of my life. My step-dad was a sound editor, my grandpa was a producer and I have an uncle who's a big wig at Pixar/Disney. I was a part of the punk movement in the 80's and 90's and I studied the media in college. I also studied psychology, hypnosis and counseling. I am intrigued by what influences people and why.
The missing tortoise signs plastered all over Long Beach by New-Agers from Morningland Urban Monastery gave me a perfect opportunity to talk about this topic and present it in a way that is somewhat entertaining.
I started my table topics presentation with a little "show and tell" of the missing tortoise signs I heisted off local telephone poles. I explained how signs like these are plastered on poles all over Long Beach, spanning a 5-mile radius. I told everyone about how I dreamed of finding the tortoise, how I saw my hand delivering the lost tortoise to its grateful owner for a reward. Then, I showed them the front page of The District; a local paper that's distributed free to coffee houses, restaurants and retail outlets all across Long Beach, California. The missing tortoise signs caught the attention of publishers and resulted in a full cover picture and an article spanning 4 pages complete with informative and entertaining sidebars and a full-page inset photo.
A quote from Al Stone, ex-Morninglander, subsumes is that the missing tortoise signs are a way for Morningland to get publicity. And it worked. But, that's not exactly what we talked about in Toastmasters. We talked about the power of repetitive words and images we're exposed to and how they influence behavior.
Here are the questions I posed to my fellow Toastmasters. I invite you to answer one or more of the questions down in the comments section.
1. Some people believe that he who controls the words/media controls the world. Do you agree or disagree and why?
2. If you could control the media for one day and choose the programming what would you choose and why?
3. Tell us about a song or TV show that had a major impact on you.
4. What is your all-time favorite commercial?
5. Tell us about one item you own that you purchased solely because of advertising.
6. Tell us about a conversation that influenced your life.
7. As you think about every item attached to your body right now (clothes, accessories, wallet) tell us about one item that you own because of someone else's influence.
8. Name one rule that you learned early in life that has made you the person you are today.
9. Talk about a time when you had a song stuck in your head and couldn't get it out.
To find out more about joining Agape Toastmasters in Culver City, visit them on the web at: http://agape.freetoasthost.info. Toastmasters meetings are open to the public and you can visit for free. Toastmasters is an organization dedicated to helping members improve their communication and public speaking skills.
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Tags: Community Activism, grass roots, long beach, morningland, pop culture, Public Speaking, russian tortoise, Social Awareness, the district weekly, Toastmasters, tortoise



I love the tortoise!
This was an awesome toastmaster’s meeting. And the tortoise story that Sheri brought to our club was a perfect example of Unconditional love, which is what Agape stands for. It is beautiful to see how that unconditional love is not just for all human beings, but also for all animals -such as our beloved tortoise- plants, and the planet in general. If you -or anybody you know- are into unconditional love or simply would like to learn how to improve their public speaking skills you should consider being one of our guests on Saturday morning. You can e-mail me at jesus@jesusnebot.com for more inforamtion.
With Love,
Jesus
The only problem I see with this turtle, is Morningland loves this turtle more than they do their own people. Morningland threw out 960 people. some people still do not know why? when they call or knock on the phone they are ignored. Morningland has more compassion for this reptile, then living breathing humans.
Thinnas was her name and Chi-Ron away
But she lives in the harts of the children now, who now, are the elders.
To believe, is the never ending waring of knee pads
To remember is a precious gift,
To know is to blessing,
For in the knowing, lied her freedom.
Good day
Chiron
Sheri-
One of the most intriguing Table Topics EVAH! Great job…and fascinating story. The intro could have been one of your speeches- I wanted to know everything!!!!
Kelli
Could not agee with you more..
Right On! The tortoise has escaped the compound at the CULT called Morningland in Long Beach (aka The Monastery) and found its way free to live a natural life in the desert! Sorry to hear though that it took so many years to free itself. That said, however, it’s NEVER to late to free yourself from the binds of that insane group! Ah freedom – feels wonderful! Cheers to the Tortoise! http://ex-morninglanders.com/