BET Meeting Minutes

August 25, 2026

Presiding Officer: Rick Dixon

 

Theme: Ice Cream

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Rick Dixon

Toastmaster:  Mike Costa

Word of the Day: Kianush Dixon

Avuncular – kind, friendly and helpful

Humorist: Kelli Dixon

Speakers:

1.    Alex Dabich – Presentation Mastery: #2-1 Effective Body Language: “I Swore I’d Never Live in the Suburbs” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 6:33

2.    Lydia Underwood – Visionary Communication #2-2 Understanding Your Communication Style: “Head and Heart” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 6:44

     

     Table Topics: Cornell Schultz

1.    Rick Dixon - 1:29

2.    Susan Martin - 1:17

3.    Terence Melanos – 1:06

 

General Evaluator: Janet Schreibman

1.    Evaluators:

      Susan Martin – n/a

2.    Bill Martin – n/a

Timer: Michael Lin

AH Counter/Grammarian: none

Club Business:

·         Minutes approved for August 11, 2026 meeting

 

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Alex Dabich, Janet Schreibman,  Mike Costa, Terence Melonas, Christopher Wahlfeld, Cornell Schultz, Bill Martin, Susan Martin, Michael Lin

Virtual: none

Guests: Tuang, Glennis, Connor, Sonya

Word Users: Lydia, Janet, Glennis

 

BET Meeting Minutes

August 11, 2026

Presiding Officer: Rick Dixon

 

Theme: GRIT

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Rick Dixon

Toastmaster: Kianush Dixon

Word of the Day: Joe Stricker

Ambivalent, adj. – having mixed feelings or contradictory feelings about something or someone

Humorist: Rick Dixon

Speakers:

1.    Kristin Johnson – Presentation Mastery: #3 vocal variety and body language: “I Swore I’d Never” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 7:45

Table Topics: Terence Melanos

Alex Dabich - 1:18

2.    Joe Stricker - 1:16

3.    Christopher Wahlfeld – 1:55

4.    Mike Costa – 1:22

5.    Janet Schreibman – 2:13

6.    Cornell Schultz – 1:01

General Evaluator: Kelli Dixon

1.    Janet Schreibman - 3:03

Timer: Mike Costa

AH Counter/Grammarian: Joe Stricker

Club Business:

•          Minutes approved for July 28, 2026 meeting
•        Congratulations to new member Christopher Wahlfeld on joining BET!

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Alex Dabich, Janet Schreibman,  Kristin Johnson, Mike Costa, Terence Melonas, Joe Stricker, Christopher Wahlfeld

Virtual: none

Guests: Eric Quilion, Kyle Pickard, Cornell Schultz

Word Users: Rick, Kianush

 

BET Meeting Minutes

July 28, 2026

Presiding Officer: Rick Dixon

 

Theme: Stories in Every Song

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Rick Dixon

Toastmaster: Alex Dabich

Word of the Day: Susan Martin

Evoke, verb – to bring a feeling, memory or image into your mind; when a sight, sound, smell or action makes you remember something or feel an emotion.

Humorist: Chandler Telfer

Speakers:

1.     Lydia Underwood – Visionary Communication - Understanding Your Leadership Style: “Looking in the Mirror” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 5:49

2.    Willy Baumgartner – Presentation Mastery - Effective Body Language: “Things that Frighten Me” (requesting 5-7 minutes) 6:34

Ta  Table Topics: Rick Dixon

Kr  Kristin Johnson - 1:28

      Kelli Dixon - 1:13

3.    Joe Stricker – 1:09

4.    Terence Melanos – 1:29

General Evaluator: Kianush Dixon 

Evaluator 1:  Mike Costa - 3:04 

Evaluator 2:   Marc Smith – n/a

Timer: Bill Martin

AH Counter/Grammarian: Terence Melanos

Club Business:

• ·         Minutes approved for July 14, 2026 meeting with correction of Michael Lin as timer

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Alex Dabich, Michael Lin, Chandler Telfer, Janet Schreibman,  Kristin Johnson, Mike Costa, Terence Melonas, Joe Stricker, Susan Martin, Bill Martin, Marc Smith, Willy Baumgartner, Lydia Underwood

Virtual: none

Guests: Rhiannon

Word Users: Willy, Marc, Kianush

 

BET Meeting Minutes

July 14, 2026

Presiding Officer: Rick Dixon

 

Theme: Men’s Fashion

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Rick Dixon

Toastmaster: Terence Melanos

Word of the Day: Chris Goldman

Consolidation – the act of making solid or firm; combining in one body or system; organizing and strengthening

Humorist: Mike Costa

Speakers:

1. Kelli Dixon – Presentation Mastery #2-2; “Understanding My Communication Style” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 4:43
2.  Chandler Telfer – Presentation Mastery #3; “Keeping the Commitment” (requesting 10-15 minutes) 12:21

Table Topics: Kianush Dixon

1. Joe Stricker- 1:21
2.  Cornell (guest) - 1:13
3. Bill Martin – 1:18

General Evaluator: Rick Dixon

1.    Alex Dabich - 3:46

2.    Jesus Mendoza – 3:10

Timer: Michael Lin

Ah Counter/Grammarian: Kristin Johnson

Club Business:

• ·         Minutes approved for June 30, 2026 meeting

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Alex Dabich, Michael Lin, Jesus Mendoza, Chandler Telfer, Janet Schreibman,  Kristin Johnson, Mike Costa, Terence Melonas, Joe Stricker, Susan Martin, Bill Martin

Virtual: Chris Goldman

Guests: Christopher, Cornell

Word Users: none

 

BET Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2026

Presiding Officer: Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: America

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Jesus Mendoza

Toastmaster: Chandler Telfer

Word of the Day: Kristin Johnson

Melodramatic: showing much stronger emotions than are necessary or usual for a situation; behavior that is extreme, exaggerated, or overly theatrical

Humorist: Chris Goldman

Speakers:

1.    Marc Smith – “Dealing with the Younger Generation” (requesting 5-7 minutes): 9:23

Table Topics: Jesus Mendoza

Michael Lin - 1:01

Alex Dabich - 1:27

3.    Mike Costa – 1:52

4.    Rick Dixon - 1:36

5.    Kelli Dixon - 1:07

General Evaluator: Janet Schreibman

1.    Willy Baumgartner - 2:57

Timer: Kelli Dixon

AH Counter/Grammarian: Lydia Underwood

Club Business:

1. ·         Correction to previous minutes for June 9 changing theme to “Perceptions”
2. ·         Minutes approved for June 23, 2026 meeting

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Alex Dabich, Michael Lin, Jesus Mendoza, Chandler Telfer, Willy Baumgartner, Janet Schreibman, Marc Smith, Kristin Johnson, Mike Costa, Terence Melonas

Virtual: Lydia Underwood

Guests: Annemary, Lilly Smith, Cornell Schultz

Word Users: Chris, Marc, Willy, Janet, Chandler

 

BET Meeting Minutes

June 23, 2026

Presiding Officer: Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Veterinary Medicine

Roles and Responsibilities

Opener: N/A

Toastmaster: Willy Baumgartner

Word of the Day: Bill Martin

Opulent (adj.): luxurious, sleek, or affluent

Humorist: Marc Smith

 

Prepared Speakers

1. Kristin Johnson (Asking 5-7 minutes): 6:43

2. Michael Lin (Asking 5-7 minutes): 7:20

 

Table Topics:

1. Runsha Ninawe

      2. Kelli Dixon 1:15

2.      3. Terence Melow: 1:21

3.    4.  Chandler Telfer: 1:07

4.     5. Kianush Dixon: 0:39

5.      6. Chris Goldman: 1:09

6.   7.  Marc Smith: 0:55

General Evaluator: Kianush Dixon

Evaluators:

1.    1. Susan Martin: 3:09

2.   2. Chris Goldman: 3:14

Timer: Jesus Mendoza

AH Counter/Grammarian: N/A

Word Users: Bill, Runsha, Kianush

Members Present: Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Rick Dixon, Susan Martin, Bill Martin, Willy Baumgartner, Marc Smith, Kristin Johnson, Michael Lin, Terence Melow, Runsha Ninawe, Chris Goldman, Jesus Mendoza, Chandler Tefler

Virtual Attendees: none

Guests: Cornell, Lilly Smith

Club Business:

·         New Officer Team Approved (yay!)

-       President: Rick Dixon

-       Vice Present of Education: Kelli Dixon

-       Vice President of Membership: Kristin Johnson

-       Vice President of Public Relations: Runsha Ninawe

-       Secretary: Janet Schreibman

-       Treasurer: Mike Costa

-       Sergeant at Arms: Michael Lin

-       Immediate Past President: Jesus Mendoza

 

·         Next Meeting: June 30, 2026

 

BET Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2026

Presiding Officer: Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Perceptions

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: Jesus Mendoza

Toastmaster: Runsha Ninawe

Word of the Day: Kianush Dixon

Succinct – expressing what needs to be said clearly and in as few words as possible, without unnecessary fluff.

Humorist: Terence Melonas and Janet Schreibman

Speakers:

Rick Dixon – “Saturday Night Palsy” (request 5-7 minutes): 6:55

2.      Bill Martin – “Granny Always Said” (request 5-7 minutes): 6:48

Table Topics: Susan Martin

Table Topics Speakers:

1.    Terence Melonas - 1:21

2.    Marc Smith - 1:17

3.    Joe  Stricker - 1:08

4.    Michael Lin - 1:36

5.    Kristin Johnson – 1:24

General Evaluator: Chris Goldman

Evaluators:

1.     Mike Costa - 4:08

2.     Kelli Dixon - 2:18

Timer: Jesus Mendoza

AH Counter/Grammarian: Janet Schreibman

Word Users: Janet, Rick, Susan, Chris, Kianush

Members Present: Kelli Dixon, Rick Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Bill Martin, Susan, Martin, Mike Costa, Kristin Johnson, Chris Goldman, Michael Lin, Terence Melonas, Jesus Mendoza, Janet Schreibman, Joe Stricker, Marc Smith

Virtual: none

Guests: Annmary Pallan, Herman Thom

Club Business:

• ·         Minutes approved for both May meetings
• ·          Members will vote on new officers during next meeting
• ·         Proposed new officers slate:

            President: Rick Dixon

            VP Education: Kelli Dixon

            VP Membership: Kristin Johnson

            VP Public Relations: Runsha Ninawe

             Secretary: Janet Schreibman

            Treasurer: Mike Costa

            Sgt. @ Arms: Michael Lin with back up Terence Melonas

 

BET Meeting Minutes

May 26, 2026

Presiding Officer: 

Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Weather/Rain

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: N/A

Toastmaster: Jesus Mendoza

Word of the Day: Rick Dixon

Moot (Adj): Often used to mean something that is no longer relevant, has no practical value, or won’t change the outcome of a situation.

Humorist: Willy Baumgartner

Speakers:

1.    1)  Joe Stricker - Persuasive Influence #1 Icebreaker (Asking for 4-6 minutes): 8:04

2.    2)  Alex Dabich (Asking for 5-7 minutes): 7:57

 

Table Topics: Kianush Dixon

1.    1)  Runsha Ninawe - 1:52

2.    2)  Michael Lin - 1:29

3.   3)   Rick Dixon - 1:34

4.    4)  Sam Dixon - 1:16

General Evaluator: Kelli Dixon

1.    1) Christina (Toastmasters Employee) - 2:12

2.    2)  Lydia Underwood - 3:34

Timer: Terence Melanos

AH Counter/Grammarian: Michael Lin

Club Business:

• ·         New leadership roles due at end of June. Try to have them chosen by next meeting (June 9^th)

Word Users: Rick, Christina, and Christopher 

Members Present: Rick Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Joe, Alex Diabich, Michael Lin, Terence Melow, Jesus Mendoza

Virtual: Willy Baumgartner, Runsha Ninawe, Chris Goldman

Guests: Christopher, Christina (Toastmasters Employee), Sam Dixon, Mark Smith, Anna Smith, Jukoh

 

BET Meeting Minutes

May 12, 2026

Presiding Officer:

Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Speeches That Were Never Delivered

 

Roles & Responsibilities:

Opener:  Jesus Mendoza

Toastmaster:  Jesus Mendoza

Word of the Day: Willy Baumgartner

manifest – to turn desires into visuals; clear; obvious;

Humorist: Kianush Dixon

 

Table Topics: Joe Stricker

Table Topic Speakers:

1)    Rick Dixon – 1:24

2 )  Bill Martin – n/a

1)    Terence Melanos – 1:07

 

Speaker(s):

1)    Chandler Telfer –  Level 3 “A Small Pouch, Big Impact”  (requested 5-7 min) 5:52

2)    Janet Schreibman –  Wedding Ceremony (requested 20-22 min) 15:03

 

General Evaluator: Rick Dixon

Evaluator(s):

1)    Kelli Dixon – 2:28

2)    Susan Martin – 4:58

 

Ah Counter/Grammarian: Terence Melanos

Timer:  Bill Martin

 

Club Business:

 

• Minutes approval for both April meetings
• Congratulations to Joe Stricker for becoming a new BET member

 

Members Present: Janet Schreibman, Rick Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Kelli Dixon, Susan Martin, Bill Martin, Terence Melonas, Chandler Telfer,  Joe Stricker, Jesus Mendoza

 

Guest(s): Jack, Christopher Waufeld, Brandon Kehl

 

Virtual Attendees: Willy Baumgartner

 

Word Users:  Janet, Chandler, Kianush

 

BET Meeting Minutes

April 28, 2026

Presiding Officer: Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Plot Twists – life’s detours, delays, and disruptions often carry hidden gifts that reveal themselves in hindsight.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Opener: N/A

Toastmaster: Kristin Johnson

Word of the Day: Alex Dabich

evanescent (Adjective): Lasting for only a short time.

Humorist: Bill and Susan Martin

Speaker(s)

1. Kianush Dixon (request 5-7 minutes): 6:28
2. Jesus Mendoza (request 5-7 minutes): 6:16
3.  Lydia Underwood “A Sustainable and Ethical Framework for Design” (request 5-7 minutes): 6:18

Table Topics: Chris Goldman

Table Topics Speakers:

1.    Bobby Block - 1:14

2.    Michael Linn - 1:57

3.    Alex Dabich - 1:17

4.    Chandler Telfer - 1:16

General Evaluator: Chandler Telfer

Evaluator(s):

1.    Susan Martin - 3:49

2.    Rick Dixon - 2:00

3.    Willy Baumgartner - 4:04

Timer: Kelli Dixon

AH Counter/Grammarian: Mike Costa

Word Users: Alex, Lydia, Michael, Chandler

Members Present: Kelli Dixon, Rick Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Bill Martin, Susan, Martin, Mike Costa, Alex Dabich, Kristen, Lydia Underwood, Chris Goldman, Michael Lin, Bobby, Chandler Telfer, Terence Melonas, Jesus Mendoza

Virtual: Willy Baumgartner

Guests: Christopher

Club Business:

• Review past meeting minutes next meeting
• Members need to update Pathways with past speeches to get club awards
•  Officer Elections in June. Consider filling an officer role.
• Next Meeting: May 12^th

 

BET Meeting Minutes

April 14, 2026

Presiding Officer:

Jesus Mendoza

 

Theme: Notable Comedians

 

Roles & Responsibilities:

Opener:  Jesus Mendoza

Toastmaster:  Kianush Dixon

Word of the Day: Kelli Dixon

Sagacious, adj. – having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement

Humorist: Rick Dixon

Table Topics: Jesus Mendoza

Table Topic Speakers:

1)    Chris Goldman - :1:28

2)    Alex Dabich – 1:18

3)    Bill Martin – 1:23

4)    Kristin Johnson – 1:43

5)    Janet Schreibman – 2:06

 Speaker(s):

1)    Chandler Telfer – Presentation Mastery Level 3, Interviewing Skills (requested 5-7 min) 7:26

2)    Terence Melonas – “Beyond Prompt Engineering” (requested 18-20 min) 21.53

 

General Evaluator: Mike Costa

Evaluator(s):

1)    Bill Martin – 3:20

2)    Chris Goldman – 4:10

 Ah Counter/Grammarian: Kristin Johnson

Timer:  Susan Martin

 

Club Business:

 

• Minutes approved for March 31st meeting
• Officers are in compliance with getting credit for TLI spring training
• Club dues were paid to TI within date restriction for appropriate credit
• Members are encouraged to consider running for an officer role in upcoming election

Members Present: Janet Schreibman, Jesus Mendoza, Rick Dixon,  Kelli Dixon, Kianush Dixon, Susan Martin, Bill Martin, Terence Melonas, Kristen Johnson. Mike Costa, Chandler Telfer

 Guest(s):  Brandon Kehl, Aaron Wayne, Joe Stricker

 Virtual Attendees: none                                        

Word Users:  Rick, Chandler, Susan