When you throw an “Open House” there are usually mixed feelings. A new phase of life is nigh! But a stream of strangers just questioned your taste in wallpaper, and now you have to get your carpet cleaned.

Fortunately, there were no mixed feelings at all as VanCore staged its first-ever Open House, on the Coal Harbour waterfront. It was all good. Better than good: Out-of-the-park great.

The idea was to celebrate the club, and to introduce prospective new members to Toastmasters in general and VanCore in particular. Because there’s no subsitute for being there. We think we’re a winning group, but hey: you wouldn’t marry or even date someone you had never met.

Let’s not debate who gets credit for the huge turnout. (Connie for her organizing efforts? Carla for the dazzling design work on the invitations?) There were as many guests as members. The wine flowed. There was yummy food and a great view of the North Shore mountains.

The newbies were treated to a great presentation by Connie on “openings,” from the Better Speakers series. And guest-speaker Gene Vickers, a Distinguished Toastmaster and outstanding community volunteer, beguiled with a story of “Coming back to life” on his bicycle. So THIS is what Toastmasters is all about. In the end it was hard to empty the room.

Thanks to all involved for making this happen. Was super-fun.

And not a speck of dirt was left on the carpet.