The 213th Regular Meeting: Apr 18, 2026

Our 213th meeting was full of energy and great speeches. Today, I would like to focus this blog on our four prepared speakers.

First, Mats asked a very interesting question: "Will AI take over the job of an interpreter?" She explained that there are things only humans can do, like reading subtle facial expressions. Her talk was very helpful, and I believe that kind of "human touch" is something only Mats can provide.

Our second speaker, Madelyn, shared a heartwarming story about the kindness around us. It’s true—we really are surrounded by kindness. We usually enjoy her humorous speeches, but today she showed us a new, touching side of her speaking style. It made her speech even more meaningful and rich.

The third speaker, Takashi, gave a very strong and motivational speech. I loved his conclusion: "No matter my age, it is never too late." He is the perfect example of this message. Since joining Senri Toastmasters, his English and presentation skills have improved so much. I really admire how hard he works to reach his goals. He proved that it is never too late for a new challenge!

Our final speaker, Rene, gave a professional presentation about an event plan. It was very well-organized, like a real business presentation. She even handled disruptive questions perfectly. We learned a lot of skills that we can use in our own workplaces.

Also, I really enjoyed the Table Topics session. In Japan, we often talk about "May Sickness" (gogatsu-byo), where people feel a bit tired or lose motivation during this season. Our Table Topics Master, Kazu, prepared great questions for us. It was nice to hear everyone’s opinions before May starts. Thanks to this session, I think we can all keep our motivation high!

It was a splendid meeting with a lot of learning. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

(Eri)

Online Meeting Highlights: Rhetorical Tools — April 4, 2026

4月4日のオンラインミーティングはバラエティに富んだ内容でした。Eriの日本語でのスピーチの発音についての紹介、Anneの“Rhetorical Tools”のプレゼンテーション、HikoのDistinguished Club Programについてのプレゼンテーション、Tenten のVice President Education （教育担当副会長）の役割醍醐味…Toastmasters のメンバー向けの内容も含まれていましたが、リーダーシップスキルとスピーチ・プレゼンテーションスキルに関する内容がバランス良く含まれていて、トーストマスターズがどんなところか、というところがある意味凝縮されていて、来てくださったゲストにもわかりやすく楽しんでいただけたのではないでしょうか。

さて、その中から一つピックアップしてご紹介しましょう。
Rhetoricalな手法ってご存じですか？修辞法…一見（一聴）難しそうですね？

Anneのスピーチでは、実際の例と共に、いくつかの修辞的な技法が紹介されました。

• Anaphora –　首句反復　文頭で何度も同じフレーズを繰り返す。
  Martin Luther King Jr. の “I have a dream!”が代表的な例だそうです。
• Metaphor – 比喩 – “You are my sunshine”
• Hyperbole –　誇張　（この読みは「はいぱぼりー」） “ I can eat like a horse!”
• Personification – 擬人化　“Wind whispered…”　

今回のAnneのProjectは、単にこのプレゼンテーションをする、ということだけではなく、話し好きの人がコメントを長々としたり、おしゃべり好きの人が私語を挟んだり、といった邪魔者をさばいていく「Managing Difficult Audience」というミッションを持ったものでした。
私自身も、持論を延々と述べる役を仰せつかったため、しっかり聞いて内容を理解しつつ、どんな邪魔をしようかと企むことになり、なかなか濃密な時間になりました。

そのあとは、2-3人ずつ分かれてDiscussion。例文を作ってみたりして定着を図りました。
修辞法をマスターして、更に魅力的なスピーチが作れますように！

千里トーストマスターズクラブでは、スピーチやプレゼンテーションを実際にやってみたり、他の人からTipsを学んだり、また、リーダーシップスキルについても学んでいます。
実際にどんなことをしているのか、体験してみませんか？
見学のお申込みはWebsiteのCONTACT USからどうぞ！

(Marylin)

The 212th Regular Meeting: Mar 21, 2026 “A Heartwarming and Assertive Saturday at Senri!”

Thank you everyone for another wonderful meeting! To be honest, I was struggling with hay fever and felt quite congested, wondering how I’d get through the session. However, simply participating gave me so much energy that I feel completely refreshed now. There was so much to take in, but I would like to share three particular highlights that stayed with me.

First, Ma-chan shared a touching "My Senri Experience" that reminded us all of Anne’s incredible mindset. It was heartening to hear how Anne always reaches out to new members with such encouraging words. The idea that Toastmasters is a place where we can embrace failure without fear and then apply that assertive confidence to our workplaces is something that truly resonated with me. I am so glad Ma-chan shared that spirit with us today.

Next, I was delighted to hear from our four speakers. These are four individuals whose stories I look forward to every single time, and today was no exception. In particular, Takashi-san’s speech brought a lump to my throat. Having followed his heartfelt posts about his wife on Facebook, hearing him speak today with such a blend of humor and deep emotion was incredibly moving. It was a truly assertive and honest performance, and I sincerely wish his wife could have heard that beautiful story.

I was also deeply impressed by Tenten. Even though he delivers flawless speeches every time, seeing him intently taking notes while listening to his evaluation reminded me that this humble, lifelong-learning attitude is what matters most, no matter how experienced we become. It was a powerful example of how to be assertive in one's own growth.

This meeting was a truly fruitful experience for everyone involved. A huge thank you to our Toastmaster of the Day, Yuriko, for leading us with such a fun and welcoming atmosphere. I also want to say a big congratulations to Mats on your debut as a role taker! Welcoming Mats as a new member makes Senri Toastmasters Club an even more vibrant and exciting place to be.

I look forward to seeing you all again next month!

(Eri)

The 211th Regular Meeting: February 21, 2026 “Contest Spirit and a Heartfelt Farewell”

At our 211th Regular Meeting, the Senri Toastmasters Club atmosphere was filled with a unique blend of focused determination and warm sentiment. As we are currently in the midst of the contest season, our agenda included a special session dedicated to supporting our club contestants.

Highlight 1: Road to the Contest – Feedback for our Contestants

In addition to our usual content, we held a special practice session for our club contestants, Anne and Eri. Both delivered their contest-ready speeches, providing a "fruitful and beneficial" opportunity for all club members to engage in the spirit of "teamwork".

The venue was opened for feedback, and the response was overwhelming. Many members offered insightful comments and suggestions, creating a learning loop that benefited not only the contestants but every member in attendance. This session truly embodied our motto of "Growing Together."

📅 Mark your calendars!
The Area C3 Contest will be held on February 28th. We encourage anyone interested in witnessing high-level public speaking to come and support our contestants!

Highlight 2: A Fond Farewell to Mune-san

The meeting also carried a touch of sadness as we bid a "bittersweet" farewell to Mune-san. For the past four years, Mune-san has been a dedicated member, participating almost exclusively online from Tokyo. Due to a new work assignment, he will be moving to the United States.

In his closing remarks, Mune-san shared that his time with Senri Toastmasters significantly improved his English skills and public speaking confidence. He expressed that, thanks to the club, he now feels ready to share the joy of learning and prepared to embark on his new journey abroad. While we will miss his presence, we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments.

Good luck in the USA, Mune-san!
We will always be cheering for you from Senri! 

 (Kama-yan)

Special Meeting: Education Series – Presentation and Table Topics Contestant Practice | February 7, 2026

Participants at our February 7 meeting

On February 7, our Toastmasters club held a special meeting, titled “Better Speaker Series; Presentation and Table Topics Contestant Practice.” It aimed at our skill up in presentation and Table Topics speech, and especially for two Table Topics contestants.

Prepared Speech Session

This session opened with a presentation by Hiko, whose title “Knock Out Impromptu Speaking” had a playful atmosphere. The presentation, however, was based on the serious research, so the visual aid greatly helped the audience to better understand it. We look forward to members’ knocking-out speeches.

The second speaker was Ten Ten, who presented on “Your Body Speaks.” He said, “Your body speaks far louder than your words, therefore your speech can be improved by the repetition of training and your body language becomes natural. You’ll get the freedom to speak naturally.” This may come from his hands-on practice. His presentation had a profound meaning.

Table Topics Session

Sora’s choice of topic, "The Olympic Games or winter sports," was timely. Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games began on February 6, 2026. She gave her own comment to each speech and enriched this session.

Evaluation Session

The two evaluators, Rene and Kazu, greatly attracted our attention in their comments including suggestions. How to project the speaker himself with the visual aid and what is the good priority to beginners. These suggestions benefited us, too.

Table Topics Contestant-Practice and Feedback Session

Given topics, the two contestants (one is in English and the other in Japanese) delivered impromptu speeches twice. To each speech, other members gave feedback speeches. In a tense atmosphere, this pattern was very fruitful and beneficial to both the contestants and the members giving feedback. A chance like this is rare but desirable for all the members.

As a general evaluator, I report that the special meeting ended meaningfully, thanks to the great control of the Toastmaster of the Day, Marylin and all the other members’ dedication.
(Tami)

Education Series Special Meeting : "Successful Club Series" － January 31, 2026

Spotlight on Marylin's Speech: What will improve your skills

The January 31 Serni Toastmasters meeting featured three strong Prepared Speeches, but the one that left the deepest impression was Marylin's What will improve your skills. Her message stood out because it reframed something familiar —Toastmasters roles—as a powerful engine for personal growth.

Marylin explained that every role in a meeting carries a specific learning purpose. The Toastmaster of the Day builds facilitation and leadership. The Evaluator sharpens analytical thinking and constructive communication. The Timer and Grammarian strengthen observation, precision, and awareness. Rather than seeing roles as routine assignments, she encouraged members to view them as structured training modules designed to develop different skill sets.

What made her speech compelling was the clarity with which she connected these roles to real-world improvement. She emphasized that growth does not come only from delivering speeches. It comes from participating fully in the ecosystem of the club, observing others, supporting the meeting, and reflecting on what each role teaches. Her examples illustrated how even small responsibilities can lead to meaningful progress when approached with intention.

Her delivery was calm, thoughtful, and grounded in experience. The audience was reminded that Toastmasters is not just a place to speak, but a place to practice leadership, listening, and collaboration in a safe and supportive environment. By the end of her speech, members were inspired to take on roles more actively and to appreciate the hidden learning opportunities embedded in every meeting.

Marylin's message set the tone for the rest of the session, offering a foundation of “learning through participation” that resonated throughout the meeting.

(by Mune)