The 214th Regular Meeting: May 16, 2026 "General Evaluator’s Reflection"

Today’s Senri Toastmasters meeting was filled with energy, inspiration, and thoughtful participation. As the General Evaluator, I had the opportunity to observe the meeting as a whole, and I was impressed by the positive atmosphere and strong teamwork throughout the session.

A Smooth and Energetic Meeting

Our Toastmaster of the Day, Takashi, took on this role for the first time — and what an outstanding debut it was! With his loud, cheerful voice and welcoming presence, he immediately created an energetic atmosphere for everyone. He guided us through the meeting with professionalism and elegance, and his transitions between sections were especially smooth and natural.

One phrase that stood out was:

“Let’s move on to the next session. Before moving on, let’s get the time rules.”

Simple, clear, and effective transitions like this helped the meeting flow seamlessly from one part to the next.

Excellent Support Roles

Tamiko did an excellent job as Timer. Today was no easy task — she had to time more than 20 speeches, including the New Officers Election speeches. Phew! Despite the busy agenda, her timing control remained clear and accurate throughout the meeting. Thank you so much for your hard work and concentration.

Our Ah-Counter, Ma-chan, also demonstrated great attentiveness. She carefully tracked filler words and gave a clear report at the end of the meeting. Interestingly, the report was quite short because very few people used filler words today — a wonderful sign of strong speaking skills among our members!

One suggestion for future meetings would be that when filler words are minimal, the Ah-Counter could spend a little more time explaining the importance of the role and how reducing filler words improves speech clarity and confidence.

Creative and Thought-Provoking Table Topics

Today marked Mats’s debut as Table Topics Master, and she did a fantastic job. Her chosen theme was Education, and she prepared creative and thought-provoking questions that encouraged meaningful discussion.

Some memorable questions included:

• “How should teaching styles be improved in Japan?”
• “In the age of AI, some school subjects may become more important while others become less important. What subject do you think will become more important?”

The questions were timely, relevant, and inspired many interesting responses from participants.

Inspiring Prepared Speeches

The Prepared Speech Session featured three excellent speeches, each with its own unique message and emotional impact.

“Not Walking Alone” — Yuriko

Yuriko delivered a touching and persuasive speech about mentorship and personal growth in her Toastmasters journey. Through a heartfelt story, she shared the importance of having a mentor and how her understanding of mentoring changed over time.

One of my favorite passages was:

“But this February, something changed about my understanding of mentoring. I realized my mentor is not only a mentor. She is also challenging herself and growing.”

This reflection added emotional depth and reminded us that mentoring is a journey of mutual growth.

“Redefining Leadership” — Kamayan

Kamayan’s speech was another inspirational presentation focused on understanding leadership style and self-growth. His speech honestly described the struggle of focusing too much on personal weaknesses and the shift toward a more positive mindset.

One memorable passages was:

“The more I focused on what I lacked, the more negative I became. A few years later, my perspective began to shift. I discovered the AHA moment!”

The speech encouraged us to rethink leadership not as perfection, but as growth and self-awareness.

“A True Universal Language” — Momoko

Momoko, who usually joins us online, returned to Osaka to present her speech in person. Her project focused on inspiring the audience, and she certainly succeeded. She began by greeting us in sign language, immediately capturing everyone’s attention and curiosity.

One particularly memorable line was:

“Your compulsory education is over. Why not start studying sign language now?”

It was a powerful invitation for all of us to continue learning beyond the classroom and to expand the ways we communicate with others.

Thoughtful Evaluations

To all the evaluators — well done! Your feedback was supportive, encouraging, and clearly showed deep thought and preparation. Evaluations play an important role in helping members grow, and today’s evaluators created a positive environment for improvement.

One suggestion for future evaluations would be to include even more specific examples or quotations from the speeches. Concrete examples can make feedback even more meaningful and impactful for the speaker.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a wonderful meeting filled with strong participation, inspiring speeches, and a positive atmosphere. Meetings like this remind us how much we continue to grow together through encouragement, communication, and shared learning.

I truly appreciate this opportunity to become a better listener and communicator.

(by Anne)

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)