Division Club Officer Training – A Refresher and An Eye Opener: June 24, 2023

 The 2023-2024 new term officers of Senri Toastmasters Club (Area C3) participated in a half-day Club Officer Training. We were in full attendance and in full force. Some officers were experienced and have held several offices. Our Senri Team has two neophytes who were very receptive and committed to their office roles. We were committed to learning about our designated posts, listening to other Toastmasters clubs' officers, to ask and airing out our concerns and goals with the purpose of sharing and getting new ideas. Having these in mind, we will face the year ahead strongly, enhancing each other to do his/her duty responsibly and with joy that will trigger a “smooth sailing”, educationally fulfilling, and warm thriving home club in Area C3 and in Division C.

The First Session (Breakout Room 1): I realized that most clubs in Division C share the same concern as Senri Toastmasters Club – the need to increase the number of members. Senri club has a very strong base in terms of its educational output coming from members. But to make the meeting livelier, more varied, and not an additional load on role-takers, we need new active members. These prospective members are people who not only learn/wish to grow for themselves but have the concern to work hand in hand for the club's goals and its members. There are several ways that we aim to have new members: (1) work more on PR using social media, (2) to lure back former or inactive members by pointing out what they are missing, (3) work in line with the District 76 Public Relations, but coming up with an original and customized Senri Club Flyer, (4) to check the municipalities that have International Associations Offices, and (5) advertise the club through "word of mouth."

The Second Session (Breakout Room 2), made us, Division C Clubs, realize the problems of maintaining a team of working officers. Sometimes, due to personal/unforeseen reasons, an officer cannot function very well or has to leave the club. This cannot be helped; thus, flexibility and workload division have to be done. Likewise, creating certain committees for offices can be of help in choosing the next person in line. The experience of a committee member will expose him/her to the office task.

The Third Session (Breakout Room 3): Senri new officers met together in this session. We tried to answer the question – being in office a "Burden" or an "Opportunity." As the top officer, I can sense that each officer shared the same mentality and feeling that holding our office gives us an "Opportunity" to serve the club and fellow Toastmasters, learn the mechanics of our designated office, and gain professionally in aspects of communication and leadership.

SENRI Toastmasters Club's foremost aim is to increase the number of club members. But within the club, how will we, OFFICERS lead SENRI Toastmasters Club? WE wish to let everyone be heard, be observed – giving a chance/a role for everyone. WE have to set an example not only in ways deemed of a person: but in all the club meetings and related activities. WE wish to pay attention to each other's concerns and to pick up hints from the members. Lastly, WE aim to practice sensitivity, supportiveness, encouragement, and to have a strong TEAMWORK.

As a whole, the Division C "Club Officer Training" was indeed a "Refresher" for all officers who seemed to be bogged down by concerns/problems that lie ahead this term. Each one was refreshed by ideas and answers to their different concerns. It was also an "Eye Opener" for the new officers as to the tasks, the experiences of fellow Toastmasters, the available resources, and the possibilities they can use and be equipped with.

Rene

The 179th Regular Meeting: June 17, 2023

 The 179th regular meeting was called to order, exactly 2 o'clock in the afternoon on June 17, 2023.

President Kama-yan gave us his last greetings. June is the last month of his presidency. He did a great job leading and encouraging members. Kudos to Kama-yan!

We had three prepared speeches: First one about the book "Little Women," which is very popular. She talked about the content, characters, happenings, and etc. The organization was good, but the flow to the conclusion needed to explain more in detail. Anyway, I enjoyed her speech so much. The second speech was about generative AI. He used some technical words which were not familiar to  me. In conclusion he accepted AI positively. Much easier explanation would have been appreciated for people like me. The third speech was about his first trip to India. He had many uncomfortable experiences, but he seemed to like Indian people who were energetic and good. His story was humorous and interesting. All three speakers were well prepared and made us enjoy speeches.

In the evaluation session, we had three experienced evaluators. The first evaluator gave a couple of good suggestions. The second evaluator seemed familiar to AI and suggested telling us its pros and cons. I think it was a good idea. The third evaluator organized his evaluation speech in three parts, that is, 1) purpose, 2) body language, and 3) vocal variety. As a result his evaluation speech was effective and understandable.

In the Table Topic session, Yasuko, who was assigned as Topicsmaster for the first time, did a very good job. She prepared well and gave us unique questions, for example asking,“What is that?" while showing a ballpoint pen.

As a whole, the meeting was enjoyable, comfortable, and educational thanks to Toastmaster of the Day Rene, who made the meeting go smoothly. 

Feedback Speech Practice Session, June 3 / フィードバックスピーチ練習会 6/3

We held another special event, Feedback Speech Practice Session, on Sat., June 3. This special session was attended by a total of eight, six members and two guests.

Presentation

At the beginning of the event, one of the members made a presentation titled "The Best Takeaway in Toastmasters." Though we practice making speeches, we don't really have many opportunities to deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech in life. To the contrary, our life is a series of providing and receiving feedback. Practicing feedback speeches, or Evaluation Speeches as we call it in Toastmasters, is in a sense the best takeaway in Toastmasters. 

He talked about how to deliver an evaluation speech using an analogy to a course meal. 

Appetizers

Though the main purpose of an evaluation speech is to provide constructive criticism, starting with suggestions is not easy for the listener to swallow. So, we might want to start with appetizers, some compliments in recognition of what the speaker did well in their speech. 

Main dish

Once the speaker is ready, it's time to serve the main dish, your suggestions to make the speech even better. Yet, you might want to pay attention to make it easier to swallow. Some techniques you can employ includes:
1. Using "I-words" rather than "You-words,"
2. Talking specifically using some examples,
3. Using inanimate subject and passive voice ("be -ed" form), and
4. Using subjunctive mood ("I would have appreciated it even more").

Dessert

After you've made some suggestions, you might want to finish your evaluation speech with some dessert, some encouraging comments to urge the speaker to incorporate some of the suggestions you've made for a better result.

Practice

After Tenten's presentation came the main part. The participants listened to Kama-yan's prepared speech and discuss what was good and what could be improved upon in two breakout rooms. This was followed by a series of evaluation speeches delivered by each and every participant.

The final session was our usual Evaluation Session, but this time, two each form the two breakout rooms delivered their evaluation speeches for Kama-yan. Four evaluators delivered their evaluation speeches from their own perspective. It was great to see two guests delivered a beautifully crafted evaluation speeches with valuable suggestions. Wonderfully done!!

This was so fun and educational that we are doing a similar event this Saturday, June 10 from our usual meeting time, 2:00 p.m. The session is scheduled to last 90 minutes. If you're interested, sign up from the "CONTACT US" form on our website! You, too, will enjoy "The Best Takeaway in Toastmasters."

 

「Toastmasters一番のお土産」
今回はフィードバックをする練習会でした。準備したスピーチをする機会なんて実際の生活ではあまりありませんが、フィードバックの機会なら毎日のようにあります。それが練習できるのがToastmastersのおいしいところ。今回はスピーチへのフィードバック（Evaluation Speech）の練習を通してフィードバックの方法を練習しました。

最初にメンバーのTentenがコツをプレゼンテーション。コース料理と同じようにメインディッシュである改善への提案をいきなり出されても身構えてしまうもの。まずは前菜のごとく、良かった点を認めて聞く態勢を作ってもらいましょう。

次にメインディッシュ。スピーチをより良くするための提案です。ここでもスピーカーにとって受け入れやすいように、
１．自分がどう感じたかを中心に話す、
２．例を使って具体的に分かるように話す、
３．無生物主語を使って攻撃的に聞こえないように話す、
４．仮定法を使って仮の話として話す
などの工夫ができます。

プレゼンテーションの後は実践の機会。Kama-yanのスピーチを聞いてブレイクアウトルームに分かれて感想を話し合った後、参加者全員がEvaluation Speechを練習。その後、メインルームでは通常の形式のEvaluation Sessionとなりましたが、今回はそれぞれのプレイクアウトルームから２人ずつ４人がKama-yanのスピーチをEvaluation。４人とも独自の視点でのEvaluation Speechで良かったですね。特にゲストのお２人が価値ある提案を含んだよくまとまったEvaluation Speechをしてくれたのが印象的でした。素晴らしい❣

今回、とても良い学びの機会になったので、また似たイベントを行います。今度の土曜日（6/10）、いつものミーティングと同じ午後２時から90分のセッションです。ご興味がおありでしたらホームページの CONTACT US フォームからお申し込みを。「Toastmasters一番のお土産」を持って帰ってください。