Embracing Diversity at Senri Toastmasters: The 201st Regular Meeting: April 19, 2025

On April 19th, Senri Toastmasters held its 201st regular meeting, and the theme chosen by our Toastmaster of the Day, Jinyoung, was “Diversity.” It was a perfect fit—our club truly celebrates diversity, with members from various age groups, backgrounds, and countries coming together to grow through communication and leadership.

The Word of the Day* chosen by Grammarian, Kama-yan, was “momentum,” which couldn’t have been more appropriate. Just one week before the meeting, two of our members, Tenten and Momo, advanced to the finals of the District Speech Contest—a proud moment that gave great momentum to our entire club!
          

“Here’s My Trick” – Personal Tips

In our unique session called “Here’s My Trick,” a member shares a personal tip or technique that helps them become a better speaker. This time, Munesan offered an insight that resonated with many of us: Instead of trying to recall memorized lines, speak as if you’re talking directly to the audience.

That simple mindset shift can make a speech feel more authentic and impactful. It was a great reminder that connection often matters more than perfection, and it's a tip many of us will carry into our next speeches.

A Truly Diverse Lineup of Prepared Speeches

The Prepared Speech Session showcased a wide variety of topics and perspectives:

• Our first speaker, Kan Kan, delivered her Ice Breaker speech, introducing two major “chapters” of her life. We’re excited to be part of her next chapter!
• Marilyn shared her thoughts on the meaning of the mentoring system in Toastmasters, as well as the do’s and don’ts of mentoring based on her own experience.
• We also heard about solutions for trauma and dealing with serious concerns from Gloria. She offered several thoughtful options.
• Takashi explored communication styles and team building, sharing lessons from his communication journey.

Each speech brought something unique and reflected the richness of experiences in our club.

Constructive and Enjoyable Evaluations

Our Evaluation Session, led by experienced Toastmasters, was not only educational but also filled with humor and warmth. Evaluators provided both praise and suggestions for improvement, sometimes even demonstrating their points to make the feedback clearer.

What I loved was that Kankan, our Ice Breaker speaker, asked her evaluator, Anne, to pay special attention to her pronunciation before the meeting. This thoughtful request helped her gain even more personalized and meaningful feedback—something we can all learn from!

Creative Table Topics* with a Twist

The Table Topics Session, led by Rene, had a fun and creative format: speakers picked a letter of the alphabet, and then gave a short impromptu speech based on a word starting with that letter. It was a great way to spark ideas and get everyone thinking on their feet.

Thanks to everyone’s cooperation and enthusiasm, this meeting was a shining example of how diversity and momentum can come together to create something truly special.

Written by Eri

* Word of the Day is a word that participants are encouraged to use during their speeches to increase vocabulary and felxibility to incorporate something on the spot.
* Table Topics is a term used in Toastmasters for impromptu speeches.

Table Topics (Impromptu Speech) Special: March 29, 2025

Managing Online Meetings

This meeting was special in that one of our members, Hiko, took the challenge of organizing and facilitating an online meeting. As our regular meetings are conducted in a hybrid style with some members joining in person and others joining online, Hiko decided to work on a project called "Manage Online Meetings" at this special meeting, which was to be held solely online. This is a project, or module, in our education program "Pathways" that requires a member to plan and lead either an online meeting or an online webinar lasting for 20-25 minutes.

Hiko decided to conduct an online workshop focused on Table Topics, the term Toastmasters uses to refer to impromptu speeches. First, he made a presentation on some tips we can use when trying to make an impromptu speech. These included changing our mindset, buying some time,

To tackle our anxiety, we should change our mindset from telling the truth to engaging the audience. using a format of PREP (Point, Reason, Example, and Point), using entertaining or unusual taste, and staying on topic or going off topic. Then, he stressed the need for practice.

Practice Makes Perfect

After Hiko's presentation, we went into our breakout rooms to practice Table Topics speeches, where each participant delivered a speech and we had a discussion to look back on our speeches afterward. After the breakout, one member from each breakout room delivered a speech they practiced during the breakout session, followed by an interview by Hiko. It was unique that he incorporated an interview session to discuss the members' experiences, and this proved to be productive, deepening our understanding of what Hiko shared in his presentation. I'd say this was a beautifully manaaged online meeting.

In Toastmasters' education program Pathways, there are projects like this one, which provide us with opportunities to build and/or hone our skills other than public speaking skills. Some give us opportunities to lead a team to complete a project to a success, giving us some hands-on leadership training.

To learn more about these, join us at one of our meetings and see it for yourself.

Author: Tenten

Our Commemorative "Open House" 200th Regular Meeting on March 15, 2025

 This meeting was special in many ways.

First, it was our 200th Regular Meeting. At the beginning, President Mariko explained that the club was chartered in February 2009, and this was our 200th Regular Meeting, adding that we've been having some special meetings in addition to our monthly regular meeting.

Second, this meeting included an Induction Ceremony to welcome a new member, Kankan. After Vice President Membership Kazu gave a brief introduction of the inductee, we voted favorably to accept her as a member.  Kankan took the pledge by reading aloud "A Toastmaster's Promise," and members read aloud the "Club's Pledge" to officially welcome her. 

Third, as part of the Open House, we had a workshop on self-introduction with Rene's presentation, ranging from the benefits of effective self-introduction, the recommended structure, tips for a lasting impression, and the 4 P's Score Card, the characteristics of a great self-introduction. Following her presentation, participants worked in small groups to practice introducing themselves. Then, a representative of each breakout group demonstrated their self-introduction.

Fourth, we had a surprise call during the break from the club's founder, Kiyono, which made the meeting even more memorable.

Lastly, one member, Kama-yan, worked on a unique project called "Active Listening," where he served as Topicsmaster, the facilitator of the Table Topics Session for members and guests to practice impromptu speaking. He not only facilitated the session but also tried to give brief yet to-the-point comments after each speech.

We enjoyed a very special 200th Regular Meeting to celebrate the club's history. We look forward to strengthening our team work to keep on learning.

First Time Facilitating a Session: at the 199th Regular Meeting on Feb. 15, 2025

At our meetings, we have a Table Topics session, where members practice delivering 1-2 minute impromptu speeches on given topics.

At the last meeting, I took on the role of the Topicsmaster, the person who facilitates this session, for the first time. The meeting theme of the day was "Spread the Love," and I also prepared questions under the session theme "Love and Gratitude on Valentine's."

We can take small steps to get accustomed to different roles. I felt more nervous than when I was waiting to be called upon. However, by serving as the Topicsmaster, I learned how to manage the session smoothly within the allocated time while maintaining a warm atmosphere.

"Spread the Love": The 199th Regular Meeting: Feb. 15, 2025

As the President, Marilyn, proclaimed the opening of the meeting, TMOD (Toastmaster of the day), Eri started the meeting. Everybody noticed from the beginning a different, sweet, and warm atmosphere. Yes! It was post-Valentine’s Day. On both sides of the podium, there were dishes full of chocolate candies, and on the whiteboard, the message “Spread the Love” was decorated with colorful heart shapes.

Following each role-taker's explanations, messages of ‘Love’ were shared. The General Evaluator, Hiko’s message was queer, “It's unsuitable for a man to speak of love. Just silently drinking Sapporo beer is cool.

In the Table Topic Session, the theme chosen by Topicsmaster Madoka was also about ‘Love.’ We enjoyed hearing about various kinds of ‘Love’: young couples, older couples, friends, and families.

Another highlight was the Prepared Speech Session and the Evaluation Session. In the Prepared Speech Session, we enjoyed some exotic flavors. Yuriko delivered a speech titled ‘The Life of Nomads.’ The climate, geography, and cultural information she described provided us with a vivid image of the vast grassy lands in Mongolia. Kazu’s speech was ‘Jugaard, which is the Indian way of surviving difficult situations.

Next, the Evaluation Session focused on evaluating the speakers. Each speaker can grow through the cycle of preparing a speech, delivering it, and being evaluated. Of course, the entire audience, including the guests, can fully relish this growing cycle.

We have had the 199th Regular Meeting, so next month, in March, we will hold the historic 200th meeting. Let’s enjoy the special session at the upcoming meeting!

(by HIko)

The Club Speech Competition: Feb. 1, 2025

The recent club competition at Senri Toastmasters Club was a remarkable event, highlighting the exceptional skills of our members. This time, we had four outstanding competitors: Tami, Munesan, Tenten, and Hiko, each delivering speeches that truly impressed the audience.

Members put the knowledge acquired at the previous workshop into practice as voting judges. This provided them with a hands-on experience, which helped members deepen their understanding of effective speeches.

During the interview session, we had the privilege of exploring the backgrounds of our competitors' speech crafting. It was enlightening to hear about the inspirations and meticulous preparations that went into their presentations, offering valuable insights into their creative processes.

We were also thrilled to see our newest member, Yuriko, actively contributing as the vote counter. Her enthusiasm and dedication were evident, and she played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the event.

The competition was held in a hybrid format, allowing members outside of our home base to join, including one participant from Seoul.

Overall, the event highlighted Senri Toastmasters Club's supportive community. We look forward to more such enriching experiences in the future.