📝 Meeting Summary

Another fantastic evening with our Visionaries family! Even without guests, the energy and warmth of our online gathering showed exactly why this club is special. From fascinating book recommendations to inspiring personal journeys, tonight reminded us that every meeting is an opportunity to grow, connect, and support each other in our English communication journey. The word “appreciate” perfectly captured the spirit of gratitude we all felt for these shared moments of learning and friendship.

🎉 Opening & Recent Updates

TM S. kicked off the meeting with his signature welcoming style, creating an atmosphere that felt more like catching up with friends than a formal meeting. Members shared updates that painted a vivid picture of their lives – TM M. excitedly talked about rediscovering a childhood favorite video game, Final Fantasy Tactics, showing how nostalgia connects us across generations. TM S. shared his busy week filled with online seminars and an upcoming vacation to Okinawa, while TM L. spoke candidly about wrapping up an exhausting work project while battling a cold. TM T. brought smiles with his story about visiting the Mobility Show at Tokyo Big Sight, where he was amazed by futuristic concept cars – particularly a luxury van with a 100-inch screen and Dolby speakers that felt like a moving theater! These genuine moments of sharing reminded everyone that behind every speech and evaluation, we’re all working professionals navigating the challenges of balancing work, life, and continuous growth.

🗣 Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master: TM A.

TM A. took us on a nostalgic journey with the theme “Back to School,” tapping into universal memories that everyone could relate to. She opened by sharing an Indian tradition of buying everything new – bags, shoes, water bottles – at the start of each school year, inviting members to reflect on their own first-day traditions.

TM M. stood out with his response about class changes in elementary school. He vividly described the excitement and anticipation of discovering whether he’d be in the same class as his friends when the new school year began. What made his answer memorable wasn’t just the content, but the genuine emotion he conveyed – that universal childhood feeling of hoping to stay connected with the people who matter most. His honest admission that being separated from friends could be disappointing resonated with everyone in the room, reminding us that these simple experiences shape who we become.

🎙 Prepared Speech Session

1st Speaker: “Going to Africa to Defeat Grasshoppers” – TM S.

TM S. delivered a captivating speech about a book that had fascinated him for years – one that few people actually read despite his enthusiastic recommendations. The book tells the story of how a Japanese researcher spent years in Africa working to control grasshopper populations threatening crops and livelihoods. What made this speech compelling wasn’t just the unusual topic, but TM S.’s ability to transform a scientific mission into a human story of perseverance and cultural exchange. He painted vivid pictures of the challenges faced in a foreign land, the dedication required for meaningful research, and the impact one person can make when they commit to solving problems that affect communities half a world away. The speech reminded us that fascinating stories exist everywhere – we just need to be curious enough to seek them out and passionate enough to share them.

2nd Speaker: “Every Day is First Day” – TM L.

TM L. delivered a deeply personal and thought-provoking speech that challenged our conventional thinking about New Year’s resolutions. She began by sharing her own resolution from 2025 – to join Toastmasters and learn to deliver great speeches – a goal she’s actively achieving. But rather than celebrating this accomplishment, she asked a question that caught everyone’s attention: “Why do we only make resolutions once a year?”

The heart of her speech was a beautiful story from three years ago – her very first day in Japan. She described stepping off the plane into a cold autumn that she’d never experienced growing up in Taiwan, rushing to Uniqlo to buy warm clothes just to survive. Then came her first day of work – getting lost in an office building, panicking about being late, desperately searching for an elevator. In that moment of confusion, a kind janitor simply said “Daijobu” (it’s okay), and those simple words helped her calm down and find her way.

The message hit home: beginnings don’t only happen in January. They happen on cold autumn days when you’re freezing on a street in a new country. They happen when you’re lost in a hallway. They happen whenever we decide to take action, ask for help, or embrace uncertainty. TM L.’s speech reminded us that every day offers a chance for a fresh start – we just need the courage to recognize and seize those moments. As she prepares for tomorrow’s Division speech contest, her message feels especially meaningful: today isn’t just practice, it’s another first day.

🔍 Evaluation & Feedback

Evaluator 1: TM S.
Provided comprehensive feedback on TM S.’s grasshopper speech, appreciating the unique topic selection and clear structure while suggesting enhanced vocal variety and body language to bring the African landscape even more vividly to life for the audience.

Evaluator 2: TM K.
Gave thoughtful evaluation of TM L.’s speech, praising the clear message and thought-provoking questions while offering constructive feedback on pacing, hand gestures, and the balance between English and Japanese expressions. He particularly noted how the personal story made it easy for the audience to empathize with her experience. TM T. and TM K. both provided additional valuable feedback about making the message even more powerful by connecting her past experience more directly to present actions, reinforcing the “every day is first day” theme.

General Evaluator: TM T.
Conducted the overall meeting evaluation, ensuring smooth transitions and highlighting the quality of both prepared speeches and evaluations throughout the evening.

🏆 Awards

• Best Table Topics Speaker: TM M.
• Best Prepared Speaker: TM L.
• Best Evaluator: TM K.

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