MeetingMinutes

Minutes Today, we had two international guests again! Current tough situation of the COVID-19 has provided us a lot of chance to communicate with the international Toastmasters. Why don't we utilise it?   Y.T facilitated the Table Topics Session creatively. He asked a member to choose three numbers and gave them three words linked to them. The assigned member had to make a speech using those three words. It was a very unique session, as this style requires a member to use his/her creativity.   In the prepared speech session, we had four speakers. R.B made a speech about her diet journey. [...]

Minutes Today, we had two international guests! And more excitingly, one of them made a prepared speech! It is a very rare chance for us to hear a speech by an international Toastmaster.   In the Table Topics Session, T.K asked questions related to autumn, such as "What do you come up with from a word autumn?" or "Which sports do you like to play?" Seasonal questions are the basics of Table Topics Session, which never get outdated.   In the prepared speech session, we had four speakers. M.S made a speech about some tips to improve English skills. People say [...]

This Saturday, we had a special meeting instead of our regular meeting! The main theme of the meeting was "Re-explore opportunities in Toastmasters". Instead of following our regular meeting agenda, we set three session and had a free discussion in each. The first session was about "Leadership". As all members know, one on the main purposes of Toastmasters is to cultivate our leadership. We discussed how we can cultivate it through serving as a club officer. The second session was about "Public speaking". Toastmasters International has an international speech contest every year, and all members have a chance to participate it. We [...]

Minutes Today, we had 8 guests! The most exciting thing was that we got some international guests from Korea, India, and Philippines. We don't usually have international guests, so it was highly exciting opportunity for us.   In the Table Topics Session, R.B asked questions about "The most memorable event in 20XX." Some members shared her experience of purchasing a house or having a baby. It was a nice them to know his/her personal history.   In the prepared speech session, we had three speakers. K.M made a speech about a location to live. Thanks to the COVID-19, we are getting [...]

Minutes Today, we had more than 5 guests! Since we have moved to a hybrid-styled meeting, this was the largest number of guests to have! It was a great opportunity for us to hear a diverse opinion.   In the Table Topics Session, R.F asked questions about the change in the Japanese politics, such as "Do you support the new Prime Minister?" or "What do you prioritise if you were a PM of Japan?". Such political and solid questions provide us with good opportunities to think of some difficult issues, which we hesitate.   In the prepared speech session, we had [...]

(Report) Visiting AYP Toastmasters Club Hello everyone, this is your blog writer, Y.T!! Last week, I and two more Visionaries members visited AYP (Australia Young Professional) Toastmasters Club, a club located in Australia, meeting. Since most of the members were native speakers, they talked far faster than us about complicated topics. I got nervous for the first time in the last few months. Members were pretty young, as its name shows, and they were highly passionate, especially, I could feel that they were serious in learning public speaking. At the same time, they had a warm atmosphere and welcomed us. They even [...]

Minutes Long time no see all! Three months have passed since our new leadership team has been installed. We are now enjoying hybrid styled meeting at Nakahara-shiminkan + ZOOM.   In the Table Topics Session, T.A, asked very unique questions. He supposed each speaker is a prime minister of Japan and asked several tough questions, like "How do you tackle with the COVID-19?" or "How do you increase Japanese birth rate?". All speakers struggled with it, but was a great opportunity to have a solid speech.   In the prepared speech session, we had three speakers. Y.T made a passionate speech about [...]

Minutes Finally, FINALLY! We had our onsite meeting for the first time since February! Of course, all of them were very conscious to the infection risk. Everyone wore a mask and took a distance between each other. In addition, we tried a hybrid-style meeting for the first time, connecting the venue with ZOOM. It was a very challenging try, but we successfully managed it!   In the Table Topics Session, R.B, the first timer, asked questions about basic and philosophical questions, like "What is the difference between 'living' and 'existing'?". Her questions made us think of our way of thinkings or unconscious values. [...]

Minutes I'm very sorry I forgot to update the blog for the last two weeks... June has started! It's the last month of this Toastmasters fiscal year.  We only have another meeting left.   In the Table Topics Session, M.S asked questions about "present", like "What is the most impressive present you have ever got?" or "What do you want know for a present?". It is one of the most common questions, but it reflects each members' personality well. In the prepared speech session, we had two speakers. R.B made her very first speech about her experience in struggling with public [...]

Minutes How did you spend your Golden Week? Oh, I'm sorry; it was not Golden Week, it was Gaman Week. I spent my time studying some political issues and programming. And of course, I completed my Gaman Week with our wonderful meeting!   In the Table Topics Session, H.S asked very interesting questions , such as "Which do you focus more, result or process?" or "Do you think your mentality is younger or older than your actual age?". Such questions seem to be very simple, but actually requires deep reflection of ourselves. One of the factors which make the Table Topics [...]