One thing is certain: our last meeting was anything but insipid (word of the day, hehehe).
The theme was “Together,” and while our Toastmaster Roydon cleverly wove together quotes and practical information about Boaters, most speeches and interventions invited us to reflect on community and what it truly means to be part of one.
As Table Topics Master, Dan brought plenty of humour and creativity. Some responses compared Toastmasters to the Bridgerton TV series, while others highlighted similarities with a reality TV show about a group stranded on an island. We also had a guest who jumped in and delivered an awesome Table Topics speech, great to see!
Erika shared heartfelt lessons on how to “find your people away from home,” transforming adversity into an opportunity for connection, building community one cookie at a time during Christmas 2020.
Louise in her speech ” Be a good sport, sport” reminded us that the reason many of us work on our communication skills is deeply personal, perhaps we have a message we feel called to share, or someone we genuinely want to connect with in a more authentic way.
Tsarina introduced us to the concept of “joy per dollar,” and made us reflect on those moments when money really can contribute to happiness (and when it might not). Turns out, it is not so much the question of what you spend it on but how it makes you feel when you do that really matters.
The feeling of togetherness was strong throughout the meeting, with great mix-and-mingle during the break, generous applause for speakers, and lots of questions that helped involve the audience.
It was also great to see members taking on new roles: Lucie as Evaluator of the Day, Kent as Timekeeper and myself, Jessica, as an Evaluator.
Being part of Boaters means being part of a team. Toastmasters International thrives on engaged, active members stepping into roles, both on stage and behind the scenes. So if you’re feeling inspired to pitch in, we’re currently looking for a Treasurer and a VP of Education.
And to keep that team energy going, don’t forget The Long Run next Friday; a fun way to honour those “move more” New Year’s resolutions and enjoy some fresh air together 😊
As Erika said: “Community isn’t something you find; it’s something you build.”
So let’s keep building it, together.
Member blog: Jessica Charles