It meant beautiful harmony. We usually think of “order” when we hear “Rei”, but it was not good because of negative meaning.
He introduced three guests.
TM S took a role of Word of the evening, and encouraged us to use the word, “brand new”.
He thought of it when he went to his daughter’s school last week, and saw new school uniforms, and shoes.
-Prepared Speech Session
1. TM S presented a speech.
Title: Planning! PW Lv. 2 3rd
His speech was impressive. A key phrase, “If you fail to Plan, you Plan to Fail”, that he learned by a Malaysian guy when he studied Sports Science abroad. The earth was divided into 4 areas, North, South, East and West (N/S/E and W). And you could see the equatorial areas in the middle of the earth. It was easy to get food around these area because of Tropical weather (Vegetables grow well etc). On the other hand, it was hard to get food without “planning” in N/S/W and E areas. So “planning” was very important. After planning and working well, the economies in N/S/E and W areas got better than tropical areas, because they were planning very much. He learned much from the idea.
2. TM M
Title: Healthy Life, AC1
He gave us an essence of life through his experience in Hawaii. He has been staying healthy but suffering from high-blood pressure. His father suffered from it as well. His concern was how to save salty and oily foods in order to control high blood pressure. But he loved ramen, miso soup, French fries. Especially his favorite was ramen and instant noodles, he could eat ramen every day if there was no limitation. He knew it was dangerous to eat up everything of the bowl, gave up ramen soup with regret. When he stayed in Hawaii for ten days, he was at a loss of food choice. Local foods are dangerously delicious, salty and oily. He was sad, but finally he found out the best food against high blood pressure. It was “vegan” foods. He could only eat vegetables and fruits while staying there. They weren't delicious but acceptable. He felt something good in changing of his body condition while eating healthy foods. He enjoyed Hawaiian life with vegan foods. Last day, he enjoyed steak at steakhouse with tiny pieces and healthy sauce.
3. TM W
Title: Get off from hamster wheel with 9 min, Q&A AC4
He suggested practical tips regarding how to improve speech skills through his four-year experience at this club. The goal for the club members is “I’m gonna be a King of Speech”. It is hard and takes time to achieve it. We feel that situation does not change and not improving the skills. There is a word, “plateau”. It describes unchanged gloomy mind condition. We sometimes feel no improvements when we practice and learn about sports, art, even in business situations. He was confident, and believed his skills improved, but he was anxious, and knows it is not true. He tried to find a breakthrough and new communication style. He changed, and stopped to make a speech by himself. After making draft, he asked someone to listen his speech. Next, he modifies it with feedback by other people, then practice it as rehearsal, then make a speech. Because “evaluation” after presentation is not enough for improving speech.
He hopes that we could improve entire level of Nihonbashi Century Toastmasters Club members with his tips.
4. TM H
Title: My favorite scenes Lv1 2nd
Taking pictures fascinates her. She loved to take pictures of beautiful scenes. She told us why she loved to do it. She showed us many pictures in many places. They were pictures in Ireland where she had stayed a week, sunsets and ocean views in Manila bay and Cebu islands where is famous for snorkeling. She also liked pictures of churches in many places in the Philippines, Boston and New York. She liked atmosphere in the church. Especially she felt nostalgia in the seaside in Niigata where she spent time when she was five years old.
She believes that we'd be affected by the place we love, because we felt it was our utopia.
-Table Topic Session by TM S
1. It is time to change everything in April
TM T: She does not like changes, because she is satisfying current life. She had to transfer schools each three years due to her father’s job. It was hard to accept changes to her, but owing to school teachers’ support, she could get used to school soon.
2. Same topic
Guest K san
He currently retired company on March, and he is enjoying non-stress life now. His changes are to participate in 1) Toastmasters club and 2) Chuo City College as a listening volunteer. He will go to nursing home once a month and listen to talking by elder people as a volunteer.
3. Same topic
TM H
When he went back from US, he could not understand shorten words other people used.
For example, Buresuto, and Risuke. Buresuto means Brain Storming, Risuke means reschedule. He thought they were incorrect usages, but he had to change and adapted his mind to understand these shorten words.
4. Something to keep doing for long years
Guest S san
He tries to keep something new. He just came back from Singapore to Japan. Everything is new and fresh to him. He would like to keep trying something new here to catch up everything.
5. Same topic
Guest U san
He is keeping a big fun of dinosaurs. Dinosaurs were the largest land creatures ever to live on earth, but not exist anymore.
6. Favorite foods or recommending restaurants
TM O
His favorite food is curry and rise his wife cooked. He does not know what kind of spices she used, so asked her. Her answer is that after cooking, she leaves the curry pot over night.
-Evaluation sessions
TM S evaluated TM S’s speech,
TM F evaluated TM M’s speech,
TM O evaluated TM W’s speech,
TM U evaluated TM H’s speech.
- Presentations by each role:
Grammarian: TM H pointed out some errors in the speeches made by speakers.
TM H reported numbers of unnecessary words like Ah as Ah-counter.
-Evaluation sessions:
TM O played as general elevator. He evaluated each elevator one by one and over all meeting as well. He concisely praised everyone who joined and acted each role at the meeting.
e.g., It is a key challenge is to facilitate table topic is to assign speakers.
- Voting time:
Best table topic, and best prepared speaker were selected.
TM O got the best table topic.
TM S, M and W became the winner of the best speaker(s) at the same voting points.
-Guest comments:
Guest K san observed the Speech contest held last month, was surprised that speakers’ levels were so high at the contests. He felt earnest attitudes by speakers. He decides to join toastmasters club.
Guest S san enjoyed listening speeches tonight. He’d like to make speeches in near future
Guest U san felt good atmosphere in the meeting tonight.
-Business session explained by TM M about elections of president and other important roles of the club for next year.
In the end, the chairman S thanked to everyone and closed the regular meeting.