People are fascinating, aren't they! So many shades of personality, so many objectives, styles and motivations.
Lee said to me yesterday, " I go along to [Toastmasters meetings] to enjoy the people and to learn". That's a lovely motivation, I think. Although in Benjamin Toastmasters we only see each other for about 1 hour each fortnight, we really do get a glimpse of each others' different lives, interests, philosophies, and backgrounds through the stories told.
For example, in Keiko's 'Tonic' that I mentioned in the previous post, she expressed her personal philosophy:
"I would like people to know the true value of the friends that they meet during their life. Unfortunately, we often judge people with their costume (outlook, job titles, parents, academic achievements, assets, nationality, religions and etc.) that they wear.
"I would like people to know their own value and believe in their capacities and potentials. Because people can’t satisfy their parents'/partner's/teachers'/friends'/children’s expectations, it doesn’t mean that people are incapable.
"There’s nothing wrong with learning and developing skills at our own pace. All positive effort should be recognised, encouraged and supported for development."
Toastmasters club members aim to be inclusive, like that, and to support rather than focus on participants' need to improve as we learn and gain self-confidence.
So it was, yesterday. Overall, the meeting was like a feast of evaluations.
Robyn's practice of her speech for the national 3-minute thesis contest was auspicious in its promise for a good run in Perth next month. She was rewarded with evaluations from almost everyone present - a rich collection of appraisals and suggestions.
Lee as Toastmaster for the day gave us all numerous openings to give feedback on all aspects of the meeting. Experienced Toastmasters give evaluations that demonstrate the inclusiveness and support that each club aims to show. Less experienced Toastmasters can still be experienced at evaluation in other walks of life and that was revealed yesterday as well.
Ideally, points for improvement should only be the sparse filling in a sandwich of commendations on the good/promising parts of a person's speech or role played. It's a good ideal to aim for, everywhere, I think.
'Auspicious', by the way, was the Word of the Day, from Yuyu. In my opinion, it is auspicious for the club that Yuyu has joined us. From her we see into a life in China as well as in Australia, and some of the yearnings and joys she has.
Claudia's choice of topics to stimulate impromptu 'Table Topics' speeches brought out that Ianon hates sand and snakes but loves the hidden cafes in Melbourne; David is anxious that the world will be ruined in 200 years time; and that highlights of Jenny's film memories are the colours and emotions in 'On Golden Pond' and 'Same Time Next Year'.
Do you see what I mean about the fascinating people we meet at our club? I hope our newest member, Pin, enjoys the people in the club as much as we do. Welcome Pin!
Lee said to me yesterday, " I go along to [Toastmasters meetings] to enjoy the people and to learn". That's a lovely motivation, I think. Although in Benjamin Toastmasters we only see each other for about 1 hour each fortnight, we really do get a glimpse of each others' different lives, interests, philosophies, and backgrounds through the stories told.
For example, in Keiko's 'Tonic' that I mentioned in the previous post, she expressed her personal philosophy:
"I would like people to know the true value of the friends that they meet during their life. Unfortunately, we often judge people with their costume (outlook, job titles, parents, academic achievements, assets, nationality, religions and etc.) that they wear.
"I would like people to know their own value and believe in their capacities and potentials. Because people can’t satisfy their parents'/partner's/teachers'/friends'/children’s expectations, it doesn’t mean that people are incapable.
"There’s nothing wrong with learning and developing skills at our own pace. All positive effort should be recognised, encouraged and supported for development."
Toastmasters club members aim to be inclusive, like that, and to support rather than focus on participants' need to improve as we learn and gain self-confidence.
So it was, yesterday. Overall, the meeting was like a feast of evaluations.
Robyn's practice of her speech for the national 3-minute thesis contest was auspicious in its promise for a good run in Perth next month. She was rewarded with evaluations from almost everyone present - a rich collection of appraisals and suggestions.
Lee as Toastmaster for the day gave us all numerous openings to give feedback on all aspects of the meeting. Experienced Toastmasters give evaluations that demonstrate the inclusiveness and support that each club aims to show. Less experienced Toastmasters can still be experienced at evaluation in other walks of life and that was revealed yesterday as well.
Ideally, points for improvement should only be the sparse filling in a sandwich of commendations on the good/promising parts of a person's speech or role played. It's a good ideal to aim for, everywhere, I think.
'Auspicious', by the way, was the Word of the Day, from Yuyu. In my opinion, it is auspicious for the club that Yuyu has joined us. From her we see into a life in China as well as in Australia, and some of the yearnings and joys she has.
Claudia's choice of topics to stimulate impromptu 'Table Topics' speeches brought out that Ianon hates sand and snakes but loves the hidden cafes in Melbourne; David is anxious that the world will be ruined in 200 years time; and that highlights of Jenny's film memories are the colours and emotions in 'On Golden Pond' and 'Same Time Next Year'.
Do you see what I mean about the fascinating people we meet at our club? I hope our newest member, Pin, enjoys the people in the club as much as we do. Welcome Pin!
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