This week’s Toastmasters meeting, led by Pietro as Toastmaster for the first time, focused on the weighty theme of the Underground Railroad. Under his steady guidance, the meeting progressed smoothly, showing his digilent preparation and setting the stage for an insightful and challenging session.
Vanessa, serving as General Evaluator, led her team with precision. Alice acted as Grammarian, encouraging mindful use of language throughout the meeting, with the word of the day “bewildered” drawing much use and attention. Joanna kept participants in check as the Ah & Vote Counter, and Tatjana ensured that everyone adhered to their speaking times as Timer.
The speeches were the highlight of the evening.
Thomas delivered an impressive impromptu speech titled “Money or Jail,” stepping in at the last minute and showing remarkable poise under pressure. His ability to organize his thoughts and convince the audience to timely pay their fines on such short notice was truly inspiring.
Next, Zsolt took a creative spin on a Table Topic posed by Vadim at a previous meeting with his speech “An Essay to Vadim.” He explored the complex question of “justice vs. forgiveness” through the lens of game theory, providing thought-provoking insights that left the audience with much to reflect on.
Yesenia followed with a lively recount of a kayaking trip gone awry in her speech “Kayaking Lessons.” What was meant to be a romantic outing quickly turned into a source of tension, but her lighthearted approach highlighted the importance of communication and conflict resolution in relationships.
Evaluations and Table Topics
The evaluators—Richard, Elias, and Joran—all provided insightful feedback that helped the speakers hone their skills. Each brought a unique perspective, offering constructive advice and praise in equal measure, further contributing to the overall learning experience.
The Table Topics session, led by Sabina, presented thought-provoking and uncomfortable questions based on the meeting-theme-inspiring book “The underground railroad”. Despite the challenging nature of the topics, participants engaged bravely and offered compelling responses.
Winners and final thoughts
As the meeting drew to a close, the well-deserved awards were handed out: Zsolt won Best Speaker for his intellectual exploration of justice and forgiveness, Roland was named Best Table Topics for his quick thinking and flawless delivery, and Richard earned Best Evaluator for his sharp and helpful feedback.
In conclusion, this meeting was a powerful reminder of the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Whether delivering an impromptu speech, tackling challenging Table Topics, or offering constructive evaluations, every participant demonstrated the core values of Toastmasters: growth, courage, and the pursuit of excellence.
Richard Bruckner
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