７４３回目の例会は、緊急事態宣言のためフルオンラインで行われました。参加者は新メンバー２人を含めて２７名。前回の例会に引き続き、今回もインダクションセレモニーを行い、新しく２名のメンバーをお迎えしました。横浜TMCを選んでくれた理由は、歴史が古いことや元メンバーからの紹介、と嬉しいことです。

The 743rd meeting was held fully online due to a declared state of emergency. There were 27 participants. Following the last meeting, we had another Induction Ceremony and welcomed two new members. We are very happy that they chose Yokohama TMC because of our long history and introduction from the former member.

本日の言葉はTM Mより紹介された「Above and Beyond」。オリンピックの感動を表現するにも最適な言葉で、洗練された素敵な言葉のチョイスでした。

“The Word of the Day” is “Above and Beyond” introduced by TM M. It is a great word to express the excitement of the Olympics, and it was a sophisticated and wonderful choice of words.

総合司会はベテランメンバーのTM Iさん。例会のテーマは「暑い夏をどう凌いでいるのか」ということで、そのテーマにまつわるお話を聞いているだけで、なんだか涼しい気持ちになれました。TM Iさんの司会はさすが、とてもスムーズで、新しいメンバーが多いＹＴＭＣでは勉強になった方が多かったと思います。このようなベテランメンバーから学べるのもこのクラブの良いところですね。

The TMOD was TM I, a super experienced member. The theme of the meeting was “How are you avoiding the hot temperature?” and just listening to members’ episodes about the theme made me feel cool. The procedure was very smooth, and it’s one of the good things about this club that we can learn from such experienced members.

テーブルトピックでも、TM Nさんのしっかり準備された進行のもと、楽しく進めることができました。今回のテーマは「夏」でしたが、季節によって話す内容が変わることも飽きずに活動できる理由なのかもと思いながら聞いていました。新メンバーも指名され、どんな方なのかを知る良い機会になりました。

The table topics were well prepared by TM N and we were able to have fun with them. The theme this time was “Summer”. The topics changed depending on the season, and which might be the reason why we could keep working without getting bored. New members were also nominated, and it was a good opportunity to get to know about him.

そしてメインとなる準備スピーチ。今回の４名のスピーチはまた、どれも素晴らしかったです！！ユーモアたっぷりに結婚へ至るエピソードを話してくれたTM Fさん、経験を通してリーダーシップスタイルについて語ってくれたTM Mさん、コミュニケーションにおいて大切なものをご家族の素敵な例を挙げながら伝えてくれたTM Mさん、タイムリーなオリンピックと関連付けながら過去の自分と比べた今の自分についてメッセージをもって話してくれたTM Aさん。どれもあっという間のスピーチで、刺激をたくさんもらいました。

Then the main session, “prepared speeches”. The four speeches were all great! TM F spoke about the episodes leading to his marriage with a lot of humor. TM M talked about her leadership style through her experiences. TM M talked about what is important in communication, using wonderful examples from his family. TM A spoke with a message about the current self compared to the past self while relating it to the timely Olympics. All of the speeches were awesome and I received a lot of inspiration.

最後はTM Nさんが初めて総合論評にチャレンジ。しっかりマニュアルに沿った進行をされながら、とても心のこもった温かい総合論評でした。
今回はオンラインになったことで、ゲストの方は少なかったですが、「あ～いろんな方に見てもらいたいなぁ～」と思うようないつもにも増して充実した例会でした。暑い夏に負けないくらい熱い例会でした！

Lastly, TM N challenged himself to General Evaluator for the first time. He proceeded according to the manual and, at the same time he gave a very heartfelt and warm review.
Although there were not many guests this time because the meeting was online, it was an even more fulfilling meeting than usual, making me feel like “Oh, I wish more people could see this! It was a hot meeting, as hot as the hot summer!

Date&Time: 14:00-16:00, June 19th
Venue: Yokohama City Kaiko Kinen Kaikan + Online

The 740th meeting was held at Kaiko Kinen Kaikan.
I like this historical heritage building which was built in the neo-renaissance style.

Word of the day was presented by TM HN. The word was “Gorgeous”,
hoped the last meeting under 2020-21 cabinet.
Everyone used that word actively.

TM HK took a Toastmaster of the day role. That was his first attempt.
He did nicely as master of ceremony.

Table Topics was driven by TM MK.
He asked all respondent to discipline the imagination by interesting questions
such as the benefit of virtual trip etc.
Everyone enjoyed impromptu speech session.

3 members made prepared speeches this time.

TM KN explained the pareto distribution by using hand drawn illustration of ants.
TM AI told a humorous story how he deals with parkinson’s disease.
TM HI made a funny and interesting story when she sold toys of “Thomas the Tank Engine”

3 evaluators gave feedback to prepared speakers.
Looks prepared speaker’s speeches were perfect, but each evaluators detected the area of growth
for each prepared speakers, good job!

The meeting was very special since it was the last meeting of the cabinet of 2020-21.
Mr. President of YTMC gave five awards for contribution throughout fiscal year with tons of fun.
– Rookie of the year Award: TM KI
– New member acquisition Award: TM AT
– IT contribution Award: TM RK
– Welcome back Award: TM TMI
– The most silver tongue (The trait of being clever at speaking) Award: TM TMA

Congratulations, award winners!

After award presentation, we had a ceremony of current officer’s discharge and new officer’s installation
hosted by TM TT.
It was memorable ceremony of transition of officers.

Finally, TM TS gave a short speech as the new president.
She looked back slogan for the last 5 cabinets and what we learned from them.
Also, she disclosed slogan of new term from July

“Aspire to Inspire”

I think it is a wonderful one, Yokohama Toastmasters Club will make an another step to the next level.
We’ll never stop evolving!

The next meeting run by the new cabinet is July 3rd at Hatoba Kaikan.
Looking forward to seeing with you again and reboot club activity!

Date&Time: 14:00-16:00, June 5th
Venue: Hatoba Kaikan + Online

The 739th meeting was held at Hatoba Kaikan.

There were 29 participants (Onsite 15/Online 14) including 4 guests.
One of guests was a member of other club to see what YTMC is doing.
We hope there are something he can take back to his club.

TM HM presented the word of the day as “hilarious”.
It means extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter.

TM TN, one of our experienced members, took a TMOD role.
He led the meeting with stable and solid. Nicely done.

Table topics session was facilitated by TM TT, the elderest member of our club.
She gave the straight choice between two to 6 respondents.
They struggled in answering the question but it is the best part of impromptu speech.

In prepared speech session, 4 prepared speakers challenged the objectives of each one.
– TM NS made a fun speech about paper check from the U.S.A and letter from the Whitehouse.
– TM MO explained the benefit of Yoga, she demonstrated some asana.
– TM AI gave us the informative presentation about pros and cons of Brexit.
– TM SI elaborated the negotiation with his family whether buying a new house or a camper
after his compulsory retirement.

TM KI went through the evaluation session as a general evaluator.
She suggested some improvement ideas for the meeting, well done.
Also, 4 Evaluators gave feedback to each prepared speakers from technically and psychologically.

It was a successful meeting since role takers carefully orchestrated well.

The next meeting will be held at Kaiko Kinen Kaikan on June 19th,
it will be the very last meeting for the YTMC cabinet 2020-2021 and a small ceremony of changing club leadership to be held.

We would like to express the sincere appliciation for everything done by the officers!

See you soon.

Date&Time: 14:00-16:00 May 15th
Venue: Yokohama City Kaiko Kinen Kaikan + Online

The 738th meeting was held at Kaiko Kinen Kaikan.
29 participants including 2 guests attended the meeting (Onsite 15, Online 14).

The word of the day was “Assertively”. All members tried to use that assertively.

TMOD is taken by TM TM, it was his first attempt for it.
He conducted the meeting very effectively,
it was hard to believe he did not take the role until then.

TM MO took the role of table topics, it was her first attempt as well.
She brought us good questions and the respondents had a fun to answer these questions.

In prepared speech session, there were 4 prepared speakers.
– TM AR explained linguistic characteristics across middle east countries.
– TM TS made a speech about her mentor with full of body language and facial expressions.
– TM AT reviewed the new member acquisition strategy for this term as a Vice President Membership.
– TM HN discribed his remote work experience in this COVID 19 pandemic situation.

Evaluators gave feedback to each prepared speakers both technically and emotionally.

All members had a fun time, much appreciated all member’s efforts on making the meeting good.

The next meeting will be held at Hatoba Kaikan on June 5th.
Let’s make another fun time with us!

Date&Time: 14:00-16:00 May 1st (Sat)
Venue: Yokohama City Kaiko Kinen Kaikan + Online

The 737th regular meeting was something irregular since we had the officer election
for the next term (July 2021 – June 2022) at the beginning of the meeting.
7 experienced members raised their hands to take the important roles.
Election was finished with approval by all other members.
Congratulations on being new officers!

TMOD was taken by one of the founders of this club who has over 30 years experience in toastmasters.
His facilitation from online was perfect and brilliant.

Each session was shortened compared with usual because of election.

Table Topics master was TM HI, she is also veteran member.
She asked all respondents to respond questions by adding something exaggerated action or gesture.
TM HM won the best table topic speaker since he elaborated his experience
in watching the ice hockey game live in Canada.
He effectively acted the fight with stick, great job!

Prepared speech slot was 3,
TM ZW performed ice breaker speech by expressing his immigrant experience.
TM KM made a speech about discussion with US military officers.
TM HA explained the power of SNS through her experience in the company.

All of their speech were impressive, it was difficult to select the best one.

TM MK took the role of general evaluator, it was the first attempt as a GE.
3 evaluator gave feedback to each prepared speaker, their advices were not only technical skills
but also emotional thing to make the speech better, excellent!

The meeting was successfully finished as usual,
I would like to express my appreciation for the support all members gave.

The next meeting will be held at the same venue.
Hoping everyone has a wonderful “golden week” and see you in two weeks!

Date&Time: 14:00, April 17th
Venue: Hatoba Kaikan + Online

The 736th meeting was started on time.
There are 28 participants on that day, 14 each for both onsite and online.
It is good for members to join wherever we are as long as internet connectivity here.

TMOD was TM ST, the very first attempt for the role to my surprise.

He did a good job to make it fun during the meeting.

TM KO took the table topics session master.
He performed to make “impromptu” questions according to the previous question.
All the members experienced the thrills of unexpected questions with fun.

Prepared speech was made by 4 members.
TM HO told the interesting story from the memory with his father.
TM YO completed level 2 program.
The fruit of serendipity by using SNS by TM KT.
TM HM became the 2nd completion member of Level4.

Each 4 speaker did great job except exceeding designated time.
Time management is very important for developing leadership, let’s improve it.

Evaluators adressed both good and bad feedback to speakers.
I am looking forward to listening to the next speech of today’s participants.

At the end of the meeting, the announcement of candidates of officers
for the 2021-22 term of YTMC.
Apparently all candidates are well experienced officers before,
I believe they will bring our club to the best club.

The next meeting to be held on May 1st during “the golden week” in Japan.
Hoping many participants on site and online.

See you real soon!

Date&Time: April 3rd, 2021

Venue: Yokohama Kaiko Kinen Kaikan + Online

The first hybrid meeting in this year was held with 25 participants including 1 guest
(Onsite 15, Online 10).

TM W became a YTMC membership after joining our meeting twice.
Let’s learn public speech with us!

TM I conducted the meeting as a Toastmaster of the day, she showed a sense of stability in the meeting.

Firstly TM T introduced the word of the day as “snappy”, most of us could use the word since it was easy to tell.

The Table Topics session was done by TM T, it was very interesting.
Master asked the fiest respondent to tell 3 favorite foods including a fake, then respondents try to detect the fake and tell the reasons why.
The highlight was the spouse of the first respondent assigned to find her dislike food but his answer was wrong.
I believe he knows it but provided wrong answer intentionally.

4 speeches were performed at the prepared speech session.

TM I explained the difference between coaching and mentoring.
TM NM told the importance of patience through his experience.
TM NT icebroke why he joined toastmasters.
TM M made a speech about how to survive in the cross cultural environmnent.

All speeches were fun and informative. Fantastic!

TM A took a General Evaluator role, she observed the meeting and her comment about the meeting was effective.
Evaluators gave them valuable feedback, utilizing vocal variety was touched by multiple evaluators.

Overall, the hybrid meeting was finished successfully.
It is wonderful for me to meet members face to face and go to pub after the meeting.
Many of us enjoyed both the regular meeting and after session with drink.

The next meeting to be done on April 17th.
Looking forward to meeting more members at the site.

Date&Time: March 20th, 2021

Venue: Online

The 734th meeting was held via online with 25 participants including 2 guests.

TM T took the TMOD (ToastMaster Of the Day).

Table topic speech was conducted by TM T, he made wonderful and challenging questions about health.
Respondents squeezed their ideas to answer his question. Great job!

4 speakers performed at the prepared speech session.

TM A’s speech was how she overcame her setback.
TM K spoke about the importance of finding a mentor.
TM O shared tips for negotiating others successfully.
TM I explained the reasons why typical Japanese do not like to learn English.

Their speeches were fantastic!

Evaluation session was done by TM M.
5 evaluators including an evaluation for evaluator.
I believe all evaluators were able to encourage speakers to improve their speech skills for sure
by delivering effective suggestions.

Overall, the meeting was a great one as always.

The next meeting will be held on March 3rd. We plan to have hybrid meeting (onsite and online)
I am very looking forward to seeing you face to face shortly.

All the best!