What is Nishinomiya TGIF Toastmasters Club?
Nishinomiya TGIF Toastmasters club was newly developed in October 2015 and chartered in December 2016. We have a regular meeting in English on 2nd and 4th Friday night around Hankyu Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station. We hold our meetings on FRIDAY NIGHTS with a “Work and learn on Weekdays and Enjoy fully the Weekends” mentality.
Our club has a strong culture of GIVE-IT-A-TRY, LEARN-BY-DOING mind and QUALITY FEEDBACK .
The club name, TGIF literally stands for "Thank God It's Friday! means to have fun on Fridays, but it also means "Try, Grow, Innovate for the Future".
If you are interested to upskill your communication and leadership with stimulating atmosphere and a big fun, you found the right place. We will give all the guests a big welcome anytime ! !
Come join us to INVEST your Friday night to Try, Grow, Innovate for the Future together.
Our club has a strong culture of GIVE-IT-A-TRY, LEARN-BY-DOING mind and QUALITY FEEDBACK .
The club name, TGIF literally stands for "Thank God It's Friday! means to have fun on Fridays, but it also means "Try, Grow, Innovate for the Future".
If you are interested to upskill your communication and leadership with stimulating atmosphere and a big fun, you found the right place. We will give all the guests a big welcome anytime ! !
Come join us to INVEST your Friday night to Try, Grow, Innovate for the Future together.
Members' Voice
Michiko
I love to communicate with people through English and have enjoyed daily English conversation for many years. However, I didn't have the confidence to speak it as business English. I was looking for a place where I can learn practical English skills for business use. Nishinomiya TGIF gives me a place (chances) to challenge public speech and improve my skills.
Toastmasters club programs (pathways) have helped me improve my English skills that are directly related to business. This is because it allows me to hone my public speaking and leadership skills, which are also necessary for business. The program is designed to help you develop both skills through the active involvement in club activities and management. Especially, I have come to understand how to demonstrate my leadership skills and has helped me gain confidence in my work‼
I love to communicate with people through English and have enjoyed daily English conversation for many years. However, I didn't have the confidence to speak it as business English. I was looking for a place where I can learn practical English skills for business use. Nishinomiya TGIF gives me a place (chances) to challenge public speech and improve my skills.
Toastmasters club programs (pathways) have helped me improve my English skills that are directly related to business. This is because it allows me to hone my public speaking and leadership skills, which are also necessary for business. The program is designed to help you develop both skills through the active involvement in club activities and management. Especially, I have come to understand how to demonstrate my leadership skills and has helped me gain confidence in my work‼
Pad
As a Sales Manager for Engineering Services company, In 2016, I got transferred to Kansai area, Sanda in Hyogo ken, I was looking for a Toastmasters Club similar to Tokyo area, energetic, young club and which meets on week days. I found Nishinomiya TGIF, thanks to Facebook posts of Nishinomiya TGIF which was well discussed in Tokyo area. I decided with Nishinomiya TGIF after visiting 3-4 clubs in Kansai area. Nishinomiya TGIF welcomed me with great smile and kindness with members varying from the nascent public speakers to experienced toastmasters. A good environment to brush up my public speaking and leadership skills.
As a charter member and secretary of the club, I can see the growth of the club from 10 members to 30 members club. Club was found with a vision of Try, Grow and Innovate for future by four great Toastmasters. What I could see in our club is that no one hesitate to take up any role. Yes, I was referring to volunteering. Some thing which we need in real life to help the needed persons in our work and personal life. Sometimes, some of the members cannot join the meeting or do the allocated role due to work pressures, members volunteer for the unallocated role on runtime just before the meeting. At times, Since I was doing Sales role, some of my activities cannot be predicted and may need to take clients or colleagues to drink or need to attend urgent meeting with India members, I need to skip the meeting. Club members treat me well in that situation and understand about me and don’t blame me for the happening. This is what give me the motivation to stay with the club. On the later half, I become more committed to the Toastmasters activities, Speech and leadership by working with the committed members in the club. Creative, Funny and Learning Club who want to sent members for the speech contest are my good impression of the club!!
As a Sales Manager for Engineering Services company, In 2016, I got transferred to Kansai area, Sanda in Hyogo ken, I was looking for a Toastmasters Club similar to Tokyo area, energetic, young club and which meets on week days. I found Nishinomiya TGIF, thanks to Facebook posts of Nishinomiya TGIF which was well discussed in Tokyo area. I decided with Nishinomiya TGIF after visiting 3-4 clubs in Kansai area. Nishinomiya TGIF welcomed me with great smile and kindness with members varying from the nascent public speakers to experienced toastmasters. A good environment to brush up my public speaking and leadership skills.
As a charter member and secretary of the club, I can see the growth of the club from 10 members to 30 members club. Club was found with a vision of Try, Grow and Innovate for future by four great Toastmasters. What I could see in our club is that no one hesitate to take up any role. Yes, I was referring to volunteering. Some thing which we need in real life to help the needed persons in our work and personal life. Sometimes, some of the members cannot join the meeting or do the allocated role due to work pressures, members volunteer for the unallocated role on runtime just before the meeting. At times, Since I was doing Sales role, some of my activities cannot be predicted and may need to take clients or colleagues to drink or need to attend urgent meeting with India members, I need to skip the meeting. Club members treat me well in that situation and understand about me and don’t blame me for the happening. This is what give me the motivation to stay with the club. On the later half, I become more committed to the Toastmasters activities, Speech and leadership by working with the committed members in the club. Creative, Funny and Learning Club who want to sent members for the speech contest are my good impression of the club!!
Haruki
The most valuable thing I learned in Toastmasters is active listening. English is my second language. Then, when one person spoke something in English well, it was difficult for me to determine which parts were essential or not. I assumed it was caused by my poor vocabulary or listening skills. However, the Toastmasters activities, especially Evaluation, effectively solved this problem. Toastmaster's Evaluation means the educational session in which some evaluators give feedback to the speakers. Evaluators have to check the good points and points that need to be improved. I manage to train this "Evaluator Mind", then I could recognize the essential part of the speech. This skill is very useful and effective.
The most valuable thing I learned in Toastmasters is active listening. English is my second language. Then, when one person spoke something in English well, it was difficult for me to determine which parts were essential or not. I assumed it was caused by my poor vocabulary or listening skills. However, the Toastmasters activities, especially Evaluation, effectively solved this problem. Toastmaster's Evaluation means the educational session in which some evaluators give feedback to the speakers. Evaluators have to check the good points and points that need to be improved. I manage to train this "Evaluator Mind", then I could recognize the essential part of the speech. This skill is very useful and effective.
Mai
Why did I join?
How vibrant and warm the atmosphere is! This is my first impression of Nishinomiya TGIF. Another visit at the club convinced me that it is the members’ motivation and aspiration to grow that created such atmosphere. I also felt I’d like to speak confidently in front of people like the members, so I decided to join on the second visit as a guest.
How have I changed?
Initially, I was not confident in speaking in front of people, particularly on the spot. I was always afraid of my mind becoming a complete blank and exposing myself to an audience in silence. However, thanks to countless occasions to give speeches and positive encouragement by the members, now I feel comfortable and even enjoy communicating with an audience. I realized that “communication” has various approaches, so my current interest is to explore and experience new styles in different areas – from speeches to daily conversations!
Why did I join?
How vibrant and warm the atmosphere is! This is my first impression of Nishinomiya TGIF. Another visit at the club convinced me that it is the members’ motivation and aspiration to grow that created such atmosphere. I also felt I’d like to speak confidently in front of people like the members, so I decided to join on the second visit as a guest.
How have I changed?
Initially, I was not confident in speaking in front of people, particularly on the spot. I was always afraid of my mind becoming a complete blank and exposing myself to an audience in silence. However, thanks to countless occasions to give speeches and positive encouragement by the members, now I feel comfortable and even enjoy communicating with an audience. I realized that “communication” has various approaches, so my current interest is to explore and experience new styles in different areas – from speeches to daily conversations!
Hide-chan
I joined another Toastmasters club in January 2016. Eleven months later, I visited Nishinomiya TGIF and instantly fell in love with the efficiency of its meeting and its signature culture of mutual feedback. I decided to join on the very day I visited and later volunteered to serve as its President. While peer feedback is one of Toastmasters' growth principles (Experiential learning, Peer feedback, Mentoring, and a Self-paced program), not every Toastmasters club embodies it as thoroughly as Nishinomiya TGIF. Through providing and receiving feedback, I've learned a lot about effective speaking. We used to have in-depth discussions about the speeches we listened to that day during the after-parties. Even when we meet online due to the COVID pandemic, we have what we call "Speaker Breakout" after the meeting, where participants go into the breakout room of each speaker to discuss their speech in detail. That's where even more learning takes place than during the meeting itself.
I joined another Toastmasters club in January 2016. Eleven months later, I visited Nishinomiya TGIF and instantly fell in love with the efficiency of its meeting and its signature culture of mutual feedback. I decided to join on the very day I visited and later volunteered to serve as its President. While peer feedback is one of Toastmasters' growth principles (Experiential learning, Peer feedback, Mentoring, and a Self-paced program), not every Toastmasters club embodies it as thoroughly as Nishinomiya TGIF. Through providing and receiving feedback, I've learned a lot about effective speaking. We used to have in-depth discussions about the speeches we listened to that day during the after-parties. Even when we meet online due to the COVID pandemic, we have what we call "Speaker Breakout" after the meeting, where participants go into the breakout room of each speaker to discuss their speech in detail. That's where even more learning takes place than during the meeting itself.
Azu
I got transferred to foreign company a few years ago and wanted to have more opportunities to communicate with people in English. I searched for an English club near my house and found it. In three trial meetings, TGIF members always welcomed me with a good smile, and they encouraged each other. I came to like the club atmosphere.
I have gotten less nervous in front of many people, little by little. I didn’t like speaking in public, but I changed my mind and became focused on the content of the story. I have come to think about a way of talking that would leave an impression.
I got transferred to foreign company a few years ago and wanted to have more opportunities to communicate with people in English. I searched for an English club near my house and found it. In three trial meetings, TGIF members always welcomed me with a good smile, and they encouraged each other. I came to like the club atmosphere.
I have gotten less nervous in front of many people, little by little. I didn’t like speaking in public, but I changed my mind and became focused on the content of the story. I have come to think about a way of talking that would leave an impression.
Yukarin
I have desired to be a good English speaker for a long time, but I had so many excuses not to take the time and make effort for it, such as my job, parenting, and socialization. “But is it really uncontrollable?” I asked myself, and then I thought. “No, I can make it better. Instead of envying someone very skilled at English, I should just start to do what I can even if it’s a tiny thing.”
In addition, as an English teacher, I want my students to learn English not only for the purpose of taking exams or for their knowledge, but also as a means of communicating their ideas to people from different standpoints and cultures, and of accepting and understanding each other's ideas as well. For this reason, it is necessary for them to know that English is fun. Here, English expressions and humorous stories that cannot be encountered in textbooks are exchanged. I would like to give back to my students what I have gained here.
I still feel nervous when I speak English in front of the members. However, with each passing session, I have grown to enjoy it more and more, and I am able to speak with more confidence.
Finally. All members here encourage each other to try without being afraid of failure. I love the warm atmosphere that accepts people who take on challenges so much.
I have desired to be a good English speaker for a long time, but I had so many excuses not to take the time and make effort for it, such as my job, parenting, and socialization. “But is it really uncontrollable?” I asked myself, and then I thought. “No, I can make it better. Instead of envying someone very skilled at English, I should just start to do what I can even if it’s a tiny thing.”
In addition, as an English teacher, I want my students to learn English not only for the purpose of taking exams or for their knowledge, but also as a means of communicating their ideas to people from different standpoints and cultures, and of accepting and understanding each other's ideas as well. For this reason, it is necessary for them to know that English is fun. Here, English expressions and humorous stories that cannot be encountered in textbooks are exchanged. I would like to give back to my students what I have gained here.
I still feel nervous when I speak English in front of the members. However, with each passing session, I have grown to enjoy it more and more, and I am able to speak with more confidence.
Finally. All members here encourage each other to try without being afraid of failure. I love the warm atmosphere that accepts people who take on challenges so much.
Hiroshi (Hiro-Pea)
In 2015, I got transferred to Japan from Sydney. 4 years later, I joined another Toastmasters club in September, 2019 because I felt less opportunities to speak English. Furthermore, my junior high school friend strongly recommended that I should enjoy making English public speeches in the Toastmasters club.
2 years later, I made a decision to move to Nishinomiya TGIF Toastmasters club, which enables me to get the more educative and effective feedback about my speech from the highly-motivated members.
I found it that It was so beneficial to obtain useful English phrases for different situations from them. As a vice-general manager who leads 3 business offices, TGIF inspired me to brush up my leadership skill.
At this fiscal year, I work as a SaA (Sergeant at Arms) whose role is like school janitor. I give them the comfortable environment in the regular meeting with the strong help of the club officers. During the COVID-19 era, I sometimes work as a Zoom host. Depend on spread of infection, we held the Hybrid meeting (face-to-face and on-line). Accordingly, I would like to organize the Zoom host practice session for the beginner so that the more members enjoy working as a Zoom host.
Today we can obtain many opportunities to study English via social media or Zoom.
Many of them are unplanned(enjoyable but non-educative) or too expensive. Nishinomiya TGIF is a non-profitable organization created by the ambitious members so that the cost is relatively inexpensive.
In 2015, I got transferred to Japan from Sydney. 4 years later, I joined another Toastmasters club in September, 2019 because I felt less opportunities to speak English. Furthermore, my junior high school friend strongly recommended that I should enjoy making English public speeches in the Toastmasters club.
2 years later, I made a decision to move to Nishinomiya TGIF Toastmasters club, which enables me to get the more educative and effective feedback about my speech from the highly-motivated members.
I found it that It was so beneficial to obtain useful English phrases for different situations from them. As a vice-general manager who leads 3 business offices, TGIF inspired me to brush up my leadership skill.
At this fiscal year, I work as a SaA (Sergeant at Arms) whose role is like school janitor. I give them the comfortable environment in the regular meeting with the strong help of the club officers. During the COVID-19 era, I sometimes work as a Zoom host. Depend on spread of infection, we held the Hybrid meeting (face-to-face and on-line). Accordingly, I would like to organize the Zoom host practice session for the beginner so that the more members enjoy working as a Zoom host.
Today we can obtain many opportunities to study English via social media or Zoom.
Many of them are unplanned(enjoyable but non-educative) or too expensive. Nishinomiya TGIF is a non-profitable organization created by the ambitious members so that the cost is relatively inexpensive.
Mikiko
● Why did I join TGIF?
I wanted to have skills to explain situations clearly and tell my opinions easily in English. Then I found TGIF. When I joined the TGIF meeting for the first time, I was impressed with members who speak really good English, and I was also amazed by all member’s motivations to be better speakers. I enjoyed listening to members' speeches and it seemed to be fun to create my own speeches, too. Also, I fell in love with the helpful and warm atmosphere of the club. Even though the level of English was high to me, I was encouraged to start learning at TGIF without any concerns!
● What have I changed?
Toastmasters activity is not only to practice speeches in English. As a member, I got a chance to challenge myself in organizing a speech contest, conducting a meeting and creating an anniversary meeting with club members. Before I joined TGIF, I hadn't got many chances to perform a leadership role, so I didn’t have enough experience for leading a team. Through TGIF activities, I learned the basic leadership roles step by step with support of the experienced members, such as building time schedules, summarizing members' voices, and so on. My personality is not for a leader but TGIF experience gave me hints, how to act for changing from being just a follower to being a responsible member in a group. It means a lot to me.
● Why did I join TGIF?
I wanted to have skills to explain situations clearly and tell my opinions easily in English. Then I found TGIF. When I joined the TGIF meeting for the first time, I was impressed with members who speak really good English, and I was also amazed by all member’s motivations to be better speakers. I enjoyed listening to members' speeches and it seemed to be fun to create my own speeches, too. Also, I fell in love with the helpful and warm atmosphere of the club. Even though the level of English was high to me, I was encouraged to start learning at TGIF without any concerns!
● What have I changed?
Toastmasters activity is not only to practice speeches in English. As a member, I got a chance to challenge myself in organizing a speech contest, conducting a meeting and creating an anniversary meeting with club members. Before I joined TGIF, I hadn't got many chances to perform a leadership role, so I didn’t have enough experience for leading a team. Through TGIF activities, I learned the basic leadership roles step by step with support of the experienced members, such as building time schedules, summarizing members' voices, and so on. My personality is not for a leader but TGIF experience gave me hints, how to act for changing from being just a follower to being a responsible member in a group. It means a lot to me.
Rina (Former Member)
Why Nishinomiya TGIF? : I love the uplifting atmosphere, highly motivated members and strong feedback culture both in speech and leadership, of this club, Nishinomiya TGIF. やる気、やり方、やる仲間。大事な3つの要素が揃っている刺激的なクラブだから。
What I gained : 突然の「スピーチよろしく!」の一言にビビらなくなった。英語でも日本語でも。Being confident for sudden speech requests, Got to know my leadership style, Learned how to give effective feedback to the team and more..!
Toastmasters especially helped in my career at a trading company in my mid twenties. That time I didn’t have much opportunity to serve as a leader and learn to be a leader in my workplace. However, thanks to the experience of being a leader of the club and many projects, and organizing events with 100 people in Toastmasters, I became confident in leading a group of people towards a goal and organizing project and event in my work too. 5 years at TGIF, gave many opportunity to learn & grow, and gave me a lot of “Wow! Now I can do it!”
Why Nishinomiya TGIF? : I love the uplifting atmosphere, highly motivated members and strong feedback culture both in speech and leadership, of this club, Nishinomiya TGIF. やる気、やり方、やる仲間。大事な3つの要素が揃っている刺激的なクラブだから。
What I gained : 突然の「スピーチよろしく!」の一言にビビらなくなった。英語でも日本語でも。Being confident for sudden speech requests, Got to know my leadership style, Learned how to give effective feedback to the team and more..!
Toastmasters especially helped in my career at a trading company in my mid twenties. That time I didn’t have much opportunity to serve as a leader and learn to be a leader in my workplace. However, thanks to the experience of being a leader of the club and many projects, and organizing events with 100 people in Toastmasters, I became confident in leading a group of people towards a goal and organizing project and event in my work too. 5 years at TGIF, gave many opportunity to learn & grow, and gave me a lot of “Wow! Now I can do it!”