He learned a lesson!
At the last meeting, one member was caught off guard to be called on to speak during the Table Topics Session. This time, too, he was called on to be one of the Table Topics Speakers because he served as one of the functionary role-takers without much speaking time, Ah-Counter. The Ah-Counter is responsible for paying attention to speakers' ineffective use of voice, filler words, distracting repetition of a word or phrase, and unintended extended pauses. They deliver their report at the end of the meeting, but it is usually brief and uncreative. Naturally, they are one of the first to be called upon to speak during the Table Topics Session.
Though he was stunned the last time, he was far more prepared this time. It didn't take much time for him to take the stage this time. Similarly, he didn't really grope for words much. It was obvious he learned his lesson from the last time.
This is what we do. Learn by doing. Learn through our mistakes. "Toastmasters is a safe place to screw up." This is often heard in the Toastmasters community. Yet, this is half true. It doesn't mean that we can screw up, not care about the mistake, and make the same mistake again and again, it is not OK. It casts the whole purpose of them being in Toastmasters, where members are supposed to learn new things and grow as a person. It's important that we take it seriously and try to learn from our own mistakes.
We were happy to see the member took it seriously, learned his lesson, and did what he could do to be better prepared for this meeting.
At the last meeting, one member was caught off guard to be called on to speak during the Table Topics Session. This time, too, he was called on to be one of the Table Topics Speakers because he served as one of the functionary role-takers without much speaking time, Ah-Counter. The Ah-Counter is responsible for paying attention to speakers' ineffective use of voice, filler words, distracting repetition of a word or phrase, and unintended extended pauses. They deliver their report at the end of the meeting, but it is usually brief and uncreative. Naturally, they are one of the first to be called upon to speak during the Table Topics Session.
Though he was stunned the last time, he was far more prepared this time. It didn't take much time for him to take the stage this time. Similarly, he didn't really grope for words much. It was obvious he learned his lesson from the last time.
This is what we do. Learn by doing. Learn through our mistakes. "Toastmasters is a safe place to screw up." This is often heard in the Toastmasters community. Yet, this is half true. It doesn't mean that we can screw up, not care about the mistake, and make the same mistake again and again, it is not OK. It casts the whole purpose of them being in Toastmasters, where members are supposed to learn new things and grow as a person. It's important that we take it seriously and try to learn from our own mistakes.
We were happy to see the member took it seriously, learned his lesson, and did what he could do to be better prepared for this meeting.