Officer Elections
What set this meeting apart was the officer elections, which was held at the end of the meeting. In Toastmasters, each club elects the club officers for the next program year from July 1 to the following June 30 at the first meeting in May.
The elections were presided over by Vice President Membership Hide-chan with each officer candidate delivering a two-minute election speech. Some were passionate. Some were composed. Some detailed their vision for their role. Some talked about how they loved the club. The election went smoothly with all seven nominees elected to the office they have been nominated for.
We look forward to working with the new group of officers from July 1 onward!
What set this meeting apart was the officer elections, which was held at the end of the meeting. In Toastmasters, each club elects the club officers for the next program year from July 1 to the following June 30 at the first meeting in May.
The elections were presided over by Vice President Membership Hide-chan with each officer candidate delivering a two-minute election speech. Some were passionate. Some were composed. Some detailed their vision for their role. Some talked about how they loved the club. The election went smoothly with all seven nominees elected to the office they have been nominated for.
We look forward to working with the new group of officers from July 1 onward!
Flexibility
At this meeting, we demonstrated how flexible we are. A few days before the meeting, we found that Hiroshi, one of the prepared speech speakers, had to be away in Awajishima island during the day and he might end up coming late to the meeting. To this, Toastmaster of the Day Andy and Vice President Education Mai worked closely and responded by arranging the order of sessions. We normally have the Prepared Speech session at the beginning followed by the Table Topics session and the Evaluation session. This time, we switched the first two sessions so that we have more time for Hiroshi.
Likewise, one of the officer candidates, who was to be absent, recorded her election speech and ask a member to play the video at the election. Another officer candidate had to skip the meeting due to a sudden health issue and asked one of the members to read out the script of his election speech.
We enjoyed the flexibility exhibited by some of the members and had a great time at the meeting.
At this meeting, we demonstrated how flexible we are. A few days before the meeting, we found that Hiroshi, one of the prepared speech speakers, had to be away in Awajishima island during the day and he might end up coming late to the meeting. To this, Toastmaster of the Day Andy and Vice President Education Mai worked closely and responded by arranging the order of sessions. We normally have the Prepared Speech session at the beginning followed by the Table Topics session and the Evaluation session. This time, we switched the first two sessions so that we have more time for Hiroshi.
Likewise, one of the officer candidates, who was to be absent, recorded her election speech and ask a member to play the video at the election. Another officer candidate had to skip the meeting due to a sudden health issue and asked one of the members to read out the script of his election speech.
We enjoyed the flexibility exhibited by some of the members and had a great time at the meeting.
TGIF After-party
Some members went out for a drink after the meeting. This after-party is so typical of Nishinomiya TGIF in that we discuss a lot about the speeches delivered during that meeting, performances of the functionary role takers, and anything related to public speaking and club management. This is where members learn a lot, possibly even more than at the meeting itself.
Sometimes, we start another Table Topics session. Other times, we provide feedback to speakers in an interactive manner, sometimes members demonstrating what they suggest, having the speaker try it out, and giving further feedback. That's something we cannot do during our 90-minute short meetings.
Some members went out for a drink after the meeting. This after-party is so typical of Nishinomiya TGIF in that we discuss a lot about the speeches delivered during that meeting, performances of the functionary role takers, and anything related to public speaking and club management. This is where members learn a lot, possibly even more than at the meeting itself.
Sometimes, we start another Table Topics session. Other times, we provide feedback to speakers in an interactive manner, sometimes members demonstrating what they suggest, having the speaker try it out, and giving further feedback. That's something we cannot do during our 90-minute short meetings.