🛎️👀 In Case You Missed It

• 🏃 If you are interested in joining a running club, look no further! Our very own VP of Membership, Adam Cesana, is welcoming us to his running club for any that are looking to join. They meet at Washington Square Park every Saturday at 9:30 am. Check out their Instagram page here if you are interested!

• 🗣️ GGTM will be holding our International and Humorous Speech Contests on Feb 5th, in place of our regular meeting. Please join us in supporting our members as they compete for a spot in the Area contest! For more information on the contest format, read the official rulebook here.

  • If you would like to compete in the International Speech Contest:

    • You must have completed L2 in Pathways OR be a Distinguished Toastmaster

    • Please send an email to [email protected] and CC [email protected] and [email protected] to let us know if you intend to compete

  • If you are interested in participating in the Humorous Speech Contest:

    • Be a member. That’s it! Prepare your funniest stories and bring on the laughter. 😆

    • Same as the International Speech contest, please send an email to [email protected] and CC [email protected] and [email protected] if you would like to participate.

  • If you aren’t interested in competing but would like to support the contest in another way, we also need volunteers for some functionary roles.

    • Roles we need to fill:

      • 1x Toastmaster

      • 5x judges

      • 1x Tiebreaker judge

      • 2x Timer

      • 2x Ballot counter

    • Please sign up on the Feb 5th agenda and send an email to [email protected] and CC [email protected] and [email protected] letting us know that you would like to fill a role

  • Finally, if you just want to enjoy the show, you’re welcome to spectate too! Come hype up your fellow members as they compete for glory. 🤩

 📚️🏫 Toastmastering Together

Let’s get better by learning from each other and sharing resources. Bookmark these for your reference as you go through your GGTM journey!

• Golden Gate Toastmaster Resources (bit.ly/GGTM-resources)

• Toastmaster Meeting Roles One-Pager (bit.ly/GGTM-roles)

• Onboarding Checklist (bit.ly/GGTM-onboarding)

January 22nd Club Meeting Highlights!

🌟 Two-Minute Special:

Jay shared a heartfelt reflection about friendships that have come and gone, likening their impermanence to the seasons. He recounted lessons from three close friends:

• Jorge: Hard work and perseverance.

• Yichuan: The importance of fun but the dangers of impulsivity.

• Charles: Forging your own identity and embracing change.

Rather than mourning lost connections, Jay encouraged us to cherish the memories and lessons they leave behind.

🎤 Prepared Speeches:

1. Aditya’s Icebreaker: Aditya shared his evolving relationship with cooking, starting from traditional Rajasthani meals in India to discovering his passion for experimenting in the kitchen. From his first attempt at making chicken salad (after learning “thawing” didn’t mean shaking) to tracking macros and trying new recipes, Aditya’s journey was relatable and inspiring. (🏆 Best Speaker 🏆)

2. Helen’s "The Triathlon": A tale of courage and perseverance. Despite facing hangovers, open-water panic, and detour mishaps during her first Olympic triathlon, Helen never gave up. Her story reminded us that “success is not final, failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts.” (Special Maverick Award 🏅)

3. Alex’s "Three Things My Mom Never Told Me": Alex gave an engaging and educational speech covering flossing, sunscreen, and challenging preconceived notions, all delivered with humor and practicality. (Special Maverick Award 🏅)

👣 Table Topics Highlights:

Our season-themed impromptu speeches elicited creativity and personal insights:

• Adam (🏆 Best Table Topic 🏆): Shared his love for salt, the seasoning that elevates every dish. He reminded us that, like seasons, we grow through savoring life’s small moments.

• Lilian: Talked about her first stay-at-home holiday in SF, marking a new season in life with cherished memories.

• Peter: Playfully described his love for sushi, equating it to falling in love.

💯 Evaluations:

Our evaluators provided thoughtful feedback, helping speakers hone their skills:

• Mike (🏆 Best Evaluator 🏆): Commended Alex for his strong structure and storytelling while suggesting more vocal variety for emphasis.

• Lilian: Praised Aditya’s humor and engaging tone and encouraged deeper exploration of his conclusion.

🤔 Quiz Time:

Here’s to embracing every season of growth—see you at our next meeting! 🌱

🤗👍 Hear It From Our Guests:

😎💡Member Spotlight

Send your member profile to [email protected] so we can feature you next. Share your adventures that we can highlight as well!

Introducing the editor of this week’s edition, me (Albert)!