🏯 A Pivotal Moment in Saigon

📣 Club Announcements

💖 Valentine’s Theme Meeting – February 18
Celebrate all kinds of love — romantic, self-love, or first date fiascos!
🎤 Our Table Topics will explore love-themed questions.
Sign up to share your story and help make our February 18 meeting full of love ❤️, laughter 😀, and sweets 🍫.

🌟 Club Spotlight: Golden Gate Toastmasters at the 2026 Dr. Barb Speak Off

🏈 GGTM Takes the Stage at the 2026 Dr. Barb Speak Off

On Thursday, February 5th, members of Golden Gate Toastmasters (GGTM) stepped into a unique and exciting role — serving as evaluators at the 2026 Dr. Barb Speak Off.

The event is organized by Dr. Barbara Lash, a celebrity media consultant who works closely with the National Football League to train players and their families in communication — the very skills we refine each week at GGTM.

Why does this matter? Because NFL players and their families often find themselves suddenly in the spotlight — conducting interviews, filming commercials, or preparing for careers beyond football. And sometimes, they’re asked tough questions on the field… while still catching their breath after getting their socks knocked off! 😅
Dr. Barb trains them to deliver clear, compelling, and confident messages — even under pressure.

🎤 A Super Bowl Tradition — With Toastmasters at the Table

Each year, right before the Super Bowl, Dr. Barb hosts this speaking competition for her clients. As a former Toastmaster herself, she invites a local Toastmasters club to provide thoughtful, structured evaluations.

This year, that club was GGTM. 🙌

Four GGTM members had the privilege of witnessing an incredible range of speaking styles and stories, including:

• 💡 Motivational speeches from NFL players

• 💬 Personal stories of resilience and triumph from spouses

• 👟 An improvised TV advertisement for Lululemon leggings by Bay Area college athletes

• 🎭 A short play performed by a dynamic mother-daughter duo

Some moments that left a lasting impression included:

• JJ Russell’s deeply emotional reflection on rebuilding confidence after on-the-field injuries

• Ashley Cobb’s powerful story of balancing life as an NFL mom while working as a public school educator

• Ray McElroy’s unforgettable stage presence, taking physicality in public speaking to the next level by lifting an audience member horizontally mid-speech 💪😲

Even seasoned GGTM evaluators left the event inspired, returning home with fresh ideas and insights to enhance their own speeches — though some might need a little extra gym time before attempting Ray McElroy’s impressive feat! 💪

By submitting thoughtful feedback, we helped the speakers refine their craft while also growing as communicators ourselves. This experience was a powerful reminder that whether on a Toastmasters stage or a Super Bowl stage, great speaking is a skill that continually evolves — and GGTM was proud to be part of the journey. 💙

Interim President Alexander Wu opened the meeting with a childhood tale of buried silver discovered years later — a simple story that captured imagination and possibility.

"I Am The Last" – Derek Le 🏅

With the passing of his 98-year-old grandmother — and after losing his father and uncles — Derek realized the family name now rests with him. On his honeymoon in Vietnam, he searched temple floors for his grandfather’s urn with only an old photo as a guide. Though raised Catholic, he lit incense and quietly asked, “Grandpa, if you want me to find you, let me find you.” Moments later, his wife found the urn. Standing there in Saigon, Derek felt the weight of endings and the responsibility of continuation.
He is the last of the Le lineage — and he intends to carry it forward.

"How to Be a Distinguished Club" – Sheila Vida

In her mini-webinar, Sheila highlighted what it really takes to become — and remain — a Distinguished Club. Beyond metrics and numbers, it’s about creating a space where every member can grow.

🏆 The Building Blocks of a Distinguished Club

• 🎓 Educational Awards (Pathways Progress)

  • Members complete Pathways levels (Level 1, 2, 3, and beyond); each level contributes to Distinguished Club Program (DCP) points.

• 👥 Membership Growth

  • Maintain a minimum membership base and welcome new members.

• 🗂️ Active Officer Leadership

  • Officers complete required training, a Club Success Plan is created and monitored, and administrative requirements are submitted on time.

• 📊 Meeting Overall DCP Goals

  • Achieve education and membership targets — every step members take helps the club thrive.

  • Recognition levels: Distinguished, Select Distinguished, President’s Distinguished.

Golden Gate Toastmasters is already Distinguished — even Select Distinguished — but the counter resets every year. The real question isn’t “Did we get there?”
It’s “How do we keep building?” Every step you take helps the club thrive.

💡 Think Faster. Talk Smarter. Shine On the Spot.

A Practical Guide to Winning at Impromptu Speaking

Picture this:
You’re in a meeting. The speaker finishes. The room goes quiet.
Then someone turns to you and asks, “What are your thoughts?”
No warning. No notes. Just you — in the spotlight.

We’ve all been there.

According to communication expert Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, impromptu speaking isn’t about being naturally quick-witted — it’s about having the right mindset and a simple structure ready when the moment comes.

Here’s how we can all get better at thinking on our feet.

🧠 First: Master Your Mindset

When we’re put on the spot, our body reacts before our brain does. Racing heart. Dry mouth. Sudden blank mind.
Instead of fighting it, manage it.

• Take a slow belly breath (exhale longer than you inhale).

• Use purposeful gestures to channel nervous energy.

• Remind yourself: There is no perfect answer.

One of Abrahams’ favorite improv rules is: “Dare to be dull.”
You don’t need to be brilliant. You just need to be clear and helpful.
Even more powerful? Shift your focus from “How am I doing?” to “How can I serve?”
When it’s about contribution rather than performance, pressure melts away.

🗣 Then: Give Your Thoughts a Simple Structure

The brain loves organization. So instead of rambling, try this powerful formula:

What? → So What? → Now What?

• What? State your idea.

• So What? Explain why it matters.

• Now What? Suggest a next step.

Three parts. Clear. Memorable. Effective.
You can also quickly ground yourself with this focus tool:

Know. Feel. Do.

Before speaking, silently ask:

• What do I want them to know?

• How do I want them to feel?

• What do I want them to do?

This keeps you concise — and prevents the dreaded “verbal wandering.”

🎤 Why This Matters for Us

Every Table Topics session is training for real life.
Every unexpected question is an opportunity.

The next time you're called on, pause.
Breathe.
Structure your thoughts.
Serve your audience.

You might surprise yourself with how quickly “on the spot” becomes “right on target.”

📚 Source
Adapted from an article by Matt Abrahams, communication expert and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot, published in Toastmaster Magazine.