Dear Fellow Toastmaster!

What an incredible meeting we had this week, centered around the theme of collaboration! We witnessed the magic of teamwork as members and guests came together, supported one another, and delivered powerful speeches. Whether it was feedback from evaluators, reports from the functionaries or guests who tackled Table Topics, each voice played a role in our collective success. Together, we raised the bar and celebrated unforgettable partnerships, creative ideas, and growth. It was a true reminder that in the world of public speaking, collaboration is the key to excellence! 🌟

 📣 📆 Info and Announcements

• Our GGTM Discord server is alive and kicking. Get involved and sign up to the server today.

• 09/23(Monday) 6-7PM:  GGTM Talk Tank Session specifically covering items around Onboarding and setting up access and tools.

•  Adam C shared the link to his grandmother's interviews about her story in the Holocaust [the topic of his speech on 11th Sept].

Don’t be shy, share your life wins and let’s celebrate together!

Never want to miss out on GGTM social events like the beach bonfire? Click on the button and subscribe to our club’s Google Calendar.

 📚️🏫 Toastmastering Together

This week’s Open House was an opportunity to introduce our club to our friends to help start their Toastmasters journey. For those of us who have already made the decision - and signed up! - we want to make sure that you optimize the resources at your disposal.

• Access A TON of resources from the  Toastmasters International Website 

• Sign-up for roles at the Golden Gate Toastmasters Club Website 

• Subscribe to the GGTM Calendar to be updated with GGTM club happenings

All of this and more is captured in the GGTM Onboarding Checklist. We also do have a GGTM Talk Tank Session on Monday, 09/23 6-7PM if you need help setting up - or any other questions!

🤝 ♣️ September 18 Open House Highlights 👀 by Helen

Wow! What a meeting we had this week for our collaborative Open House with our friends from Sierra Speakers. Collaboration was the name of the game throughout the meeting (and also the theme!). 

Functionary roles were split between GGTM and Sierra Speakers to make this hybrid meeting a joint effort. Thank you to Phim, Pete, Grace, Gene and Helen for keeping us all in order. 👩🏻‍⚖️

We welcomed several guests as well as members from both GGTM and Sierra Speakers; a whopping 38 people in person and 6 on Zoom.  Thank you for joining us this evening, we look forward to seeing you again!

We decided to shake up the agenda a little bit and had two prepared speeches from Scott (GGTM) and Angie (SS), both longtime Toastmasters. They took the opportunity to showcase their speaking skills as well as to deliver a speech from Pathways.  

The prepared speeches were followed by a panel discussion hosted by our very own Sheila. Angie, Scott, and special guest Angelie Raven Fitch were asked to share their Toastmasters journeys as well as their advice with the audience. 

Voting was simplified this week and we awarded only the Best Table Topic ribbon as well as two Maverick Awards (congrats Pete and Alex L!).

Here is a quick summary of the meeting content:

• 📖 The WotD was Symbiosis - great choice from Grammarian Grace. Special shout out to Anna de Groot for using the word 6 times during her evaluation! 

• 🎤 Angie shared her story of embracing uncertainty in life and that ‘It’s OK not to know’, recounting her life as a digital nomad before returning to SF.

• ♟️ Scott discussed chess champion Mikhail Tal’s 1964 knight sacrifice and explained how we can metaphorically handle life’s mental knots, by cutting the rope and ‘letting the damn thing drown’.

• ➜ Top tips from the Panel: 

  • when delivering a speech consider what the audience really want to know: the WIIFM? 

  • Deliver speeches several times so that they evolve and improve with the feedback you receive.

  • Seize every opportunity to speak! You’ll get out what you put in. 

• 💭 Table Topics led by Corinna were truly excellent and thought provoking as we delved deep into collaborations. Highlights included:

  • 📏 Jay proposing stricter measures for entering the Olympics (breakdancing anyone?!).

  • 👴🏻 Vincent wanting to collaborate with Aristotle for the betterment of humankind.

  • 🎶 Elena admiring Cardi B’s ability to get her through tough times.

  • 🕰️ Alexandra revealed how her impatience can hinder her ability to collaborate (🏆 Best Table Topic 🏆 ).

  • Shoutout also to Nik, David, Karishma, Derick, Jack, Kendra, Katie and Brent for stepping up to the podium for their impromptu speeches.

  🖐️ Evaluations from Alex L and Anna praised the speakers for inspiring language and smooth delivery. Anna also emphasized how Scott could leverage more hand gestures and pauses for more impactful symbiotic storytelling. Thanks to GE, Mateusz, for thoughtfully leading the evaluation portion of the meeting!

🙋‍♀️ Sign up for the available roles for our meeting next week. Elena will be Toastmaster for the evening! 🙋

🫵🗣️ Your turn

We would like to hear YOUR stories, information and feedback to make this newsletter, our club and our Toastmastering better. Share it with us!