中壢英語國際演講會 Chungli Toastmasters Club

 9-Aug was definitely a memorable day; we had an irregular regular meeting! The meeting theme was “Sunday”. Each of us got a special “train ticket”, the train would take us from Chungli to Canada. How much would it cost? It’s priceless. What about its duration? It lasts forever. It is not refundable. Because our friendship are not valued by money, wherever you are, you are one of us. Therefore, no refund is accepted, once you got that magic ticket.

Shortly after president Gary’s introduction, the knock-door prince Orson(who said that he was still single and available??) opened up the meeting with a song-“Beautiful Sunday”, all of us sang as with him. The song was dedicated to our beloved sunshine Sunday. Orson was thoughtful to provide each session master and speaker a chance to say something to Sunday.

After that the warm up session was led by our variety session queen Kate, a.k.a. the flower of the post office. We learned that “Words” were indeed mightier than weapons.

Then came to our 3 main dishes: The first speaker was Eddie, IPP, another golden bachelor, he re-did his C6, in which we learned that he helped himself walking through the emotional valley by helping others. What a noble spirit he had! Ladies, what are you waiting for? The second speaker Ilona, it was another milestone for her. It was her first A level speech, in which she shared her strategy for completing a CC- by using PDCA + 2R.

Our last speaker Sunday, oh beloved, shinning Sunday, she delivered her farewell speech “Time to Say Good Bye”. She told us that toastmasters changed her life. She has joined numerous Toastmaster activities, meetings, second-rounds, workshops, trainings and outing…. Toastmasters plays an important role to her life. She was grateful to meet all of us, during her toastmaster life. We prepared tissues for tears, but instead of crying. That’s the speech was full of laughter, and sweating. Yes, we sweated a lot. Those tissues were finally used not because of tears, but for our sweats. Sunday loved Toastmasters so much that she wanted to read the pledge one more time. So we read the pledge while running. Way to go, sis~ A very impressive farewell speech! We thank you too.

After the hyper atmosphere, everybody was so excited, taking pictures, while enjoy the delicious snacks which Kate prepared. To cool the atmosphere a little bit, our EVP, another handsome young man in Chunglis Toastmaster played a PPT, it was a collection of old pictures and some of us sent our blessings toward Sunday. Even Sheri who was far away from Cambodia sent her best wishes to Sunday.

Once the air was cooled down, Albert the mainstay of Chungli Toastmasters club, hosted the table topic session, several members and guests from other sister club got the chance to answer the question about Sunday, and they had to mention “ Sunday, 1. I love you. 2. I miss you. 3. Thank you.” Erin, Pifen, Ryan, Lola all answered the questions which Albert raised. Sunday paid full attention to each of them. The most touching min. speech came from our new member Billy, Billy thanked Sunday’s warm welcome and encouragement. Sunday couldn’t hold her tears anymore. Tears were dropping, the tissues were finally used~

Even we were having a most unusual regular meeting, we had general evaluation session. The session was led by our godfather, the spirit of Chungli Club, Louis. He was exceptional “nice”. No sharp “feedbacks” at all. He was almost like a “loving” father. He introduced the evaluators with all good words.

The first evaluator, Pifen came from Tayouan club, our long time friends, provided Eddie constructive feedback. She reminded Eddie some points that he should pay more attention.

The second evaluator, Albert, pillar of Chungli Club, gave Ilona a high commend and valuable suggestions.

The last evaluator, Iris, our little Sun came back from Australia, Sunday’s long time comrade. She evaluated Sunday’s speech with sentimental and love.

President Gary ended the meeting in a special way; he offered more chances to those people who haven’t had the chance to express their feelings/gratitude towards Sunday on stage. Michelle, Pifen, Lola, Thomas, James, Emily….etc; also said something toward Sunday on stage. Bonnie our little princess finally made it into the meeting, who just got off from her weary work, said she didn’t prepare a speech for Sunday, but her tears.

The meeting was ending in tears and laughter, because as usual, when taking the group photos, we were all asked by Sunday to smile, to anger, to make faces…..

Trophy winners of Aug-09 Meeting:

Best Speaker: Sunday Lin

Best Evaluator: Albert Wu

Best Table Topics Speaker: Billy Tsai

Best Session Master: Orson Hsu

Quoted from President Gary:

謝謝所有參與的會員及來賓，尤其是Kate幚我們準備點心，Eddie借到投影机，Sheila製作的幸福列車月台票，中壢壹哥Orson的主持，Albert精彩的table topic session,Pifen全身美金勁裝與俏麗有勁的短髮來support, Louis的精譬的總講評，以及大家提供的投影片，還有許許多多的實際支持

Ps. The phots were taken by Julian, Eddie and Gary.

Ps. In this meeting, we learned that not only our lovely Sunday is leaving us, but our godfather is taking a leave. Louis will be a full-time student in the graduate school. We know that we should be happy to both of them, Sunday and Louis, they will be engaging themselves with a new page of their lives. Still it was a mixed feeling. We felt something was missing without them. Another shocking news was that Julian, the other senior member decidd to "take a rest" from being a Toastmaster. It never rains but it pours. :(Fortunately, we have one good news hat our "little Sun" comes back to us. It's just like a silver lining to a dark cloud. The other exciting news was that that evening Chinese Taipei Basketball team won. That was another good sign. There's hope. Cheer up, fellow members.