The theme of our June 19 meeting was Juneteenth.

Jian’s speech was about reducing “tou-gan” (stealthiness) in the workplace. She shared tips on how to appear more confident and less awkward at work. She observed colleagues’ behavior and learned to prioritize trust over urgency. She offered tips for appearing confident and approachable, including slowing down speech and using “confidential” language.

Kirti shared her Icebreaker Speech, “From Grandma’s Kitchen to Toastmasters.” She shared fond memories of food with family and grandma, highlighting its emotional significance. Kirti advocated for donating food to local food bank, and forming partnership with Robin Hood Army. A memorable quote: “I promised myself to use my voice in a constructive way, to spread positivity and bring change one step at a time.”

Gail shared, “Those Elusive Time Stealers,” and discussed “time thieves”, including unnecessary meetings, social media, and multitasking.
She shared tips on managing time, including taking breaks and focusing on one task at a time. A memorable quote: “Multitasking: that ability to screw up several things at once.”

Our Table Topics was about Movie Improv! Speakers improvised scenes based on movies about real-life historical moments related to civil rights, e.g. The Help, Hidden Figures. The most memorable moment was when Jagan correctly guessed the movie Selma and reproduced a stirring speech from that movie.

— Notes by Audrey