September 16, 2026

This week’s meeting focused on embracing the unexpected, staying present, and finding opportunity in life’s surprises as we gathered around the theme “Expect the Unexpected.” The evening reminded us that while we cannot always control what happens, we can choose how we respond—and sometimes, the unexpected moments can lead to meaningful growth.

Our Toastmaster of the Day, Andrea, invited us to reflect on how we respond when things do not go according to plan. Through her remarks, we were encouraged to see surprises not simply as obstacles, but as opportunities to practice flexibility, problem-solving, and presence.

The Word of the Day was:

Serendipity (noun) — a beneficial or meaningful event that happens by chance.

Our first featured presentation was a leader profile by Audrey, highlighting actress Dale Dickey and her journey in Hollywood. Audrey explored Dickey’s perseverance in an industry shaped by conventional expectations around beauty and age, sharing how she continued pursuing her acting career while taking on various jobs along the way. Her story reminded us that leadership can take many forms, including the courage to remain true to yourself and persist despite expectations or obstacles.

Our second speaker, Ignacio, delivered a humorous and reflective Level 1 speech titled “Let Me Try One More Time.”Through a personal story about trying to convince his father to practice meditation, he examined the difference between forcing someone to change and genuinely helping them grow. His reflections challenged us to consider whether true influence comes from persuading others to follow our approach—or from supporting them in becoming better versions of themselves in their own way. His storytelling and connection to the meeting theme reminded us that sometimes the most meaningful outcomes come when we let go of trying to control the unexpected.

The Table Topics portion of the meeting, led by Dawn, brought laughter, spontaneity, and reflection to the room. Guided by creative prompts aligned with the theme of embracing the unexpected, members practiced thinking on their feet and responding in the moment. We explored everything from recovering when losing our train of thought during a presentation, to introducing Toastmasters to an imaginary audience of aliens, to offering advice to our younger selves about investments and career decisions. Each response showed how much can emerge when we simply pause, stay calm, and embrace whatever comes next.

Thank you to our functionaries and evaluators for their thoughtful feedback and support in helping our speakers and meeting grow!

As we embraced serendipity throughout the evening, we were reminded that we may not always get to choose what happens next, but we can choose to meet the unexpected with curiosity, openness, and confidence.

See you at our next meeting!