Yesterday’s Toastmasters meeting was a little different from our usual Saturday gatherings.
It was a Linkers Meeting between Trivandrum Toastmasters Club and SparkleV Toastmasters Club, a women-only Toastmasters club. It was our 630th meeting and SparkleV’s 92nd meeting.
And with Onam, the grand festival of Kerala, just around the corner, the evening had a distinctly festive spirit.
Celebrating Onam Through Toastmasters
The theme of the meeting was simply “Onam.”
Our Word of the Day was “Abundance”, while the Phrase of the Day was “Spread the Joy.”
These two expressions seemed particularly appropriate for an Onam gathering. Onam is, after all, a celebration of abundance, togetherness, sharing and happiness.
The meeting was presided over and opened by our President, DTM A. T. Pillai.
Our Toastmaster of the Day was DTM George, a role that was decided just as the meeting was about to begin. With the festive theme and the informal nature of the gathering, he guided the proceedings smoothly.
A Special Prepared Speech
The meeting featured one Prepared Speech by DTM Susan Mathews from SparkleV Toastmasters Club.
Her speech, titled “The Ethical Flame,” was a Level 4, Project 2 speech from the Effective Coaching pathway and had a duration of 15–20 minutes.
The speech was evaluated by DTM Sajeev from our club.
One of the things I enjoy about Linkers meetings is the opportunity to listen to speakers from another club. Every speaker brings a different style, perspective and experience, and that makes the learning richer.
Thinking on Our Feet
The Table Topics session was conducted by TM Roshni.
Impromptu speaking is always an interesting part of a Toastmasters meeting. We are given a topic, very little time to prepare, and then have to organise our thoughts and express them as clearly as possible.
It is a wonderful exercise in spontaneity, confidence and quick thinking.
Evaluation and Learning
The Evaluation Session followed, with DTM Sajeev evaluating the Prepared Speech.
The TAG reports were presented by:
- Timer: TM Parvathy, Trivandrum Toastmasters Club
- Language Evaluator: TM Priya Shaji, SparkleV Toastmasters Club
I had the opportunity to serve as the General Evaluator for the meeting. This was another role that was decided just as the meeting was about to begin!
As General Evaluator, I had the opportunity to look at the meeting as a whole—from the opening to the different segments, the participation and the overall flow of the meeting.
I find the General Evaluator role particularly valuable because it makes us look beyond our own individual role and pay attention to the meeting as a complete experience.
A Small Gathering, But a Meaningful One
The attendance was quite low, even though this was a Linkers meeting.
But with Onam so close, that was understandable. Many members were probably busy with preparations, travel and family commitments.
Yet, the smaller gathering gave the meeting a warm and informal character.
It reminded me that not every meeting needs to be grand to be meaningful.
Sometimes, a small group of people coming together, sharing a few thoughts, listening to one another and simply enjoying the evening is enough.
My Roles at Meeting 630
Yesterday gave me the opportunity to take up three different responsibilities.
I served as the Sergeant-at-Arms, General Evaluator, and also as the official photographer for the meeting.
The SAA role was part of the opening of the meeting, while the General Evaluator role came up rather unexpectedly just before the meeting began.
Being the photographer gave me yet another perspective.
Instead of only experiencing the meeting as a participant, I was also looking for those little moments worth capturing—the smiles, conversations and interactions that make a meeting memorable.
Each role required a different kind of attention.
And perhaps that is another lesson Toastmasters keeps teaching me:
When we pay attention, we notice more.
A Celebration Without Awards
There were no individual awards presented at this meeting.
Given the festive nature of the gathering and the approaching Onam celebrations, the meeting was more about coming together, connecting and enjoying the spirit of fellowship than about competition or recognition.
And I think that was perfectly appropriate.
Not every gathering needs an award at the end to make it worthwhile.
Spreading the Joy
Towards the end of the meeting, our President invited the guest, Mr. Nithin Joseph, to share his feedback on the meeting.
The meeting was then brought to a close by TM Seetha Lekshmi, President of SparkleV Toastmasters Club.
As I look back on Meeting No. 630, what stays with me is not the number of participants or the absence of awards.
It is the spirit of the evening.
Two clubs came together.
People spoke, listened, evaluated and encouraged one another.
And, in a small way, we lived the Phrase of the Day:
Spread the Joy.
Perhaps that is what makes Toastmasters special for me.
It is not only about becoming a better speaker.
It is about connecting with people, taking responsibility, learning from others, stepping forward when an opportunity comes, and growing a little with every meeting.
And sometimes, it is simply about being present and enjoying the journey.
Abundance. Togetherness. Joy.
A beautiful way to spend a Saturday evening—and another memorable chapter in my Toastmasters journey.