Debating: People should prioritize experiences over material possessions

The debate

No prepared speeches this week. The whole evening was built around one motion: people should prioritize experiences over material possessions. Four rounds — opening statements, cross fire, “grandfire,” closing statements.

Recruiting ran late and loud. The call went out that afternoon for someone to fill TME and timer, and was answered with a simple “Praying.” One member signed up for the negative side only after timidly asking what the debate topic even was, yes or no question, and then admitted she didn’t recognize several of the words in the English version of the motion. She ended up as both a debater and, on the night, the TME, because, as it was put in the group, there was a slot but basically nobody to fill it.

Someone brought candied hawthorn skewers as a consolation prize for whichever side lost, with a call to come get them, win or lose, plus a half-joking appeal for reinforcements to help argue.

No verdict was recorded. The closest thing to a result came from the visitors: asked the next day who had won, a member relayed that the guests seemed to think Rico, on the affirmative side, had been the more impressive one.

Table topics: Beyond Roles

Christy ran the Table Topics session on who you are beneath your roles, asking about choices and circumstances. It produced the evening’s most quoted answer, typed out in full in the group afterwards: “Coming to Shenzhen Toastmasters is a choice that I make… I just don’t want to come get back to family, work. I want to choose something really interesting I really cared about, so that’s why I would come to our club all the time.”

Three guests, and a renewal drive

Three visitors came. The follow-up started in the group that night — who added whom on WeChat, who should be invited back, one guest invited on the spot to give a speech. One contact proved impossible to keep, since the person didn’t use WeChat at all.

The same afternoon the club opened its half-year renewal (April to September, 700 yuan), and ten members had paid before the evening was over.