Memory

A meeting held together by substitutions

Two hours before the gavel, the Meeting Manager was stuck on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan bridge with fifty minutes still to drive, so she asked in the group for someone to cover the opening as TME. A volunteer answered in six minutes, simply saying she could do it.

Twenty minutes later the Timer called in sick. The proposed fix was a draw on the spot, and a guest in the room was nominated as Grammarian. Neither substitution left a name in the chat, so the record simply notes the roles that were confirmed in advance.

The evening ran anyway, with someone afterwards thanking everyone for a lively meeting and good participation. And from another member: “Fully recharged by tonight’s meeting.”

Prepared speeches

Susie and Anna each spoke. Their titles were never posted to the group, so the record has speakers without titles.

A guest who stayed

The Hark Master that night was a guest, Rebecca, and the group had a plan for her: give her a warm welcome and win her over as a member. It worked. Just before midnight she wrote: “Excited to join Shenzhen Toastmaster! Looking forward to meeting you every Tuesday evening, to listen and speak, to share and encourage.”

The Meeting Manager had also put up a prize: anyone winning a Best award that night could collect a movie ticket from her, redeemable before the weekend.