Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club is the sixth Toastmasters club in Shenzhen that Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Runfeng Bruce Yu has visited since August. Each club has its own meeting style, structure, and traditions, but for Bruce, the most meaningful differences are found in the people who bring each club to life. Every visit has become an opportunity to understand how Toastmasters communities develop their own culture of learning, leadership, and connection.

The connection with PAT began one month earlier, when Bruce was looking for contact information for other Gavel Clubs to explore opportunities for collaboration and communication. PAT members Alion Zheng, DTM, and Viola Lee, DTM, provided valuable support by helping connect him with Gavel Club leaders across China. What started as a search for connections eventually became an opportunity for Bruce to step into PAT’s community and learn directly from its members.

At first, Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club felt like a “mystery club.” With many members serving as Toastmasters leaders, club officers, and district directors, as well as earning the Distinguished Toastmaster award, the club appeared to represent a high level of experience and achievement. Its many ribbons—including two President’s Distinguished Club Awards and a Founder’s Award displayed on the club flag—reflected its history of excellence.

However, for Bruce, the true meaning of “advanced” was not found only in awards or titles. It appeared in the details of the meeting: the logical structure of speeches, the confidence of speakers, and the simple yet effective way members carried out each role. These elements showed that an advanced club is built not only through achievements, but also through consistent practice and shared commitment.

During the meeting, Bruce served as the Timer, recording speaking times and helping maintain the schedule. His first experience in this role was at Pro Toastmasters Club. Although it was a small responsibility behind the scenes, it reminded him of one of the unique features of Toastmasters education: every member contributes to the learning experience, whether speaking on stage or supporting others from behind it.

At PAT’s 444th meeting, themed “How to Define ‘Advanced,’” Alion Zheng, DTM, shared his perspective during the roundtable interview. He explained that the word “leadership” is often inaccurately translated into Chinese as authority or pressure from a boss. In reality, leadership means inspiring others to take action together. Some people may simply be slightly ahead in the journey and appear to be leaders, but everyone involved is, in fact, a leader.

For Bruce, this idea captured what he experienced at PAT. The club’s “advanced” quality was not only reflected in the achievements displayed on its walls, but also in the way members supported one another, embraced their roles, and continued growing together.