Over the Thanksgiving break, Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Runfeng Bruce Yu traveled to Hangzhou, China, and attended a meeting of the Future Champion Advanced Toastmasters Club, one of the two Toastmasters clubs in the city where English is the primary working language. Among the many Toastmasters clubs Bruce has visited, Future Champion Advanced Toastmasters Club stood out for its strong English environment and members’ communication abilities. Many participants demonstrated advanced speaking skills, while in some other clubs he had visited, only one or two members showed the same level of proficiency.
What impressed Bruce most, however, was not only the members’ language ability, but also their preparation and commitment. The meeting reflected a culture where every participant took responsibility for contributing to the learning experience. Even first-time guests demonstrated confidence and composure, showing the welcoming and supportive atmosphere created by the club.
Throughout the meeting, Bruce listened to three well-developed speeches: a self-introduction built around personal stories, a speech exploring bravery and fear, and a presentation on “hair as energy.” Although the topics varied, each speech connected closely with the meeting theme, Mindset, demonstrating how members used personal experiences to share meaningful ideas.
Beyond observing others’ speeches, Bruce also contributed his own perspective during the Table Topics session. He shared his reflections on the mindset of kindness and how it flows through Toastmasters. The meeting itself became an example of this idea, as members learned through practice in a supportive and collaborative environment.
More importantly, Bruce emphasized that this spirit of kindness and growth can continue to strengthen the Toastmasters community. Rather than focusing on positions, ranks, or status, he believes the organization’s value comes from helping members improve their communication skills, develop confidence, and support one another throughout their journeys.
