July, 2026 | Sea Dragons Gavel Club

The Story of Gavel Clubs

July 24, 2026August 26, 2026Runfeng Bruce YuLeave a comment

Serving Special Groups

Few Toastmasters clubs could offer such an impressive charter night program as the one held for the Los Caballeros Toastmasters of Santa Monica (Charter No. 322) when they recently received their charter. The program featured the participation of Leo Carrillo, a well-known star of film and radio, and Ferde Grofé, an orchestra conductor and composer.

A twenty-minute speech by Leo Carrillo was filled with valuable suggestions on public speaking, enhanced by his wit and humor. Ferde Grofé shared how he came to compose the “Grand Canyon Suite” and then performed selections from the work. Hon. Leland M. Ford, a former Member of Congress from Los Angeles, praised the important work being carried out by Toastmasters clubs. Everett W. Morgan, a member of Santa Monica Toastmasters Club No. 21 and a remarkable amateur magician, also contributed to the evening’s entertainment. All four distinguished guests were made honorary members of Los Caballeros Toastmasters and expressed their intention to attend future meetings. For those unfamiliar with the pronunciation, Los Caballeros is pronounced “Los” (with a long “O” sound) and “Cabalyairos” (with emphasis on the “yair” sound).

Serving a group of accomplished men at the California Institute for Men near Pomona was the Institute Speakers’ Club, sponsored and supervised by the Pomona Toastmasters Club. In this remarkable correctional institution, speech training proved to be a valuable tool in encouraging clear thinking, helping individuals develop personally, and preparing them to return to their normal roles in society. The Toastmasters program and methods appeared to be especially suited for this purpose.

A Toastmasters club that truly deserved the description “unique” was being formed in Los Angeles among men who had lost their sight. This chapter was sponsored by the Toastmasters Club of Alhambra No. 34, whose members worked diligently to help the visually impaired men attend meetings and understand Toastmasters methods. The members converted a considerable amount of material into Braille so they could read it, and they were learning how to participate despite their visual limitations. It was expected that they would be ready by September to receive a regular charter, creating a new opportunity for men who were unable to take part in many usual activities because of their loss of sight.

The Toastmasters Club of Alhambra continued assisting with the organization of this Toastmasters club for a group of men in Los Angeles who had lost their sight. Difficulties with transportation and other challenges related to visual impairment affected the progress of the work, but the effort was actively continuing. Pictured at a recent meeting of the group were M. X. Dahlstrom, President of Alhambra Toastmasters; Bob Anderson, organizer of the new group; Al Stolliker, Deputy Governor of Alhambra Toastmasters; and Jack Felthouse, a member of the new group who was studying law. Bob Anderson had been active in promoting opportunities for people with visual impairments and was a world champion blind bowler.

The immediate reason for this discussion was the report that the Pomona Toastmasters Club had sponsored a speech club at the California Institute for Men in Chino, which was operating successfully. The Pomona Toastmasters Club requested guidance on how to continue this work. At the same time, requests were received to bring the Toastmasters program to Birmingham Hospital in Los Angeles, where many service members needed this type of training.

Another unusual application of Toastmasters’ work developed through a club for men who had lost their sight. This club was sponsored by the Alhambra Toastmasters Club for a group of men in the area who faced challenges due to visual impairment. The club adopted the name “Men of Vision Toastmasters Club,” and in time received a regular charter. It operated successfully for several years but was eventually forced to close due to local difficulties, most importantly the challenge of transporting members to meetings.

The Creation of Gavel Clubs

A question arose that would influence Toastmasters International’s policy for years to come and, by 1959, would open the way for expanded service. Special clubs were being organized in schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and state and federal institutions under the sponsorship of local Toastmasters clubs.

The question was whether these groups could be officially authorized. Since “Toastmasters” was a registered trademark and these groups did not meet the requirements for a chartered club, they could not use the name Toastmasters clubs. The Board of Directors decided that while Toastmasters International was willing to support these special groups, they should operate under another distinctive name, such as “Gavel Club,” with the added designation “Sponsored by [Name of Club].” This approach to supporting special groups proved successful and allowed Toastmasters International to provide valuable service to a wider range of communities.

The immediate reason for this discussion was a report that the Pomona Toastmasters Club had sponsored a speech club at the California Institute for Men in Chino, which was operating successfully. The Pomona Toastmasters Club requested guidance on how to continue supporting this initiative. At the same time, requests were received to introduce the Toastmasters program at Birmingham Hospital in Los Angeles, where many service members could benefit from the training.

Another unique application of Toastmasters’ work developed through a club for men who had lost their sight. Sponsored by the Alhambra Toastmasters Club, this group was created for men in the area who faced challenges due to visual impairment. The club adopted the name “Men of Vision Toastmasters Club” and eventually received a regular charter. It operated successfully for several years but was ultimately forced to close due to local challenges, especially the difficulty of transporting members to meetings.

The broad adaptability of the Toastmasters training program, along with the positive impact created through the dedication and efforts of its members, continued to inspire new opportunities for service. In 1959, this expanding need led Toastmasters International to adopt a formal policy for establishing and supporting groups in various types of institutions. The name “Gavel Club” was officially adopted for these affiliated groups, which could be connected with Toastmasters International without receiving a formal charter. Through this approach, Toastmasters International could extend its support to many more people who could benefit from its programs but were not able to become members of regular Toastmasters clubs.

How to Build Confidence and Win Speech Contests

July 22, 2026August 26, 2026Runfeng Bruce YuLeave a comment

Mike Carr is the 2020 World Champion of Public Speaking, standing out among 30,000 contestants from 146 countries. He is an economist, entrepreneur, and international speaker who launched his first business at age 14 and has worked with U.S. senators and global financial firms.

Mike’s speaking journey began when he was ten years old in a group similar to a Gavel Club. He immediately developed a passion for speaking, but his enthusiasm also created challenges: he often spoke too long and used too many filler words. Eventually, someone introduced him to Toastmasters, which helped him improve those weaknesses and develop his speaking skills.

Throughout his journey, one of the most important lessons Mike learned was about confidence. He explained that everything in life can be divided into two categories: things you can control and things you cannot control. According to Mike, confidence grows when we focus only on what we can control and detach ourselves from what we cannot.

Mike shared that this lesson came from his eighteen-year journey competing in Toastmasters contests. He lost many times, and in 2015, he gave what he considered his favorite speech but did not even place, which was devastating. Later, he realized his confidence was low because he was focused on whether the judges liked his speech, something completely outside of his control. Instead, he changed his mindset and began judging his success based only on whether he had prepared as well as he could and served the audience as effectively as possible. After making this shift, his confidence increased, and he eventually won the World Championship in 2020.

When discussing preparation, Mike emphasized the importance of consistent writing and practice. He suggested writing for fifteen minutes every day to keep the creative mind flowing. For his speeches, he wrote out the entire script. At his speaking speed of 114 words per minute, a seven-minute speech required around 800 words. When he first wrote his championship speech, it was 1,500 words, so he carefully cut it down. He then created a mental outline by imagining walking through his house, with pictures representing each point of his speech. This helped him remember the structure and speak without notes. Before the finals, he practiced his speeches out loud at least 500 times, even practicing in distracting environments such as walking on a downtown trail.

Beyond preparation, Mike emphasized the importance of gratitude as a mindset. After his disappointment in 2015, he decided he no longer cared about winning as much. Instead, his focus became delivering a speech that could help someone in the audience. Before every speech, he says a prayer of gratitude, reminding himself that he has the opportunity to help at least one person. This allows him to focus less on himself and increases his confidence.

Mike also stressed the importance of having a strong vision while holding it lightly. He referenced Admiral Stockdale, who survived a prison camp by believing he would eventually get out while still focusing on surviving each day. For Mike, this means maintaining a long-term goal while staying focused on the present.

When sharing advice about creating interesting speeches, Mike suggested starting like a great movie that immediately drops the audience into the middle of a scene. A surprising statement, question, or moment can quickly capture attention. For impactful speeches, he recommended using stories instead of simple declarations, adding humor to build rapport, and constantly reading and writing so speakers can recognize ideas that create emotional responses.

For speaking without notes, Mike recommended progressing step by step: start with notes, turn information into stories, develop mental outlines, and practice until fewer notes are needed. He explained that confidence without notes comes from repeated preparation.

To connect with an audience, Mike emphasized the importance of eye contact. Instead of scanning across the room, speakers should look at one person at a time to create a stronger connection. When answering questions they cannot answer, he recommended honesty, saying, “I don’t know, but I’ll research it,” because authenticity builds trust.

Throughout his talk, Mike shared several quotes that reflected his speaking philosophy. A beginner speaker focuses on himself, an average speaker focuses on the speech, and an expert speaker focuses on the audience. He also explained that whenever someone does not share their authentic self, they waste their audience’s time. His advice to his younger self was simple: lighten up and have fun, because even if you trip and fall, you may have just created a great story.

The key takeaway from Mike is that public speaking is a skill developed through consistent practice, focusing on what you can control, and serving your audience with gratitude and authenticity.

PRO 777th Meeting | What Are You Eating?

July 22, 2026August 26, 2026Runfeng Bruce YuLeave a comment

PRO Toastmasters Club was the third club Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Runfeng Bruce Yu visited when he was first introduced to Toastmasters. Around the same time in 2025, PRO left a lasting impression on Bruce—the club represented professionalism, progress, and promise.

On July 21, 2026, Bruce revisited PRO together with District 118 Division I Director Demir Huang. Before the meeting began, Bruce and Demir exchanged books with each other, with Bruce sharing The Story of Toastmasters.

While many things can change over time, the people at PRO remained the same source of warmth and connection. Nora Wang, Vice President Education, welcomed members with her humor and thoughtful support. Before the meeting, she helped arrange chairs and tables and prepared drinks and snacks for attendees. Her personality was also reflected in her individual speech evaluations, where she introduced memorable phrases such as “Nora officially,” “First Fish, Second Fish, Third Fish,” and others. Her kindness and dedication demonstrated the spirit of a Toastmaster.

Nora Wang serving as the evaluator for an International Speech Contest contestant at the District 118 Division A New Member Speech Contest 2026–2027.

With “Yummy” as the Word of the Day, members shared stories about their favorite dishes. Behind each dish was a personal memory, cultural experience, or meaningful story.

Sam, a member from Dubai, shared his appreciation for a traditional Chinese home dish—fried eggs with tomatoes. “A dish with eggs and tomatoes is something I rarely had in my culture, and I loved it after coming to China,” he shared.
Nora Wang talked about her preference for milder flavors, explaining that she cannot handle very spicy food. She recalled a time when she ate a spicy dish with others and was surprised when they said, “It’s not spicy.” She enjoys tomato fried eggs because it is not spicy and also prefers noodles with lighter flavors.
Liz Zhang shared a dish from her hometown of Gansu, China—Stir-Fried Dongxiang Potato Slices. The dish features crisp and tender potato slices seasoned with bold cumin flavors and a spicy, savory aroma. She mentioned that it is rarely available in Shenzhen, so she usually prepares the dish herself whenever she wants to enjoy a taste of home.

Chelsea Cheng, a new Toastmasters member, delivered her second prepared speech, sharing a story about her pet fish. She recalled how her fish survived a hot summer while she was away on a trip and how she had planned to provide them with a larger water tank after returning.

Bruce found a connection between Chelsea’s story and his own experience. When he was in Grade 7, his biology teacher Zoltan Nemes-Nagy gave him two salamanders at the end of the school year. Unfortunately, they did not survive the summer heat. Bruce shared this memory during the Moment of Truth segment of the meeting.

Through familiar faces, new connections, and shared stories, the meeting reflected the family-like atmosphere of Toastmasters. Even after nearly a year since his first visit, Bruce was still warmly remembered by members, while new participants found a welcoming community from their very first meeting. In Toastmasters, every connection has the potential to become a lifelong fellowship.

District 118 Division I Club Officer Training 2026–2027

July 20, 2026September 2, 2026Runfeng Bruce YuLeave a comment

“Come,” said Lindsay Luo, I1 Area Director for Division I. Those simple words stayed with Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Runfeng Bruce Yu. The first time was when Lindsay welcomed him to District 118 Division I Club Officer Training (COT). The second was when she asked, “Would you like to join our organizing team, Bruce?” What began as a casual invitation soon became an opportunity to serve behind the scenes and experience Toastmasters from a different perspective.

Bruce first met Lindsay at Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club in October 2025. Neither of them knew that a single meeting would lead to another encounter months later. It was a reminder that in Toastmasters, every conversation has the potential to become a lasting connection.

After returning from a trip to Xinjiang, Bruce was eager to reconnect with the Toastmasters community. He searched for events where he could meet like-minded people while continuing to grow as a leader. District 118 Division I Club Officer Training proved to be exactly what he was looking for. When Lindsay invited Bruce to join the organizing team, he gladly accepted. As a member of the Course Group, he coordinated presentation materials for trainers, attended organizing team meetings, and helped ensure every training session was well prepared before participants arrived.

The training brought together club officers from 26 clubs within Division I, with nearly 100 members attending. The program featured courses covering various aspects of club leadership, including District Division Information Updates, Club Officer Roles and Responsibilities, Creating High Quality Clubs, Attracting and Retaining Members, Constructive Feedback, and How to Build a Healthy Team.

On the morning of the event, Bruce arrived early to help transform an empty venue into a welcoming learning environment. Together with fellow members, he arranged tables and chairs so that each club could sit together, placed agendas, presentation handouts, and bottled water on every table, and helped prepare the venue for nearly a full day of training. He also researched restaurant options for the organizing team’s lunch, ensuring members could recharge after the busy morning.

During the training, Bruce served as the microphone coordinator, ensuring that speakers could be heard clearly and that transitions between sessions ran smoothly. While the role often went unnoticed by participants, it was one of many behind-the-scenes responsibilities that helped the event run seamlessly. He was presented with the Best Stage Crew Dedication Certificate by Demir Huang, Director of Division I.

Looking back, Bruce realized that one introduction had led to an unforgettable journey. District 118 Division I Club Officer Training was a reminder that every connection creates an opportunity, and every act of service makes a difference.

Sea Dragons Gavel Club

Where Leaders Are Made

Month: July 2026