Author: Runfeng Bruce Yu

Rotary District 3450: Service Above Self

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Sea Dragons Gavel Club discovered the Toastmasters–Rotary Alliance and saw a chance to offer students long-term community service through local Rotary and Rotaract Clubs. Many students wanted to give back to society but didn’t know where to start, and most of the opportunities available were short-term. Runfeng Bruce Yu and Mingbo Dylan Guo, as leaders of Sea Dragons Gavel Club, wanted to create something more stable and meaningful for students to get involved in.

The main obstacle was contacting Rotary Clubs in China, which are mostly located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Despite reaching out to several clubs, no one responded. Determined to make it work, Bruce and Dylan decided to take a trip to Rotary District 3450 Headquarters and Rotary Clubs in Hong Kong during Christmas break.

Hong Kong’s vibrant Christmas atmosphere made the trip more enjoyable, but what truly warmed their hearts was the support they received from countless people throughout the journey.

Upon arriving at the Rotary District 3450 Headquarters building, Bruce and Dylan were unsure whether the location information was outdated or whether security would allow them to enter. As they entered the building, a kind elderly man with white hair stood up and asked where they needed to go. They showed him the headquarters information, and he quickly said “Rotary” in Cantonese, “fu4 leon4 se5.” He guided them to the elevator, holding the door open, and told them which floor to select. They were relieved to have arrived at the right place and felt grateful for his kindness and inclusiveness toward the two shy students.

When they reached the floor, they finally saw the Rotary District 3450 logo on the wall. A young lady opened the door and listened attentively to their mission without interruption. She didn’t show impatience after hearing that they were high school students seeking collaboration between Toastmasters and Rotary for student community service. They asked her many questions regarding Rotary Clubs in China, and she provided them with the updated contact information for the president of the Rotary Club of Shenzhen. Her willingness to listen, combined with her positive attitude, made them feel that all the effort and challenges they had faced so far were truly worthwhile.

After returning to Shenzhen, Bruce contacted Christine Deng, the president of the Rotary Club of Shenzhen. They had a one-hour conversation where Bruce explained their vision to provide community service opportunities to their club members while introducing them to Toastmasters. Christine was supportive and encouraged them to join local Rotary meetings and activities. This started the process of building stronger connections between Toastmasters and Rotary, ultimately benefiting students by giving them access to long-term community service projects.

FCA 251th Meeting | Mindset

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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.

PAT 446th Meeting | Leadership Transition Election

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Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club’s 446th meeting and leadership transition election (19th–20th) provided Sea Dragons Gavel Club leaders with an opportunity to experience another important aspect of Toastmasters: how leadership is developed through participation and service. Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Runfeng Bruce Yu and Vice President Mingbo Dylan Guo attended the meeting to provide support and observe the election process.

Beyond simply watching the election, both Bruce and Dylan took part in the meeting experience. Dylan served as the Timer, ensuring that each officer nominee had a fair opportunity to deliver an election speech. Bruce supported him by explaining how to perform the Timer role effectively and when to raise the timing cards. Although the role was not always visible to participants, it reflected one of the fundamental ideas of Toastmasters: every responsibility contributes to creating a successful meeting.

For Bruce, the election marked his first officer election meeting since he was introduced to Toastmasters in August 2025. Through this experience, he gained a deeper understanding of how Toastmasters elections operate, including the nomination process, self-nomination, support from members, the 1.5-minute election speeches, and the requirement of a majority vote for appointment. The knowledge will be especially valuable for Sea Dragons Gavel Club, as the club will hold a similar election in about half a year.

Meanwhile, the meeting represented a new milestone for Dylan. After months of learning about Toastmasters, this was his first time attending an adult Toastmasters Club meeting. Experiencing the meeting environment firsthand allowed him to better understand the positive atmosphere of club meetings and the close, family-like connections formed among members.

More importantly, the visit helped Dylan see Toastmasters beyond speeches and training. It showed him how members support one another, share responsibilities, and create opportunities for growth. These observations also inspired new ideas for the future development of Sea Dragons Gavel Club.

Ultimately, the experience reminded both Bruce and Dylan that leadership is not defined only by holding a position. It is built through action, service, and the willingness to support others along the journey.


PAT 444th Meeting | How to Define “Advanced”

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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.