What does it feel like to finally meet someone you truly click with? Someone who knows the stories you are talking about, understands the ideas behind them, and can continue the conversation with you. Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu experienced exactly that during his visit to Oasis Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China.

Before the meeting started, the new President of Oasis Toastmasters Club, Ivy Zhang, asked Bruce whether he was from Huizhou. Bruce was shocked—how could someone he had just met know that? It turned out that Ivy and Bruce had actually met before at the Division A Open House in August of last year. Ivy remembered Bruce standing on the stage and sharing his story as one of the youngest Toastmasters club founders in China.

The meeting began soon afterward. Bruce was first inspired by Tina Lin, who described herself as an introvert despite her energetic presence. Tina mentioned more than once that her MBTI type starts with an “I,” but her image was that of a sunny girl with a beautiful smile. During the club officer election, she spoke confidently and passionately. If someone were to ask what their first impression of a Toastmaster should be, Tina would certainly be one of the people they would want representing the organization.

During the Q&A session, Bruce heard the story of guest Nikki. Nikki first participated in Toastmasters while she was attending college in Zhuhai after being invited by one of her professors. She shared that her professor’s wife frequently spoke at the club. Nikki came to Oasis Toastmasters Club because she wanted to reconnect with Toastmasters after moving to Shenzhen.

While listening to others’ stories, Bruce also shared his own. As he introduced himself to members of Oasis, he found someone who truly understood many of the ideas behind his work and experiences in Toastmasters.

Cindy Zhang joined Toastmasters in Hong Kong more than twenty years ago, remained a member for two years, left for a long period of time, and recently rejoined in Shenzhen. Bruce was amazed by Cindy’s deep knowledge of Toastmasters. When Bruce mentioned Toastmaster magazine, unlike many members from other clubs who had never heard of it, Cindy shared that she still had several printed copies dating back to 2003. The same was true when the conversation turned to the Toastmasters–Rotary relationship. Cindy was already familiar with Rotary and even knew about the historic collaboration between Island Toastmasters Club and North Point Rotary Club in Hong Kong, one of the earliest examples of cooperation between the two organizations in the region.

To Bruce, Cindy felt like an elder with endless stories and experiences to share.

After the meeting, Bruce joined Cindy, Ivy, and another friend for a vegetarian dinner. The conversation flowed naturally throughout the meal. Cindy shared stories about her nephew, who studied at USC, found love during college, and married shortly after graduation. Cindy’s friend shared healthy eating habits and nutrition tips, while Ivy talked about the many different kinds of people she had met through Toastmasters.

For Bruce, the visit left a lasting impression. Oasis Toastmasters Club is not only a place to practice public speaking, but also a community of kind and experienced people who are willing to listen, share, and support one another. The evening ended with meaningful conversations, laughter, and friendship. When Bruce thinks of Oasis after this visit, he thinks of a group of people with rich experiences who are always willing to listen and share.

When talking about sunshine, almost everyone can think of a day filled with it. People’s definitions of a “day with sunshine” may vary. Some might describe it as a day of sleeping until lunchtime without work, while others might think of spending time with friends and enjoying life. Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu explored many stories of “one day with sunshine” during his visit to Happy Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China.

Bruce delivered a Table Topics speech at the meeting. He shared the story of how a single day spent reading Toastmaster magazine led him to discover the lack of youth voices in the publication and eventually inspired him to write an article himself. He spoke about the history of Toastmaster magazine, the writing process he went through, and the outcome that his article will be published this August. For many people at the meeting, it was their first time hearing about the magazine, and they were inspired by Bruce’s passion for Toastmasters. Bruce won Best Table Topics Speaker of the meeting. Among the many “one day” stories shared that evening, a common theme emerged: many members remembered the day they first stepped onto a stage to speak in English, served as a timer, or took on another meeting role. These ordinary moments became the sunshine that shaped their Toastmasters journeys.

Beyond the discussion of finding sunshine in everyday life, Bruce also listened to an interview with Song Rui, the first-place winner of the District 118 Chinese Speech Contest 2025-2026. Song shared that his winning speech was developed over the course of a year and refined through multiple revisions. He emphasized that authentic speeches come from real-life experiences. Song believed his success was made possible by the extensive preparation he invested in his speech on school bullying, a topic connected to his own childhood experiences. In addition to drawing from personal stories, he read numerous books to strengthen his speech and carefully considered which messages would resonate most with his audience. Song described Toastmasters International as a life-changing organization. Reflecting on what life might have been like without Toastmasters, he said he could not imagine where he or the hundreds of thousands of members around the world would be today. For him personally, Toastmasters opened doors to opportunities, growth, and meaningful experiences that he may never have discovered otherwise.

The atmosphere at Happy Toastmasters Club was one of the best Bruce has experienced among the many clubs he has visited. Filled with warmth, encouragement, and genuine connection, the meeting demonstrated how Toastmasters can bring people together through shared stories and personal growth. As members reflected on the ordinary moments that became their own “days with sunshine,” the evening came to a close with laughter, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the impact that a single day can have on a person’s life.

Have you ever wondered when marriage will happen—or what it truly means to love someone?

Over the Lunar New Year break, Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu had the opportunity to visit the joint 525th meeting of Smart Toastmasters Club and the 914th meeting of Ship Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China. The theme, “Chinese New Year Holiday: Survival Guide to ‘When Will You Marry?’”, tackled these profound questions, and Bruce Yu was impressed by the energy of the members and how open they were to share their personal stories.

In the Table Topics session, members shared a variety of experiences. One male member talked about a female colleague who developed feelings for him, only for the relationship to end because she had a boyfriend from high school. He reflected on how complicated love can be, especially in the workplace. A female member shared her own perspective, saying, “The best way to know if you’ve found the right person is that there’s no clear answer—because the feeling becomes more important after many dates.”

A Mexican guest also shared a thought-provoking view: “I found my love today in this meeting—the love of socializing, the love of getting to know one another, and the love of learning by doing. Love isn’t just one thing.” His perspective was a refreshing reminder that love transcends the boundaries of romantic relationships.

The guest was also quick to compliment Bruce Yu on his height. After Bruce Yu introduced himself and shared some of his hobbies, the guest eagerly asked, “Do you play basketball?” Bruce Yu was delighted to meet someone so warm and positive, especially late in the evening.

The meeting took place at Walmart’s headquarters in China, and many of the members worked for Walmart China. This gave Bruce Yu an incredible opportunity to learn about how people in the corporate world view love, relationships, and inclusiveness. The experience underscored the importance of fostering open dialogue and connection, both in and outside of the workplace.

At the start of the Lunar New Year break, Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu visited the FSTT Toastmasters Club (From Speakers to Trainers) in Shenzhen, China. The visit strengthened connections between clubs and promoted shared learning. FSTT members demonstrated strong English proficiency and excellent communication skills, reflecting the club’s high standards of training and development.

The theme of the 227th meeting, “Golden Hours,” encouraged members to share meaningful moments through the Table Topics and Prepared Speech sessions. Zoe Wang, the meeting’s Harkmaster, noted, “Asking questions during the Harkmaster report section is my golden hour.” Her thoughtful preparation and attentive listening contributed greatly to the meeting’s energy and engagement.

Early in the meeting, Bruce Yu delivered a guest introduction, sharing his enthusiasm for visiting Toastmasters clubs and exchanging experiences. He also introduced his interests in biking and watching movies. In the Table Topics session, he presented a two-minute impromptu speech on applying the “Golden Hour” concept to daily life, including his experience of using it to write articles for Toastmasters magazine. He also introduced key sections of the magazine to members who were unfamiliar with them.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bruce Yu was recognized as the Most Dazzling Guest. He expressed appreciation for the club’s welcoming and inclusive atmosphere and assisted with venue cleanup before extending Lunar New Year greetings to all members. Although FSTT Toastmasters Club has been established for only four years, it has built a strong reputation for professionalism, dedication, and positive community spirit.

During Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club‘s 446th meeting and leadership transition election (19th–20th), Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu and Vice President Dylan Guo attended to provide support. Throughout the meeting, Dylan Guo served as the Timer to ensure that each officer nominee had a fair opportunity to deliver an election speech. Bruce Yu assisted by guiding Dylan on how to perform the Timer role effectively and when to raise the timing cards.

This election was the first officer election meeting Bruce Yu had participated in since August 2025, when he was first introduced to Toastmasters. The experience helped him better understand how Toastmasters elections operate, including the nomination process, self-nomination, support from other members, the 1.5-minute election speeches, and the requirement of a majority vote for appointment. This knowledge will be especially valuable for Sea Dragons Gavel Club, as a similar election will take place in about half a year.

This was also Dylan Guo’s first time attending an adult Toastmasters Club meeting after months of learning about Toastmasters. Before this experience, he had not fully understood the positive atmosphere of club meetings or the close, family-like community within each club. Participating in this meeting helped deepen his understanding of Toastmasters and inspired new ideas for the future development of Sea Dragons Gavel Club.

Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club is the sixth Toastmasters club in Shenzhen that Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu has visited since August. Each club is slightly different in meeting components and roles, but most importantly, in the people who make up the club. The connection with PAT began one month ago, when there was a strong interest in finding contact information for other Gavel Clubs for collaboration and communication. PAT members Alion Zheng, DTM, and Viola Lee, DTM, provided valuable support by helping connect with Gavel Club leaders across China. This visit gave Bruce Yu the opportunity to learn directly from their club.

At first, Presidents Advanced Toastmasters Club felt like a “mystery club,” especially with so many members serving as Toastmasters leaders, officers, and directors, and earning the Distinguished Toastmaster award. As shown by their many ribbons, including two President’s Distinguished Club Awards and a Founder’s Award on their club flag, the club has achieved outstanding results. For Bruce Yu, their “advanced” quality was reflected in the logic of their speeches, the confidence of their speakers, and the simple yet effective way they conducted meetings.

During the meeting, Bruce Yu served as the Timer, recording speaking times and helping maintain the schedule. His first experience in this role was at Pro Toastmasters Club. Meeting roles are one of the key features that distinguish Toastmasters education from other speech training programs. At PAT’s 444th meeting, themed “How to Define ‘Advanced,’” Alion Zheng, DTM, shared similar ideas 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 be slightly ahead in this process and appear to be leaders, but everyone involved is, in fact, a leader.