Regular Meeting 126, Sep. 2nd, 2025 (Hybrid)

This special meeting focused on speech evaluation, starting with Mariko’s presentation on the basics. She covered the purpose of speech evaluation, goals of an evaluation speech, how to use an evaluation form, and Do’s and Don’ts of evaluation speeches.

Some of the points discussed include:

1. Speech evaluation not only helps the speaker but also the other participants and the evaluator themselves.

2. It is important to know the purpose of the speech project the speaker has worked on.

3. It is critically important that an evaluator be frank and honest while paying respect to the speaker.

4. Commendation / Suggestion / Encouragement formula is the way to go.

5. Evaluators should not try to recap the speech or mention the obvious.

6. Evaluators should deep-dive and be specific.

After the presentation was a breakout practice. We listened to a test speech and worked in groups of three, taking turns giving evaluation speeches and sharing our thoughts about each evaluation speech. This hands-on experience helped newer members become prepared to serve as evaluators.

Vice President Membership : Hideo