Butuan Toastmasters Club Online Meeting last Sunday (September 6, 2026)

 

Meeting Information

• Date: September 6, 2026
• Platform: Online (Zoom/Video Call)
• Meeting Type: Regular Club Meeting
• Presiding Officer: VP Joseline Yee (Acting)
• Toastmaster of the Evening: TM Jam
• Attendees: TM Jan (John Andrew), TM Rex (Sparrow), TM Julian, TM Jocelyn (Joseline), TM Nelly, TM Jennifer (Area Director), Director Chito Flores (General Evaluator), TM Jam

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Key Outcomes

The Butuan Toastmasters Club held a full regular meeting centered on the theme Resiliency, successfully completing all program segments despite a power outage affecting the club president. Two prepared speeches were delivered, table topics were conducted, and certificates of appreciation were presented to Area Director Jennifer and Division Director Chito Flores. Past Division Director Chito provided an extended general evaluation encouraging the club to adopt a success plan for scheduling speeches and roles in advance. 12

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Program Segments Completed

• Anything Goes — TM Rex presented a Filipino malong as a symbol of cultural and practical resiliency; conducted an interactive activity where members rated their resilience level (1–5) and gave one-sentence "bounce-back" responses. 345
• Food for Thought — TM Jan (John Andrew) delivered a reflection on resilience: "Resilience is not measured by how many times you fall — it is measured by your willingness to rise, learn, and continue." 67
• Word Mastery — TM Rex introduced the word tenacious (adjective: persistent, determined, not easily giving up); noun form: tenacity. 8
• Table Topics — Three speakers: TM Julian (handling resiliency through self-affirmation), TM Jocelyn (2009 business failure and recovery guided by her mother), TM Chito (perseverance in love). 91011

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Prepared Speeches

Speaker	Title	Status
TM Nelly	What Have We Given?	Overtime (8 min 30 sec) 12
TM Jan (John Andrew)	Lost in Translation	Overtime (7 min 59 sec) 12

• Nelly's speech: Used Mother Earth as a metaphor for resilience — "Just because something can recover does not mean we should keep hurting it." Evaluator TM Jennifer commended her applied feedback and powerful metaphor; recommended organizing ideas into three clear points and adding a personal story about contributing to nature. 131415
• Jan's speech: Explored communication challenges as a nursing student; discussed the SOPI charting framework (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Planning, Intervention, Evaluation) and the gap between knowing information and delivering it clearly. 161718

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Evaluations & Reports

• General Evaluator (TM Chito): Encouraged the club to adopt a success plan so all roles and speech slots are pre-filled before each meeting, as practiced in his club (5–7 prepared speeches per meeting). 1920
• Language Evaluation (TM Rex): Highlighted strong phrases — "growth after something has changed us" and "strong people get tired too"; suggested refining "we can do everything even though we have less or nothing" to "we can accomplish much, even when we have little or nothing." 2122
• Ah-Counter (TM Jan): TM Rex — 5 filler sounds; TM Chito — 1 long pause, 1 repetition, 1 "um"; TM Nelly — 1 repetition; TM Julian — 4 filler sounds; TM Jan — 4 filler sounds, 2 long pauses, 1 repetition. 2324
• Timer (TM Julian): Anything Goes ran 9 min 43 sec (over time); Food for Thought 3 min 51 sec; Word Mastery 2 min 35 sec; both prepared speeches were overtime. 12

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Club Development & Announcements

• Certificate of Appreciation presented to Area Director Jennifer Hinlaw and Division Director Chito Flores for their support to Butuan Toastmasters Club. 25
• Proposed training partnership with the Butuan City Education Development Office (under the Office of the Mayor); office approached TM Rex directly and requested at least two training sessions for high school and college students. 2627
• New club prospects: Efforts underway for a club in Iligan and a potential charter in Surigao City; approximately 12–15 members already identified for the Iligan club. 2829
• Caraga State University — College of Law and Medicine programs proposed as future Toastmasters partnership targets for next year. 30

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Action Items

• TM Jam / Club Officers: Follow up with Butuan City Mayor's office to confirm venue and dates for the proposed training (tentative: September 17–18). 2931
• TM Rex: Send finalized speaker list and proposal documentation to the City Education Development Office; follow up on email (currently in spam). 2732
• All members: Use the word tenacious at least once during the meeting's remaining segments. 8
• TM Nelly: Restructure next speech around three clear points; incorporate a personal story about contributing to nature. 1415
• TM Jan: Memorize script more thoroughly; improve eye contact, gesture use, and vocal variety. 3334
• Club Officers: Explore implementing a success plan to pre-schedule speeches and roles for all upcoming meetings. 20

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CCF Sunday Service Fellowship

 

Mga Pangunahing Resulta

Tinatalakay ng pulong na ito ang mensahe ni Pastor Eddie tungkol sa tatlong puntos ng pagpapalago ng pag-ibig sa pamilya: Mahalin ang Diyos, Mahalin ang Pamilya, at Mahalin ang Iba. Binibigyang-diin na ang pundasyon ng isang malusog na pamilya ay ang relasyon sa Panginoong Hesukristo, at kung wala ito, nagdudulot ng dysfunction sa pamilya at lipunan. Nagbahagi rin ang mga miyembro ng kanilang personal na karanasan at takeaways mula sa mensahe. 12

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Tatlong Pangunahing Punto ng Mensahe

• Mahalin ang Diyos — Pundasyon ng lahat; sinasabi ni Hesus na ang pagmamahal sa Diyos ng buong puso, kaluluwa, at isip ang pinakadakilang utos. 2
• Mahalin ang Pamilya — Ang asawa/ama ay tinatawag na maging modelo ni Kristo sa tahanan; ang tatlong papel ng ama: Commander (0–6 taong gulang), Coach (7–teenager), Consultant (nasa hustong gulang na). 34
• Mahalin ang Iba — Ang pagmamahal sa pamilya ang nagbibigay-daan sa pagmamahal sa labas ng tahanan; kailangan ng lens ni Hesus para makita ang bawat tao. 5

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Mga Babala at Hamon sa Pamilya

• Ang kawalan ng Diyos sa tahanan ay nagdudulot ng dysfunctional na pamilya — absent na ama/ina, at ang mga bata ay naghahanap ng pagmamahal sa ibang lugar. 6
• Gadget addiction — Ipinakita ng medikal na pag-aaral na ang utak ng isang adik sa digital games ay katulad ng utak ng adik sa droga; nagdudulot ng pagiging agresibo sa mga bata kapag kinukuha ang gadget. 78
• Pride — Isa sa pinakamalaking hadlang sa relasyon; ang finger-pointing sa asawa ay nagpapalala ng away at hindi nagdudulot ng pagkakaunawaan. 910
• Disiplina nang may pagmamahal — "Discipline without relationship leads to rebellion"; kailangang ipaliwanag sa mga anak kung bakit sila dinidisiplina. 11

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Mga Pagbabahagi ng Miyembro

• Sis. Jean/John — Natutunan ang kahalagahan ng pagsuko kay Diyos sa gitna ng mga pagsubok; ang pagmamadali ay maaaring makapinsala, kaya kailangan ng pasensya at pananampalataya. 1213
• Sis. Nancy — Hindi siya nagplano ng pag-aasawa, ngunit sa pamamagitan nito natuklasan niya na hindi pala siya kasing bait ng akala niya; itinuturo ng pagiging asawa at ina ang tunay na selflessness at pag-ibig ng Diyos. 1415
• Bro. Rommel — Dati ay lagi siyang nakakakita ng pagkakamali ng asawa; ngayon, unti-unting nagbabago ang perspektibo niya mula nang makilala si Panginoon. 1617
• Grupo ng mga Kababaihan (Sis. Bambie) — Mga hadlang sa pagpapakita ng pagmamahal: kawalan ng pasasalamat, takot sa pagtanggi, sakit mula sa mahal sa buhay, at miscommunication. 1819
• Grupo ng mga Kalalakihan (Bro. Johnson) — Pride ang pangunahing hadlang; imposibleng mahalin ang pamilya nang wasto kung hindi tama ang relasyon sa Diyos ("you cannot give what you don't have"). 2021

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Mga Praktikal na Hakbang para sa Pamilya

• Maging life testimony sa pamilya; ang pagbabago ng buhay ang pinaka-epektibong saksi. 22
• Magbukas ng family devotion/Bible study sa tahanan — ang pamilya ang unang "discipleship group". 2324
• Magtanong sa pamilya: "Nasaktan ba kita? Patawarin mo ako." — pagsubok ng humility at pride. 2526
• Limitahan ang paggamit ng gadget ng mga bata; huwag ipakilala nang maaga. 27
• Ipagdasal ang mga miyembro ng pamilya na hindi pa nakakakilala kay Hesus; maging saksi sa kanila. 28

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Anunsyo at Susunod na Hakbang

• True Life Retreat — Oktubre 9–11; registration fee: 50,000 Korean Won; naabot na ang budget target at lumagpas pa. 2629
• Hinikayat ang lahat na mag-invite ng mga kaibigan/kakilala sa pamamagitan ng registration link sa Facebook page. 30
• Ang mga lider ay inaabisuhan na suriin ang task checklist para sa paghahanda ng retreat. 29

Session 1 : Lay Counseling Training Batch 8

TOPIC 1 : GOING ALONG SIDE ANOTHER 

Key Outcomes

The first session of Lay Counseling Training Batch 8 launched with participants from across the Philippines, Korea, and India. The session covered the foundational definition of counseling, class rules, and a case-study exercise designed to highlight the dangers of jumping to conclusions. Participants were introduced to breakout room protocols and confidentiality requirements before closing in prayer.

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Participants & Locations

• Facilitator: Norma Gaston ("Mommy Norms"), psychotherapist and counselor, based in Davao City; holds doctorate in counseling from GSP and a Ph.D. in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary, Oklahoma, USA 1
• Co-facilitator/Admin: Jessa (Bohol); Arrows (logistics/coordination)
• Couples enrolled: Pastor RC & Josie Manzano (Bataan); Armar & Jessa (Bohol); Eva Rica & Arnel Morales (Zamboanga City) 2
• Twins: Lara Mae and Lyra Mae (Davao City, from Davao Oriental), required to use separate devices and placed in separate breakout groups 34
• International participants: Elle Shimte (Manipur, Northeast India); Sarah Kim (Korea) 25
• Church group (Sea Gentles for Christ Ministry, Zamboanga): Eva Rica Morales, Arnel Morales, Krista Nea Elnas, Rowelyn Lamata, Laikah — approximately 6 members from the same church 67
• Others: Jennifer (Davao City, USEP faculty); Riz Mirafuentes (Katalunan Grande, Davao); Michelle (Metro Manila); Joy/Floresol (missionary in Thailand); James Aaron (Bohol, BS Psychology student); Rose Ann Prado (Bacoor, Cavite); Lara Mae (Tiboc Children's Hospital, Davao) 789

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Class Rules & Structure

• New schedule: Classes held every Tuesday and Saturday (changed from previous full-week-once-a-month format) 10
• Cameras must remain on during all sessions to ensure active attendance 11
• Language: English preferred for the benefit of international classmates (Elle from India, Sarah from Korea); facilitator will translate when needed 1213
• Powerpoints not distributed — admin policy; participants must take their own notes and create their own materials 1415
• Handouts provided via email by the admin (Ma'am Chinky) 14
• Certification: Completers receive certification from Arrows & Quivers (Philippines) and Restoration Ministries, Cozad, Nebraska, USA 1617
• Preferred address: "Mommy Norms" or "Tita Norms" — not "Doctor" — to reduce relational distance 111

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Breakout Room Protocol

• Groups of maximum 3 participants; arranged as 3-3-2 if 8 participants 3
• Spouses and twins separated into different groups 418
• Participants from the same church also separated to encourage broader interaction 18
• Groups are permanent throughout the course to build familiarity and practice tolerating discomfort 1920
• Strict confidentiality required: Nothing shared in breakout rooms may be discussed outside the group 18
• First breakout session: 15 minutes — get acquainted, share about yourselves, give feedback on Session 1 19

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Core Teaching: What Is Counseling?

• Defined as "going alongside another" — walking beside someone burdened, not ahead or behind 1721
• Follows a formal helping agreement between counselor and counselee to apply special skills toward resolving personal or interpersonal problems 21

What counseling is NOT: 222324

• Fixing the counselee (the Holy Spirit does the fixing)
• Making the counselee dependent on the counselor
• Prescribing what to do — instead, offer 3 options, with the desired choice listed last, preserving the counselee's decision-making 2325
• Carrying the counselee's burden (leads to counselor burnout — facilitator shared personal health consequences from carrying 60 counselees during the pandemic) 26

Key counselor tasks: 2728

• Accept, understand, and care for counselees regardless of lifestyle or background
• Hold the light — you are not the light; the Lord Jesus Christ is 2729
• Counseling is not a one-session deal; real issues often emerge only in the 3rd or 4th session 30

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Case Study Exercise: Parking Lot Scenario

• Participants role-played escalating frustrations (blocked parking, bumped shopping cart, drunk-driving accident) — all revealed at the end to involve the same group of Boy Scout leaders responding to an emergency caused by an elderly drunk driver 173132
• Lesson: Appearances deceive; behaviors have unknown causes; never jump to conclusions 33
• Counselors must approach every session with a clean slate and wait for the full story to unfold 3033

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Counseling Tools & Inner Resources Mentioned

• Gratitude therapy (3 things to be thankful for daily) — rooted in "In everything give thanks" (Scripture); shifts negative outlook 34
• Scripture writing — copying Psalms (emotions, struggles, resolution) then Proverbs (practical living); personal reflection more effective than pre-written devotionals 3536
• Talk therapy / venting — emotional issues are like toxins; talking is the way to release them; some sessions require the counselor to mostly listen 3738
• Listening skills identified as the most critical skill to develop — to be practiced in breakout rooms 38

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Action Items

• Jessa: Assign breakout room groups (separated by church, marital status, and twins); manage 15-minute breakout for Session 1 1938
• Lara & Lyra: Use two separate devices in all future sessions 3
• All participants: Keep cameras on; use English when possible; maintain strict confidentiality on all shared content 111318
• All participants: Review biblical basis of counseling verses in handouts; submit additional relevant verses to the group chat (GC) 2728