From Inspiration to Action

When I walked into a Toastmasters club meeting, I had no idea the impact it would bring to a high school student like me. I was invited to visit the Shekou IMAGINE Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. At that time, I thought it would be like my school’s speech and debate class. I was completely wrong.

That first Toastmasters meeting left a powerful impression on me. People of different ages and backgrounds sat together, learning and improving in a supportive environment. I was amazed by how joyful and collaborative people were. I had never experienced anything like that before.

Two questions kept spinning in my head: How can I keep participating in this club? And how can I let my classmates experience what I just did?

Driven by curiosity and excitement, I searched the Toastmasters website and discovered that Gavel Clubs were an option for people under the age of 18. I immediately thought of starting one at my school.

Over the next few weeks, with the help of Andy Zhou, then President of Shekou IMAGINE Toastmasters Club, I visited several Toastmasters clubs to better understand how meetings run. I began to picture what kind of club I wanted to build—one that could foster an inclusive student community.

The first challenge came when I started inviting people to join. Many of my classmates were hesitant. Some didn’t know what Toastmasters was, and others worried it might take too much time. I soon realized that the best way to inspire others was through storytelling. I told them about my first meeting, how much fun it was, how people helped each other, and how I felt more confident afterward. I also asked what skills they wanted to improve, and explained how Toastmasters could help. Bit by bit, a few friends became interested.

I wanted this to go beyond just one class or grade. During the chartering period, I formed an officer team with friends from two lower grades. There were only four of us at our first club officer meeting.

On August 28, 2025, we officially chartered the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, named after our school mascot. We held our first official meeting with only six members. Even though it was smaller than expected, I was filled with joy seeing my dream become reality.

Members gained confidence, learned to give and receive feedback, and took meeting roles. But what mattered most was the atmosphere we created: a space where students could take risks, share their voices, and improve without fear of judgment.

Over time, we helped two other schools start their own Gavel Clubs. We also work closely with other Gavel Clubs in China to exchange ideas and create a unified and supportive learning experience. Through this, we’ve seen more young people discover their voices and confidence.

Additionally, we donated to the Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund and helped financially sponsor the District 118 Annual Conference. We also provide educational opportunities to students through community service and mental health awareness activities by partnering with Rotary Club of Shenzhen and other organizations.

Building a Gavel Club taught me lessons I never expected. I learned that persistence, creativity, and empathy are key to leading a team. I discovered the power of using stories to inspire, the importance of creating a welcoming space, and the true meaning of collaboration. Most importantly, I learned that helping others grow is just as rewarding as growing yourself.

I am deeply grateful to Toastmasters for the joy it has brought me, the friendships it has helped me build, and the chance it gives me to make a positive difference.

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