Community Public Speaking for Seniors

MFRC x YRES x U+ Final Session Recap

June 16, 2026 By: Nora Meneshian, Project Coordinator at YRES

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On June 16, Thadseja and I attended our final MFRC Public Speaking for Seniors session of the 2025-2026 program year. Everyone was excited to come together once again, but there was also some sadness knowing that our monthly meetings were coming to an end.

We ran the session using the structure of a standard Gavel Club meeting. Thadseja and I opened the meeting before inviting our chairperson to introduce the different meeting roles and guide everyone through the agenda.

Chairperson introducing different meeting roles at the podium

We began with our Jokemasters, who brought plenty of laughter to the room. Their jokes ranged from humorous observations about relationships to classic “What do you call a…” jokes. It was a lighthearted and energetic way to begin our final session together.

Next were the Small Talkers, who presented a wide range of creative and thoughtful topics. One speaker discussed how burglary can indirectly create new jobs in industries such as alarm systems and security services. Another explored desire and how people can sometimes fall victim to selfishness. Our final Small Talker shared stories from a recent trip to China.

This speaker was a new member of the MFRC seniors’ group, and we were very happy to see him presenting so confidently and putting himself out there. It was wonderful to watch a new participant feel comfortable enough to share his experiences with the group.

Nora opening for the meeting at the podium

We then moved on to our prepared speakers. One speaker gave a personal and informative presentation about vertigo, explaining what it is, how it affects her daily life, and how her own experiences have influenced her work as a disability claims adjudicator. In this role, she reviews disability claims, interviews applicants, and helps determine whether they are eligible to receive benefits. Her speech showed how personal experiences can build empathy and provide valuable insight in a professional setting.

Thadseja and I hosted the Table Topics portion of the meeting, with Crime and Justice as our theme. We explored several serious questions, including how society should respond to repeat offenders, why children who commit offences should be treated differently from adults, and participants’ views on the death penalty.

Although the theme was more serious than some of our previous discussions, the seniors took the lead and created a thoughtful and respectful conversation. They went around the table sharing their perspectives, responding to one another, and examining the issues from different points of view.

At the end of the session, we gave each participant a gift to thank them for their involvement throughout the year. They could choose between a crochet kit and a notebook based on their personal preference. We also took a final group photo to commemorate the end of the MFRC x U+ Community 2025-2026 program year.

Before leaving, we had the opportunity to speak with the seniors and reflect on the time we had spent together. We will miss seeing them at our monthly sessions, but we wish everyone a wonderful summer!

Thadseja and I will not be returning in the fall, so we would also like to wish the seniors continued success in their future public speaking experiences. We encourage every member to keep sharing their ideas, developing their confidence, and continuing their excellent storytelling efforts.

This is Nora and Thadseja signing off!