On the perfect Saturday evening of August 17th, 2024, I found myself heading to a gavel meeting at the CIPM, albeit with a bit of reluctance. My week had been packed with academic assignments, and I had committed to this meeting somewhat out of obligation. As I boarded the bus and followed the map to the location, I couldn’t help but feel a little drained. However, little did I know, the evening ahead was going to be nothing like I had expected.
Upon arriving at CIPM, I was happy to spot a few familiar faces—fellow gaveliers from my university. My initial thought was that this would be like any other gavel meeting with undergraduate participants like myself. But I was in for a delightful surprise. Among the attendees were children, all set to co-host and participate alongside us. This unexpected element instantly piqued my curiosity.
As the meeting began, I was amazed by the way these young co-gaveliers carried themselves. One of the most interesting aspects was a 10-year-old sharing the role of Toastmaster of the Day with an undergraduate from our group. Despite his young age, the child showed remarkable poise and discipline in inaugurating the meeting, delivering his speeches with an impressive confidence that left us all in awe.
Throughout the meeting, the children continued to impress us with their roles. From icebreaker speeches to preparatory speeches, each child performed with a level of enthusiasm and talent that was truly inspiring. Their ability to speak with such clarity and expressiveness at such a young age was astounding.
At one point, the institution’s mentor held a session on creating engaging presentations, which added to the overall learning experience. But what truly stood out for me was the Table Topics session. The children’s introductions were playful yet captivating, and they eagerly accepted the challenge of impromptu speaking. Their unique, lighthearted style infused the meeting with a sense of joy and spontaneity. What struck me most was their unwavering confidence—even when unsure about something, they carried themselves with an energy that was contagious.
As I watched these young speakers, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey of overcoming stage fright and developing public speaking skills. Their carefree attitude and happy demeanor reminded me of the importance of embracing each moment with positivity and joy. They inspired me to live more in the present, just as they did, without overthinking or worrying too much about making everything perfect.
The meeting wrapped up in a beautifully symbolic way—under the backdrop of light rain. We all gathered for a group photo, and true to their playful nature, the children struck quirky, childish poses that added a touch of warmth and happiness to the experience.
This gavel meeting with children at CIPM was more than just a regular session—it was a heartwarming and refreshing experience. It reminded me of the simple joys in life and the power of a positive attitude. The children’s enthusiasm and carefree nature left me feeling uplifted, inspired, and ready to approach life with a renewed sense of happiness.
That’s my personal experience from the CIPM gavel meeting, a day that unexpectedly turned out to be a delightful and inspiring journey, all thanks to those amazing young co-gaveliers!
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