[Recap] 72nd Chapter Meeting, 11 July 2015

At Anchorvale TMC, we embrace change as an opportunity to grow and improve. By Roger Yap.

When I first started working many years ago, a casual conversation between my bosses left a deep impression on me. At a company meeting, the managing director asked the marketing manager why the readership of the company’s bulletin was declining. The marketing manager couldn’t seem to give a satisfactory explanation. Instead, she hastily defended her team, saying that they had already done their best. They hadn’t changed the original look and layout of the bulletin ever since its launch, she added. The managing director calmly replied: “Well, that’s why people stop reading, because there isn’t anything new.”

Fast forward to the present time: At Anchorvale TMC, we are seeing the newly minted EXCO team exhibiting all the right spirits.  Barely a week into the new term, we can see a brand new look splashing over to the club’s blog here. Creative ideas, useful information and multi-faceted perspectives are emerging into a crowd-drawer that can stand the test of time over the next 12 months and beyond.

On Saturday, 11 July, we had our first chapter meeting of the new  term. Our VPE, Norman, showed us how multi-talented he is, by juggling major roles and helping to take up the Toastmaster of the Day position at the last-minute. Unforeseen amendments are inevitable, and it is heartening to see fellow clubmates standing in for one another.  

Alvin, Deepti and Vinay delivered their prepared speeches. All three of them were attempting Project 2, “Organise your Speech”. It was a close fight as all of them were very competent and entertaining. Alvin managed to win the day by tilting the balance in his favour.

The project evaluation segment saw a rare appearance. Our immediate past president, Sathya, gave us his first evaluation since taking over the helm last year. Without using any notes, he totally convinced us that he spoke from the heart. Having given numerous president’s speeches, he had become more practiced and sharpened his public speaking skill. Roger and Muthu also shared their views as the evaluators for Deepti and Vinay respectively.

The table topic session was directed by Alvin. Back by popular demand, it was his second consecutive turn as Table Topic Master. The response was overwhelming.  The impromptu speakers spoke candidly, and the audience laughed spontaneously.  Thomas was in his element that afternoon, and he clinched the Best Table Topic Speaker’s ribbon.  

Anchorvale Toastmasters Club will continue to shine brightly under the stewardship of our new president, Zulhafni, and his team. We will continue ensure exciting meetings, friendly gatherings, and entertaining blog posts. At Anchorvale TMC, there is always something new! Do join us for the next chapter meeting on 25 July at Anchorvale CC!

Congratulations to all Award Winners!

Best Prepared Speech: Alvin 
Best Project Evaluation: Roger 
Best Table Topic: Thomas 

[Review] I Dare To Dream: Make Possible the Impossible

Reflections on a short story collection interwoven into the charming rag-to-riches autobiography of Dr Low Lee Yong, CEO of MHC Asia Group. By Norman Tan.

As I scrutinised the cover of Dr Low’s I Dare To Dream, one tagline caught my attention: "Foreword by Dr Tan Cheng Bock”. Surely, a book endorsed by Singapore's former President-elect would be immensely motivational and uplifting! On the contrary, what I found could not be further from the truth, but it was no less valuable and its message, no less powerful.

Penned against the backdrop of Singapore’s fledging years, Dr Low draw parallels between the upheavals of a young nation and the confusion surrounding a young boy as he contemplates several life-altering decisions. As I was guided from his childhood dreams to his religious awakening and the eventual realisation of his calling as a doctor, I became acutely aware of how Dr Low has become the successful CEO that he is today.

As a more character-driven narrative, this highly personal account has been segmented into many chapters, each condensed in the form of a self-contained story. Each story also carries a central message, along with an opening quote that innocuously foreshadows the stories that follows. This concise story makes for an extremely easy read while serving as a perfect template for an inspirational or humorous speech.

Progressively, with each story, the audience becomes more invested in Dr Low’s life journey. One especially poignant part was when he described the final days of his ailing mother, who had such an unshakable presence throughout his mischievous, carefree childhood days. As he described his struggle with the decision to take his mother off life support, I could feel how raw and heartfelt his pain was.

It is with this sincerity that Dr Low writes, that I believe is his greatest strength. He gamely admits several of his errors, his failed business ventures and friendships but through this brutal honesty, we get a true sense of his unyielding determination and unquenchable thirst for knowledge. One minor gripe I had was that the book meanders at the start with several different storylines, making it hard to follow the initial plot. Nevertheless, this problem is short-lived and resolves itself later on.

As such, I would highly recommend this book for those looking for a light read. The author's anecdotes would certainly strike a familiar chord with those who grew up in kampungs. For budding Toastmasters, do check out this book on how you can tell a short, but still effective and inspiring story!

Rating: 3.5/ 5 stars

Want to find out more about Dr Low? Check out his interviews here and here.

Anchorvale's 71st chapter meeting on 27 June 2015

It was an afternoon of stories that delighted and moved us deeply. By Pang In Tiam.

It was a special Saturday for Anchorvale CC Toastmasters as it was the day of the first AGM held by the new Executive Committee. It marked a new chapter for our club. We learnt that our success is not a given, but instead made possible through the efforts of everyone. Big thanks to both the outgoing and incoming committees, as well as to the members for their enthusiasm!

After a fruitful discussion on club matters, it was time for our exiting chapter meeting. Our outgoing president, Sathiya, kickstarted the meeting with his last opening speech for the term. Inspirational as usual, he got everyone to share about the change they wish to see in themselves or their lives. Coincidently, In Tiam wanted to be a better English speaker and Rachel wanted to brush her Mandarin skills – they could be the perfect language exchange partners!

Sathiya addresses the club as its president for the last time. What a wonderful term it was!

Then, it was time for Toastmaster-of-the-Day (TMD), Senthil, to take over the reins. He did a fantastic job in introducing the prepared speeches by three veteran speakers and two upcoming stars.

Senthil remains cool and composed although it was his first time as TMD.

The first speaker was Karthik doing his Project Three on ‘3 Principles’. Simple and straightforward, it is always the best way to get your point across. Karthik was a great presenter. Well done!

Then, our future VP of Public Relations, Rachel, spoke on the topic ‘What is the point?’. She began with a ‘hook’ and asked if anyone remember her last speech in March? Nobody? Because… it was 15 months ago, on March last year! This was followed by a rumination on the question ‘What is the point if there is no point?’ What an interesting technique to hook the audience’s attention!

Chee Sian was next and he shared a personal experience in his speech ‘The Best Teacher’. He was such a strong speaker and used many kinds of visual aids. We really enjoyed his speech as he was so good at engaging the audience. At the end of his speech, he took a 'wefie' with everyone and posted it to our WhatsApp group chat immediately! He presented a very humorous speech. Chee Sian, our next humorous speech contest is waiting for you!

Deb surprised us again with his mishaps when booking an Australia holiday a few years ago! How did he turn such a simple story into the funniest story? We simply couldn’t help laughing at his recount. I wish I could be as funny as Deb – I think I must get some tips from him on how to be such a good speaker!

The good stories continued. Our last speaker was our very experienced storyteller, Salma! She spoke of her experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that shocked the world. These terrible natural disasters exist and because of them, life is unpredictable. I wish everyone can continue to find the strength for today and keep their hopes for tomorrow alive. Great speakers turn their experiences into great stories. Salma is definitely the best among them.

Karthik generously shares his three pinciples with the club.

Chee Sian demonstrates how to take a break in true Kit Kat style,

With her story, Salma reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of fighting on.

 Funnyman Deb tickles our bones with his mishaps in holiday-planning.

After the roller-coaster of emotions, it was time for a break. We enjoyed an array of food, from pizza to cake to watermelon, cut into cubes by our dedicated Norman. It was yummy indeed!

Our stomachs full and energy replenished, we sat back to hear from the evaluators: May, Zul, In Tiam, Riz and Shaun, our visiting Toastmaster from Cheng San TMC. There was so much to learn from all these gurus. 

Finally, it was time for some fun! Alvin, our table topics master, had something different up his sleeve. Instead of presenting each speaker with a topic, he gave them two options, for example: "Would you rather receive $10,000 at 25 or $10 million at 60?" The speaker then had to make a choice and elaborate on it. We found out that our club members are really generous and would love to make donations to the club! The best table topic speaker, Roger, was really super. In a few seconds, he could analyze both choices, organize his thoughts and deliver them perfectly.

It was truly a super fun afternoon, I hope that every meeting will be as enjoyable as this. Special thanks to all our guests who took time off to visit us: Shaun, Anthony and Jessie.

Do join us for our next meeting on 11 July, Saturday!

Congratulations to all Award Winners!

Best Prepared Speech: Debananda Patro
Best Project Evaluation: Riz Masurekar
Best Table Topics: Roger Yap

From left: Deb, Riz and Roger

All smiles for an afternoon well-spent!

Going crazy in the fun shot!