Anchorvale Showcase: Tall Tales Extravaganza

22^nd April 2017, it was a much anticipated day for Anchorvale Toastmasters, as it was the annual Tall-Tales Contest!

As the 103^rd Chapter meeting commenced, we were invited by the Sergeant-At-Arms Zulhafni to participate in a mini game. He would pose questions for us and we were supposed to form up in 4 different corners of the room depending on our answers. For example, the first question was, where do you work? The meeting would then split themselves into four corners, North, South, East, West and this helped break the ice successfully

After a few more rounds filled with invigorating laughter, we went back to our seats for the introduction by our Toastmaster of the day, Wee Chee Sian followed by President Norman Tan’s Opening Address. Hareesh BN, our Language Evaluator then introduced the Word of the Day, “Invigorate”.

And finally, it was time for the Prepared Speeches.

First up, it was an Ice-Breaker speech by our new member, Yong Kang, where he shared with fellow Toastmasters a touching story about his personal struggle to do well in school.

It was then followed by Chun Ming’s speech. His P3 project titled, “Cherish” reminded everyone not to take our relationships for granted and to cherish them. Rather than breaking hearts, we should instead break into the deepest corners of our hearts.  

Project evaluations came after and both Rusman Lee and Zulhafni Zulkeflee gave insights and praises for the speech of Yong Kang and Chun Ming respectively.

It was then time for the much anticipated Tall-Tales extravaganza! Nine contestants, Angela Cai, Suresh Subramaniam, Sathiyamoorthi Chinnasamy, Hareesh BN, Zulhafni Zulkeflee, Wee Chee Sian, Norman Tan, Dino David and Rusman Lee were pitched against each other to claim the title of “Most Convincing Con-man” and “Most Creative Speech”.

Overheard by one member, "How can that story be true??" 

Healthy interrogation to find out the truth

Looks of disbelief and suspicion

The audience were treated to an array of stories ranging from ridiculous and unbelievable to heart-warming truths. Yet the question remained, which of those stories were true, which were lies?

And finally, the answers were revealed and everyone was aghast as how many stories actually were true. Zulhafni with his incredulous tale of his journey in Egypt and Dino with his humorous tale of getting lost in Woodlands, both tied for 2^nd place, for having tricked several members.

But the “Most Convincing Con-man” award still went to Sathiyamoorthi who entertained us with his tale of a worm, a 2inches long worm found inside his food and tricked the most audience members into believing his story

After an invigorating and intriguing afternoon, the 103^rd Chapter Meeting and Tell Tales Contest came to an exciting close!

Written by: Yong Kang

Photos by: Salma

Anchorvale Toastmasters 102th Chapter Meeting

Today’s meeting recap is dedicated to our ever humble and kind Club founder Owen, who was unable to attend.

Like the stormy clouds that had gathered in the skies, a storm was brewing inside Anchorvale Toastmasters. With so many strong speakers blowing in like the powerful winds, the walls shook in fear, almost unable to contain the cackling energy and talent gathered in the room. The atmosphere was electrifying and the tension almost palpable. All the speakers were ready to win.

Like a referee, Dino stepped up to open the meeting with everyone’s stories about April’s Fool, but instead he unleashed the floodgates of everyone’s mouths as everyone excitedly shared how much they enjoyed being lied, tricked and deceived.

Club President Norman, rose to the stage to talk about the importance of stepping up and being responsible of your own Toastmasters journey. He might as well have not spoken at all as everyone clearly was in complete control, almost ready to unsheathe their swords and draw blood with their prepared speeches.

Yuet Cheng, our Language Evaluator of the Day came up next to remind speakers about using the Word of the Day, “Rich” and to use proper English or face the devastating consequence of her wrath.

And so Hemant our Toastmaster of the Day signalled the start of the prepared speeches, and the beginning of the bloodbath.

Prepared Speeches

Bao Long enthralled the audience with a swooning speech about how parents should allow their kids to step out of their parental ‘umbrella’. I have never saw such an apt use of an umbrella before, although it might have been due to the rain earlier.

Refusing to be outdone, his bromance buddy Kelvin stunned the audience when he demonstrated the brilliant use of a … DUSTBIN to remind everyone that the future was in our hands and in our choices.

Everyone wants a picture of rising star, Kelvin

Next, Weite sauntered on stage, flashing her signature zipped smile and setting hearts aflutter. ‘Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish and Keep the Spark Alive’ – that was all the audience could and should remember from her spell-bindingly mesmerizing speech.  

At long last, our guest speaker Bei’an swept on stage like a tempest, delivering a LKY–esque rousing speech about the Singapore-Malaysia separation. When he finished, the crowd broke into thunderous applause and carried him outside for a good five minute cheer.\

We teared. We sobbed and we cheered as the prepared speeches drew to a close. Gathering our emotions over pizza, we next had the Evaluation speech segment.

    

Evaluations

Like a clinical surgeon, Muthu drew first blood with his incisive and on-point analysis of Bao Long’s speech. Note to self: Do not let this guy near a knife.

Not to be outdone, Sathyamoorthi jumped into the fray and eviscerated and exonerated Kelvin’s speech in his all-so-classic Sathya’s style, but not before offering some fruit juice to Kelvin who was moved to tears by this point.

Emotional was the essence of the next evaluation, as Norman gave an assessment of Weite’s speech and promptly broke down, lamenting at how his plight at work was so similar to what Weite had spoke. As Norman was then evacuated to the nearest clinic, Melvyn who was also not feeling well, delivered an all-powerful evaluation of Bei’an speech and then went to join Norman at the clinic.

After two brutal rounds of prepared speeches and evaluations, the audience was still yearning for more. And this was when the all-out royal rumble started, with our fearsome and intimidating Rusman being the Angel of Death/ Table Topics Master.

Table Topics

Kudos to our brave new members!

Thereafter, 8 brave contestants rose to the challenge by Rusman. The list of warriors were Yuet Cheng, Nicholas, Sweta, Weite, Yong Kang, Helena, Sarah and Alice as they were each given a famous person and quote to emulate. It was a fearsome battle of wits, deceit and duplicity as each speaker tried to outwit, outplay and outlast the rest. One by one, the fallen warriors were removed from the arena until Alice from Wonderland emerged victorious

Pretty ladies of Anchorvale!

After a thunderous and intense storm of 3 hours, the 102^nd Chapter meeting finally came to a close and it was time for the audience to go home, relive the actions and lick their wounds sustained today. Regardless, we know that deep down each of them will still return stronger and better, because that is what every Anchorvale member shares – the endless drive and determination to improve always. 

Best Speaker: Kelvin Ho, TM

Best Evaluator: Melvyn Goh, ACB, CL

Best Table Topics: Alice Ow, CC, CL

Anchorvale CC TMC - 100th Chapter Meeting on 25th February 2017

The Anchorvale Voyage

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club was chartered on 2010 June. As we have swam the deepest depths of the oceans and scaled the steepest heights of the mountains, we have faced plenty of challenges and tasted ample of success.

This was no mean feat. The victories we have accomplished were largely due to YOU, our members, our leaders, our mentors, our friends. Old or current, whether you are with us now, or were members before. It is no different. 

We are all stitched within the fabric of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club. 

How many people are aware that number 100 has its unique distinctiveness. To me personally, the number 100 relates closely to such a great accomplishment. Many students, parents or even businessmen understand the number 100 is a number which represents Completeness, Gutsiness, and Robustness.

As part of Anchorvale  CC Toastmasters, I feel very honoured that I can be part of their 100^th Chapter meeting.

It was an epic full house where people came from various backgrounds such as students, professional, entrepreneurs or just folks looking for good fun.

The meeting was called to order by our Sergeant at Arms Wee Chee Sian, CC, ALB who invited everyone to share their experience with Anchorvale CC Toastmasters. The answers were fantastic as it turned into a contest with members all stating how long they have been with Anchorvale.

Sathiyamoorthi Chinnasamy, CC was our highly-accomplished Toastmaster of the Day and shared his fantastic journey with Anchorvale about how he has grown so much. Not the growth of the body but rather, the growth of life, leadership and friendship. Thereafter our dear President Norman Tan, CC, CL shared with us that Anchorvale CC Toastmasters is like an oil tanker whereby it’s strong, robust and tested throughout the years of time inception.

AMELIORATE, the word of the day. Rusman Lee, CTM, shared his first ever experience as Language Evaluator with the aim that everyone including himself can Ameliorate (improve) their public speaking skills to the next level.

Come into the next segment of prepared speeches. We were pleasantly surprised by our newly minted toastmaster member Gu Haidong, TM, who gave his Ice breaker speech. He happened to be working in the best company right now, which is Google. He shared about his experiences of taking a bold step to come out from his comfort-zone of Google, and to take a leap of faith for the new journey of career in life. Somehow I felt he had some resemblance with Bill Gates, could be his sweater I guess.

Our second prepared speech speaker Dino David, TM, shared a shocking story about a child which in the end turned out to be his own childhood story. He taught us to be delighted with life and turn our weaknesses into strengths.

The third speaker is very young in age yet he is a twinkle star in his speech, Benjamin Leow, ACB, CL. He shared the famous folktale of the wolf and pigs which in turn we find out his version of wolf is the wolf with the very good heart.

Last prepared speech is by our adorable mesmerising adopted Toastmaster, Debbie He Yitong, CC. She shared about her personal relationships with her grandmother, which made us realize, she’s not just a beauty queen from the outside but indeed she also has an angelic heart. To no surprise, she won everyone’s heart to and earned the title of best prepared speech speaker for Anchorvale CC Toastmasters 100^th Chapter Meeting.

During our break, we were enjoying the Anchor Birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of our Mentor Richard Tay, DTM and at the same time to celebrate our 100^th Chapter meeting.

Beautiful cake eh?

After a delighted birthday cake celebration, our toastmaster Vicky Frantz, TM presented us with the Anchorvale Voyage Video, which gave us an insight of our Anchorvale CC Toastmasters years of progress in a 10 minutes’ resplendent video clip. Awesome job Vicky!

Poor Club President

Everyone clapping for Mentor

Mentor Clapping for himself

Group Photo

Old Members - But not old by age. Some people here still young

Group Photo

Project Evaluations came right after the Anchorvale Toastmasters Video Voyage. Roger Yap, Valliappan Selvamani, Muthu Ganesh, Zulhafni Zulkeflee gave us their valuable feedback on how good are the prepared speakers and what are things they can make even better. Such an incredible learning experience listening to their tips and tricks. I am sure the speakers felt ameliorated after listening to the Project Evaluators.

Next, a very creative Table topics led by Zulhafni Zulkeflee, ACB allowed the audience to learn better about some of our senior Toastmasters members. The session was absolutely brilliant with several enthusiastic new faces, and won over by our ex-member and former champion Alvin Tan on the topic of Handbook the rival of Facebook, which made most of us switch over our Facebook apps to Handbook, until we were reminded that this is only table topics and not a real app which will take over Facebook.

The Language Evaluation was delivered by Rusman Lee, CTM. Rusman was happy to find out words of the day “Ameliorate” have been used by several Toastmasters. I am pretty sure everyone has ameliorated their communication skills.

Special thanks to all appointment holders and visiting Toastmasters and not to mention our Organizing Chairman of Vicky Frantz and Sathiyamoothi Chinnasamy, CC

Congratulations to our award winners:

Best Project Evaluator: Zulhafni Zulkeflee, ACB

Best Table Topics: Alvin Tan

Best Prepared Speech: Debbie He, CC

  
Written By: Rusman Lee, CTM, The Ameliorated Anchorvale CC Toastmaster