Recap: 141th Chapter meeting by Norman Tan

Despite not having attending Toastmasters in a long time, I was exhilarated to be attending Anchorvale Toastmasters 141th Chapter meeting, as this would mean seeing old friends, making new friends all the while bonding over sumptuous food.

As predicted, the moment I entered I was greeted by the ever-friendly Jenny, our Club Mentor as she treated us to spring rolls, carrot cake and chee cheong fun. What would we do without our beloved mentor Jenny and without the delicacies that she always prepares? J

With that, the meeting got off to an energetic start, with Hilda breaking the ice by asking everyone what their passions was. Next, Club President Chee Sian delivered a rousing opening address, with a call to new members to take up roles in the new exco term.

Next I sauntered onstage to explain the Word of the day, “Endeavour”, which connotes an attempt, to aim or to try to achieve. Its always encouraging to see members endeavouring to stretch their vocabulary and challenge themselves to use the WOTD in creative ways.

Next up, it was Toastmaster-of-the-day Valli, Timer Cheok Pui and Ah-Counter Hilda turn to shine as they readied themselves for the start of the meeting proper. Cheok Pui in particular, was raring to go :P

For the Prepared Speeches, Claire demystified and distilled the mental condition of Dementia using an analogy of a shifting bookcase which I can’t quite forget. Next, Audrey posed us a question “How Lucky are You?” and peeked a little deeper at the very habits that makes us successful. Thereafter, Bharathi shared about the most important 4Gs in her life. Lastly, Jeff espoused about Steven Bannon, Donald Trump and their profound impact on the world.

As with all Toastmasters speeches, our project evaluators came next to assess our speakers on whether they had met their respective project objectives. For that, we had Helena Lim, Muthu Ganesh, Rusman and Jenny to share on their acute observations. Its always useful to hear an independent assessment of your speech to identify new areas for improvements.

Last but not the least was our Table Topics session, where our Table Topics Master Joseph quizzed the crowd on beautiful quotes from famous movies such as Mulan, and Forrest Gump. While the participants sweated, the audiences were enthralled. Kudos to all (Margaret, Andy, Souvile, Kar Keng, Wilson, Samuel, Clara, Cheok Pui, Marcus) who bravely attempted the topics!

With that, it sums up our 141th Chapter Meeting. Till the next meeting (hint: Chalet) for more exciting and fun adventures!

Best Speaker: Audrey, PM1

Best Table Topics: Margaret

Book Review by Desmond Chong: The quick and easy way to Effective public Speaking by Dale Carnegie.

“Try your best to develop an ability to let others look into your head and heart. Learn to make your thoughts, your ideas, clear to others, individually, in groups, in public. You will find, as you improve in your effort to do this, that you—your real self—are making an impression, an impact, on people such as you never made before.” 

― Dale Carnegie, The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

This book provides a quick and concise method about improving your public speaking skills, in a few simple but important rules and some tips as well. Simple but importance examples and rules are shared and Carnegie sums it up into 5 steps

The 5 steps highlight the importance of public speaking not only in a professional stage but also how effective public speaking helps not just in a corporate environment but also in daily lives and allows you to know how to convince others by display a high level of confidence.

Part one explores the fundamentals of acquiring basic skills with a few simple points. For example taking heart from your own experiences or even others, keeping your goal before you, predetermine your mind to Success and also seize every opportunity to practice which eventually leads to success. He emphasizes how to build confidence by first acting confident, preparing in the proper way and the importance of never making a scripted speech. Speaking about something which you are deeply passionate or highly experienced about is certainly the way to be connected about your topic as your listeners are likely to be easily bored or disconnected with a mechanical memorized speech.

Part two then goes about looking at the speaker, Audience, and speech. It goes into limiting the subject and about developing reservice power and in particular, goes into the kinds of examples and the illustrations that can add to an engaging speech, for eg using metaphors to create vivid pictures in your mind

Part three looks into the purpose of prepared and Impromptu talks. Great insights about  how to do talks to persuade/ inform and convince with preparation, Impromptu speaking can be persuasive, informational or even entertaining depending on the occasion demands to make your communication powerful.

Part four goes deep into the art of communicating and how to deliver the talk. Effectively shows how being eager to share your message will ensure you deliver your speech with ease and your audience will be eager to hear your message.

Part five relates to how to use specific details to apply to everyday conversation and most importantly in public speaking situations

I find this book highly insightful, engaging and effective. It gives great for everyday communication in both personal and business situations. I would really recommend this book for everyone, especially to the budding toastmasters.

“In almost any subject, your passion for the subject will save you. If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it. If you wish to be good, you will be good. If you wish to be rich, you will be rich. If you wish to be learned, you will be learned. Only then you must really wish these things and wish them with exclusiveness and not wish one hundred other incompatible things just as strongly.” 
― Dale Carnegie, The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

Book Review By Desmond Chong